Statewide Van Lines Statewide Moving Co. Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde Old Bridge, New Jersey

HI, THIS IS A CLASSIC CASE OF A FRUSTRATED CUSTOMER WHO DID NOT TAKE THE TIME TO EVEN READ THE E-MAIL THAT WE SENT HIM OR SEND AN INVENTORY LIST FOR HIS MOVE TO ARIZONA. ALL CUSTOMERS GET THE SAME E-MAIL THAT REQUESTS THAT THEY FILL OUT THE INVENTORY LIST FOR THEIR UPCOMING MOVE. IT IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE BODY OF THE E-MAIL TO CLICK ON THE LINK AND PROVIDE AN INVENTORY LIST. YET THIS CUSTOMER, APPARANTLY, DID NOT EVEN TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE WHOLE E-MAIL AND GIVE ME A LIST. THE CUSTOMER THEN DID NOT INSTRUCT THE MEN AT THE JOB ON WHAT SPECIFIC ITEMS TO TAKE, AS HE CLAIMS THEY PACKED GOODS FROM A CLOSET THAT HE DID NOT WANT MOVED BY US. WHY DIDN'T THE CUSTOMER TELL THE MEN NOT TO PACK THESE ITEMS? HE WAS VERY DISORGANIZED FROM THE START OF HIS MOVE  AND NOW TRIES TO BLAME THE MOVING COMPANY FOR FAILURE TO BEING PROPERLY PREPARED FOR THIS MOVE. WE ALWAYS GET A WEIGHT CERTIFICATE FROM THE CERTIFIED WEIGHT SCALES AND WE ALWAYS PROVIDE THEM FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AT THE TIME OF THE DELIVERY ; AND WE ALSO FAX THEM OVER IF THE CUSTOMER SO REQUESTS. SINCE HE DID NOT GIVE US A COMPLETED INVENTORY LIST , I BASED HIS MOVE ON A STANDARD 2  BED ROOM RESIDENCE . I USED THE GUIDELINES AS STATED IN THE MOVERS DIRECTORY. COM , ONE OF THE BEST RESPECTED SITES FOR LONG DISTANCE MOVING INFORMATION, AND BASED HIS INFORMATION ON THE STANDARD , AVERAGE 2  BED ROOM RESIDENCE. WE SENT HIM A  QUOTE FOR A 2  BED ROOM RESIDENCE THAT WE HAD OUR ESTIMATE BASED  ON ; AS LISTED ON MOVERS DIRECTORY.COM.  AS IN SOME CASES, HE HAD VERY HEAVY FURNITURE AND MORE BOXES THAN MOST PEOPLE WOULD HAVE FOR A 2  BED ROOM AND HIS WEIGHT CAME IN CLOSER TO A RESIDENCE OF A 3  BED ROOM HOME.      THE DELIVERY IS BEING DONE CURRENTLY WITHIN THE GUIDELINES THAT ARE STIPULATED IN THE SIGNED CONTRACT BY THE CUSTOMER.  WE HAVE A TIME FRAME OF 14-21 BUSINESS DAYS AS OUTLINED IN THE CONTRACT HE SIGNED WITH US AND THE DELIVERY IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 26TH,  WELL WITHIN THE GUIDLINES. IF HE HAD READ THE ORIGINAL E-MAIL AND SUBMITTED AN INVENTORY LIST AND PROPERLY PREPARED FOR HIS MOVE , THE ESTIMATE WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCURATE TO ABOUT 5 % TO 10% OF THE FINAL BILL PLUS OR MINUS. THE MOVING PROGRAM WE HAVE IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS, AND THE EXPECTED WEIGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE ACCURATE. BUT ONCE AGAIN , THIS IS THE CLASSIC CASE OF A CUSTOMER WHO DID NOT PREPARE PROPERLY FOR HIS MOVE BY NOT TAKING THE TIME TO FILL OUT THE INVENTORY LIST ,  AND BLAMES THE MOVING COMPANY FOR HIS BEING ILL PREPARED.

Mr. Alexander (Mr. Hyde), so quick to pass the buck.  As I'm sure most people who are attempting a relocation are, I was extremely busy dealing with so many details, and admittedly didn't have time to read every line of every email received during my relocation research process.  Had the very pleasant and respectful Mr. Alexander (Dr. Jeckyl) I dealt with during the quoting process informed me that the link was present on his email, or that filling out an inventory list for a more accurate quote was EVEN AN OPTION, I would have done it.  Mr. Alexander NEVER informed me that this was an option.  Instead he promoted his BBB rating, his testimonials, and all his experience as reason to take his quote seriously.  The odd thing is he still thinks this about his quote/pricing, its NOT!!  I NEVER said I wouldn't pay the total amount due!  I never asked for a discount!  In fact, in my complaint to the BBB the only resolution I asked for was adjustment of their rating (which they refused). This is about the total lack of communication on the part of Statewide Van Lines.  I initiated virtually all calls once they had the signed contract.  Its about them changing the delivery date 4 times!  And it's about Mr. Hyde's disrespecting of his paying customer as soon as there was a hint of dissatisfaction.  The only thing "classic" about this case, is Mr. Alexander's Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde routine of being the epidomy of professionalism and respect before he had a nickel of my money or guarantee of my business, then turning to Mr. Hyde once he had my life's possessions and a signed contract.  Once that was the case, Mr. Hyde through customer service and respect out the window, speaking over me, blaming me, shouting at me, and eventually hanging up on me mid conversation, as soon as I had one little issue with his company's service.  He then proceeds to follow up on these consumer reporting sites making it out that I'm the one that is ALL TO BLAME and that I was unprepared and unorganized.  I rented out my condo back east, sold one of my cars private party, got travel health certs for two pets, signed a lease on a new condo at my relocation destination, flew my wife, father, and two pets out here and drove my other vehicle out to AZ from RI, ALL WITHOUT INCIDENT.  In fact, the only part of my relocation that didn't go smoothly was the business that I did with Statewide Van Lines. Mr. Alexander/Mr. Hyde is correct I didn't have the time to read every detail of his email, and he took advantage of that fact!

HI,

   AS ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN SEE,  THE CUSTOMER IS A VERY ABUSIVE PERSON.  HE RESORTS TO NAME CALLING BY CALLING ME "DR JECKYL" .  THIS OBVIOUSLY SHOWS A PERSON OF LOW ESTEEM AND VERY BAD CHARACTER. WHEN I ORIGINALLY SPOKE WITH HIM HE WAS VERY ARROGANT, AND WAS SPEAKING OVER MY VOICE AS I WAS TALKING , A VERY BAD QUALITY IN A PERSON'S DEMEANOR WHEN SPEAKING TO ANOTHER PERSON.  WE GAVE HIM A LEGITAMATE ESTIMATE, AS OUTLINED IN THE MOST RESPECTED MOVING AUTHORITY IN THE BUSINESS, MOVERS DIRECTORY.COM.  IF YOU GO TO THIS WEBSITE YOU WILL SEE THE AVERAGE POUNDS FOR A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF BED ROOMS.  WE USED THE GUIDELINE FOR A STANDARD 2 BED ROOM HOME;  SINCE HE FAILED TO SUBMIT THE INVENTORY LIST AND NOT BEING PREPARED TO DO HIS HOMEWORK.  AND LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR,  HE WAS TOLD TO PROVIDE THE INVENTORY LIST ,  BUT HE NEVER DID BECAUSE HE DID NOT PREPARE PROPERLY.  AND HE ADMITS THAT HE DID NOT PREPARE AN ESTIMATE,  AND ALSO ADMITS THAT HE DID NOT READ THE E-MAIL BECAUSE HE WAS SO BUSY. READ HIS WRITING AGAIN.          SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL ADD UP TO ?  IT ADDS UP TO AN UNPREPARED CUSTOMER WHO DID NOT DO HIS HOMEWORK AND PREPARE AN INVENTORY LIST OF HIS GOODS, AND NOW BLAMES THE MOVING COMPANY FOR HIS MISGIVINGS AND BEING ILL PREPARED AND UNRESPONSIBLE. 

        WE DID THE DELIVERY WITHIN THE PROPER GUIDELINES AS SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACT THAT HE SIGNED. AND HE HAS THE NERVE TO SPEAK NEGATIVELY ABOUT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU BECAUSE THEY HAVE GIVEN US AN A- RATING. HE SAYS "SO MUCH FOR THE BBB".   WELL,  THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS DECIDED TO RETAIN OUR A- RATING. THEY ARE ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED AUTHORITIES IN THE SALES BUSINESS.  WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU OF WHAT THEY THINK OF THIS SITUATION ?  THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO TRY TO BLAME OTHER PEOPLE FOR THEIR SHORTCOMINGS AND SADLY THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THIS SCENARIO.

I really was debating on whether or not to even respond to your LIES.  At first, I was ready to move on and not stoop to your level.  But, it's just too tempting.  I only wanted to warn people of your business practices.  Which ANYONE who was treated as I was by you would do the same!  Perhaps even cost you some business or tarnish your reputation, after what I was put through.  That was the only reason for signing up with the Ripoff Report. Honestly, you do a much better job of that with your rebuttals than I could ever hope to do on my own.  Without your comments to show YOUR TRUE NATURE, some folks who read this might not head the warning as seriously.  Thank You!

I received a free quote in my e-mail from Jim Alexander at Statewide Van Lines. I quickly Googled his company and came up with a ripoff report and I sent him this short e-mail that says this:

I always make it a point to Google everyone I do business with! My move was from MA to Scottsdale AZ, glad I stumbled on this, first one especially. Thanks anyway! Then I sent him two links for Ripoff Report:
 
 
http://www.ripoffreport.com/moving-companies/statewide-van-lines/statewide-van-lines-statewide-fd56a.htm
 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/moving-companies/statewide-van-lines/statewide-van-lines-statewide-3bb6d.htm

This was Mr. Alexanders response to that:

      HI,
       THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE UNRESPONSIBLE.  DID YOU READ MY REPLY TO THIS GUY ?  READ MY REPLY (SCROLL DOWN),  AND DON'T BELIEVE EVRYTHING YOU READ ON THE INTERNET.  THIS GUY WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST JERKS I HAVE EVER MOVED.  A LOW LIFE WHO BLAMED US FOR HIS SHORTCOMINGS FOR NOT BEING PREPARED.  OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE DONE A BAD JOB OF RESEARCH ALREADY AND I WOULD NOT EVEN WANT TO DEAL WITH A PERSON WHO DOES NOT PREPARE PROPERLY FOR THEIR MOVE.   NOW YOU CAN READ REVIEWS  AND CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW ABOUT US.
 

(((Redacted)))

Now Click on the link above that "HE" sent me, and the first thing you see is this:

 

Do Not Use!

Review:

So much for the BBB. I took the A- BBB rating that Jim Alexander flaunted a little too seriously. Worse yet, after my horrible experience with State Wide Van Lines, the BBB said they wouldn't adjust the rating, even though that was my only desired resolution. Instead I have to go to all these sites and add my review to warn you all of this company! Jim was super nice in the beginning during the quoting process. His quote of course turned out to be ~1/2 of my final cost. Because the price is based on weight, he didn't notify me that I had the option to fill out an inventory list to get a more accurate quote, until AFTER I was slapped with the true weight of my belongings. Of course by then you're bound by contract. The movers themselves did a decent job except for the fact that they packed a bunch of things we didn't want shipped, which cost us extra. They asked for a tip after the pickup which surprised me. But, I had read enough horror stories in my research for a mover to know better. That was 16 days ago. Since then they've changed my delivery date 4 TIMES!!! And I still don't have all my belongings! I would never have known anything unless I called them. I was supposed to get a call the day after p/u with the final weight. Never got it. I called them and got the weight. I was supposed to get a call after ~ 1week for status of delivery. Never got it. I called them, and that's when they changed the delivery date. And the pattern repeated, I kept calling the day before delivery was due and they kept changing the date. I tried to discuss my problems with Jim Alexander but he was a different person from the quoting phase. He was IMMEDIATELY defensive and rude! He wouldn't even allow me to explain what my problem was. He just blasted me with blame from every corner! This company is pathetic. I still don't have my things and I'm slightly nervous that I might not get them. Anyone planning on relocating and needs a mover PLEASE read the info @ the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration!

 

I do hope that this helps people weed out the crooks! The BBB can't be trusted anywhere in this country because they are paid by the crooks to say they are the best one for the job. You should always use Ripoff report to get the truth of how good a company really is and if they go out of their way to make everything right in the end even if there were problems. I agree the man is Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde!

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

ALWAYS, I REPEAT, ALWAYS have someone from the moving company come out to do a visual survey of your items.  By doing so the estimator can give you a more accurate estimate.  They will know exactly what is going.  I took a look at this website that Jim claims to use as his bible.  What a joke.  There is a guideline on that site but that is all it is.  There is no way to know if the customer has the average amount of items for an average 3 bedroom house or whatever.  Even if this customer had supplied an inventory list, that doesn't mean he would have gotten a better estimate.  The website lists that a 3 bedroom house should contain 7500#.  I have worked in the moving business for many years.  I have seen a 3 bedroom house contain as little as 2000# and as much as 15000#.  That's why someone should always do a visual survey.  The company I worked for always did visual surveys and our estimators were always within a 10% accuracy rate.  Occasionally the customer might forget items in the attic which would boost their weight up but even so, the customer knew that those items may cause an increase in the final price.  Keep in mind that you are only required by law to pay the estimate plus 10% upon delivery.  Jim would then send you a bill for the rest.  I am sure you did some research before choosing Jim's company but there's a lot to be said about estimates.  While he may have had the lowest estimate, you didn't receive the customer service you deserved and to be honest, I'm a little nervous also that you may not receive your items.  I hope you purchased additional insurance because all he is required to give you is .60 per pound per article if there is damage.  Next time you move, please be sure to have a visual survey done beforehand.  I am sorry this happened to you.  Reading this and Jim's responses made me angry and frustrated that he can do business like this.  I wish you the best of luck!