Moving woes

[fma_fanatic]

Firstly - mods, DaDairyDruid and I weren't sure where this should go, so move appropriately. Secondly, this is being typed on my iPhone so it is subject to typos.

DaDairyDruid and I are trying to move. I say trying because it hasn't and were still in the old place while we have some items at the new place. I'm sure you're wondering why. Well, pull up a chair, grab a drink and be prepared to say 'da fuq?'

It all started with us hiring a company who was supposed to move is this past Saturday. I get a call from the contact at said company who says that four of his workers have called in sick and that he can only send two instead if three guys. But, he says, we'll get a discount rate. Okay. I should have known this was the start of our problems.

The two guys show up, look around, I sign paperwork and I figure all is well. Not so, a few minutes later, they come back saying they can't the move because the furniture is too dirty and there is pet hair everywhere. Oh and the bed was a mess.

Okay. Now it was moderately dusty, something that could have taken less than 15 minutes. The pet hair didn't take long to take care of either. The bed? I was getting ready to strip it when they showed up.

So Saturdays move was a bust. I reschedule for Sunday.

Sunday arrives. No call from the company. So I have to call. Guy says they should be there any minute. Three different guys show up. They spend five minutes looking around all three floors. Then two of them disappear, leaving me with one guy who I suspect was the only honest one of them of the lot.

The two return saying they can't the move because they are severely allergic to cats. My mind is calling BS because if they were that allergic they would not have spent as much time in the house as they did, but I kept my mouth shut. The other guy? He wanted me to rent a Uhaul and he'd find two other guys to move our stuff. Of course it had to be paid in cash. I kept saying no, I don't have the cash. He even kept insisting while I had DaDairyDruid on the phone.

So of you've followed along so far then you'll have to get some Elvis muffins from DaDairyDruid (peanut butter banana muffins).

[Pixilated]

Unless you've already paid these idiots some money, sounds to me like you need to find another moving company.

[Gizmo]

This feels a bit 'extort-y' to me.

When we engaged a moving company we had to fill out a questionnaire that included things like "do you have any pets? What kind?" which I assume was to cover their backs for allergy and just for general information for the workers.

But the whole thing sounds like it has been set up to make you feel desperate and cop to their plan and net them money off the books potentially.

(And anyway, surely the two workers from Saturday who complained about pet hair should have relayed that to their boss who should have known NOT to send pet allergic people to do the job on Sunday. It can't be the first time they've (the company) had to move someone who has a cat!)

[Kristev]

Flush these people before you get steamrolled. Hire someone else.

[DaDairyDruid]

One of the problems we seem to be having is we have a lot of "stuff". something like 20+ boxes of books and dvd's, plus my 12 long boxes of comics. it looks intimidating as hell. Plus living in a townhome means a lot of stairs. Up and Down and Down and Up. add in normal furniture like couches, chairs, dressers, end tables, beds, desks, bookshelves, dvd rack and the major appliances of stove, fridge, washer and dryer.....

so we are in limbo. no cable or internet in old place, but all the furniture. at the new place we have cable, internet, and 2 chairs. the only moving company that called her back yesterday of the 4 or 5 she called wants to look at everything friday, but we would probably be unable to do the move until after 1 Dec as I have vacation that week.

[Dave1982]

One of the problems we seem to be having is we have a lot of "stuff". something like 20+ boxes of books and dvd's, plus my 12 long boxes of comics. it looks intimidating as hell.

Lots of people have lots of stuff.....aside from the specifics (12 boxes of comics) it doesn't sound any different than anyone else when they move house. So honestly, if that's a problem for this moving company, it's time to hire a different one.

[Dasota]

If I lived near you guys, I'd help you with moving! I am a tetris master of helping folks move, and getting it done ALOT faster than people expect.

[MoonCat]

These guys sound shady as hell. Are you sure you wouldn't be better off just renting a U-Haul and moving the stuff yourselves? I know it's a ton of lifting and all, and I can understand if you can't do it physically. But if that's not an issue, it would not only be cheaper but at least you know your stuff would be handled correctly.

If not that then I'd say definitely find another company.

[Sonoma]

I've had good luck finding movers on the emove website (also linked through U-Haul). I found the movers for my move to my condo there, and my BFF found her movers there too - and they even have people that will drive the truck if you're not comfortable driving the U-Haul.

[fma_fanatic]

If I lived near you guys, I'd help you with moving! I am a tetris master of helping folks move, and getting it done ALOT faster than people expect.

Oooh, someone besides DaDairyDruid has packing +5.

These guys sound shady as hell. Are you sure you wouldn't be better off just renting a U-Haul and moving the stuff yourselves? I know it's a ton of lifting and all, and I can understand if you can't do it physically. But if that's not an issue, it would not only be cheaper but at least you know your stuff would be handled correctly.

If not that then I'd say definitely find another company.

After DaDairyDruid's experience in driving just the cargo van we rented (and the ensuing $150 damages paid because the thing drives like a pregnant whale), we've said no to that.

My final contact with the company was yesterday demanding the deposit they asked for last week. They say they'll refund it in 2-3 business days. I told DaDairyDruid that if it doesn't show up by Friday, he is to start a dispute.

Dave, we are. We have someone from a company that our neighbor suggested coming out Friday. When I talked to him yesterday on the phone, he was shocked at how we were treated. Of course now I'm paranoid and have been keeping an eye on every piece of furniture not covered for dust and cat hair, because our cats are home again.

[Draper Mel]

I've had good luck finding movers on the emove website (also linked through U-Haul). I found the movers for my move to my condo there, and my BFF found her movers there too - and they even have people that will drive the truck if you're not comfortable driving the U-Haul.

I second this. Both crews I hired for my move from Indianapolis were wonderful. Polite, professional and did a great job.

[MoonCat]

You might want to go online and post a review about that first company. Be polite, of course, but they sound pretty bad. But wait until they give you back that deposit.

[fma_fanatic]

You might want to go online and post a review about that first company. Be polite, of course, but they sound pretty bad. But wait until they give you back that deposit.

Oh I plan to. Once we are moved, I'll be doing that.

[Merriweather]

wow, report that first company to any and every agency, website & complaint board you can find, that just isn't the norm in any, way, shape or form.

I honestly don't have the energy to add up how many moves we've had done over the years (only my adult years, childhood moves were always DIY). Normally we didn't get to pick the company, military goes with lowest bidder, usually, so you don't normally get the red carpet treatment - and we do have our fair share of horror stories, mainly on how well things were actualy put into boxes, cause most military moves are "full service", i.e., they pack (but do not unpack) the boxes (pros & cons to that one, but some things I will NOT trust to any mover, and do it myself, and in continental moves, some things go in my car, and are not trusted to the moving truck).

However, never once have I had (or even heard of) anyone refuse to work because of dusty furniture, or a bit of pet fur. There are some items they can refuse to take (I do have some weird stories on that line), which can vary, but moving firms know that the process of packing to move creates dust, and people packing to move have less time than most to clean house. Dust is natural and normal, and they expect some.

Normally, you tell a moving company how many rooms of furniture you have, & if you have more than the norm or anything special (lots of bookcases, antiques, a vast collection of anvils, ....). Company should schedule time & manpower accordingly. Shouldn't make much difference (especially as they weren't planning to pack for you) unless it's screwed up and listed as a two-room apartment instead of a six room house, and they bring the smallest truck. Doesn't sound to me like you guys had anything out of the ordinary, they should be assuming contents of any given room will equal quite a few boxes.

And as for a person from a moving company trying to get you to rent your own u-haul instead of using the people & truck you contracted for? That just screams of scam.

That company needs to be avoided & your experience shouted from the rooftops. Good luck, hope you find a wonderful firm to move your stuff, have no damage or loss, and get settled in to your new place quickly and with no problems.

[fma_fanatic]

I plan to report as soon as we are successfully moved. I am a little paranoid that if I start reporting now, somehow word will get to the new company we're going to be using and they'll find an excuse to refuse as well. Although having someone actually come out yesterday was probably a better sign than just calling and having the people show up.

They are definitely getting complains. They ruined our Thanksgiving!