Complaint Review: American Discount Movers - Fort Lauderdale Florida

My wife and I contacted American Discount Movers to discuss our relcation from Kentucky to Florida.   The person with whom I initally spoke was Howard Zimmerman.  Mr. Zimmerman provided me misleading information, but this was not to be discovered until after the contract was secured.  I discussed, at length, with M. Zimmerman, the facts of our move.  He confirmed that our move would be based "solely on weight", not cubic feet.  We discussed this matter on multiple occasions, and I agreed to the terms based on weight of my content, NOT cubic feet.

The date of our scheduled pick up was Saturday, July 19th.  The movers arrived at appoximately 10:30 p.m. in a rented Penske truck, walked into our home and stated, "...we don't have room in our truck for your belongings."  They left, returning the following day, Sunday, July 20th, at approximately 1:00 p.m., in the same truck.  There were two movers, with one remaining in the truck to "move" the existing load from the middle of the truck, forwrad, making room for our goods.  The other entered the home and prepared our goods for loading.  They were there until approxiately 9:00 p.m.!  The driver assured me that our goods would be delivered on Tuesday, July 22, or the 23rd at the latest.  My wife adusted our move accordingly.

We arrived to our new home on Monday, July 21st, with the anticipating of our goods arriving either the 22nd or 23rd.  When they did not arrive, I contacted American Discount Movers and was advised that our goods were being handled by Most Valuable Movers.  Our goods had been taken to New Jersey and placed in a warehouse.  When I contacted MVM, I was informed that our goods would not arrive until Sunday, July 27th, between 3:00-5:00 p.m.

The truck arrived on Sunday, July 27th, at approximately 8:00 p.m., with only the driver of the truck.  The driver contacted Erik with MVM, and was advised that there were two "movers" traveling from Georgia to assist in the unloading of our goods.  They arrived at approximately 11:00 p.m.!  The two movers were neither insured, bonded, or employees of Most Valuable Movers.  They were simply two guys that they contacted to assist.  During the unloading of our goods, they dropped our washing machine onto the pavement, destroying it.  Our mattress - a king pillow top Sealy mattress valued at $2000, was strapped to the "outside" of the truck with strapping, and the plastic covering it was torn. 

Not all of our goods arrived.  We were missing our entertainment center, coffee table, recliner, and several key pieces of other relevant items.  When I called Eric with Most Valuable Movers, he replied, "...tough, you will get your stuff when you get it...", and then hung up.  He has not accept any further calls from me.

I contacted American Discount Movers and spoke with Lynn.  She advised me that our goods and their delivery of them, were not out of compliance and that they had up to 21 days to deliver.  When I advised that this is not the information that I was provided by Mr. Zimmerman, she said she would "offer him some training", but there was nothing she could do to assist.  I advised her that I was never told that our goods would be handled by a 2nd or 3rd company.  I then asked to speak with the owner, Sal.  Sal (do not have last name) was unprofessional, condescending, and completely disrespectful. 

During one of our conversations, I was was speaking with Lynn, requesting to speak with Sal.  She advised he was not available, and then requested to place me on hold.  I then could hear her speaking with Sal, advising that it was Mr. Mclean, and then she used multiple inappropriate expletive statements about me.  Furthermore, I over heard a conversation that Lynn and Sal had about another customer who lost a cell and they were using profane language when discussing her.  When Lynn "returned" to the call, I advised that I had heard everything, even after she stated that Sal was "out of the office".

The 2nd truck deliverd our remaining goods on Sunday, Aug 3rd, 2014.  The driver arrived at approximately 9:00 p.m. and my wife and I had to unload our goods, which included heavy furniture.

When our goods were picked up in Louisville, KY, I was required to pay half of the "estimated" costs.  When our goods were delivered on July 27th, our was informed by the driver that he "never weighs" goods, that it is simply a flat rate at whatever the primary company - American Discount Movers - provided.  I was charged full cost and was not allowed to have my goods weighed!  This was a complete breach of our contract.

American Discount Movers is a highly unprofessional, misleading, and egregious representation of the moving industry.  We were lied to, taken advantage of, and held hostage to their company's actions.