I am writing to register a complaint against DC Discount Movers and request an inquiry be made as to whether or not they are legally licensed to do business in Washington, DC and in and around the Washington Metropolitan area.
On March 9th, I searched for a moving service on Craigslist and contacted DC Discount Movers, specifically Daniel Sacks requesting a quote for moving both a bedroom suit from my sister's home in Jessup, MD to a new apartment of my own in Washington, DC.in addition, I requested they assist me with clearing out a storage unit in Elkridge, MD. I requested a flat rate for the move and was quoted $500.in addition, I had several telephone conversations directly with Daniel Sacks prior to the move and I felt certain he was clear on the amount of items I had to move and what the move would require.
On the day of the move, he arrived at the first location in Jessup, MD and to my surprise they arrived with two pick-up trucks one smaller than the other, and I immediately knew that all of my things would not fit. I addressed it with Daniel right away at the door and he came in to take a look at my bedroom suit and felt that they would be fine, given we still had to clear out my storage unit. They successfully loaded my entire suit onto the larger of the two trucks tying things down with rope and other gear. Looking back on this, I was horrified that my things were exposed, extending out of the pick-up truck, only secured by ropes and makeshift gear, and further traveling on the highway like this. I do recall asking them if they had traveled like this before, and they said they had.
Looking back had I not made arrangements to travel to/from Jessup, MD from Washington, DC and had I not made arrangements to be off work, etc, then I should have stopped them from moving anything! I knew in my heart and gut that this was not a professional moving outfit as I truly was led to believe. I truly anticipated that two men would arrive on that day with a minimum of a 24 ft standard moving truck. Nearly all of the ads on Craigslist, listed such2 men and a 24 ft standard truck. I liked Daniel's demeanor over the phone and he was readily available and chose to go with DC Discount Movers, now with terrible regret.
When we arrived at the storage unit, we all knew with certainty then that there would be too many things to move. I was then forced to pick and choose items that were needed immediately and either I would or we would make arrangements to get the rest at a later time. I honestly felt at that time that they should make a 2nd trip at no additional cost, because it was their own error that they did not have sufficient space for my things. However, I was reluctant to be forceful and more assertive at the time.
I paid them $500 in cash for their services, as we agreed and left things alone for that day.
After thinking things over the next day, I felt certain that they truly were not a professional moving outfit and I felt that I had been duped and taken advantage of.
I later made the even worse decision allowing them to finish the job a few days later. Admittedly, we had agreed to $225 or $200 to finish up the job. I paid by check this time because I had been ill with the flu and had not gone out to get cash. The check was subsequently returned because of fraudulent activity on my account, and for my protection that particular account was closed. I have yet to make good on the payment.
The reasons I have not made the second payment to DC Discount Movers now is several-
(1) I truly feel that they should have arrived prepared to do the job with a 24 foot standard moving truck. Even if there was some uncertainty to the amount of items in the storage unit, it is still not a reasonable expectation that the entire move could have been done with two pick up trucks and ropes!
(2) My family and I are convinced that several items are missing from the storage unit two IKEA brown shelving units and several kitchen items. We have addressed this with the owner and manager of the facility and the only access to the unit has been myself, my sister, Felicia Turk (on one occasion) and Daniel Sacks. I had given Daniel both the access number and key to the unit so that he could complete the job. I did question him on the missing items, and he claims that they removed everything and brought it to me. I disagree.
(3) Early on in late March immediately following the move, I made an attempt to resolve this issue and had hoped that they would make the additional move without a fee, and they did not. Ever since, Daniel has been pursuing me relentlessly for payment, and I now with certainty have no intention of paying him or his company for their services. I will pursue every avenue available to make it known that DC Discount Movers is not a legitimate moving service and should not advertise their services as such. I believe Daniel and his counterpart, Chris Alvarez, to be more of helpers and are not equipped to handle true moves.
Further, to express how unprofessional both Daniel Sacks and Chris Alvarez are
(1) I patiently had to wait for them to pray during the course of the move as they are practicing Muslims. This to me seemed unprofessional to ask of me, but again as a single woman in that situation, I tried to go with the flow, although this took considerable additional time.
(2) Chris left his tools and personal bag in my sister's home which we later had to make arrangements to drop off to him.
(3) Daniel has repeatedly called, emailed, text me including contacting me at work regarding the 2nd payment, even after I have asked him to cease contact with me. I fully understand his need to collect payment and even taking legal action, but I also know I have the right to ask that he not contact me further by phone at work and on my cell phone.
I accept some responsibility in all of this as I did not ask for references, I did not question them on their experience and I did not take the time earlier on to address my concerns with their company. I have learned a lot about procuring services over the internet, particularly Craigslist, and in the future will do my homework first. I will never in the future hire services sight unseen.
I am writing to request that you formally file a complaint against DC Discount Movers in the hope that others looking to do local moves in the Washington area will not experience what I have. I feel strongly that Daniel Sacks is no more than a common odd job helper and advertises himself to be a professional moving company, and in fact my family and I could have done better on our own.in addition, I intend to notify the Office of the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, Craigslist and the online consumer complaints.
Further, I am prepared to fight this in small claims court, if necessary, as I feel that Daniel Sacks has taken unfair advantage of me and my generally easy-going, accepting nature. I generally just take things on the chin, but I do feel strongly in this instance that this is simply not right.
S turk
Washington, District of Columbia
U.S.A.
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