Complaint Review: Advanced Moving & Storage.Inc - Glendale Heights Illinois

This company should not be allowed to do business. Jim Lalagos came to our home, went through every cabinet and closet in every room of our house. HE went through our basement. HE even followed my husband to a storage unit we had to inventory everything we had. WE went through everything and sent him an inventory.

He made all sorts of promises. He said he had the most up to date and expensive software to evaluate the weight of your load and that was how he was able to give a guaranteed price. If our household is over the weight computed, the price he gives is guaranteed.

We had contacted several companies and told him we had other people coming to give us prices and details of services. He stated his company owned it's own trucks so they are maintained and no issues, everything would be shrink wrapped, mattresses included. We had some large art pieces and unusual sizes that we would not be able to find boxes for, he told us that his men would wrap them in custom taped boxes. His men he said where uniformed and runners would be put down to protect floors. He was full of promises that he said other companies would not offer for a guaranteed price.

We even had concerns because we knew ther were extra charges from some companies for stairs and we knew the driveway where we were moving was steep. I showed him photos of all, the driveway the stair wells at the new home and he saw for himself the stairs at our present home. He said he did not charge extra for stairs and the driveway would not be an issue.

He asked us to contact him when we recieved other quotes to discuss before making any decisions. WE did contact him to discuss our other quotes becaue he had taken more time and gone through every nook and cranny of our house. He was more thorough than any else who came and he made such a big deal out of the accuracy of his softwares in assessing weight, that was why he could guarantee his price. His quote was $800.00 over the next closest bid we recieved, he said he would spit the difference reducing his price to get our businsess. We asked if this was still a guaranteed price. He said yes and sent us a contract to sign. We signed and sent our deposit. He even gave us his personal cell # for any questions we may have while packing.

After signing the contract and sending our deposit, he informed us we would have to load on Wed. rather than Thursday as we had discussed because his men might have to finish loading on Sunday if we did a Thursday loading, which was overtime and would cost more for him. We agreed to Wed. even though this was really causing great stress to finish earlier than planned and we would have to stay in a hotel with our dog an extra night. WE were told the moving van would arrive on around 10:00 am on Sat. and should be close to finished by 6:00pm and then some time to reassemble beds and such. WE were told we would recieve a call on Friday evening to confirm.

Friday evening arrives and no call. Saturday we wait until 10:30 and have heard nothing. So, we call and are told they should be there soon. A half hour goes by and we recieve a call telling us they are running late and it will be a couple of hours. A couple of hours go by and we recieve another call that they were going to be longer and would call when they were within 15 minutes of arriving. At 5:00pm they arrive with no call, except from the owner Jim Lalagos informing us that they were goint to have to unload on Sunday so we had to pay $1200.00 in CASH or they would leave with our furnishings and we would have to pay double to get them back. After a half hour of arguing, of which we repeatedly sited the contract that guarantees our price and he informs us he is not near a computer at this time but we have to pay and in cash if we want our furnishings. By this time we are tired frustrated and do not feel we have a choice, so we payed the cash. They unloaded our bed so we did not have to stay in a hotel again and said they would be back in the morning.

Through the day in listening to the men unloading we heard them say, that they showed up for work at 9:00am and Mr. Lalagos did not allow them to leave until 1:00pm on Friday. We though they had left on Thursday, there was no way they could have arrived by 10:00 am on SAturday to unload.

WE have tons of damaged furniture several broken art work and a total mess left in our garage. I do have to say I do not feel it was the mens faults, they were not informed of the stairs or the driveway. I showed them pictures when they were loading us. But this man, Jim Lalagos did nothing but lie. we have recieved no responses from our phone calls. I am reporting him to every agency movers are to belong to. I have photos of the condition how everything was left. I would be happy to forward them to anyone who is thinking of hiring this company.

Of course after the fact we realized he wanted cash so that it could nto be disputed on a charge card or debit card.

Celticred156

Kennessaw, Georgia

U.S.A.