I was contacted by United Express Van Lines sometime in October after doing an on-line move estimate by Monstermoving.com. Melissa of United Express Van Lines was extremely helpful and quoted me a moving price of $3774, for the contents of my 3 bedroom house from Fort Myers, Florida to Akron, Ohio. I reviewed the proposal as e-mailed to me for 1414 cubic feet and then forwarded her a descriptive content list to make sure her estimate was accurate. She called back immediately and stated that my list was less than her original estimate therefore we should leave the original estimate as is. Therefore I sent her a check for $775 as a deposit
On November 13th the truck arrived (a large Ryder truck). I told the driver immediately that my contents would not fit in that truck and he stated no problem, we will make multiple trips if need be to the 18 wheeler up the street. The reason for the 18 wheeler not coming to my house was that they said they could not get it in our neighborhood. Which is quite untrue. The movers had to pack only my large items, ie. Couches, tables, etc. They informed me that the boxes I used were too small therefore they were going to pack my boxes inside of wardrobe boxes. After about 2 hours they had filled the truck and stated they were taking it to the other truck and would be back to finish loading the remainder of my contents.
They returned and finished packing the rest of my contents and then handed me a bill for a total of $9500.00. The reason for the additional costs were $1400 in packing supplies and an additional 850 cubic feet at $5 per additional cubic foot.
I contacted Sam at the office and argued that they now had my stuff hostage and I was ticked off that they would charge so much in excess. He was willing to drop the additional cubic to $4 a cubic foot and the supplies were non-negotiable. Let me warn you, they charge triple the price for boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc. That what you can purchase it at U-haul.
I then wrote them a check for $3000 and told them I would pay the remaining $4600 at the time of delivery. They agreed and left. 3 weeks later when we required our belongings, Sam at dispatch arranged for a delivery date. I contacted Sam 2 days before the delivery date to make sure of the status and he informed that he would not schedule the trucks until I faxed him proof of payment, either a cashier's check or postal money order. I did that and he confirmed the truck would leave the next morning, which it did.
The truck arrived the day it was scheduled 12/8/02,4 hours late. The truck was the same size as the original truck which supposedly only held 1800 cubic feet, therefore the packing in Florida was done to mislead us into believing we had more than 1800 cubic feet. I was demanded to pay in full prior to the opening of the truck. Franco and Jimmy were the two who unloaded the truck. Jimmy had complete disregard for our contents and home and beat the walls, furniture and boxes up. My wife's bike was strapped to the back of the truck and was smashed beyond use. Most of the large items which they had packed were gouged and scratched. Franco assured me insurance would take care of it but I doubt it. Now I have many pieces of furniture that were in pristine condition, now ruin by a bunch of con artists. At the end of the day Franco requested a tip and I refused. Therefore when they left my driveway they drove over my lawn and rutted the whole side of my driveway.
I spoke with many attornies regarding this issue and after reviewing the contract, I was left almost powerless in pursuing and legal claims. As listed below
CONTRACT DEFINES: fine print on back
1) shipper relinguishes his/her legal rights outside of Broward County and any such litigation must be pursued in Broward County Florida
2) If shipper cancels or stops payment on any payment the company has the right to pursue the shipper for three times that amount of the payment
3) shipper must make payment in full prior to the company relinguishing any said property
I have called United Express Van Lines many times since this started and have pretended to be someone else regarding price estimates to move. When asked specifics regarding the problems I incurred, they will outright lie to you regarding costs of packing materials, overage of cubic feet prices, and other incidental costs. BEWARE THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF!!!
At this point, I just received and e-mail from Melissa regarding making a claim for damages and it is more hocus-pocus.
Good Luck to those who are in contract with them and all others beware.
Glenn
Fort Myers, Florida
U.S.A.
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