Moving Companies

[up148]

Just got an education in one of the most corrupt industries in the country. Moving companies. If you read the online reviews, all major carriers are the pirates of the modern world, preying on customers to a degree that is almost impossible to comprehend.

3 weeks ago we contracted with American Van Lines to move us to OK, today, (actually had a load window from 26th to 28th). Salesman asked for a estimate of boxes and furniture at that time, telling us it was just a preliminary number to get us in the system and we had up until a few days before the move to update.

Last week we gave that final number to another employee and were assigned a "move coordinator" who would stay in touch with us. Wife asked twice for her contact info, which was promised and never sent. On Monday the coordinator called at 10:00AM to tell us it wouldn't be that day...duh. Again we asked for her contact info, which she said she'd send, but never did...so I'm getting a little concerned by now. So I go online to get reviews (wife did it before choosing the carrier) and this company and all carriers have no more than 3 stars, some less and the stories almost make you cry. Carriers subbing out to 3rd parties, who showed up in rented trucks with day laborers, lost and damaged items, long delays on pick-ups and deliveries, shipments unloaded in warehouses and then reloaded by different carriers, the list goes on.

So, I called them and spent 30 minutes on and off hold waiting for our "coordinator or a team member" before finally asking the operator to send me to a supervisor. They were all on other lines, so I held another 30 minutes before finally getting one. She tells me due the 2nd box count the truck they were going to use wouldn't work and she would see what she could find.....BS. Called back this morning telling us she could have a truck to us on November 11-12, which we said was unacceptable. This was the kind of BS I found online in reviews. Squeeze you on time and then lay your out on cost.

Called a mover with great reviews in OKC yesterday afternoon when we realized we had a problem with American. Explained what happened, which they said was common with American and they promised to call back this morning. They've been an affiliate of North American Van Lines for 50 years. I will say I found some "stinker" reviews on North American too, but in different locations. I feel the office you deal with has a lot to do with it. They called back this morning and had a truck for us that will be here tomorrow with delivery on Friday. Emailed us forms, sent all kinds of paperwork, did a "face time" walk through to get a count (American didn't do this) and see the size of furniture and then sent a complete listing of our inventory piece by piece with pricing, which was a little less than American. I'm dealing with people our age in OKC this time, who are real and easy to contact and what a difference it's made.

I'm sure I've left out something, but overall its been a real education that I won't go through again.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

..........did a "face time" walk through to get a count (American didn't do this) and see the size of furniture and then sent a complete listing of our inventory piece by piece with pricing..........

If they don't do this, move on to someone else.

My MiL moved out of her house in PA last year to an apartment here in VA; I have no idea who she used but they were on time perfect at both ends of the job taking everything up 3 flights at the apartment. I was worried and biting my nails thinking she'd probably get taken per your experience, but no.

I can't begin to think about our moving!

[healey36]

Another reason I will likely die in my house...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Another reason I will likely die in my house...

Nah. Metro bus........or that's what the cards told me.