I found Infinity Moving through 123movers.com. Their quote of $1314 for my move from Massachusetts to South Carolina was in the same range of other movers. They arrived within the 2-day window I gave them and the process began.
After I signed papers (some of them blank, such as the cost of moving boxes) the movers told me that many of my items, such as mattresses, box springs and my dryer, would need to be in boxes. I explained that I previously asked my rep what needed to be in boxes and she told me anything loose or fragile. A mattress and dryer are neither.
I was forced to buy boxes from them and then pay for them to pack the boxes. I already had mattress covers but was told those were not acceptable. I could either buy the boxes or not move the items. In my original estimate, I was told I would receive 3 wardrobe boxes or 10 book boxes complimentary. I did not receive those.
When my items were loaded on the truck, I was told my items took up 700 cubic feet, rather than the 428 they estimated, which was based on a detailed listing of every item in my 1 bedroom apartment. At a rate of $3 per cubic foot, this would be an increase of $816.00. Additionally, I was charged over $300 for boxes. I was then informed that I should give a 5-10% tip.
I called the dispatcher over two weeks prior to my move and told him I needed the items delivered either Saturday, July 30 or Sunday, July 31 because of my work schedule. He said, "Ok, we will call you when it is closer to that date and let you know the time we'll be there." Since this is how it worked for my items to be picked up, I had no reason to think otherwise.
On Thursday, July 28, I called to check in since I hadn't heard anything. I was told that they would call me sometime next week when they had a truck in the area. They did not deliver my items until Friday, August 5. I tried calling on several occasions to complain because I had several problems with this new date.
First, I had to be out of my other apartment by the 31st of the month and I had none of my items for my new place. Secondly, I paid more money for an earlier lease so I could have the items delivered the 29th. Because they did not deliver on a weekend like I needed, I had to take time off from a new job where I do not yet have leave, so it was leave without pay.
I was passed from one person to another and one man, Jeff, screamed at me on several occasions and told me I could file a grievance but it was just a formality and I was not going to get a single cent back and to get over it. He told me it was stupid I could not take off work and that it was the dumbest thing he ever heard.
When my items did arrive, one box was busted and they threw what was left of the items in the box in another box. Pieces of my desk, which was shrink wrapped by the movers, were missing and was brought in piece by piece. The parts that were missing were the legs, stabilizing bars, etc, so the desk is now worthless. Two plastic containers were broken and missing handles. Also, there were several items that were not mine but were placed in boxes of mine.
The most infuriating thing was when I unwrapped my two mattress and two box springs. Only ONE of them was in a box. The others were wrapped in moving blankets and then shrink wrapped. One mattress was wet. After I was forced to buy mattress boxes, there was only one box on the beds. I have pictures of all of this.
So far, this has been the worst moving experience I have ever had.
Leigh
Columbia, South Carolina