I hired Giant Van Lines for my family's relocation from Reston, VA to Odenton, MD. I was quoted $67/hr. For three workers and a truck, three hours minimum plus one hour for travel to the origin and from the destination of the move, no extra charge for long-carries.
To begin with, the movers arrived in Reston in the morning 45 minutes late at 10:15AM with four workers instead of three. The foreman said it would be $15/hr. More for the extra worker that I had not requested, but the extra worker was called back by their dispatcher so I didn't end up having to pay this extra charge.
At noon, the workers departed Reston and we left a few minutes later. Traffic was light and it took us a little more than 45 minutes to get to Odenton. Over an hour later at 2:00PM the movers finally arrived. It was obvious that the crew had stopped for lunch, evidenced by the fast-food soda cups they were carrying.
At 4:00PM the movers completed the work and left my new home in Odenton. I was charged for 7 1/2 hours and $200 for supplies. The foreman explained the charges as six hours of work, hour for travel to the origin and from the destination of the move, plus 1/2 hour for the long-carry between the house and truck in Reston.
I contacted the company and disputed being charged for the worker's hour lunch break and the 1/2 hour long-carry charge that was tacked on. I argued with their Customer Service for a couple days but they denied any wrongdoing. They claim the truck arrived at 10:00AM, left Reston at 12:30PM, arrived in Odenton before 2:00PM (would not give a specific time), and left Odenton at 4:30PM. They deny that the foreman charged me an extra fee for long-carry. I can produce phone records from my calls to the company asking where the movers were and witnesses to prove the company is providing false information on the times.
I think the packing supplies charges were a ripoff as well. The foreman had a sheet itemizing the charges, but did not provide me a copy of this. One of the supplies charges was for 15 rolls of tape. My wife and I found 5 unused rolls and 10 rolls that were only half used, which I think is a ripoff at $3 / roll.
I think I'm going to take these guys to small claims court.
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