- Report: #376270
Complaint Review: ATRAF Moving And Storage - Passaic New Jersey
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ATRAF Moving And Storage
245 4th Street Passaic, 07055 New Jersey, U.S.A.
Phone:
973-470-0020
Web:
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ATRAF Moving And Storage BROKE ALL OUR BELONGINGS Passaic New Jersey
We used ATRAF for our move from Boston to Cleveland. They were one of the lower quotes ($1400 for 3000 pounds) so we went with them. The crew arrived and after arriving late, crapping in our apartment WITH THE DOOR OPEN 2 times each, and taking well over the quoted time of 2-3 hours to pack everything, told us there would be extra charges AFTER THE FACT for a "long carry" fee, for packing things (which was NEVER discussed), and oh by the way, DEMANDING a 15% tip.
When we got to Cleveland, Guy called to set the delivery date. When it was set, he called back to move it up 1 day when we had a very limited delivery window. The driver then started calling saying that 18 wheelers can't deliver to our address. When we reassured him they could, he argued saying that the entire load would need to be transferred to a moving truck at an additional cost of $450 to us. We spoke to ATRAF and worked it out so the driver knew we would not pay any extra, so he had better just drive the 18 wheeler in.
He was scheduled to arrive at 9am and we lost the elevator at noon to another move. He arrived at 10:30, dicked around till 11, made us pay EVERYTHING in full along with another "long carry" fee, and demanded we sign for everything BEFORE he would open the truck to deliver anything.
Among other things, our couch was stacked on top of boxes labeled FRAGILE. In all, there was AT LEAST $3500 in damages and destruction to our belongings. After going throught the hassle of filing an insurance claim with ATRAF's Claim Management Company, Anthem, we were offered a "settlement" of $375 since we had already signed that the driver was not responsible for damages.
Repeated calls to the manager have gone unanswered. They apparently have caller id and will not answer if they recognize a number as a complaint. We have been trying to get the number for their arbitration department, but the number, like their website, is invalid and does not connect to anything.
A move that was originally quotes at around $1400 wound up costing us, not only almost $4000, but also costing us our valuables which were damaged or destroyed. We didn't do our homework, and we have learned a lesson.
Don't let this happen to you!!!
Kristofer
Cleveland, Ohio
U.S.A.
When we got to Cleveland, Guy called to set the delivery date. When it was set, he called back to move it up 1 day when we had a very limited delivery window. The driver then started calling saying that 18 wheelers can't deliver to our address. When we reassured him they could, he argued saying that the entire load would need to be transferred to a moving truck at an additional cost of $450 to us. We spoke to ATRAF and worked it out so the driver knew we would not pay any extra, so he had better just drive the 18 wheeler in.
He was scheduled to arrive at 9am and we lost the elevator at noon to another move. He arrived at 10:30, dicked around till 11, made us pay EVERYTHING in full along with another "long carry" fee, and demanded we sign for everything BEFORE he would open the truck to deliver anything.
Among other things, our couch was stacked on top of boxes labeled FRAGILE. In all, there was AT LEAST $3500 in damages and destruction to our belongings. After going throught the hassle of filing an insurance claim with ATRAF's Claim Management Company, Anthem, we were offered a "settlement" of $375 since we had already signed that the driver was not responsible for damages.
Repeated calls to the manager have gone unanswered. They apparently have caller id and will not answer if they recognize a number as a complaint. We have been trying to get the number for their arbitration department, but the number, like their website, is invalid and does not connect to anything.
A move that was originally quotes at around $1400 wound up costing us, not only almost $4000, but also costing us our valuables which were damaged or destroyed. We didn't do our homework, and we have learned a lesson.
Don't let this happen to you!!!
Kristofer
Cleveland, Ohio
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Kristofer
Cleveland,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Still screwed...
#2Author of original report
Thu, March 19, 2009
So after they finally answered the phones, I spoke to Val (the owner) of the company who said this was all a great shock to him. He offered $1000 in damages and said the checks would come (2 for $500 each) the following week and then a few weeks after that. Well, NEEDLESS to say, they never came. So figuring that the bastards were never going to make this situation right, I contacted the BBB (whom they ignored, and who in this case is completely impotent since ATRAF / A-Trans is not registered with them). After that failed, I contacted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration...also impotent. They gave me some malarchy about the company not actually having a license to move things interstate. So seeing no other choice, I went back to the insurance company that represents them, Anthem Claim Management, LLC, who SURPRISE!! they are connected with, and who could not issue a check for the paltry $375 because it had to come directly from ATRAF / A-Trans. I just called Val today, and after LITERALLY 12 calls, he FINALLY picked up and told me that since I contacted other goverment agencies to go f**k myself. People, THIS is the type of company they are. They operate the way they do because there are no consiquences. Why do the right thing if you can't get in trouble? They have no scuples, no morals, and absolutely no knowledge of right or wrong. Please tell your friends and neighbors not to deal with this company. NOTHING GOOD will come from it.
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
I Would Take The $375
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, September 28, 2008
Your problem is that you chose a scam mover and you probably didn't know to ask for Full Replacement Valuation. Instead you chose the standard valuation, which is $0.60 per pound. Moreover, this is not something you can sue for in court; movers have liability protection under the law and it's called the Carmack Amendment. They cannot be sued for anything over the amount of the valuation policy and if you got $0.60/pound valuation, and you want more, you are going to be SOL in court. The movers generally know this. At this point, there is nothing to arbitrate either. What they're saying in giving you $375 is (1) yes, we're responsible, and (2) that's all we're responsible for under the contract. Moving is not an inexpensive venture and choosing the cheapest quote often finds you with (1) a scam mover, and (2) paying more for your move in real dollars or destroyed household goods. People reading this should choose a mover they find in their phone book and not someone they found on the internet. Once they've found a mover - then it's time to research them on the internet. Best of luck to you....
Cat
Hendersonville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Here is what to do........
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sat, September 27, 2008
number one: send a certified, returned reciept repquested. number two: send an itemized bill for every broken item, no matter how small. number three: tell them either compensate for the total or see you in court. This takes the emotions out of it. It says what happend........and how it can be fixed.........and if they choose not to fix this you will take them to court! See it isnt all that hard. Works for me~ and it has, worked for me btw!
