Take A Load Off Took $140 CASH from my mother and never showed up to do her move Winston Salem North Carolina
My mother and I first used Take A Load Off moving on her first move here in 2013. They arrived 1.5 hours late but otherwise the move went well. We were pleased. I dealt with Frankie, the co-owner and had no issues with his communication. We decided to hire them again for her move back. I could not reach Frankie on his phone so I called Derrick Sanford, the other co-owner. He said he would definitely like to do the move. I told him when her closing would be and that I wanted him to come and tell her what size truck she would need. He told her numerous times he would be there and never showed up. This went on for about 5 days until he finally did show up. They both agreed upon April 11 as the moving date and he quoted her a price. He told her he would come back and see how many boxes she had but never did.
On March 22, 2016, I called my mom and found out that she was at the bank waiting on Derrick. She said he had called her and told her needed money to reserve the truck. He wanted cash. I was angry about this and did not want her to give him the cash but she insisted. I had her put him on the phone and told him that I was not happy about this and that I wanted a receipt. He emailed me a receipt. I also requested a contract of which I never got.
Two days before the move I sent Derrick a text asking him if he would be there and on time at 9:30 am on April 11, 2016. He confirmed he would. On the morning of April 11, he calls my mom about the time he was supposed to be arriving to start the move. He says the truck was not there. He says it will be in about 10:30 am and then he would arrive. At 12:30 p.m. he still has not arrived. I call him to find out what was going on and got some excuse that the truck's driver had been stopped on 1-40 and not arrived. I asked him why could he not go somewhere else and get a truck so we could start this move that needed to happen that day. He tells me he does not have $300 to go rent a truck somewhere else. Well if you put down a $140 deposit on a truck that is not there, they should refund your $140 (that is if you really ever did rent the truck) I told him that this move would take place today because that was what was agreed upon. He says he will get the move done that day.
At 3:00 pm he calls back and says he is going to go to the airport and pick up a truck that someone is going to let him use. Once again, what happened to the $140 deposit he left at the other company for the truck that never showed up? He says he should be there within an hour. He sends a text asking me if my mother has a toolbox- that the one he had got taken with the other guy that left. He would have to go purchase a toolbox (further delays). At 4:30 p.m. when he still had not arrived, I call and texted him and he did not respond. He calls me at 5:00 pm and says he is still at the airport waiting on paperwork so he can get this truck. At this time, I tell him not to bother that he would not be moving my mother and that I wanted her $140 returned to her realtor. He sent me a text apologizing and saying he will rearrange his whole next day schedule to get her moved. Really??? I am to now trust someone who has left me sitting and waiting for seven hours??
My only request to him was to return her money and he will not answer my texts or return the money. So I feel it is my responsibility to let the public know, despite all of their good references, that he will take advantage of a sick elderly woman! So I hope you file a rebuttal and say what great references you have but the truth of what happened with our experience is here and I have proof with texts and phone messages.