We had gotten five estimates from Tom McJilton, the president of Simply Moving, Incorporated. The first one was Oct. 3 for $286. The second was Oct. 3 and included "full packing" for $1138. A revised quote was sent on Oct. 10 that included "full packing" for $1153.25. A fourth "fixed" quote was sent on Oct. 10 for $409.50.
A fifth "fixed" estimate was sent on Oct. 10 for $559.50. This quote came after a detailed conversation with Tom where we requested a walk through quote, which was declined. We stated that we would pack everything, but wanted the large furniture protectively wrapped, as it was going into long-term storage. The included: "Packing of futon, mattress and -boxsprings, 2 chairs, and sofa. Packing of Bigscreen TV." We requested no other services.
We decided to go with Simply Moving, Incorporated on Oct. 15 and signed the paperwork for the fixed estimate provided on October 10th for $559.50, which followed my detailed conversation with Tom.
My wife, Elizabeth Yembrick, notified Tom via e-mail that the loading dock was reserved from 9 11 AM. Tom called both my wife and me on Nov. 8 to reconfirm this and we both confirmed. The movers arrived at the loading dock on Nov. 9, the date of our move, at approximately 9:30 A.M. Following two phone calls to Tom regarding his movers tardiness and to remind Tom of the reservation of the loading dock from only 9 11 A.M. (two hours is all the time our apartment complex allows). At that point, the movers came up to the apartment at 9:39 A.M. And there were four (4) men total, one more than originally stated in the estimate. We signed paperwork while further discussing the significance of their tardiness, which resulted in their requested service not beginning until 9:48 A.M. The movers also came unprepared and did not have the necessary tools, which we went to CVS to purchase for them.
It should be noted that the "fixed" estimate states that it assumes "no packing is needed beyond the use of blankets to wrap wood furniture." They neglect to state that the blanket wrapping requires tape. The tape "costs" $4.95 per tiny roll. To wrap the furniture, they stated that they used 23 rolls of tape! We counted only 18. Although we knew the prices of their packing material, we had no idea they would need to use any over and above what we agreed upon from the original estimate.
Additionally, they used boxes unnecessarily, meaning they put a $2 shower rod into a $20 wardrobe box. We didn't authorize any of this. Further, they used 8 picture boxes for the missions, which we were charged $20.00 per box and they took 5 of the 8 boxes that we had already been charged for, yet we received no refund. Again, this was not authorized.
It should also be noted that several items included on the detailed inventory list that was provided to Tom Oct. 3 were packed by us and wrapped with our own material. We wrapped all of the other items with materials we purchased; therefore, the only items they packed were the wood items indicated on the agreement and the larger items also indicated on the inventory sheet and agreement.
Further, the items we did want wrapped, the sofa and bed, they did not have enough plastic covers. The sofa was only half wrapped and is now half exposed in storage. Our mattress also was poorly wrapped, with the sides exposed and holes throughout the plastic. We took pictures of everything. So, the few things we actually wanted wrapped, were not done properly.
When we arrived at our storage unit, after all of our stuff was packed into their truck, we were given a new price of $1221, more than double what the "fixed" estimate quoted and more than the original full packing estimate provided on both Oct. 3 and 10. Also, we were charged for seven hours of labor, one hour of which we spent on the phone with Tom and in conversation with the movers discussing the unauthorized additions.in other words, the crew did not work for an entire hour that was included in our charges.
In addition, my wife was doing a large portion of lifting and moving for the crew, which commented by the storage facility manager. We estimate that we are owed $476.50 from Simply Moving Inc (Original Fixed Quote: $559.50; $120.00 for extra man for 6 hours; $65.00 for additional hour for 3 men). We called Tom, however he was unreceptive to our concerns. Because they basically held our items hostage, I was forced to sign paperwork for the inflated price.
It should be noted that this was really bad service, aside from the misleading sales and extras added to the move to pad profits. They were slow. When I went down to the truck while at the apartment, two of the movers were sitting around chatting. The few items we were concerned about, the TV, sofa and bed, were not wrapped well, with exposures throughout. All of our items were handled poorly, and we subsequently noticed cracks and scratches on our wooden furniture.
Our belongings were thrown into our storage unit with no concern as to what they piled items on top of. After the movers left, we spent as additional two hours of our own time rearranging the storage unit. Although they were not paid organize our stuff, one would expect a at least moderate service.
John
Washington, District of Columbia
U.S.A.
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