AAA Vanlines LIES HIDDEN FEES HIGHWAY ROBBERY Moving Company Ripoff Norcross Georgia
Company did not pick up and deliver as stated and I was overcharged $1000. We were to have our furniture picked up on 14th at 9 am and delivered on 15th. Had to move up one day since I was informed the week of move that next day delivery was never possible over 500 miles. Service rep I was dealing with said they must have changed the laws and she wasn't told. Estimate was for $4245 for 11793 lbs. We ended up paying over $5200 for 10000lbs. We were charged the full weight plus packing material, labor for packing materials and fuel surcharges not disclosed.
I selected this company baaed on per lb estimate with the understanding that anything OVER would cost more and that they could pick up and deliver next day. My shipment was under which in essence changed the quote from .36 per pound to .45 per lb per what we were charged. The estimate did not disclosed the fuel surcharge which was revealed when the driver showed up and stated that they alway forget to add this to the quote. I emailed the rep on 5/9/07 regarding packing materials and confirmation of next day delivery. She replied on 5-10 that delivery would be next day and packing amterials would be $25 for specific items i asked about.
I emailed again on 6-1-07 regarding pickup day and rep esponded same day that pickup would be 14th at 9 a.m. The Monday before the move I called and the owner said they could not do it in one day.I had to move up my pickup day a full day and then they didn't show up until 3 p.m. even though I was told 9 a.m. The packers used the packing materials as they saw fit without telling me what I was being charged for and it turned out to be $498. In addition the fuel surcharge was not disclosed. The driver told me they always forget to tell about it. I have copies of all emails to back up my claim.
In addition, the company operates under practices that cause the consumer to be in a position where they have to sign documents in order to get their possessions back. The driver left my home at 12:00 AM when they picked up my furniture in Ohio.I was advised that any issues I had would have to be resolved with the home office which was not open at 12 o'clock in the morning. In addition, they already had all of my furniture. What choice does the consumer have at this point?I still have not received the money from the math error!!!
Bhunt
Tega Cay, South Carolina
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Should Have Dome More Research
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them.
Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off.
Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard.
The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover.
In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Should Have Dome More Research
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them.
Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off.
Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard.
The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover.
In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Should Have Dome More Research
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them.
Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off.
Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard.
The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover.
In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Should Have Dome More Research
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them.
Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off.
Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard.
The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover.
In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.