1st Choice (Phoenix) d/b/a Hercules Moving Systems
Doug
Submitted this review about
Hercules Moving Systems
Review made Live: 10/7/2008 10:54:00 PM
I used 1st Choice because they were the most affordable when I priced a move from Seattle, WA to Ashburn, VA. 1st Choice quoted me $1300 for my move and called that a "binding quote. I asked the associate that gave me my quote if there were any charges and fees that she was not telling me about. She said that no, her company's quotes are binding and there would be no last minute changes. I asked if there should be a in home estimate done and she said that doing one over the phone is perfectly acceptable as they price each move based on weight and therefore as long as my weight was accurate, there should be no reason for additional cost. We discussed how the apartment is accessed and I informed her there is a parking garage, an elevator and one set of stairs.
Fast forward to my moving day. I had 1st Choice coming to pick up my belongings and then I was scheduled to depart on the 3,000 mile cross country drive in my car. When the movers arrived they proceeded to tell me it would be an additional $500 to move my belongings from the apartment down to the truck they had waiting. I informed them that that was not on the quote. They then informed me that it they were charging me per foot of distance that they had to move the items and an additional $75 for the elevator. I again informed them that I had included all that information when I got the quote and was assured the bid was accurate. At this time they informed me I was more than welcome to go with another company. Obviously this was not possible, they had me over a barrel so I was forced to pay.
Fast forward to delivery day. Again, I informed 1st Choice how my apartment was accessed. There is a main gate at my new complex, my new apartment was on the first floor, and there is a garage for them to move the items into. I get a call that informs me that the driver will call one hour prior. Instead, the driver calls and informs me that they have already been by the property and can't get in the gate. I had already checked with my property manager and they assured me that they have 53' semi trucks in and out of the complex almost every day. I told this to the driver and he again informed me that it can't be done and that he was on his way in a smaller truck, that would cost me an additional $300. I argued with the dispatcher and he finally offered to pay for 1/2 the cost of the truck. Again, I had to agree... they have my stuff, I had no choice.
Long story short, 1st Choice did not come close to satisfying the terms of our agreement. They charged me a total of $2150 rather than the $1300 they quoted. To this day I am awaiting response as to a missing article and how to ship them back a box that is someone elses. They have been very unhelpful and their only excuse is that "all moving companies do it this way sir." I strongly urge all future customers to watch out for this company, they are not ethical in their conduct.
