Jim
Anaheim,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them. Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off. Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard. The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover. In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.
Jim
Anaheim,#3Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them. Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off. Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard. The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover. In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.
Jim
Anaheim,#4Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them. Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off. Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard. The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover. In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.
Jim
Anaheim,#5Consumer Comment
Mon, August 06, 2007
There are so many complaints for AAA Van Lines on this website and others, that only those who fail to do any research end up booking a move with these people. I guess I'm more and more surprised that people keep using them. Your basis for selecting a moving company is heavily flawed. Movers do not quote you based on a per pound estimate - they quote you based on the number of pounds your shipments is approximately. You cannot convert your quote to a per pound quote because some elements of a quote aren't based in pounds, like packing materials, any and all labor, and some destination charges. A mover who tries to put the move in terms of per pound will always believe they are ripped off. Fuel Surcharge is a part of every interstate move - if they didn't quote you, that is a problem. However, the surcharge is probably immaterial compared to the packing charges. Now, the quote they gave you.... if it did not indicate the quote was binding, then the quote was of little value to you because it gave the moving company the right to increase your price for things like packing material and related labor. The quote could have also indicated that the pricing excluded all packing. You need to take a closer look at the quote to determine whether you were really ripped off in this regard. The concerns you raised in the last paragraph are standard operating terms and conditions in the moving industry, depending on the documents you were asked to sign. If this was a document indicating the mover arrived and you are to pay them before unloading, that is normal in the industry. However, if you were forced to sign a document indicating you received all of your goods BEFORE the items were off-loaded, that is wrong. Now, if you choose a reputable mover, the concerns you raise are unfounded. As far as the delivery issues and that you couldn't get them next day - it's difficult to say. Next day delivery of that distance could be done the next day, however if the driver was already on the road 15 or more hours straight by the time they got to you - then the DOT requires the driver to be down (not driving) for at least 10 hours before driving again. Also, a 2 day pack and load is pretty standard for a shipment your size. If you were promised by your rep that it would happen in one day - you chose the wrong rep and the wrong mover. In the end, you decided to choose a mover based on price, and that is always bad. Moving is not inexpensive and choosing the right mover should be based on the reputation of the mover, not how they sweet talk you, or whether they try to promise you the moon. Next time, research your mover.