Not too much we can add to previous scenios. We were contacted by National Moving Network after linking to movers through MonsterMoving.com.
We have never used movers, a moving company, or even heard of brokers before, so it was all new to us. My husband had suffered a heart attack in November, and was recovering. We felt he did not need the added stress of packing, loading, driving a truck, unloading and unpacking, all added to the stress of starting a new job, and not being dishonest people, the nightmare we embarked upon never even occurred to us.
We were quoted $1,403 total charge for estimated moving of our 2-bedroom apartment (no appliances, very little furniture, about 75-100 boxes). We paid $500 deposit to NMN and were told by Matthew to expect a 2-day delivery from Virginia to Ohio and have $903 Cash on delivery. We only had 3-1/2 weeks to move to take a new job. Time and money were at a premium.
We, too, once negotiations were done with Matthew and the deposit withdrawn from our bank account, never allowed to speak with him again. Only to a customer representative, who never retured our calls. After we reported to them that the movers had charged us more than the quote, they never spoke to or would accept our calls again. A flyer was enclosed with the contract, Ask for Discount if you prepay your balance. I asked and was told this was already an exceptional price (someone canceled) and it would only amount to about 5%. But we were never given the opportunity to prepay the balance. Now, I understand why.
National Moving Network: PO Box 630850, Miami, FL 33163
1-800-722-9775, Matthew S. Estimator: Extension 2063
Sandra-Cust. Service Rep.: Extension 2039
Barbie-Cust. Service Rep.: Extension Unknown
I finally got the information on Saturday (Monday was Memorial Day) that Midwest Relocators would pick up our things on Wednesday, June 2.
Progressive Van Lines, showing an address of 3101 WS 25th Street, Apt. 104, Pembroke Park, FL 33009, Tel: 408/944-9340
Fax: 408/944-9360, Notice the phone and fax numbers throughout,
picked up our things, but only after insisting we pay an additional $494 for packing our TV and glass-front bookcase/hutch. We could pay the difference in 30 days. We were told this by the driver.
The Bills of Lading show the following: Progressive Van Lines, Inc., 3149 John P. Curci Drive Bay No. 4, Pembroke Park, FL 33009 Tel: 954/927-2255 Fax: 954/964-8506
We were now told 7-10 day delivery as opposed to the 2-day delivery promised by NMN.
We drove over night, fortunately carrying a futon mattress with us, and enough clothes to get us through "2 days." We slept on the floor for the next three weeks and Dan worked interchanging 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts for 3 weeks.
Progressive never called as they promised. I finally called them in California at this address: 125 Component Drive
San Jose, CA 95131, Tel: 408/944-9340, Fax: 408/944-9360
and gathered this information finally, Supervisor/owner?: Asaf Nass, Teresa (Theresa) Cust. Service Extension: 301
Rosemary Cust. Service Extension 300
I was told our final charges were $2,318 because of an additional $921 in weight (at a higher per/pound fee than originally quoted) plus the $494 materials fee. I told her we only had $903 cash as quoted (we had to live for 2 weeks on the rest of our finances), and were told we could make arrangements to pay the balance in 30 days. She replied "the driver should never have told you that. That's not true. You said you could accept delivery on June 4 and that is that." I told her I'd said June 4 based on the 2-day promised delivery by NMN and the total charge of $903 cash. Her reply was if you don't take delivery, we'll take your things to Chicago. You have one week to go there and pick them up (after paying $2,318). If you don't, we will bring a lawsuit.
After numerous phone calls, I finally agreed to have the truck leave our things at a public storage unit about 2 miles from us. When we could pay the $2,318 (being in a panic, I did not know about the 110%), and we'd pay the storage fees.
On Saturday morning, the driver "Antonio" said he was in Columbus and needed directions to our house, and did we have the $2,318 cash? I asked if his office (San Jose, note time difference) notified him of the arrangements. He said he knew nothing about it, he'd have to call the office and I'd have to call the office to see where our things would be left. When I tried to explain where the storage facility was located, he suddenly could not understand English and hung up on me.
When I finally got in touch with Progressive in California, I was told that "unfortunately" the driver said all the storage units were closed and he was already heading to Illinois. This was on a Saturday morning. I have statements from the 3 nearest facilities that they are all open at 8 A.M. On Saturday morning.
We finally got our things returned to us but not until after wiring $2,318 to San Jose (I have the banking information), paying a $20 wire fee, paying an additional $394 postal (yes, not bank mo) money order for redelivery and paying countless cell phone bills because I had to call California during peak hours. All our phones were on the truck.
It took 3 weeks to get our things moved when we were promised 2-days. A grand total of $3,212 after a "total charge" estimate quote of $1,403 (including the $500 deposit to NMN).
I asked several times for an itemized statement to be faxed to me, showing all charges and weights. None was ever received.
It's difficult to convey the frustration and stress this caused. But, like I say, from reading the other reports, we are not alone. I will continue complaining to whomever will listen.
I wish I'd had the foresight to ask for "green cards" from each mover. "Gal" who said he's here just to earn money so he can marry a Dutch girl and move to Holland. Saleem, who could not speak, understand, or read English very well, I know this because he let a box clearly marked "Computer" roll off his handcart and across the lawn, barely showing any emotion. The dropoff guys, the driver who kept saying he signed his name in Hebrew "left to right" when clearly he signed something "right to left" which is correct. This was so no one could forge his name, he said, and Carlos his helper who couldn't read numbers on the boxes very well and was only communicated with by the driver in a tongue not English.
I sincerely think all the folks should be investigated as to their alien status.
I have repeated this so often to so many people, but these people have to be stopped. Most of us will never get our money back. I'm willing to let them keep what was originally owed to them, it's what they took over and above by holding our furniture and precious items hostage and causing us emotional stress and physical discomfort that makes me angry. That, and the embarrassment they caused us by having to admit to family and friends that we'd been had.
As most of the people I spoke with (or came in contact with) did not speak English, I wonder where they learned the hostage mentality. Yes, I'm bitter.
Doreen
Canal Winchester, Ohio
U.S.A.
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