When I set up the move I was given a 5 day from pick up delivery date by Maggie which was great since we were moving my 86 year old sick mother from Florida to Ohio. She was leaving her home of 20 years to return to Ohio into Assisted Living and had just been out of the hospital 2 weeks. Naturally she didn't want to move and we assured her all would be fine we would take care of it. We have signed a lease and took occupancy for her July 6th (unfurnished) so we could put in shelf liner and be all ready for the movers that would be there on the 9th.
The day scheduled for pickup I had to call the driver myself per Maggie to see if he was coming that day or next. he came that day. they wrapped all my mothers furniture and neatly put all things on truck measuring 600 cu. ft. per the driver Alberto. He says he may be there in Oh in 2 days.
THEN THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS! Day 5 I call Maggie to see if it will be that day. She puts me through to Tony. Wow! He was the most obnoxious,rude man I have ever talked to. He tells me no the window for delivery is 7 - 21 days. Well this is what i got from other movers and the fast turn around time, as I specifically told Maggie was my reason for going with them. Him and I buck heads over that. Our conversation ended with It could also be this week, he hadn't gotten the paperwork back from driver Alberto. 2 days later I call Maggie, she answers and puts me on hold and never comes back, Call back, goes straight to voicemail, go direct to Tony get voicemail for 3 days, left them both messages day 4 no return calls. I got real nervous thinking omg we have been ripped off. I call Ft lauderdale police they say it's a civil matter and that he just got off the phone an hr ago with a woman that this same company is demanding immediate payment of 6000. dollars and then they will come deliver her things. So he gives me all these websites to seek help. I checked the BBB but that was in March when I called getting rough estimates from a Sherry there was also a Karen and they mysteriously dissappeared per Maggie to takecare of their sick mothers.
The websites.OMG The things I read about people who never got their things,and broken and months late sleeping on floors with children, A soldier coming stateside and his wife can't get their things. One of our soldiers fighting for our country calling from Afghansistan and they are hanging up on him,Broken boxes gone through extra charges on credit cards. I thought for sure my mothers things would never be seen again.
July 18th after many attempts to reach Maggie and Tony he finally calls. Tony was so nice butter could have melted in his mouth. It took everything I had to be nice to this man after all I had found and his rudeness, and the delay which now we are paying for an unfurnished assisted living apartment and 250 a day for a furnished facility because there was no bed or other furnishings so that we could return to work.
Tony says we will be there Saturday. Gives me Alberto's number which was different from the one he had when he came to pick up. Sure enough 10:30 Saturday here comes Alberto which we knew was driving on an expired Georgia Drivers license because he didn't sign his last name on the pickup order and we asked to see it.
He comes in with the Truck locked up like Ft Knox hands us an invoice reading 800 cubic feet and requesting double the balance remaining. We make him call that great con Tony, he met his match when he got the other sister she got him down to 700 cubic ft. But he wasn't happy. Knowing what we know we say to Alberto we will give you half now and the other when you have it unloaded. Nope we will drive off and you will pay storage and a re-delivery. So whe paid them.
WHEN HE OPENED THAT TRUCK I WAS IN SHOCK. Things thrown on there like garbage. bottom Line there is an estimated 5100. dollars worth of things missing. Asian 3 ft tall lanterns, mirror to dresser,glass for tops of furniture that they charged 380. dollars to wrap,chair to a desk, wicker chair, 2 cracker barrel rockers,a large u-haul picture box, complete metal patio set, 3 other boxes of dishes, pots and pans. One of her Tiffany lamps was sitting on top of a tub going to the next person that I had personally wrapped and had in a box with pillows to protect it. They delivered a storage container belonging to someone else with some of my mothers clothes in it. Alberto is describing these pieces to us and the POLICE and tells us he knows they are in the warehouse in Georgia and he will bring them back in 5 - 10 days. aLSO WITH THE POLICE AS A WITNESS WE MEASURED THE CUBIC FT WHERE OUR THINGS WERE AT 512 CUBIC FT. So i say we need some insurance that you will come back give us half of our money back until you return. He of course he calls Tony and of course Tony REFUSES.. Alberto signs off to verify all these things are missing. 2 Days later Tony gets the list contacts us "your things are gone file a claim". There was a communication barrier with Alberto and you. Alberto had no trouble communicating to us that Americans thought they were to good to do this type of work. He actually talked quite a bit with me about the people at Great American having no Soul, or heart, and that they don't care about your things or whether you are sleeping on the floor, this was a conversation When I called his cell when Maggie and Tony wouldn't answer their phones or return calls. Tony emails the name of a Claims company which is not the same as the one on the contract. We check them both out, there reviews are as horrific as Great Americans. They want to give you 60cents per pound. We were never offered additional insurance when scheduling the move or anything about weight. We questioned Alberto about the weight when he loaded he told us "you are by cubic ft.". Your things will be fine. Today I found out that there is suppose to be a new law as of May 2012 the 60 cents per lb. has changed and it is by estimated value. I am waiting for the link from TV station here in Ohio.
All I can say is DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY GET on line USDOT,MYMOVINGREVIEW.COM,RIPPOFFREPORT,FACEBOOK EVEN HAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE UNDER GREAT AMERICAN VANLINES STINKS, READ FOR YOURSELF. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN SCAMMED CALL FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION,TV TROUBLESHOOTER OR NEWSPAPER. THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE STOPPED! I can only hope you aren't reading this to late!! I know my mission is to go as far as I have to, to put a stop to these theifs.
