I was approached via internet by estimater Anthony Nunez of National Moving Network (NMN). I was led to believe this was a moving company and was never told otherwise. I, instead, found out after receiving a call from AY Transport (AYT) a day after my items were picked up. Mr. Nunez gave me a quote of $1615.88 based on 2,200 lbs because they were having a "sale". Normally, it would have been over $2000 he said. I had gotten other quotes similar to the $2000 ish range. So, I took the BAIT and gave them the $500 deposit. I carefully itemized my list of household items and the square footage of the space my items were housed. I assumed that a professional estimator would take those factors into consideration to come up with an accurate estimate. The pick-up came and went. However, I was not present at the time of pick-up and no documents have my signature. The manager of the storage facility signed the documents.
Now for the SWITCH. A day later I receive a call from "GUY" who wants to give me a balance which totaled $2800.25. Giving my grand total $3300.25. I was, according to AYT, 1660 lbs over my original estimated weight. They have now decided to charge me. 884 cents per pound, instead of the original. 68 cents per pound from the original estimate. The original estimate is basically doubled.
I called Barbara Berger, my "customer service representative" at NMN and found her to be unprofessional, rude, and not very helpful in my situation (I was no longer allowed to speak with Anthony Nunez). After making several phone calls regarding this situation, having a few heated conversations with her, demanding all the information be faxed to us, and threatening to get lawyers involved (which she could have cared less, because they are no longer "responsible", they are "just" the brokerage company), the best they would do for us was $200 off if we payed in advance (which is an offer AYT gives all their clients).
AYT has all their bases covered. They don't take Credit cards. You either pay cash or postal money order (no other accepted) or you can transfer funds using Western union. They told me that the balance must be payed in full at the time of delivery before I can see my items. They do NOT inform their customers of the 110% law in Title 49 of the DOT for household goods. I had to tell the driver the day the items were delivered I was exercising my right of the 110% law.
AYT delayed the delivery date at least 3 times. Putting my family in very stressful situation of not knowing when/if our items would arrive. The customer reps at AYT are unprofessional and I could never get a straight answer from anyone. I mainly spoke to Teresa or Rosemary. There was never a supervisor around to speak to.
I spent $65 on permit parking because our street was narrow and wanted to make sure the cars were cleared for the truck. I told AYT many times I need 48 hours notice to have this taken care of. The driver called me less than 24 hours before that he was arriving. When he did arrive the truck was so big (75 ft tractor trailer) that he couldn't/wouldn't attempt to go down the street. My question to AYT is why would you use such a large truck to transport household goods knowing that you will be dealing with city street and suburbs? As a result of the size of the truck, I had to pay an extra $350 (for items weighing over 3000lbs {which I am disputing}) for the mover to shuttle our goods down the street to our door.
Every piece of antique furniture I own (worth $4000.00) was damaged by AYT during pick-up or transport. Many of the pieces were not properly wrapped or were not wrapped at all. Boxes were damaged. The movers dropped one piece of furniture putting a hole in our wall. There are boxes missing. One of which had photo equipment worth over $2000. I feel we deserve our money back and should be compensated for the damage and loss of items due to the carelessness and shear incompetance of NMN & AYT.
This is no longer about a bad estimate. This is about a clearly dishonest company that repeatedly abuses consumers with Bait and Switch politics and gets away with it. The saddest part is they are dealing with a family's personal possesions which is in many situations all that they have. NMN & AYT should be put out of business, sending its owners to jail.
M. Chrissy
Baltimore, Maryland
U.S.A.
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