Jim
Anaheim,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, July 23, 2007
Here are other mistakes made that others can use from your experience: 1. The stealthy way in which you negotiated pricing was what turned your move from one based on weight to one based on a flat rate. If they negotiated a move price based on a discount off of the tariff, you can try to lower the % off of the tariff, but not negotiate off the total price. In doing what you did, you really negotiated a higher price for your move than a lower one. Moving can't be negotiated like something at a swap meet, or an open air market - especially when you were never at any sort of advantage in the negotiating process. You only thought you mght have been at an advantage - but you weren't. 2. You went on the internet to find a mover. With very few exceptions, many of the scam companies reside on the internet. The internet is a great place to do research on a mover, but terrible for finding one. I know it's something you found out after all this happened - let it be a lesson to others to do this BEFORE you even invite them to the house to survey the items.... 3. You probably should have chosen at least 1-2 of the major companies to come and quote your move. With the resources of a major vanline, you probably would not have experienced many of the delays, breakage, etc... the only drawback I suppose is that you would have missed your wife yelling at another human being besides yourself, and therefore be denied that entertainment. On the other hand, I'm certain she would liked to have avoided that...... I don't think yelling is necessarily a mistake - I think I would have lost it, if I were in your shoes. On the other hand, I would never have chosen AMS to move my items.....
Jim
Anaheim,#3Consumer Comment
Mon, July 23, 2007
Here are other mistakes made that others can use from your experience: 1. The stealthy way in which you negotiated pricing was what turned your move from one based on weight to one based on a flat rate. If they negotiated a move price based on a discount off of the tariff, you can try to lower the % off of the tariff, but not negotiate off the total price. In doing what you did, you really negotiated a higher price for your move than a lower one. Moving can't be negotiated like something at a swap meet, or an open air market - especially when you were never at any sort of advantage in the negotiating process. You only thought you mght have been at an advantage - but you weren't. 2. You went on the internet to find a mover. With very few exceptions, many of the scam companies reside on the internet. The internet is a great place to do research on a mover, but terrible for finding one. I know it's something you found out after all this happened - let it be a lesson to others to do this BEFORE you even invite them to the house to survey the items.... 3. You probably should have chosen at least 1-2 of the major companies to come and quote your move. With the resources of a major vanline, you probably would not have experienced many of the delays, breakage, etc... the only drawback I suppose is that you would have missed your wife yelling at another human being besides yourself, and therefore be denied that entertainment. On the other hand, I'm certain she would liked to have avoided that...... I don't think yelling is necessarily a mistake - I think I would have lost it, if I were in your shoes. On the other hand, I would never have chosen AMS to move my items.....
Jim
Anaheim,#4Consumer Comment
Mon, July 23, 2007
Here are other mistakes made that others can use from your experience: 1. The stealthy way in which you negotiated pricing was what turned your move from one based on weight to one based on a flat rate. If they negotiated a move price based on a discount off of the tariff, you can try to lower the % off of the tariff, but not negotiate off the total price. In doing what you did, you really negotiated a higher price for your move than a lower one. Moving can't be negotiated like something at a swap meet, or an open air market - especially when you were never at any sort of advantage in the negotiating process. You only thought you mght have been at an advantage - but you weren't. 2. You went on the internet to find a mover. With very few exceptions, many of the scam companies reside on the internet. The internet is a great place to do research on a mover, but terrible for finding one. I know it's something you found out after all this happened - let it be a lesson to others to do this BEFORE you even invite them to the house to survey the items.... 3. You probably should have chosen at least 1-2 of the major companies to come and quote your move. With the resources of a major vanline, you probably would not have experienced many of the delays, breakage, etc... the only drawback I suppose is that you would have missed your wife yelling at another human being besides yourself, and therefore be denied that entertainment. On the other hand, I'm certain she would liked to have avoided that...... I don't think yelling is necessarily a mistake - I think I would have lost it, if I were in your shoes. On the other hand, I would never have chosen AMS to move my items.....
Jim
Anaheim,#5Consumer Comment
Mon, July 23, 2007
Here are other mistakes made that others can use from your experience: 1. The stealthy way in which you negotiated pricing was what turned your move from one based on weight to one based on a flat rate. If they negotiated a move price based on a discount off of the tariff, you can try to lower the % off of the tariff, but not negotiate off the total price. In doing what you did, you really negotiated a higher price for your move than a lower one. Moving can't be negotiated like something at a swap meet, or an open air market - especially when you were never at any sort of advantage in the negotiating process. You only thought you mght have been at an advantage - but you weren't. 2. You went on the internet to find a mover. With very few exceptions, many of the scam companies reside on the internet. The internet is a great place to do research on a mover, but terrible for finding one. I know it's something you found out after all this happened - let it be a lesson to others to do this BEFORE you even invite them to the house to survey the items.... 3. You probably should have chosen at least 1-2 of the major companies to come and quote your move. With the resources of a major vanline, you probably would not have experienced many of the delays, breakage, etc... the only drawback I suppose is that you would have missed your wife yelling at another human being besides yourself, and therefore be denied that entertainment. On the other hand, I'm certain she would liked to have avoided that...... I don't think yelling is necessarily a mistake - I think I would have lost it, if I were in your shoes. On the other hand, I would never have chosen AMS to move my items.....
Prelude1271
Katy,#6Author of original report
Fri, July 20, 2007
I spoke to Damien yesterday regarding my claim for the broken lamps and the overpayment. I explained the whole situation to him of how I was grossly overcharged for the move and that the estimate was for 5012 pounds but my "actual weight was only 4500 pounds, I was still charged for 5012 pounds. I went on to tell him that I was assured by both the booking agent AND the estimator that in the end, I would only be charged for actual weight of my things. He said, "normally that is correct, but you signed a waiver to that by signing the binding estimate agreement." Now, since I had no recollection of this, nor did I have a copy of it anywhere, (and I have copies of EVERYTHING from the move) I asked him to fax it to me." He did and believe it or not, I did sign it. My issue with that is this - Binding estimate is very ambiguous to me. It is not clear at all to the person signing. It sounds like I am just agreeing to what the estimate says. If it had said, "Flat Rate Agreement," I would have never signed it. Also, if Reesa or the estimator said to me, "You'll only get charged based on weight if you DON'T sign the binding estimate agreement," I wouldn't have signed it. Bottom line is, it's deceptive and sneaky. They hand you a phonebook of paperwork to sign and they slip that in there hoping you don't notice. My advice to everyone still would be to stay away from All My Sons. This is my opinion. They are sneaky and will try anything to take advantage of you - hoping you don't notice. I was dumb. I didn't read over everything carefully and they stuck it to me. If you all do decide to use this company, read over everything they give you people!! And if you don't know what you are signing ask questions. No matter what they tell you, GET EVERYTHING in writting. From total cost to actual delivery date, no hidden charges...everything! Oh, I will add that in speaking with Damien, after all these months, he did find my claim paperwork stuck in my file. He said he would process our loss personally and immediately. Stay tuned for that.
Prelude1271
Katy,#7Author of original report
Fri, July 20, 2007
I spoke to Damien yesterday regarding my claim for the broken lamps and the overpayment. I explained the whole situation to him of how I was grossly overcharged for the move and that the estimate was for 5012 pounds but my "actual weight was only 4500 pounds, I was still charged for 5012 pounds. I went on to tell him that I was assured by both the booking agent AND the estimator that in the end, I would only be charged for actual weight of my things. He said, "normally that is correct, but you signed a waiver to that by signing the binding estimate agreement." Now, since I had no recollection of this, nor did I have a copy of it anywhere, (and I have copies of EVERYTHING from the move) I asked him to fax it to me." He did and believe it or not, I did sign it. My issue with that is this - Binding estimate is very ambiguous to me. It is not clear at all to the person signing. It sounds like I am just agreeing to what the estimate says. If it had said, "Flat Rate Agreement," I would have never signed it. Also, if Reesa or the estimator said to me, "You'll only get charged based on weight if you DON'T sign the binding estimate agreement," I wouldn't have signed it. Bottom line is, it's deceptive and sneaky. They hand you a phonebook of paperwork to sign and they slip that in there hoping you don't notice. My advice to everyone still would be to stay away from All My Sons. This is my opinion. They are sneaky and will try anything to take advantage of you - hoping you don't notice. I was dumb. I didn't read over everything carefully and they stuck it to me. If you all do decide to use this company, read over everything they give you people!! And if you don't know what you are signing ask questions. No matter what they tell you, GET EVERYTHING in writting. From total cost to actual delivery date, no hidden charges...everything! Oh, I will add that in speaking with Damien, after all these months, he did find my claim paperwork stuck in my file. He said he would process our loss personally and immediately. Stay tuned for that.
Prelude1271
Katy,#8Author of original report
Fri, July 20, 2007
I spoke to Damien yesterday regarding my claim for the broken lamps and the overpayment. I explained the whole situation to him of how I was grossly overcharged for the move and that the estimate was for 5012 pounds but my "actual weight was only 4500 pounds, I was still charged for 5012 pounds. I went on to tell him that I was assured by both the booking agent AND the estimator that in the end, I would only be charged for actual weight of my things. He said, "normally that is correct, but you signed a waiver to that by signing the binding estimate agreement." Now, since I had no recollection of this, nor did I have a copy of it anywhere, (and I have copies of EVERYTHING from the move) I asked him to fax it to me." He did and believe it or not, I did sign it. My issue with that is this - Binding estimate is very ambiguous to me. It is not clear at all to the person signing. It sounds like I am just agreeing to what the estimate says. If it had said, "Flat Rate Agreement," I would have never signed it. Also, if Reesa or the estimator said to me, "You'll only get charged based on weight if you DON'T sign the binding estimate agreement," I wouldn't have signed it. Bottom line is, it's deceptive and sneaky. They hand you a phonebook of paperwork to sign and they slip that in there hoping you don't notice. My advice to everyone still would be to stay away from All My Sons. This is my opinion. They are sneaky and will try anything to take advantage of you - hoping you don't notice. I was dumb. I didn't read over everything carefully and they stuck it to me. If you all do decide to use this company, read over everything they give you people!! And if you don't know what you are signing ask questions. No matter what they tell you, GET EVERYTHING in writting. From total cost to actual delivery date, no hidden charges...everything! Oh, I will add that in speaking with Damien, after all these months, he did find my claim paperwork stuck in my file. He said he would process our loss personally and immediately. Stay tuned for that.