North American Van Lines many items broken & missing. *REBUTTAL
North American Van Lines was hired by my employer to move my family and me from Princeton, IL to Indianapolis, IN (about 400) miles. Upon delivery of my furniture (after about 4 weeks in the company's storage), I discovered several items broken or missing.
The broken items included a television set, a king box spring, several pieces of unreplaceable stoneware, and an unreplaceable sake'decanter. North American also lost a box that contained cookware. Now, I must admit that the company finally paid for or repaired all of the items with the exception of the sake' decanter. North American refused to pay for the sake' decanter because "their inspector did not verify the damage".
I discarded the numerous broken pieces of the decanter because small children were in the house. I explained this to North American, however, they were unsympathetic. Each North American agent I encountered (including a response from the company's President) stated that "the carrier reserves the right to inspect all claimed damage items". However, I had wanted to "cheat" North American I easily could have claimed that the decanter was included in the box that they lost.
It would stand to reason that a morally responsible corporation would not place such a meager price ($400) on the safety of a child.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Danielle
Seaford,New York,
U.S.A.
I too had the experience of moving with this company. this Report is a prime example of the quality of who works there
#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, April 27, 2006
I too had the experience of moving with this company and must say the comments presented above by "Annette" serve as a prime example of the quality of who works there.
My desk was badly damaged in two spots resulting in a payment of over $100 worth of damage, all as a result of the crew who refused to listen to any direction on re-assembly (from the person who had assembled it in the first place). One of the drivers nearly broke my drill trying to use it.
When there are so many choices of actual reputable companies, who know enough to treat a customer with respect, as well as their possessions, why bother giving the business to a company who is simply unprofessional?
Moving is stressful enough as it is!
John
Petaluma,California,
U.S.A.
North American's Excuses are Weak
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, April 25, 2006
While I understand that some unscrupulous customers could report damage to items that never existed, there are exceptions to every rule. If the item was packaged, broken and disposed of due to safety reasons, the claim should be honored.
For example, I recently used North American (company paid for move as well). The packers broke a soap dispenser (during one of their numerous bathroom "breaks"). The packer came out of the bathroom (which now smelled horribly) rudely stating, "Dude, I broke your soap dispenser." How was that possible? To use it, all one has to do is pump the top a few times! How does one break it in numerous pieces?
Regardless, as this was a ceramic item, with now sharp edges and since I was moving across country, I disposed of it and filed it a claim (along with other items). North American gave me the same excuse - they cannot verify it was damaged and therefore they won't refund me. Was I supposed to take a broken and now dangerously sharp dispenser with me on a cross country move just to prove to North American that their own packer broke it?!
I have moved many times in recent years, using a variety of moving companies. This was by far my worst moving experience ever (I have filed my own story). I will never use North American again - they are dishonest and unprofessional.
Annette
Holt,Florida,
U.S.A.
READ YOUR INVENTORY SHEET
#5UPDATE Employee
Mon, March 13, 2006
I AM A HOUSEHOLD DRIVER AND THE POINT IS THAT EVERYTHING THAT GET DAMAGED OR BROKE OR LOST SHOULD BE NOTED ON THE CHECK OFF SHEET OF YOUR INVENTORY. THEN YOU SHOULD KEEP WHAT IS BROKE TO BE INSPECTED BY CLAIMS PERSON. THAT IS WHY MOST ELTRONICS AND SUCH HAS MCU MECHINAL CONDUTION UNKOWN
The moving company has a point too.
#50
Mon, December 17, 2001
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: mastamuva@aol.com
Their name: Steve Wood
Their relationship to the company: Supporter
Rebuttal:
I can understand the customers concern with the safety of the children. The moving company has a point too. If movers were responsible for items not known to actually exist it would be a joke as claims would be rampant. Perhaps a Rolex collection or a Ming vase would be claimed only to get cash from a reputable mover. I think I would have saved the broken article if a claim was to be made. Not all customers are as honest as you are.