Worst Consumer Experience of my Life
H.A.
Submitted this review about
Great Nation Van Lines
Review made Live: 6/19/2014 2:21:00 PM
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! EVEN IF IT IS YOUR ONLY OPTION!
RENT A UHAUL AND MOVE YOURSELF IF YOU HAVE TO!
I am a physician moving from DC to Michigan for work and I thought a moving company would help me settle in quickly since I needed to start at the hospital just two days after arriving in town. But using this company turned out to be the worst consumer decision I have ever made.
Moving is always stressful but Great Nation Van Lines has a knack for making the process SO MUCH worse.
Things started off well, the agent I worked with quoted a fair price and the packing movers showed up on time and did a great job.
HOWEVER, once the company had all my things and I was at their mercy, the horrific service and trickery began.
1. PRICES CHANGE UNEXPECTEDLY: The agent came back with a new price that did not reflect the calculations on the invoice. They claimed that the agent had made a typo and that I would need to pay double the original agreed upon price. Thank god I saved every document they gave me so after many emails and phone calls they agreed to the original pricing.
2. THE OWNER IS RUDE AND UNTRUSTWORTHY: Every time I spoke with the owner, David, he yelled and wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise, he would cut me off mid-sentence. It is difficult to accurately describe what a rude and self absorbed human being this man is but I don't recommend finding out for yourself. He has no concept of empathy for the customer and is only interested in discussing his own hardships with his business.
After solving the price mixup, I got final confirmation of the date and time frame of the drop off and took time off from the hospital (not an easy thing to do with late notice as a doctor). Then less than 12 hours before their scheduled arrival time I got a call from the driver saying that they would arrive a day later. They did not have an agent call to give me a proper explanation for the change, they had the driver tell me in an offhand comment.
I was baffled after hearing this from the driver so I called the owner who said things were very busy for him in his business and that he had to take care of someone else first. I explained that it is very difficult for me to take time off from my work because I work in the medical field. He then proceeded to lecture me and tell me that I should be more understanding of his situation, that "as a doctor I need to learn to handle emergencies and difficulties". I was livid at this point and said I needed to get off the phone. Later on I received text message apologies.
3. THEY DO NOT HONOR AGREEMENTS: After the issue with the charges and the last minute time change the owner said he would offer me a $250 discount and that the movers would arrive the next day between 8am and 10am. I agreed and went to take out the exact amount of remaining money and managed to find a friend to be at the house during drop off.
The movers arrived an hour late outside the window and upon arrival the driver told my friend that the payment was not enough and that if I didn't come up with the additional $100 they would drive away with my things. I had to leave the hospital in the middle of working with a patient to deal with the issue after the owner called yelling and threatening me.
The movers left their garbage, did not finish setting up the furniture and did not unpack. I was told by the agent that I was getting a full service move with packing, shipment and unpacking. At this point I am exhausted from the poor treatment from the owner and the company that I'd rather unpack, set up furniture and throw garbage myself.
I deeply regret having used Great Nation Van Lines. Don't make the same mistake I did, do yourself a favor and use another company or move yourself.
