Please everyone be very careful about using Legacy Vanlines, Inc., in San Diego, California.
I used this company in April and it was a nightmare.
The price I was quoted changed big time, it was more than double of what I was quote and then the movers said I need to pay them in cash after they had packed everything up. Of course I did not do this, it was 9pm at night, there was no way I was going to get several thousand dollars and just hand over to someone. I had already put down a deposit on my credit card.
Then I sent a certified/cashier's check to the company's office to pay for the final bill, I had to dip into my savings account, because I was now paying more than half of what I was quoted. (Example: if I was told the total move was $3,000.00, I now was being told the move was about $7,500.00!).
But I had to pay for my moving items, that was my life and my families' life on that moving van.
I pay the new amount which included storage fees, however; when looking at the contract it says "2 months free storage". Now I am starting to feel "ripped off".
After I sent the check, per the instructions, certified/cashier's check, get this - I am told "you will have to call back next week to ensure the check has cleared."
What!? The entire purpose of a certified check, cashier's check, or money order is that it used to "guarantee" the funds are there! Heck, I could have just sent a personal check, if I had to wait to get information, regarding the release of my items placed in storage.
I did not mind the items were placed in storage, that was fine and a great idea, since I had to come up with additional money.
This company has a severe communication problem, the people in the office apparently do not know what the people in the field are doing, and they always have to "call you back" and sometimes they do not call back or respond to e-mails.
Whatever you all do, learn from my experience, regardless of the moving company you all use.
(1) Have the movers come out to your home and look at everything, including the attic, basement, shed, closets, etc. This way you all may get a better quote than I got.
(2) Do not be a fool like I was. Hey I am NOT ashamed to call myself a fool, I took the lowest price and thought that would really help my budget; when in actuality, I paid more than double the price I was quoted. Can't get dumber than that and that is my fault, I take the blame for being cheap. I deserve what I got, but I do not want you all to have to go through this mess. DO NOT TAKE THE CHEAPEST QUOTE!
(3) Make sure the contract is written professionally, without too many loop holes.
(a) Have a set time for the move to be completed, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours or whatever. Otherwise you all will have fools taking 10 hours to do a 2 hour moving job!: (
(b) Request set break times, they are movers and this is a business. You do not want to have someone drinking diet coke and smoking cigars every 30 minutes and taking 30 minute breaks, which caused the total move time to DOUBLE! Do not get me wrong, I am not against anyone taking breaks as they need them, moving is a job, but watch EXCESSIVE breaks and multiple lunches!
(c) Cellphone usage, ask in advance how long the movers can be on their cellphones, because you are paying for the total time of the move in most cases and I do not want you all to get ripped off or feel like a fool at the end of your move.
(d) Tips! Oh Lord! Make sure you get an agreement on your contract about tips. I had a mover tell me, "we normally get $75.00 a piece for moving folks, that helps our income..." Good grief! Most times this is a "con" and most people will pay in cash the amount the movers request for a tip. NOTE: TIP only if you feel the work is worth it. Period. Also tip what you can afford or you feel is appropriate. I figure $10.00 is better than $0.00 and if anyone is ever offended by your tip, they can certainly give it back to you. Smile.
FINAL TIP: When moving, get at least five quotes, and the ones that are similar in price and services are usually going to be your best options. Remember you get what you pay for. Sure you can get a $2.00 per hour moving company, but do not complain if your items are broken, damaged, or lost or you never get your items. Pay the market rate and you will not be writing a post of "complaint".
Thank you all so very much for your time.
Good luck on your next move, team.:)
End.
Dr. Cheryl
Overland Park, Kansas
U.S.A.
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