I hired Budget Van lines in VA. Over the phone to move a dining room set (empty; no packing) and 2 empty dressers and a mirror from MA to CA. As arrangements for the move began to go wrong, I received less and less help from Budget, until they stopped returning my calls at all. They never told me that another dept. Should be handling my problems, and there were many. This is *not* any kind of customer service. But wait - Five Star was one hundred times worse.
They sub-contracted the move to Five Star Relocation, out of N.J. First, Five Star left me less than the agreed upon 48 hrs. To confirm the (first!) pick up time. I tried calling, but their office is closed on weekends-unbelievable! We then set a second pick up date. I told them that, because of my brother's work hours, they had to be done by 5 PM. They agreed. They did not get there until 5, and were not done until 7:30! - for less than 1.5 rooms worth of furniture...? Juan told me he would see about getting me an "inconvenience" discount - can you believe that our inconvenience was worth a whopping $75.56?
I had received a carrier total of $1173.00. Although I realize the estimate is based on weight which may turn out to be somewhat more, I was informed by Five Star that, after the almost $900 we had paid up front, the total due on delivery, in cash, was to be $1102.45. This is way more than the estimate. I was furious! They told me if I didn't pay the full amount, in cash, they'd drive away with my furniture!
I was told up front that if I felt there was a problem with the weight, I could have the driver weigh my furniture upon arrival. When I asked him to weigh it, he said he had no scale! Not only that, but they lost my table pads and a dining room chair. I calculated out exactly what the costs should have been after the mover left. Even with the amount of weight they *say* they moved, they still owe me an additional $340.
At this time, I think Five Star owes me at *least* $200 for the inconvenience, $100 for the location of my missing furniture, and a reimbursement based upon a re-weigh of my empty furniture. They even charged me $150 extra for a very small, light box!
Don't use Budget Van Lines or Five Star Relocation - ever! Unless, of course, you *enjoy* never-ending emotional and traumatic financial abuse. I am still shaking as I type this.
Although I have never use a moving company before, I am smart enough to know when Five Star Relocation is trying to reem me in every possible for every cent they can get. Not only that, but their "service" is non-existent
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