12 Jan 2024 · MoveAdvisor
1.0 out of 51.0
I researched 5 moving companies and decided upon 1 and provided a deposit. I changed my mind after they reviewed my submitted inventory list and wanted and additional $6 thousand which I figured would increase on the day of the move plus tipping the movers plus paying for final destination. A HUGE RED FLAG IN THE INDUSTRY OVERALL IS: moving companies expect you the customer to know how many cubic feet and the weight of your belongings to determine the truck size. Also, customers are expected to know how much packing material and how much time it will take the movers/ packers to pack and load the truck(s). If you are uncertain, no worries, they seem prepared to overwhelm and overcharge you. Next, be prepared to pay double or more of what is quoted or expected on the day of the move. The moving company or broker is kind enough to warn you of the possibility of additional charges as a shot across the bow. You just do not know that it will be an arrow to your wallet which has a cord attached to yank it out from your cold, sweaty, tightly gripping and bloodied fingers.
This is what happened to me with Brokers AmeriSafe. After explaining my angst, challenges and submitting my inventory list, I was called and it was stated that it seems I will need a second partial truck. I declined due to what I could only imagine would take me well beyond my already $9500 estimate. I was told the cubic feet of the truck and said I would make other arrangements for the additional items that would not fit onto the truck. I gave away many items because it is to be a cross country move and I would be in a bind to have items left behind in a rental townhouse. I was warned of additional costs if I added anything to the bill of lading (inventory list) that was provided. Movers who are contractors arrived too late to work - not their fault - I asked for next day service for a few reasons however, no bill of lading, double cost to pay than quoted by AmeriSafe, the dishonest, disappearing ones. When I called one of the main planning reps that I had worked with, they referred me to customer service after hours number all of a sudden.
Movers were unaware that I requested little supplies from them because I have plenty of my own, unaware that it was a whole townhouse move, mostly already packed by me in storage bags and stacked and garage stacked up with bins some bags and boxes items (I am a tad OCD so yes, I keep boxes of things so they can go back in their homes), just had to be boxes in cardboard boxes, garment bagged clothes put in wardrobe boxes and furniture and all loaded, did not know armoire had to be hoisted down from deck due to not fitting in downstairs foyer, did not know where and when to deliver my belongings once loaded not what my cost would be upon arrival.
MAYBE SOME LOCAL COMPANIES FOR LOCAL MOVES SEND PEOPLE TO WALK THROUGH BEFORE GIVING AN ESTIMATE. I say this because the local company that I used before for an interstate move did send someone. Tragically, I did not use them for this move due to them having to transfer my items to a national moving company partner at a later time thus driving up the cost. Tragic because they were very good, very nice, reasonably priced and AmeriSafe working with a contractor which I would have preferred to have worked with directly, I do not need a middle man, is on track to being the same as the company that I wanted to go with, Olympia Moving in the Virginia and Maryland area.
At any rate, pun intended, caveat emptor when it comes to AmeriSafe. The day I can walk through a space and call out the cubic feet of the whole building of items and weight thereof will be miraculous or maladjusted.
Moving companies and brokers do better. Thousands of dollars at stake and peoples life belongings should be treated with gravitas, grace, fairness and concierge services at these exorbitant price points.
Read more