When it’s Good, it’s Really GOOD. When it’s BAD, it’s AmeriCarrier Van Lines
gene stutle
Submitted this review about
AmeriCarrier Van Lines
Review made Live: 7/7/2010 4:17:00 PM
“BAD”, is the understatement of my lifetime when I speak of the nightmare experience I had with AmeriCarrier Van Lines based out of CA!
We are all attached to our personal belongings in different ways but I guarantee no one will disagree with me when I say, “I expected my move from CA to MI to be nothing less than professional since I paid over $6,000.00 for it!” My experience with AmeriCarrier Van Lines was a complete disaster! From my initial phone call with Adrian, whom I refer to as, “The Smoke Blower”, will tell you what ever you NEED to hear until you are convinced you are dealing with a reputable company that promises to deliver exceptional customer service and your personal property, safe & sound. I did do a search to see if there were any poor reviews on this company but I admit I didn’t look hard enough with the little time I had before my move. I wished I had, there were plenty of complaints on the web!
In August 2008, I moved out to CA to live with my sister with the promise of a new job and new life for me and my daughters. That lasted three weeks until she attacked me and kicked me out! (That story I’ll save for a book). I stayed in an “extended stay” Hotel until I could make arrangements to move back to Michigan. I began looking up moving companies online and calling for quotes. I was given costs from $5,700.00 to as much as $17,000.00 for my move from CA to MI.
I was still very shaken by what had happened between me and my sister so when I spoke with Adrian with AmeriCarrier Van Lines, I was crying and expressed to her how I needed to move back to Michigan ASAP because I was staying in a Hotel. She was so pleasant and understanding. So I thought! Adrian told me that they “were different from all the other Moving Companies” and continued on about the customer service satisfaction rate they received on a regular basis. She said they professionally package every item with the top quality packaging material that was available! WOW! That sounded great! And she said they would even help me hang pictures and assist with Decor upon arrival in Michigan. Let me tell you that CHEAPER is NOT always BETTER! I did decide to book my move with AmeriCarrier Van Lines not knowing it would be a brutal twist of the knife my sister had left in my back.
Here is an actual quote from their web site; “Express services are available to and from all points throughout the USA with an emphasis on California to and from the East Coast. Maximum efficiency is ensured, providing unmatched discounts and highly reliable service – we always deliver on a promise!” A promise to do what? Maybe give me nightmares and deliver my belongings in pieces and so damaged it became trash!
I was promised delivery in 7 – 10 days but it turned out to be 15 days! I made phone calls every day until my personal property showed up. I got many excuses, all of them lame, and was treated horribly because they had already taken my money and I was at THEIR MERCY! Upon delivery I was told I owed them another $430.00 and it had to be in CASH! This was for “Additional Special Packaging” for some of my framed art pieces and breakable items. The driver told me he was not allowed to unload my property until I paid him the balance. Not knowing my rights, I did. My “Special Packaging” ended up being my dogs bed wrapped around two pieces of glass shelves with a lot of brown packaging tape AND two of my framed art pieces wrapped in paper, more brown tape and put in the SAME box. Of course, I was charged for TWO “Special Packaging” in addition to much more! (See photo gallery link below).
Here’s where this situation gets worse. The driver of the semi was ALONE! I asked him who was going to help him unload my belongings. He said he was waiting for a local professional mover to show up to assist him. An hour later a man shows up and tells me he was called by the local unemployment agency to help unload a moving truck and that NO EXPERIENCE was required! In my presence, the semi driver told him to stop talking because he was not PAID to talk! It still gets worse!
When the truck finally opened, to my surprise, all my belongings had shifted and the sight of damage was already evident. My brother and former husband were present the entire time, thank goodness. I ran inside to get my camera and began taking photos (see below). At the bottom of my poorly stacked pile of belongings, were my plastic bins of priceless family photos and keepsake cards I received throughout my lifetime. My list of AmeriCarrier Van Lines’ horrid service is bottomless but just to name a few ; *Damaged, Stained and Soiled (yes wet) King Size Mattress that was less than 1 year old, *Damaged, Stained, Soiled (yes wet again) Queen Size Mattress 2 years old, *Damaged Antique Birdhouse, *Damaged $3,000.00 + Master Bedroom Set, *Damaged Jewelry Cabinet, *Damaged Frames Artwork, *Damaged Kitchen Table & Four Chairs and more! (see photo gallery below). NOTHING was “Special Packages” yet I was charged for it. There were a few pieces of my wood furniture wrapped in dirty, smelly moving blankets but most of my wood furniture was NOT protected!
When I moved out to CA, three weeks prior, almost all my belongings were put in a storage unit. When AmeriCarrier Van Lines arrived at the storage unit on August 27, 2008 to “package & pick up” my belongings, I left them to do so and ran a few errands. I should have stayed to supervise their work but I was so convinced they would do what they were paid to do, I just “assumed” everything would be professionally completed. WRONG AGAIN!
So the damage was done and all I could do was cry and make my claim to the AmeriCarrier Van Lines. Again, this situation did get worse!
I was instructed to call CSI Claims based out of Florida by the Manager of AmeriCarrier Van Lines, Philip. He was the most aweful person I have EVER been subjected to. His accent was thick and his words, cunning. My claim went on for 8 months! Back and forth with lies, excuses, finger pointing and more unprofessional people! I finally agreed to a “settlement” amount in early May 2009, NINE months after my move! I hope you are sitting for this one, my settlement amount is for a little over $500.00, it’s now mid August 2009 and I still have not received a penny from AmeriCarrier Van Lines. I was only paid $0.60 per pound and not the actual weight of MY belongings but they go off this list that benefits the moving companies. I was never offered to purchase insurance and I would have because I’m a true believe in “insurance” and “warranties” because you never know. This was MY first experience with a Professional Moving Company, so I really believed I was in good hands. DON”T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU OR A LOVED ONE!
