First Priority Van Lines Sign contract with First Priority Van Lines and on day of move subcontractor makes you sign new contract costing you much more $$ West Palm beach Florida
Signed original contract 6-11-18 by Rep James. James said move would cost $6983.19. He guaranteed me this was max cost and final price may be less. He also said he didn't think a shuttle would be needed since prior move did not require one, but if needed it would be free. On 7-18-18 Rep Tommy called and said I needed a bigger truck and contract was changed and now cost would be $8224. We paid FPVL a deposit of $2,887.47.
The day we were scheduled to have movers start packing us they didn't show up and FPVL called and said they would be there the following day. The following day, 7-22-18, subcontractor arrived late with less men than we were suppose to have and made us sign a new contract under duress saying they would not pack or move us unless we signed a new contract. We had to be out of our house by the next day and other companies we tried to contact that day of course could not schedule us for weeks and we didn't have time to pack ourselves and move both our vehicles. We were forced to sign a new contract. Sub tried adding an additional $3000 to the move prior to unloading our stuff, making total around $18,700, which we were able to negotiate them out of after a couple of hours. In total we paid $15,221.72.
They also damaged multiple items. They did not properly secure or box our items. ex: flat screen tv wrapped in moving blanket with cardboard taped on either side of screen. ex: kitchen items wrapped in moving blanket and taped instead of boxing with appropriate bubble wrap.
I sent FPVL an email like contract says but no one responded. When I called and asked what else I needed to do or who to contact the rep, Kate Collins, said "call whoever you want." I explained that I had sent the email and had not received a response and again asked if there was more I could do, but she just responded the same.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Mickey
waterburry,Connecticut,
United States
They did a great job!
#4REBUTTAL Individual responds
Wed, September 05, 2018
We have never used movers before, an expense I thought wasn't worth spending. I can now definitely say it's worth every dime if you use this company. Kevin, Mike, and Joe were machines. The day of our move was right in the middle of a heat wave. These guys worked professionally and quickly. Nothing was damaged, they used runners and every item of furniture was wrapped and cared for. I will absolutely use this company in the future and would recommend them to anyone. Thanks for a great job guys. Hard and dedicated workers!
Mickey
waterburry,Connecticut,
United States
They do a good job
#4REBUTTAL Individual responds
Wed, September 05, 2018
We have never used movers before, an expense I thought wasn't worth spending. I can now definitely say it's worth every dime if you use this company. Kevin, Mike, and Joe were machines. The day of our move was right in the middle of a heat wave. These guys worked professionally and quickly. Nothing was damaged, they used runners and every item of furniture was wrapped and cared for. I will absolutely use this company in the future and would recommend them to anyone. Thanks for a great job guys. Hard and dedicated workers!
Jim
Beverly Hills,United States
FPVL IS Not A Moving Company
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, August 23, 2018
According to the DOT, this company is only licensed as a broker and has no ability to move you anywhere. Whatever contract you received from them is worthless because (a) they're a broker and won't do the actual move, and (b) they haven't seen your stuff in order to provide you a binding quote. The actual mover who showed up - you didn't have a contract with. So, they come in, see what you have, and tell you what the REAL cost of the move is going to be. Once the actual mover showed up, the responsibility of the broker ends. You do not need to utilize a broker to contract a move.
So when you sent FPVL an e-mail with your complaint about the service, their response was what I would have expected. You have to deal with the actual mover for claims, which I expect will be reimbursed at $0.60 per pound, according to the contract you agreed to. The Carmack Amendment limits the consumer's ability to recover additional amounts outside of what's in the contract between you and the mover. All of what you wrote about is legal under Federal law - except the hostage load they tried to pull, but you got that removed, so that part was good.
Moving is not inexpensive and finding a mover off of the internet generally results in something like this happening. The way to avoid a situation like this is to find a mover in the area you're moving from and have them come out and survey what needs to be moved. That way, you get an actual binding, not to exceed estimate. Companies like United, Mayflower, Atlas, Allied, North American, Bekins, and a few others are safe bets. Best of luck to you.