On 14 October, we entered into a contract with Nation Wide Relocation AKA Moving Cost, located at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after researching moving companies in the Internet. At the time of the agreement a furniture list was provided and discussed on repeated occasions where we listed our household goods that were located at two different addresses one in Crownsville and another in Crofton. The Crofton address included approximately 40 boxes at a storage location also in Crofton. Our move was from Maryland to Idaho.
Between 14 October and 7 November, several calls were made to Nation Wide (Lisa, Denise, Leila) to informed them that the inventory list did not represent the true weight of the goods and the true number of boxes. That where Nation Wide would list, for example, two dressers, both items were not the same size and weight, thus the inventory did not reflect actual weight and capacity. Consequently, the bids were not accurate. Each time we were told that the inventory list was inflated as to the weight, not to worry, all would be well, that a truck had been assigned "exclusively" to us and that the contents of both households would fit and the weight was appropriate. We informed Nation Wide representatives identified here, that both homes had been sold that the property had to be removed by November 8-10.
On Sunday, November 7, a Mayflower 18-wheeler arrived at our home and the truckers inspected our household goods. On Monday, 8 Nov they began loading the truck at the Crownsville address. On 9 Nov, we were told that the weight of our household goods on the Crownsville addresses was underestimated, that the shipment for that home alone, was 28,840 pounds and the cost would be $12,949.87. The truckers (Jimmy and Jeff) picked up the household goods in storage in Crofton but refused to pick up the household goods also at a Crofton address stating there was not enough room in the truck for the estimated 6,500 pounds remaining. Now things get stranger than fiction.
The truckers that picked up the first set of household goods tell us not to worry, they have contacted dispatch (Nick and Larry) and a truck has been dispatched to pick up the property. On 10 Nov 04, we called Nation Wide to verify the dispatching of the truck only to be told that a "second" contract must be completed for the estimated 6,500 lbs and that I must immediately send $1,561.96 to cover the additional $4,093.81. We are being charged PRIME again! At this time the second contract reads load date of 12-13 Nov and delivery date of 18-25 Nov. We question the dates and we were told not to worry, it was just for paperwork, purposes, that a truck was on its way to the Crofton address to pick up the household goods.
From 10 Nov to 15 Nov, Nation Wide (Nick, Larry, and yes, Aldo) told us movers were coming to pick up the household goods, not to worry, no alternatives were necessary.By Thursday, 11 Nov, we are in a panic and are now contemplating alternatives. The property has to be empty for closing by Friday 12 Nov. Calls were made to the company president, Aldo and his "second" Nick, who assured us that a truck was on its way from Connecticut to pick up the goods, not to worry... But the truck, when it arrives on Friday 12 Nov, is a Rider truck, filled with someone else's goods and driven by two truckers (Jamie and Marie) who have not gotten paid an are not moving anything.
At this point, another call is made to Nation Wide who after heated discussions, hires two laborers from a local moving company, United Van Lines, rents a U-Haul (24 ft) for the move... Only, there is no driver to pick up the U-Haul, so we pick it up although Nation Wide rented it... And there is no one to pick up the laborers, so we pick them up and gather everyone at the Crofton address to pick up the household goods... And its raining, the house has to be empty by PM.
While our blood pressures are raising, the household goods are being loaded in the U-Haul and we are concerned about the way things are being loaded and handled and make our feelings known. There are four (4) people loading this truck, for which there is no driver, and by 3 pm there is no room for the outdoor furniture. So they put it on the sidewalk and the U-Haul is parked next to it. Now, the laborers want to be paid and returned to their place of employment. Nationwide, (Nick and Aldo) inform us that there is a computer problem with the way they pay people and ask us to pay the laborers and they would refund us the money. They also ask us to take them back because there is nobody to take them back. The movers that were in the Rider truck are not moving because they have not been paid for previous work and not paid for this one.
Then another 18-wheeler appears, this one was Inter Continental Van Lines (Marchus) who indicated they were told to pick up the household goods only, he did not have room in the truck either, besides he had a larger move in Connecticut and had to do that one first.in conversations with Nation Wide (Nick) they propose that the household goods remain locked in the U-Haul and parked until such time a truck for movement to Idaho is available. We absolutely refused that offer. The Inter Continental Van Lines trucker, in conversation with Nation Wide agrees to drive the U-Haul to Ohio where the truck will be empty and the goods transferred to his larger "rigg" and transported to Idaho by no later than 20 Nov "at the latest". The trucker identifies himself as the owner of Inter Continental Van Lines and has us sign a "customer declaration of value" and tells us this is a requirement, that if there is any damage, the value of the shipment is only... 60 cents per pound.
On 20 Nov, there is no sign of the trucker. On 21 Nov we locate the trucker that tells us that he is "in Kansas and that maybe it will be 4 or 5 days before delivery" and we protested. On 20 Nov we call Nation Wide and demand an answer as to the delivery of our household goods, no response. We looked at the second contract and realize we have been maneuvered since they identified the delivery date between 18-25 Nov even though the trucker signed a document stating delivery would be realized by 20 Nov. We felt we had no choice but to weight.
On 26 Nov, there is no trucker. A call is made to Nation Wide (Nick) and he is informed that they are in violation of their contract and demand delivery. We are told that delivery would take place on Sunday, 28 Nov. We feel we have no choice but to wait until the household goods are delivered.
On 28 Nov, the goods are delivered... in pieces. Priceless items purchased overseas are practically broken in pieces, the mattresses were never wrapped and are soiled, torn, and had been dragged onto the trucks floors (3 trucks that we know of, the delivery truck was another truck all together) desks are in pieces, broken, every single box had been nearly flattened and holes were on all of them soiling their contents and breaking items clearly marked fragile. Items not belonging to us were unloaded and left behind even though we told them they were not ours (can goods, radio, patio chairs, and other boxes we dare not open). Many of our goods are missing, In short, living room, dinning room, two bedrooms, an office, and patio goods are either broken, soiled, scratched, missing, torn, soiled... All filmed and pictured, and statements from the truckers were obtained stating they picked it up from the mover Inter Continental Van Lines, in that condition. We have film and witnesses that the goods, mostly two years old, except the antiques, that the household goods were in excellent condition. We also have receipts of their purchase.
Nation Wide was informed (Nick) of the condition of the shipment. They had nothing to say.
Side bar. The purpose of the move to Idaho is primarily because of health reasons. I have multiple brain and kidney aneurysms, suffered a stroke, and have a vascular disease that is expected to shorten my life span. We wished to spend quality time with family in an atmosphere where there is less humidity and cleaner air. This event with Nation Wide has not only exacerbated these critical health issues, but has completely ruined what would have been a move without incident. It is my hope and prayer that these people be made accountable for what they have done to us emotionally, mentally, and financially.
I know this is a lot of detail, and there is more to say such as the weight of the trucks and how Nation Wide demands payment (If by CC, 5 days in advance for example, and cash or certified check at delivery). But I am so upset about what happened to us, that I have to write it out and share it. And yes, I will make all the notifications.
Any thoughts and or recomendations is appreciated. We will talk to an attorney tomorrow as with the Attorney General is Florida, Maryland, and Idaho.
Celeste
Meridian, Idaho
U.S.A.
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