Anything but straight forward. Worst moving experience of my life. Failed Quote and Logistics, dropped/broken item & mirror.
Josh
Submitted this review about
Straight-Forward-Moving
Review made Live: 10/1/2013 3:24:00 AM
I feel like Gordan Ramsey from Kitchen Nightmares, and here is why.
Another Company:
Originally, I moved out of my NYC manhattan apartment directly to storage during the high-time of the summer for $1800.00. The estimate was 1800.00 and I paid exactly 1800.00 for the move without a hitch. That company I gave a glowing review...unfortunately... Straight Forward Moving is not that company.
Straight Forward Moving: Anything but a straight forward move.
A year later, I removed a car load of personal belongings into a new apartment from the unit, and then put out feelers for quotes after the new school year had began during the slow season.
I reached out with pictures, information, and weight from the previous movers papers for quotes on a 375 mile move from a storage unit to a 4th floor building, and received many back and ultimately chose Straight Forward Movers based on quick online reviews and the binding estimate of $1500.00 (300$ cheaper than the previous year).
It sounded reasonable, as other quotes came back between 1570-1800 for the same weight range (2000-2500LB's) going from the zip code of VA to NY and with the ease of moving from a storage unit with boxes already stacked.
In addition, I expected an additional fee for the 4 story walkup on top of the quote (+100-+150).
Cordially, I made a 20% deposit via the phone, sent my key via overnight mail to their NJ office to arrive on Thursday and looked forward to my move on Saturday.
When Saturday arrived, I received a call that the moving company had arrived to the storage facility but the relocation manager was unable to figure out the logistics of getting the key to the movers. Essentially, no key, no entry.
Four hundred miles away, the movers asked for permission to remove/cut the lock (which I gave) and called me back saying they weren't able to open the unit as it had a round lock (not mentioning they broke off a tool inside of the lock rendering it useless).
The movers told the relocation manager they were unable to access the unit, and she rescheduled with a new moving date, providing the key to the next guys in line. The movers arrived on Wednesday explaining to me, they too could not enter the unit. Apparently, the key was, as the previous guys broke off a tool (screwdriver?) while trying to open the lock.
Unable to open the lock, the Storage Facility Manager was brought into the picture, who conveyed that the movers were trying to open the lock with a screw driver, and had broken the tool in the mechanism rather than having it cut. After another 2 hours of phone calls, and another $70 into the locksmith XXXfinally the unit was open.
The Movers gave me a call back explaining that the "Cubic Feet" quoted was exceeded while the weight was accurate and wanted to add an additional $900.00 + $105 for wrapping the mirror, in order to move my belongings.
To add another 2/3rds onto the quote was simply shocking. Plus the additional fees from transporting the items up 3 flights of steps, plus the locksmith, and the overnight delivery of a lock to their dispatch. This basically brought their price to nearly double of their estimate and way out of range of other movers who even offered "white glove" service.
Deal Breaker:
At the end of the day, it comes down to the pocket book. After another talk, I was clear that their new estimate was a deal breaker and I would rather go with one of the many other reasonable companies that would adhere to their estimates. Ultimately, we renegotiated the price down by $400 which put them around the price of using someone else if i were to sacrifice my deposit to Straight Forward Movers.
Communication & Tracking:
Beyond the initial consultation, you had to pull teeth to find out basic information that was pertinent to the move, ie drop off time. Two days of work, were missed waiting on unanswered calls and emails. After reaching a dispatcher, we learned it was planned for Saturday morning 7-9am.
Delivery:
Late for my own job, I and an employee helped assist moving smaller articles into the apartment.
The movers arrived late after 10:30, leaving everything disassembled and left our body-length mirror wrapped with a moving blanket against the wall. After discarding the blanket, it became clear the mirror was absolutely shattered, headboard was scuffed and damaged, table had a broken piece.
Moving Forward & Constructive Advice:
I can honestly say, I will never use their services again.
From this, I hope they enact a policy that the Mover either:
A) Must have the key or
B) Will use a Blacksmith,
In addition:
C) the Manager will keep within the "Binding Estimate" and that any additional fees should be clearly communicated.
D) Timelines are clearly expressed.
E) Usage of tracking/reporting online: Software should be utilized for keeping tabs on the move/transfer like Fedex/UPS.
For me, I will never use a mover that deals with Cubic Feet Overages as you can obviously stack things in different ways & stick to solely weight estimates. Will never tip before having the movers finish assembling. Will need to call the insurance company regarding the damaged items.
