I placed a phone call to the moving company on 03/09/05 to get a quote on their rates. A person named Fred stated it would be $71.50 per hour if paid by credit card or $65 if paid in cash. I asked how long would it take to move a 3 bedroom home with minimal furniture e.G. 1 king size bed, living room set, dining set, fridge, washer & dryer, plus 30 boxes of variable size. I was informed that with 2 movers on hand, it takes an average of 4-6 hours. Approximated total amount was stated to be $390.00.
I agreed to set a date on making my move on 03/19/05. On the day of the move, at around 9:00 am 2 movers came. One of them went over the paperwork with me prior to beginning their work. It was only then that they informed me that there would be an 8% surcharge for fuel fee, and that they charge extra for travel time.
But since the storage facility was only 5 minutes away, I didn't think it would be so bad. After the paperwork was signed, it was only then that they handed me an information booklet regarding movers. Since this was provided to me on the exact day of the move, I did not have time to go over the information it contained. Unbeknownst to me, this information should have been mailed after a verbal confirmation was made, 3 days or so prior to the move. Had this been done, I would have been able to read up and learn more about how to go about hiring movers. I foolishly trusted their verbal quote and was unaware of the various other charges they conveniently failed to disclose to me over the phone. I was not aware that a written estimate could have been provided and that by California law, it would have prevented them from taking advantage by overcharging me. They took a total of 12 hours to move my stuff into storage, a far cry from the average 4-6 hours they originally estimated it to be. This entitled them to overtime plus all the other extra charges they never told me off until the day of the move. Being in the predicament that I was in, I had no choice but to settle the bill with a heavy heart.
In the process of moving, my purse, which contained $600 in cash plus all my credit cards and identification card was stolen out of my locked car. I made sure to hide my purse slightly underneath the front passenger seat, covered by an unfolded umbrella so it wouldn't be too visible, out of plain view. The theft took place while I stepped away from my car to check on the movers. While they continued to move, I stayed behind by my storage unit, which is located indoors, on the 3rd level. I was away from my car for approximately 45 minutes.in the meantime, the movers were downstairs in the parking lot, a few feet from my car, supposedly working. When I returned, my purse was gone. Scenario:
A) There was not a whole lot of activity taking place that day within the storage facility since it had been raining.
B) Only authorized visitors with gate codes are allowed in the premises.
C) An unused moving van which belonged to the storage facility was parked to the right of my vehicle.
The parking space to the left of my car was vacant. Fact: a) Movers knew I had a lot of cash in hand since I stated earlier that I intend to pay @ the $65 rate, which to them would = cash.
B) They knew I wasn't carrying my purse with me when I went up to the check on the storage unit.
C) This gave the thieves a 45 minute window of opportunity to take my purse.
Not only do I feel duped, but very violated as well for my purse being stolen. Nationwide Van Lines told me that they will be sending me "professional" movers, not day-laborers that you hire off the street. But you know what, I think the day-laborers would have made for better workers. They sent me 2 shady characters that wore enough tattoes and hickies to leave a poor impression on any employer. I hope someone of authority investigates this company and inevitably shuts them down.
Melissa
Duarte, California
U.S.A.
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