I was planning a move from South Florida to South California and decided that I would go with Fair Price Moving. An estimator named Norman came to my house; he was kind and very reassuring that my personal goods will be handled with the best care.
Norman's final estimate came to a total of $2407.00 with a total of 580cf. I had to put a $100.00 deposit confirm a reservation. Move date was set for 09.28.05 at 9:00am; of course they didn't arrive till two hours later. As the movers started bringing materials in to pack my items the man in charge sat me down and had me signing paper work before anything was started.
While going over the paper work one major issue came up which was if the estimated cubic footage is more or less the price will be adjusted. I asked how they know the actual cubic footage and was told there are markings in the truck which I took a look to verify. After all my items were packed and put into the truck I took a glance at where my items came up to in the truck which was 650cf.
The mover in charge then proceeded to tell me that I items came to 250cf more than the original estimate and that there will be an additional charge of $1641.00. I told this person that I was where my items ended in the truck and he proceeded to tell me that the markings in the truck are incorrect. Because I was leaving in two days removing my items would only add stress to robbery. As the movers were leaving my home one of the moving guys turn to me and told me to contact the BBB, as if he knows that this goes on all the time.
When I arrive is California I set a date for my items to arrive with Fair Price, when that date arrived I heard nothing. So I call Fair Price and was told to call the guys that were transporting my items, after speaking with the drivers the date of my delivery was now move up a week. The day the movers arrive on 11.22.05 the first words to me was that they want the additional $1691.00 that was added in Florida, which had to be paid either by cash or cashier check.
As soon as this guy takes my cashiers check his side kick tells me that because they are parked more than 75ft away I now have to pay an additional $120.00 before they will start to unload my stuff. They made no effort to park in the alley which would have put them at my front door; instead they parked on the main street. I later measured the distance which came to 90ft so I paid $120.00 for 15ft more. I had to drive to an ATM to get this money before they would do anything.
So finally my stuff starts getting moved into my new place and I notice that they are putting it all in the living room so I ask if they were going to bring the bedroom items to the bedroom and assemble the things they disassemble and the guys just nodded his head.
So I watch as they cram all my things into the living room the guy who I guess was in charge who also spoke no English hands me paper work to sign. I ask him if they were done, of course there was a communication problem so the other guy who spoke very little English tells me yes they are done. I was like what about the furniture that needs to go into the bedroom and be assembled? The mover who spoke very little English tells me that because they have to carry it up stairs that I would be charge $75.00 for each item they brought up.
I now just want these people out of my face so I go through the paper work with the mover who speaks no English and notice that three boxes are missing and of course these items were my stereo, Play Station, Subwoofer, two Satellite receivers and stuff I haven't yet notice missing.
Not only that but when comparing my copy of paperwork with their copy, the $1691.00 I owed said $1641.00 on my paper work. Someone added $50.00 on their copy. Of course they had no answer for it. Now I am looking at my items all piled in my living room while they are removing blankets from the furniture only to discover all four legs on my dresser have been ripped from their mounted position, the corners of most my furniture are smashed in. Divots in it as if it was hit by a hammer. A $1600.00 dining table with glass insert, the box the glass was in was crushed so bad that I didn't even know that it was the glass to the table.
To top it off the movers hide this box behind everything. When I asked what the next step was as far as missing and damaged items they both just looked at me and shrugged their shoulders.
Now I'm standing there with what's left of my stuff and make a call to Fair Price Moving in Florida and ask to speak to Norman about my issues. I am then told that Norman does not handle these situations, I must speak with Eric. So I am told to hold while Eric is reach only to be told he is not in try later.
After making several attempts and leaving messages, I decided to lie and make up a name to the secretary and just like that I had Eric on the phone. I tell Eric about the missing and damaged items and he tells me that I have to take pictures and email him. So I take pictures send them and try to get a hold of him again. This process took two weeks, just to tell me I have to call their claims department.
I call the claims department and I am told a list of 20 things I have to do and mail it to a place in Arizona. I sent the package of all the paperwork they required on 12.5.05, on 01.16.06 I receive a letter stating that the compensation for my damaged and missing items will be in the sum of $261.00 and in order to receive this large generous compensation I have to sign this paper and get it notarized.
Estimate: $2407.00
70cf over: $1691.00
Parking more than 75ft away: $120.00
Sony Stereo: $200.00
Dual Subwoofer: $200.00
Play Station: $175.00
Satellite converters: $100.00
C-dal dining table: $1590.00
Total: $6483.00
Compensation: $261.00
Now that's a deal for 650cf moved across the country.
Oh, and damaging my furniture.
Tony
San Diego, California
U.S.A.
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