Disqusting abuse of service!
Doug Bozarth
Submitted this review about
Hercules Moving Systems
Review made Live: 3/6/2010 7:35:00 PM
LET ME JUST WARN PEOPLE UP FRONT, DON'T LOOK TO FIND THE CHEAPEST QUOTE! This was one terrible mistake to chose these people!
I was weaved into using them by the charming Nicky when I was comparing quotes. She was very nice and granted all my wishes, early pickup into storage, guaranteed quote (fixed price), Ha! Pickup date was 11/30/2009. When they showed up for the pickup, right out of the truck, I was warned that these quotes are never correct and after he finished his list, he would let me know actual cost. I refused to let him load the truck, and was going to send him away! Nicky happened to call, and I explained what the driver told me, she said to call if it changed. The driver upon verifying the list with the goods, said things would be OK and they loaded the truck. After loading the truck, again he tried to raise the price because he had 12 more boxes that in the quote. We argued and ended up recounting boxes over and over. We found that what was on the truck was right! His helper had tagged 12 boxes that were piled in a section of the garage that I said was not to go, and I had everything to go isolated in the center of the floor to make it real easy!
O.K. now I had things stored upfront for 30 days. That was to clear out the storage and get prepared to relocate to Texas. I had told them in the agreement that I wanted things delivered 01/06/2010 as my earliest delivery date.
On 12/28/2009 I had several urgent emails from the dispatcher (Lydia) stating that my load was scheduled for delivery on Wednesday, 12/30/2009. She had been calling but I had changed to a Texas phone number so I could use it in Job Apps. I was still in California and not leaving until 12/28. It was made clear of when my new apartment was available all during the process. I told her I wasn't even in Texas yet and she had to get the driver to reroute his deliveries.
Then, when it was time for my delivery, I found out that they're 54' truck wouldn't fit through the parking lot and I would have to pay $300. more to reload in a smaller truck. It was suggested that if I rented a UHAUL and met them on a roadside somewhere, that would save me the money. If I do that, which I said I will, that means I have to carry my own furniture up to my 2nd floor apt. Conveniently, the day before delivery I found out that they already had things in a smaller truck, and I wouldn't need to rent one.
Now, upon unloading, I started noticing things were damaged. I had a tall, 4 drawer file cabinet, it was bent in on both sides like a squished pop can! I had a Stainless steel BBQ that looked like it was pounded by a baseball bat. My dresser and a sofa table were damaged, and entertainment center. I had a couple other things damaged. But what really seemed deliberate to me was Dish pack boxes (2) that I had marked "FRAGILE" on all sides, had EVERY piece of glass broken in them. I had other boxes that I didn't label that on and they weren't damaged. I lost a complete set of Fiestaware dishes, wine and coffee mugs. I had an estimate of $800. in damage, and that was considering not charging for a new grill or dresser. They use Anthem as their insurance company. Anthem stated that they would recommend that Hercules pay me $198. for my damages. They stated that the company isn't liable for boxes they don't pack, nor compressed wood products. Well, they also request photo's of damage to present with a claim. In the photos you can see that split wood is real wood, not compressed sawdust! And, my grill and file cabinet!
Well, I just gave up and accepted the claim a month ago. I haven't seen any money from them.
*And a side note as to their scamming ways. When I first complained to Lydia of my damage, she told me to send a quick list to them, they can settle without going through insurance. When I sent the list, I had mentioned that I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I was told a couple days later that they decided to make me go through their insurance since I filed with BBB. Later they tried to deny several things they said during my whole trip. But, Here is another piece of advice. PRINT OUT AND SAVE EVERY CORRESPONDENCE, START TO FINISH. I SHOULD HAVE SAVED A COUPLE PHONE CALLS! But, emails confirmed them so that helped. It sure shut them up when I told them I had everything! I haven't heard from them since!
