Moving Companies: A RANT

[huskerlaw]

:rant: Ok, so my contract with the moving company from hell (MAYFLOWER) says the following: Agreed Delivery Period...Earliest 10/10. Latest 10/14.

I was told originally that everything would be delivered on the 13th. So I call the driver on the 12th to find out what time he'll be here. He tells me that he's hit a snag in Reno, that he was supposed to deliver stuff to a woman who ended up in the hospital. So, ok, he'd deliver mine on Friday.

I call him yesterday to find out what time. He's still in Reno, putting the woman's stuff into storage. He assures me he'll deliver Saturday afternoon.

So I just called him to find out what time. He says he's in Phoenix now, but he won't make it to LA until Sunday morning. I verifed he's in Phoenix on the website, so at least he's not in Reno anymore.

Here's the problem: I start work on Monday morning. He absolutely has to be here by Sunday, or I have nothing to wear to work. And, perhaps even more importantly, there's no way I can be there to accept the delivery.

I was extremely firm, saying that he had damn well better be here on Sunday. He was apologetic, and swore he would be.

Sorry. I needed to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening. :rant:

Anybody have any experience with this? Advice?

[tjdee]

1. There are some moving companies that *steal* your stuff.

So while I feel for you, the fact that you're able to talk to this guy and know there's been a problem (which still sucks for you) is good. Maybe you can call the driver's boss/HQ and find out if you're entitled to a partial (or full) refund because they are so late.

I remember on Oprah a few years back, seeing a few people who had horrific stories about moving companies--primarily that the company came, packed up their stuff, and disappeared.

[huskerlaw]

2. Yeah, I really researched companies

because of horror stories like that. Mayflower is supposed to be reputable. And while I understand that things happen, what concerns me is that every time I call him, the delivery date gets moved back a day.

[tjdee]

5. No doubt.

At this point I'd be all about my refund. I mean, what would have happened if you needed to be at work today? Had a wedding tomorrow?

I hope you get your stuff by Monday....how are you liking your new digs apart from the fact there's nothing there yet?

[huskerlaw]

7. Ok, I need sleep

Sorry! I love my new apartment! Thanks for asking. :)

[SOteric]

3. I understand your frustration, but I must ask,

seriously, - it never occurred to you to have a work suit, proper shoes and any necessary toiletries reserved in your carry-on luggage?

[huskerlaw]

6. I had a lot of stuff in my carry on luggage

Suits included, actually. What I failed to think about was the shoes.

Was that stupid of me? In hindsight, yes. Should I have anticipated them breaching the contract by 3-4 days? Perhaps. But I'm still pissed off. :hi:

[DS1]

37. For the small price of 200 dollars

I can have a pair of kickass Italian leather shoes FedEx'd to you for arrival FIRST-THING-Monday morning....

I just need your shoe size dude, just need the number

[nini]

4. These seems to be more common than not

It's like they can do what they want once they have your stuff.. You're at their mercy and they know it.

good luck.. I hope it gets there soon.

[huskerlaw]

11. Thanks!

:)

[GOPisEvil]

8. Argh!!! That has to suck!

I hope Mr. Tardy shows up on Sunday.

It takes THAT LONG to get from Phoenix to LA? :wtf:

[huskerlaw]

9. Yeah, I dunno

but if he's jerking me around, he's going to quickly learn that while I may look 18 and naive, I'm neither. :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

10. Sometimes it's good to be an attorney.

Let him know he'll hear from you professionally if he screws up. :evilgrin:

[huskerlaw]

12. Trust me, I will

I've played nice so far. Mostly because I'm thinking I don't wanna piss him off while he's 2 states away and still has my stuff...but if I call him tomorrow and he says "Monday"...all hell will break loose.

And he doesn't know it yet, but I'm totally getting a partial refund. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

14. Go you!

Give 'em hell!

[NV Whino]

13. I'm so sorry to hear about your delivery problems

I know it won't make you feel better or help, but I ran into the same problem when I moved my mother to Northern California. They promised delivery on a date and didn't make it. They were supposed to drop some stuff at her place and then come up valley and drop more at my place. The office called in the middle of the first drop to call them back to San Leandro and not make the second drop.

Reasoning with the asshole in the office didn't work, but threats of a flat tire (to their truck) did. I got my stuff, too. Of course, all the time I spent on the phone could have been used to make the delivery in the first place and they could have gotten back to San Leandro tht much faster....

:shrug:

[huskerlaw]

19. Yikes!

Hopefully it won't come down to tire slashing, but I'll keep it in mind! ;)

[NV Whino]

22. Actually I was joking with the delivery guys

I said, "I think you're going to have a flat tire. Fixing it will be just enough time to get up valley and drop the rest of the stuff." Then I said, "Call the office and tell them you are going to get a flat tire." They did, and the jerk in the office thought I was serious. Well, at that point I accepted whatever worked.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. My dear huskerlaw.....

How horrible for you......

To have the time you planned for some other things just get frittered away like this.....

That just plain sucks......

For what it's worth.....you have my sympathies.......



:hug: :pals:

[huskerlaw]

17. CAPeggy!!

Welcome back! Ok, now I'm smiling! :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. I am so glad, my dear huskerlaw.......

that I can make you smile.......

THAT makes me smile....it is good indeed to be home, BTW.......



:hug:

[DS1]

16. Any trucker should be able to make that distance by tomorrow afternoon

:shrug:

[huskerlaw]

18. Apparently he still has a delivery to make in between

I guess. I'm calling the company tomorrow. Trust me, this is on the verge of getting very ugly. x(

[DS1]

36. Damn, where's that Superman slacker when you really need him?

:grr:

[Bunny]

21. Do they know you're a lawyer?

If not, what are you waiting for? I'd have thrown that little tidbit out at them after the very first delay. But then, I'm so impatient I can barely sit through a red light!

[huskerlaw]

23. No, they don't...

The first delay seemed legitimate enough, and I find once you start throwing the word "lawyer" around, all normal modes of communication shut down.

It's too late to do anything about it tonight, unfortunately, but I'll be calling the company tomorrow and I assure you my career will be mentioned. In what capacity remains up to them. :evilgrin:

[Bunny]

28. OK - but don't be afraid to pull out your trump card.

Good luck, I'm surprised you can be so calm. I'd be nearly ready to go to Phoenix and drive the truck myself!

[A HERETIC I AM]

24. A couple of things to bear in mind...from a truckers perspective

First of all, remember that the driver is almost certainly an owner operator and delays don't help him either. It is in his best interest to get your goods delivered to you as fast as he legally and reasonably can so he can get paid for the transport and reload the space. Also, often times they have multiple loads or customers on their trailers, some just being picked up and some being delivered. Like any trucking business, it is best when the truck is fully loaded so he can make the best use of his truck.

Unexpected things happen all the time in the Household goods business and that fact that the lady in Reno wasn't able to take delivery and he had to put the stuff into a storage locker demonstrates that. I bet he wasn't too happy at all about having to cram someones belongings into a storage locker instead of deliver it into a home.

Mayflower is EXTREMELY reputable. Don't let the other posters scare you. This guy isn't going to steal any of your belongings. Almost all Mayflower drivers work for agents, NOT Mayflower itself but the agents ANSWER to Mayflower and they can't afford claims and they don't need bad publicity. You'll get delivery. At the very worst, you'll have to buy a new pair of shoes.

I had my personal effects shipped from Port Charlotte, FL to Palmdale, CA and the guy was in town within ten minutes of the time he gave me two days before. Not all moves are difficult or delayed and unfortunately, your driver seems to be having a bit of difficulty. Have patience.

[huskerlaw]

26. Thank you

for your input. I really am trying to keep his perspective in mind. I've been very understanding so far, for exactly the reasons you discussed. And honestly, as long as the delivery occurs on Sunday, I'm ok with it (though I will be discussing a partial refund, as they did breach contract).

What concerns me is that every time I call him, the delivery has changed. Two problems there: 1) after the problem occurred in Reno, he still assured me he would deliver today, 2) Every day he has assured me that he would call me the following day with a delivery time. He never has. I wait until late afternoon, then give up and call him, at which point I get the bad news.

[A HERETIC I AM]

34. If he hasn't called you like he says he is going to....

then he needs a lesson in customer relations.

he should do what he says he is going to do and if he doesn't, there should be a bloody good reason for it.

Phoenix to LA is about 350 miles which is roughly 5 1/2 to 6 hours in a big truck running the speed limit the whole way.

You said he went from Reno to Phoenix? Man.....thats a bit of a ballbuster of a drive. Mostly State Routes (2 lanes, NOT interstates) the whole way. Run it on www.randmacnally.com and you'll see what i'm talking about.

If i were you, the next time i talked to the guy i would say something to the effect "You know, we are both professionals. When i tell one of my clients i am going to call them i do it. I think you can appreciate that. I hope in the future you will afford me the professionalism your company expects of you and follow up on your commitments to keep me informed. I understand you have a difficult job and i don't want to make it more so. I just need to know exactly when you will be here so i can make arrangements to meet you so your delivery is not delayed along with your pay for this load."

Shame him into shaping up, so to speak.

[Zomby Woof]

25. I had the SAME RANT in August!

I moved with North American, and they promised me delivery by the 9th of August!

I got it 2 weeks after THAT. :grr:

Made me anxious, like you are.

Good news was that EVERYTHING was intact, nothing lost or stolen. Only bad news was the ding on my dryer. But otherwise, it turned out okay.

The fact is, they won't send out a driver until they have others near you on their route.

I hope this helps... :hug:

[huskerlaw]

27. Sort of, but not really...

TWO WEEKS?! My god. Did you sign a binding contract that gave delivery dates?

[Wapsie B]

29. That's the frustrating thing about working

with a company like that. You're at their mercy.

[huskerlaw]

30. Yeah...

So far I'm still glad I chose to use a moving company, but well, obviously that has its limits. x(

[Wapsie B]

31. If you have a delivery date in writing

I can't believe they wouldn't be bound by that.

[huskerlaw]

32. That's my theory

I'm not all up on my moving company laws...ugh, contracts...but I've got a binding contract that says that the latest agreed upon delivery date was today. I think I can use that, oooh yessss. ;)

[Wapsie B]

33. Yes I would say you could use that

unless there's a ton of fine print that gets their asses out of most any jam they can think of. Get your satisfaction if you can.

[A HERETIC I AM]

35. They don't need a "Ton of fine print" Just a couple well placed words....

like "Projected" or "Provisional" or "Targeted" regarding delivery dates and times.

Also, i'll bet you dollars to donuts there is a clause regarding "Unanticipated delays" that includes things like acts of god, accidents, weather, road closures, breakdowns, etc. etc.

Like i said above, though, this guy wants to make the delivery. He doesnt get paid for it until he does. Keeping your stuff on his truck when he is close to you doesnt help him at all.