Complaint Review: FreightCenter

LETTER WRITTEN TO FREIGHTCENTER: I am writing about my recent experience with your company. I called to place an order to ship a dining table and 6 chairs from Decatur, GA to Fremont, CA and spoke with an agent, Alex Zizo on June 25, 2012.
- His first quote to me was $767.79 (please see attached page no. 1). I accepted reluctantly as the price was so high.
- He then put me on hold and came back on the phone a few minutes later to say the price was actually $1022.13 (Please see attached page no. 2) because Home Direct, the company moving my furniture, charges $40 per item over 4 items. I was shipping 7, i.e. 3 extra, therefore $120. In addition for the 6 chairs the cubic volume worked out to 25 lbs. of wt. not the 10 lbs. the chairs actually weigh. I was shocked that he did not know this when he gave me the first quote. Surely Freight Center agents are knowledgeable about shipping requirements!
- I was told the items would be picked up on June 26, 2012 between 12-5pm. (Please see attached page no. 3.) I hesitated to agree but he convinced me that the items would be in Fremont, CA in 1 week.
- I logged online and saw that the charge was $ 902.13. Now I was confused. (please see attached page no. 4). I called to find out what was going on and was told that the charge was $1022.13.
- I called daily to find out why my furniture had not been picked up. I was told that a local company was now in charge, Mid Atlantic, in ATL and Freight Center had no control over my shipment.
- The furniture was finally picked up a week late on July 2, 2012 (please see attached page no. 5, 6). I have tried to track it online but there has been no update for a week.
- Since the pick- up I have been trying to get information on the status of my shipment with no success. I call Freight Center, they refer me to Home Direct. I call Home Direct and they refer me to Jennifer at Freight Center since I placed my order with you. She has yet to get back to me.
I am absolutely appalled by the service I have received by Freight Center and its affiliate Home Direct USA. The service provided has been unprofessional, grossly inadequate and misleading. I have been deceived not only about the cost of transport, but also the pick- up time and the transit time to Fremont, CA. I have relocated several times as a federal employee both inside the US and overseas and have never encountered such poor service from a moving company. I did not expect a company like Freight Center with its global reputation for excellence to provide such shoddy service. I demand a full refund of the $1022.13 that has been charged to me.
SINCE THE LETTER: Shipment was delivered on July 17, 2012, 2 weeks late. The driver refused to assemble the furniture delivered. When the supervisor was called at HQ she said the same.
I am outraged and frustrated with FC and have no recourse but to write and complain. I have also complained to the BBB and US Dept. of Transport. It has taken every last shred of restraint not to lash and use profanity. Hundreds are duped into signing up for service by this company with their lies about cost, delivery schedule and service provided. NEVER USE THIS COMPANY. I have learnt my lesson the hard way.