Complaint Review: Shleppers Moving And Storage

We contracted Schlepper's moving for our move 3000 mile move from NJ to CA. My husband is a professional Nissan mechanic and we also had to move $120,000 worth of Snap-on Tools, tool box and miscellaneous items. We sold most of our furniture with the sale of our home. We received quotes from 5 different movers.

Schleppers wasn't the cheapest but their proclaimed themselves to be "honest" and they presented themselves professionally (at first) so, we made the decision to contract them. Noel, an onsite estimator, came to our home and I had prepared a list of what was being sold and what wasn't.

At that time, I asked him to stop at my husbands employer to look at the toolbox and tools and indicated that it weighed in excess of 2000 lbs loaded. My husband was SPECIFIC: It was not to be unloaded. The toolbox alone was worth over $9500. It needed to be installed onto a pallet, padded and wrapped. They would need to have a fork lift and a lift gate capable of handling the weight. Noel assured me that they had the capability - that I needn't worry.

I also asked Noel SPECIFIC QUESTIONS like: do our possessions stay on this truck? - does YOUR company move us or do you move our things to a contractor? He told us that our belongings would be 'off-loaded' directly into another truck. He even explained that the truck would back up to another and our items were simply moved from truck to truck. We figured this was 'ok' how could anything be lost if that's how they were to do it?

We also agreed that the pricing would be by the cube rather than weight. That was in writing and we were somewhat comfortable.

On the day of the move, one truck went to my husbands employer and one came to our home. My husband was there to meet the movers for the toolbox - at that time they informed him that they had NO LIFTGATE, NO FORKLIFT and that they were going to UNLOAD HIS TOOL BOX! My husband immediately told them to stop that we would make other arrangements to move the box if they could not accommodate how we wanted it moved. This set off a flurry of phone calls to the main office. After several conversations, they somehow convinced my husband to load his expensive equipment into individual boxes. Needless to say he was extremely upset.

The movers at the house were not much better. I had purchased about $400 worth of boxes that I had ready for the move. I had also begun packing with the help of a friend and we had packed most of the closets, kids toys, clothes etc. I soon found the movers placing 1 small item that was maybe 5" x 5" in a box that was 40" x 40" and just jamming it full of paper. I got a hold of 'Peter' whom was the foreman and told him that that was not going to fly and that he needed to pay attention. I also tried to reach Noel to no avail.

Once everything was packed (after almost 10 hours of packing), Peter announces that the "boss" called him and that the toolbox was going to be charged at 500 cube rather than the actual space that it took up. This essentially amounted to an additional $2000. This again, led to a flurry of phone calls to and from their office. I had it in writing and they tried their damnedest to try to change it.

I finally told them that they could unload the truck, leave everything on the lawn and that I would simply call one of the other movers and that if they did not comply, I would call the police. They agreed to honor their written agreement - or so I thought. Not until however, they tried to shake us down for another $950 tip!

We were told by Noel that our shipment would take 7-10 days. We were driving across country and we were taking a friend with us so that we would have some extra help. Needless to say we arrived in CA 10 days later and there was NO TRUCK.

When 'Ari' finally arrived, his first order of business was to collect the balance, up front in cash or money orders - no certified checks as Schleppers had instructed and as I had prepared. They would not offload 1 item until I went to the bank and changed the certified check to money orders. When I returned, I was told by 'Ari' that "his boys" were hungry and thirsty - could I buy some pizza and soda? They hadn't lifted a finger yet but they needed a break!

They began unload our belongings - each box was CLEARLY marked with the room to which they belonged. I had also put signs in each room so they knew which was which. I began taking inventory - I slowly began finding boxes and furniture that were completely demolished despite being wrapped in moving blankets. In all we lost a Drexel Heritage nightstand, 4 lamps, at least 4 place setting of Lenox china and countless other items. The worst, however, was yet to come. My husbands $9300 toolbox was dented and 4 boxes of tools, scanners and electronics were missing. My husband was inconsolable!

I began calling and writing the company immediately; I contacting the moving authority for the State of NY, and the National Surface Movers in Washington DC. I found out that this company had lost is license SEVERAL times and did not have a license when they moved us! My numerous calls, emails, faxes to the company went completely unanswered to this day, over 1 year later.

I am now appealing to ANYONE whom has used this company or is considering using this company - RUN LIKE THE WIND! They are anything but what they claim to be!

I am continuing my fight for my possessions - I am contacting the Secretary of State for the State of NY. I will keep you posted!

Katherine
Oceanside, California
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Report list of other Moving Companies

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on National Moving Network and other various transport companies ripping off the consumer