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My Moving Journal (12/7/2004)
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Dear Friends, If you have ever heard the term "blog" and didn't know what it
meant, today consider yourself as one in the know. A blog is a web log,
shortened to be simply Blog. You know how we love our abbreviations on the
Internet! LOL!!
So today I wrote my first blog: My Moving Journal. It's time to Boogie with a
vengeance. If you are moving across new york, the last thing in the world you
want to do is pack stuff that has no business taking up space on the moving
van. Think of it this way: your clutter has cost you time, energy and money
anyway. Packing it up and moving it is the ultimate resource waster. Are you
willing to pay DOUBLE for clutter? I'm not!!
It's not cheap moving cross country and going the traditional route with a real
moving van and hired moving dudes is something I just can't come to terms with.
Too expensive! Most everything I am giving away here (a couple of nice things I
am selling), but I do have some things that need to be packed and moved. How is
this all going to happen in 6 short weeks?
Well, you start with some homework. First place to start? Start asking friends
that have made similar moves and check on line, too. Tonny, made a move
to Washington DC from NYC about 2 years ago and held the same goal as
me: get rid of most stuff, but take what is important and loved. She found a
place called U-Pack, www.upack.com . This
company pulls a trailer up to your house (as in the kind 18 wheelers haul) and
parks it in front of your house for two days, you load it up floor to ceiling,
and then they hammer a big piece of plywood over your stuff so they can go to
the next destination and similarly load up. You pay by the linear foot. On one
trailer, they could have two or three moves, or more, depending. That's how it
works. Takes about 7 to 10 days to get your stuff, depending on your move. You
save BIG money and your stuff gets there (in one piece if you pack it right!).
Next, I need boxes and such. As nice as it is to recycle already used boxes
(which I would use in a heartbeat for a more local move), I really want the
uniformity and durability of unused boxes. In other words, I want the right
tools. What I am packing is important and loved: it deserves to be packed with
care and well contained. What to do? Normally, I'd head to the local U-haul
place, but I found this place on line that was actually cheaper, had everything
I wanted in one place, plus they could help me determine how many boxes I
needed AND, here's the best part, they have everything, right down to the
markers for the boxes! At first I was squeamish about paying "that much" for
boxes, but a quick check on how much this stuff normally costs and what I have
paid in the past, tells me I am just doing it all at once instead of piecemeal
and without the wasted gas from running out to pick up more tape, bubble wrap,
etc. So I placed an order with www.flatrate.com
. great service too, btw.
The next big issue is my dog, Little Lassy. Little Lassy is 100+ pounds of
dog (he was little when we got him!). Last time we did this, I spent an
ungodly sum of money to get him here to So. Cal. I sure don't want to do it
again, but he's coming with us, no matter what. He's a part of our family. So
that research is still being done to find someone who will fly him out in the
middle of summer and won't cost me my children's college education, LOL!
Lastly, I sketched out a schedule with the kids. Next weekend, they will hold
their own garage sale. Plus, I'm giving them stuff of mine they can sell if
they want to. I hate garage sales and swore them off years ago after I started
to FLY. However, this is different. This is an incentive for my children to
Fling ruthlessly, plus they can make some extra spending money for decorating
their new rooms. They are already giving some stuff away, too. They're not all
about money! LOL
That's it for now more as it develops!
Michelle
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Lazy movers (8/7/2004)
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I moved a 1 bedroom appartment within New York City , total distance of 7
miles. The company was to charge me one way drive time since it was close and
no freeway driving was involved and the quoted rate was $59/hr for providing 2
helpers with truck, moving wardrobes, blankets for furniture. They failed to
provide an estimate stating company policy as excuse. They took 1hr. 45 minutes
to load: Kingsize bed, 13 cardboard boxes, 4 suitcases, couch, mini sofa,
entertainment centre, small dining table (no refrigerator, dresser, dining
chairs, center table). The helpers were doing their job intentionally slow to
charge more, were rude, made racist comments ("people from your country are
greedy"). On complaining to the owner I was told that he was "busy and not to
disturb him". It took us 20 minutes to reach the new location. Knowing that the
helpers would do their job intentionally slow my wife, mother-in-law and me
helped them in unloading. It took them 1 hr to unload besides us carrying 40%
of the luggage. They stopped work repeatedly to make cell phone calls and to
clean the truck inspite of us telling them to get on with the job. Finally,
they billed us for 25 minutes etc. (total time 3hr 30 minutes) time between the
time the last item was unloaded and when they came with the contract. And,
threatened that if I didn`t pay them for 3 hrs and 30 minutes they would spoil
my credit report and call the collection agency.
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Accomplished Movers (8/7/2004)
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I contracted with Accomplished Movers, after hearing about them on the
internet, to move me from New York to Los Angeles. They gave me the lowest
quote. I wanted to move on July 3rd. They said they could do it. They did not
show up. Of course, they were never going to show up because they are a broker.
The next day, July 4th, a Mayflower truck showed up and moved me out fine. I
was given a window on my paperwork that said the stuff would be there by July
16th. This kept getting extended and extended and extended. I was told that the
truck had broken down in Arizona. My stuff was finally delivered on I believe
August 8th by Modern Movers. On that day I signed the papers they gave me one
that said $1285 on it, the contracted amount for the move. But prior to that, I
had agreed with Glenn M. over the phone that I should only pay $885, due to how
long I had been put out. In November, my credit card was charged the extra $400
by Modern Moving. Modern Moving refuses to talk to me. I don`t know what to do.
"I did not want to start my job until I had my things, so I lost at least a
week`s wages. I slept on the floor for a month, and my shoulder has been
screwed up ever since. I have numerous doctor visits for this. I had to eat out
for every meal for a month. And I cannot tell you how many phone calls i have
made over this matter. It sounds like Kevin is saying he signed a contact for
$1285 and relied on an oral representation that he would pay $400 less. Bad
move, Kev. Oral representations are meaningless and if the contract says $1285
you are probably stuck.
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Father & Son Moving (8/7/2004)
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Ilona of Brooklyn NY I read their ad in the yellow pages and it sounded like
they took very good care of your furniture, plus you didn`t have to empty the
dresser drawers, etc. Bruce quoted me a price of $94 an hour for three men. He
never suggested to come to look at what I had to move or give me an estimate.
He never mentioned "overtime." He just told me that we will sign a contract
when the movers come. I hired them. The morning they came, the contract stated
that after 8 hours, it was considered overtime, at $148 per hour (which upset
me when I found out the price). I also told him I needed a little help in
packing (I had approximately 97% of my stuff packed -- I wanted them to do the
little that was left). They began the job at 8:30 a.m. and seemed to be working
ok. They removed all my packed cartons to their truck and later began to wrap
and tie up my furniture to protect it. I did not get out of my apartment till
approximately 4:30 and they did not start unpacking at my new place (which is
only 5 blocks away) until approximately 5:00 p.m. The job was finished a little
before midnight (with me doing a lot of the work and becoming thoroughly
exhausted). The contract states you have to pay them in cash, and when I saw
how long the job was taking, I had to go to the bank at 9:00 to get more money
out. By the time they finished, they have a chart with calculations on it and
their calculations came to $2113 (which I never at all expected to pay to move
5 blocks). I paid and then I gave the head person (Andy) $60 as a tip. He took
the money and began a speech about how they worked 15 hours and this was not an
acceptable tip. I told him I didn`t expect to pay so much for this move and I
didn`t have much cash left. He became insistent and didn`t seem to want to
leave, and I was totally exhausted, so I took another $80 out of my pocket (all
I had) and gave it to him. He still wasn`t satisfied. I went inside and told my
boyfriend (who moved with me) and we both didn`t know what to do, so he gave
him another $80. He still wasn`t satisfied. I asked him how much tip people
give him and he said over $100 a person. I told him that`s all I have and he
finally left. I called the manager, Bruce, the next morning, and he told me
that the movers aren`t supposed to do that, and that he would get back to me.
Of course, he never did. I know I won`t get any money back -- but this will be
another complaint against this company for people to read and know to be very
careful about who you choose to move your furniture. I know it was my mistake
not to check out your website and to compare prices, and it is too late now for
that. That is a lesson I learned and I paid for it.
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Father and Son Moving & Storage of New York, Inc. (8/7/2004)
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My parents hired Father and Son Moving & Storage of New York, Inc. on April
8, 2003 for a move. The unbinding estimate cost was $1,100. The hourly rate was
quoted at $134 for nine hours of move time. There was no mention of an overtime
rate. When the lead mover came in for payment it came to $2,880. That`s more
then 150% more then the quote! Then the movers stated that they are going to
keep, and hold hostage, the remainder of what was in the truck until the
balance was paid. The head mover explained that the estimator always
underestimates the prices for the moving jobs and they often hold people`s
things ransom. The driver said that there is $1,300.00 minimum to do a moving
job. My parents were never given a "Right to Responsibility" brochure nor an
"Order for Service." When I contacted the company I spoke to Karen Hart, the
office manager to explain that I don`t want to file a complaint with the DOT.
She told me to file the complaint and that my parent`s things were not going to
be released until the inflated balance was paid in full. In addition, when my
father signed the spot for the job total time, he anticipated that the movers
had an hour to complete the move. When my folks didn`t come up with the
inflated cost in cash, the movers stopped working an hour before the said time
on the bill of lading, of which I do not believe my parents should have to pay
for.
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Advanced Moving Systems (8/7/2004)
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I contracted Advanced Moving Systems to move my belongings from New York to
Austin, TX. Our initial conversation was on Aug 7, 2001. It was then I told
Bill Davis, about my interest in a professional moving company. I listed, over
the phone, what I had. It was a one-bedroom apartment. I had two bikes, a bed,
a couch, a bookcase, a dresser, a large chair, and about 50 boxes. He quoted me
$1200 for an estimated 270 CU FT. I also told him I needed the stuff delivered
on Sept 7, 2001 and he said it was no problem. On Aug 28th they arrived and it
turns out I had too much stuff -- about 500 CU FT total -- DOUBLING the quoted
price. I told the driver in writing I needed my stuff delivered on Friday Sept
7, 2001. He said that was not a problem and the drivers would call me the day
before to confirm a time. I called up the company on Sept 7th, and they tell me
that it can`t be in Austin that day, because they need 7-10 days to deliver it.
So I called them up on Sept 10, 2001, and a new story arose -- it`s 7-10 days
from the desired delivery date. Mr Davis told me this and asked me repeatedly
and loudly "What`s 7+10?" implying the latest date it would get here is Sept
17. On Sept 14, one week after arriving in Austin, I called them up and yet
another story arose. Now it`s 7-10 BUSINESS days from the desired delivery
date! That would put the delivery from Sept 18-21, 2001. I called again and
they are now saying that Texas is considered WEST COAST and so it won`t be
delivered until between Sept 24-26. Because of this late delivery we have had
to purchase many things that we would otherwise not need to buy -- air matress,
cookware,etc. they also have my computer with all my important documents and
programs without which I can`t look for a job. So we are expected to be in
Austin buying all these things we don`t need to, including clothes, not looking
for jobs because we can`t print out our resumes or cover letters, for alomst
three full weeks. Not to mention paying double what we were quoted.
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New York`s Flatrate movers (8/7/2004)
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FlatRate Moved me from NY to NJ late 2003 .. no scams, hidden charges,
breakages or problems .. they gave a good price and stuck to it. (Even sent me
a Christmas Card :) For me they deserve a perfect rating. I`d use them again. `
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AAA Van lines moving company (8/7/2004)
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I received several estimates for the move of my one br (very small) apartment
from NY to FL. AAA Vanlines beat all competitors by at least 1,000 dollars
(that should have been my first clue). But the lady I spoke with (Lorainne)
said that they were having a "special to FL" and were giving me HALF price
(3.45 per cubic foot) since htey needed all their trucks in FL to be
reserviced. Well I bought it. They came to pick up my stuff at almost 8 o`clock
at night and were there until 11:00 PM! I have a small son and his night was
ruined. THe whole time they were loading my stuff they kept exclaiming about
how much stuff I had! I couldn`t beleive they were saying that since I don`t
even own any couches, bookcases or any appliances! After loading the trcuk (and
locking it up) they hand me the bill - for nearly TWICE what they had quoted
me. I argued and complained but there was nothing I could do. I called the
company the next day and kept being transferred back to dispatch - he said the
price on the bill was my price. I forwarded him letters from Lorraine stating
that there would be no "long carry charge" (which they charged me for anyway)
and that my rate was 3.45 a cubic foot (they ended up charging me 4.75) and he
didn`t care at all. I am also quite positive that they lied about how much
space it took up in the truck since the ENTIRE contents fit (with MUCH room to
spare) in a tiny bedroom in my new house. I am so mad and frustrated and have
no idea where to turn! Karen
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Nationwide movers (8/7/2004)
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I recently had the displeasure of dealing with Nationwide Relocation Services,
which has earned the name Nationwide Loser Services to me, hired a company
which was not a bunch of crooks like in some of the horror stories on here, but
just very unprofessional. This company, Moving Unlimited, Inc. sent only 2 guys
for a full family move. The pickup part was fine, and we did receive our stuff
in 3 days, and the bill was not significantly higher than the original
estimate. So what is our complaint? Well, when they showed up to unload us, the
driver demanded payment upfront, and as soon as he got it, and as fast as they
could take our stuff from their truck to the garage, he took off, leaving one
man to finish the job. This man was in pain from a toothache, and needed to see
the dentist. Thus, the work wasn``t getting done, and our stuff was sitting in
the freezing garage. Since the driver took off, allegedly to do some
"time-critical paperwork and phone calls" and things of that nature, meaning he
didn``t want to bother with the real work, it was either we move our stuff in,
or there it sits, because it wasn``t getting done. So we did. Now, I tried to
contact the broker immediately about this so that our bill could be reduced for
the work that we did (why should we pay for work the movers didn``t do?) and
for a damage claim to 2 items. Nationwide ignored our repeated calls and even a
certified letter, leaving me with no choice but to file a dispute with the
credit card company. The amount isadmittedly small, but it``s the principle
here that I don``t feel we should pay for service that wasn``t rendered. And
what``s worse in my view is the fact that Nationwide will totally ignore and
stonewall you if you have a problem. They are VERY nice to you before you sign
and happy to return your calls and answer your concerns, but once they get
their money, if you have any problems they don``t want to hear from you. This
is not the sort of company that anyone should do business with. I``m of the
same mind as you are; get a U-Haul and do it yourself, and that``s what we are
going to do for our next move.
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O`Briens Moving and Storage (8/7/2004)
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New York Movers O` briens picked up our furniture and has been storing it for
the last 4 months, with the understanding that we would call when we had
settled in to a new area. We called them several weeks ago and let them know
that we would need our furniture delivered on Nov. 10. We received and signed
the necessary paperwork shortly after that, advising that loading would begin
11-2 and we would receive our furniture 11-10th, 11th or 12th. These dates were
fine, as we would be leaving for Florida for 2 weeks on the following Friday,
11-17. On the 9th of November I called to check on the time and was told that
the furniture was still in New York and had not been loaded as of yet. In
speaking with O`Briens we were told that our contract for this was with Bekins
LLC, and we should contact them with any questions. I did this and expressed my
disappointment that I was not even called and told that there was a problem. I
was treated to a representative that could care less about my problem. She was
rude, condescending and ill informed as to the status of my load, and argued
that it was not her job to notify me of anything. I asked for her supervisor,
she was not available. I asked for her supervisor`s supervisor, out on
vacation. I asked for anyone in charge, no one could help. Today, 11-13 I
received a call to tell me that my overflow goods would be coming at a later
date. What overflow goods? Oh there was other furniture on the truck prior to
yours, so they couldn`t fit it all on. The fact that we would not be here for
that load meant nothing to her. The fact that we haven`t received our first
load meant nothing. The fact that all of our stored belongings and clothes were
not here meant nothing. The fact that if it arrives after the 17th, which I was
told is a real possibility, that I would be gone for 2 weeks meant nothing to
her. Perhaps I could speak to a supervisor, I asked. Not available. The
supervisor`s supervisor? Still on vacation. I asked about compensation for the
delay. "Well if you need toilet paper or something, make sure you save the
receipt". What about the $125 a day that we were told about. "That doesn`t
apply to you". Well, as I sit here in my empty house (except for my air
mattress and laptop, I can assure you that I am disgusted with Bekins. I have
been in business for years and am appalled at this company`s lack of concern
for their customers as well as their poorly trained representatives.
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Bekins (8/7/2004)
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On September 15, 2003, my husband and I used Bekins Moving to move from Long
Island, New York to Nevada. Howard, the driver, assured us that our possessions
would be in good hands. He was overtly friendly and asked me several times to
sit in his truck, but I refused. On October 9, 2003, the furniture finally
arrived in Reno. We had been sleeping on an air mattress on the floor of the
house for weeks. Howard was again overtly friendly and asked my husband to sit
in the cab with him. He talked my husband into signing the Customer Service
Report before all of our possessions were unloaded. When two of our mattresses
were unloaded, they were water soaked and heavily soiled due to a leak in
Bekins` truck. Howard claimed they were damamged due to a rainstorm he
experienced on the way to Nevada. He said it would be "fine" if we accepted the
mattresses and that we should put in a claim for them as well as the other
damaged items we received and he would "vouch for us". Then he immediately
drove away before we could add an addendum to the Customer Service Report. We
waited patiently for our furnishings and now we had to sleep on an air mattress
once again. We placed a claim to Bekins on October 24, 2003 and was denied
everything except $50. We had expensive, top quality BeautyRest mattresses that
cannot be replaced for $50. We called Howard to complain and he said, "Don`t
worry, I wouldn`t leave you high and dry. I`ll go to bat for you. Bekins` truck
leaks and they will cover it. I`ll speak with Jeffery tomorrow." I just
received a call from Howard today (Dec. 23) and he said that there`s nothing he
can do for us since my husband signed the papers stating that all the furniture
was in good condition. How`s that for sleazy?
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Bekins-Moving company (8/7/2004)
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I contacted the company for a long distance move from New New York came to my
apartment to give me an estimate. He was very nice and I thought the price was
somewhat reasonable, and he said I would have my things in Florida within 10
days of the pickup. So I agreed. The first thing that went wrong was that I
could not get the company to commit to a date that they would pick up my
things. And I had to force them to come on a specific day. The movers came in
and were quick and even wrapped a few things for me. My things took longer then
the 10 days to arrive. It was actually 18 days later that my stuff came and the
items that had been wrapped were broken. I had two glass lamps shattered and
one large ceramic pot broken. PLUS they lost two boxes that contained a small
table top waterfall and a VCR. Estimated loss was around $1,000. Plus I didn`t
have a bed to sleep on so for three weeks I had to stay in an apartment with no
furniture and sleep on an air mattress! And when I called to complain about my
stuff being late the operator was rude and said things like because I didn`t
have a lot of stuff they were moving (under 1000 pounds) they would just have
to "get to it when they could". I was outraged. ONce the mover did show up, he
was very unproffesional. His wife and baby wre in the truck with him and it was
only him unloading two couches, bed, dresser...he was struggling and looked
like he was just throwing stuff around. Oh and when he opened up the truck my
$3,000 couch was ON ITS SIDE! My $250 bike was also bent. And he would not
unload the truck until he was paid with a money order. I had to pay him...I
just wanted a bed to sleep in! AT this point I was so grouchy form not getting
any sleep, I didn`t care. But later after I noticed the broken and missing
items I tried contacting corporate offices who said they would put an agent to
"work on it". After months of calling and getting a total run around I get this
pathethic letter in the mail apologizing, saying "in the future we will try to
make sure this doen`t happen."
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moving day (6/30/2004)
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moving day
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moving (6/24/2004)
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great company
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great site (5/14/2004)
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I moved with flatrate movers and it eas the best
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ABF provided excellent service!!! (2/6/2004)
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Here`s the note I emailed to ABF corporate offices: When we needed to move all
our stuff across country - upstate NY to Oregon - we were nervous. We`d heard
horrible stories about traditional movers, and their initial price quotes were
way more than we could afford. The thought of driving a rental truck across
country was equally bad given the weather conditions this time of year. After
voicing these concerns to my Dad, he found a website that mentioned ABF`s Upack
service. I went online, got the initial quote, got the reservation set with a
phone representative and marked the calendar. When a snow storm hit the day the
trailer was initially due, the Syracuse NY ABF dispatcher (Ken) worked with us
to get everything changed to the following day. That day went without a problem
- the trailer was right on time and clean. When we were done loading, a
courteous driver came to get it. On the other end - Portland OR - the scheduler
(Carrie) at the terminal worked to make the scheduled arrival work despite the
approaching holidays. A very kind driver showed up on the set date and time,
helped us by getting the trailer as close to the house as possible (despite
traffic) and we unloaded without any problems. Then the trailer was picked up
quickly after our call. By the way, our stuff was exactly as we`d packed
it...not one bit of damage. OUTSTANDING! I would not normally write a note like
this, but I was so impressed I wanted you all to know. At every turn your
employees were courteous and helpful. Every promised schedule was met and the
pricing was exact with NO surprises. If people are willing to load and unload
themselves, I can`t imagine why in the world they would go to old-fashioned
movers. Your service is fantastic and I will recommend it to everyone that
tells me they have a big move coming up. Recommended Yes Punctuality: Showed up
on time Ease of Filing Claim: N/A Lost Goods: No Amount Paid (US$): 2100
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