I found top notch through a moving website in which you place an ad and three bids are generated to give you the best deal. I spoke with "John" back in Feb '08 and he told me all about the company. He painted a picture Monet would be proud of. He also made statements that the company was bonded and insured and had been doing business for more than 10 years.
I was a first time mover and a single female therefore I required a full service move for a two bedroom one bathroom rental home. I distinctly remember receiving several quotes by email with a promise that I would have a significant discount as I was locking in the price before peak season.
I agreed to the move and gave my credit card info over the phone for a deposit of 20% which was 309 of the estimated price. I filled out the inventory list as accurately as I knew how and if I wasn't sure I just picked something that was similar but larger to be on the safe side. Then my problems began. My move was scheduled for May 31st and as of May 28 I hadn't heard a word from the movers so my mom and I called to confirm the time and date the movers would be coming. I was moving from Georgia to Florida and my mom had to catch a flight from Florida the next day by 6am so moving on time was very important to me. I was told that the movers would be there between 9am-12noon. I had a subleasor waiting on me to move in that very day.
Needless to say the movers didn't show as was promised and after numerous calls throughout the day I was jerked around given times that were not met and I had the subleasor breathing down my neck to move in. Finally I got mad and called and demanded to speak with someone in charge otherwise if my move was not done on May 31 by Midnight, I would hold the company responsible for my rent for the next month. It was not 6:30pm and Ray came on the line and said he would get in touch with the driver on my move to find out where he was. I was given the number of the driver and guaranteed a move by May 31st.
When the movers finally got there it was 9:40pm and they were apparently not prepared for a full service move. They thought I had the place packed up already. I had a few things packed like my clothes and shoes, bedding, and the things going in my car. The rest they had to pack. I had two boxes of used boxes that I had previously purchased for the move for 78.00. I used those to pack my things and advised the mover to do the same until they were used up. They got out at exactly 12midnight so we had to spend the night in a motel so I could get some rest before my drive to Florida. I paid 927 which was 60% of my estimate and signed the bill of lading on which 746.00 in packing and unloading materials had been added without my knowledge and without drawing my attention to it. I was never given the FMCSA pamphlet of rights.
When I first set this move up I was told that storage would be 200 per month after the first free month and I had to call to avoid the storage cost once I determined where I wanted my things to go. I called all during June and July.in fact my parents called too as did my brothers. I emailed the company requesting they move my things to a self storage here in Florida. There was no response. I finally heard from Ray after I called early August 2 and spoke with Emily the receptionist / accountant.
He said he had been out in the field and just got in so he was sorry for having missed my call. The conversation started off nice enough until he informed me of how much they have me down for. The original estimate everything included was 1546.00 the new cost everything included minues my previous payment of 1236.00 came to 2115.67. That brought my total cost to 3404 and some cents. This is 3x what I was quoted. I got mad and wanted to know exactly what I was being charged for.
He said that i had an extra 300 cu ft than what was included in the quote plus two months storage fee of 610.00 plus the cost of moving materials (ie boxes) 746.00. He kept insisting that I should already be aware of this even though I told him I did not have any of this information so I kept having him repeat himself as I tried to right it all down and calculate it myself. He got frustrated with me and told me not to call him again and to call corporate as he could not talk to me as I only wanted to hear what I wanted to year and hung up.
I was furious. I mean it took me two months to get someone on the phone or to even respond to my query and I was being charged for it. I was told that boxes were already included in the quote and there was no additional charge. I felt like they ripped me off because they had my stuff and I can't get it until I pay their price. Additionally, I couldn't argue if the cubic ft went over or not because I didn't see the truck when it was loaded all the way. It was one of those uhaul moving trucks for the small apartment. On top of everything my mom and I had been boxing things and taping them with out supplies for the majority of things. I don't see how they used over $700 worth of materials.
I mailed the check for the storage costs so that my things can come as I have been without something to sleep on for 2 weeks now. I will wait and see how this all ends. But I STRONGLY advise against using this company for anything. They will lie and scam you. Check the BBB they have an unsatisfactory rating.
Judy
Bloom
U.S.A.
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