After getting about 20 moving estimates, I chose ADVANCED MOVING SYSTEMS of Sunrise Florida to move my things. I was to move from Chicago IL to Las Vegas, NV on Dec 29th. I was quoted a price of $1,400.00 by Odelia Vale on the phone, and she sent me the contract by email. The contract stated "FULL PROTECTION OF YOUR FURNITURE WITH BLANKETS AND PADS" I asked Odelia over the phone if this was a binding contract and she said YES $1,400.00 was all I had to pay and that delivery would be 7-10 days.
Moving truck came on 12-29-01 on time. The driver's name was Dror. Dror and his assistant began to move my largest furniture and started wrapping the furniture in cardboard wrapping. I asked them why wasnt it being covered with pads and blankets like the contract said, and I was told they were not informed of that. I showed Dror my copy of the emailed contract and he said they didnt tell him that, and that cardboard wrapping was additional money as was the tape they were USING! Corrugated cardboard was $2.00 per foot and tape was $4.00 per roll! He continued to wrap to his hearts content. I told them to STOP wrapping my items and padding my bill, and Dror told me he HAD TO wrap it as the co did not want to pay me for damaged items. Finally my 6'4 male friend stepped in and ordered them to stop! The men stopped wrapping my items.
I assumed my tv would be protected with blankets and pads... Per the contract, but it was not and I was charged $15 to wrap the tv in corrugated cardboard! Another "extra charge"
I was charged $28 for 2 blankets... Even tho contract said "full protection with blankets and pads."
I had 3 pieces of custom framed art. They asked to put all 3 in the same box. And charged me $15 for each piece in one box!
Another "extra' $45! And one of the pictures arrived damaged anyway. The glass was shattered upon opening the box!
Everything I owned fit in half of my living room. I didnt have too many belongings. A King size bed, computer desk, loveseat, 20 med boxes, bike, coffeetable.
When I was down to the last two items to be moved, Dror told me that I had suddenly run out of space on the truck and if I wanted them to load the last 2 items, I would have to pay extra and sign the Bill of Lading for these extra charges. I was charged for 80 ADDITIONAL cubic feet @ $5 per foot... Costing me $400 extra! Not to mention the $224 in packing material fees they padded my bill with! TOTAL ADDITIONAL COST $624.00
I was told If I didn't sign, they would not take my things and that the truck was going to leave. It was my bed and large dresser, and I had to be on a flight in the AM so I was forced to sign the paper. Then the movers hung around and Dror begged for a tip! I told them they just squeezed all the money out of me and should leave.
That was 12-29-01... I flew to Vegas on 12-30-01 with two bags of clothes, and waited for my things. I was promised delivery by Odelia Vale in 7-10 days. 10 days went by and no phone call.
I called Advanced Moving Systems (AMS) and was told that it would be 14 days after the check was received. I called again and was put on hold forever. I called again and was hung up on. I called again and was told Odelia was on vacation for two weeks. I called and was told to call back on Sunday am. I gave the driver a certified Bank Cashier's check for $1400.00 and 10 days later AMS says they had not recieved it. I finally talked to Tommy, and I also complained about the padded bill and he offered to delete the $28 blanket charge when I reminded him about his contract stating "full protection with blankets and pads."
I slept on my empty apt floor for two weeks, with a blanket I bought at Wal-Mart ($36 additional expense) living out of a suitcase. Since they didn't deliver on time, I couldnt stand it anymore and went out and bought a used mattress for $40- another expense. Finally I called my Lawyer in Chgo, and he called them and let them know we were on to them. My truck came on
1-15-02... A full 17 days after my things were picked up in Chicago.
The truck was not even AMS, job was sub-contracted to EZ Movers of Chgo. These guys from EZ Movers were excellent! I asked Sam the driver how much space my things took up on the truck and he said, "not much... 5x15 feet!" So I highly doubt I went over 80 cubic feet on the truck leaving Chicago!!! This proves AMS PADDED MY BILL! So I got charged $2,024 for 5x15 feet which comes to $26.90 per foot on the truck leaving Chicago!
While Sam and his helper were moving my things in... We noticed some glass noises in one box. I opened the box and found one of my custom framed Art Prints was shattered. Says so much for the expert packaging I was offered and charged $15 per picture for!
Also my file cabinet had fallen apart in transit and they packed the pieces in one box. Two handles were missing off my bedroom furniture. I am lucky I got all of my belongings. But I am putting in a claim for my damaged items, my padded charges, and the extra expeneses I incurred while waiting forever for my shipment.
They did not deliver on time as promised, they padded my bill and I am VERY unhappy. Like I said, things only happened after I got my lawyer call them. I have called and emailed several news media, including 20/20 to expose this company and we shall see what happens. If I can get extra money back they ripped me off, and if I can save someone else from these headaches with this company I will be satisfied.
Traci Glon
Las Vegas, NV
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