The movers told me that since my moving price had gone up, my credit card would DEFINITELY not be charged the $275 amount I was supposed to put down as a 25% deposit. Of course, calls to Discover showed that my credit card was charged the $275, and there were no attempts to refund that charge.
According to the terms and conditions listed at the bottom of the email attachment, 25% of the $1099 was to be paid as a deposit. That is the $275 amount that was charged to my credit card. The terms and conditions state that 50% of the remainder of the balance of $824 would need to be paid upon pick up of my items, paid in money order, cash, or cashier check only, and the remainder of the balance would be paid once the furniture was delivered. I had exactly $412 on hand in order to pay this amount as the terms stated (half the balance). The first set of movers refused to take this amount, demanding the ENTIRE amount up front. I was told I HAD to have the money the next time the movers came. The first set of movers made me feel very uncomfortable by telling me I had to go to the bank, thus leaving them alone in my home unsupervised. Fearing that my stuff would not be picked up, I had the payment ready the next day the new set of movers showed up. The subsequent bill (attachment 3) shows my payment of $800, and shows a balance due of $700. According to the original price, I should have been paid in full, minus $24, due to the payments of $275 and $800, respectively.
Subsequent attempts to contact City Van Lines have been met with roadblocks and major frustration. Their so-called customer service reps do not answer the phone half the time, and when they do, they do not say anything indicating this is a place of business. "Hellooooo?" is not the way a place of business should answer their phone. No business name, nothing. When trying to get an answer out of the reps as to when I should expect my stuff, I was told nonchalantly "well, we can't get a straight answer out of dispatch", and was given the dispatch number to call directly. It should NOT be the consumer's place to track down their belongings for them. This is part of the job they were hired to perform.
Most of the time, the dispatch number just rings and rings with no answer. On the rare occasions I do get an answer, I am given very vague responses. On Sunday "Maybe Tuesday" turned into Tuesday coming and going with no word from the movers at all. "There was a problem with the truck" was the excuse I got then, and only after I placed yet another call to see what was going on. "Possibly Friday" was another answer I received then. When Thursday came with no call, I call them AGAIN, only to hear "There was a logistical problem" so Friday was out too. No "possible" day was given at that time, so now here I sit in limbo, not being able to plan anything, due to the fact I have no idea when they might show up. Although I have been told I would receive a phone call when they are coming, I highly doubt this happening, since I have yet to receive ANY phone calls from any City Van Lines employees, period. All calls have been instigated by myself. If they do decide to show up and I happened to not be there, I can totally see them shrugging their shoulders and giving me "well, we tried, but you weren't there" excuse.
According to the terms and conditions listed on the bottom of the email attachment, the delivery time frames are based on the first available date that the shipment can be physically received. I have been in Kentucky since May 11th, and have been available since that date to receive the shipment. The terms and conditions also state that Mid West/East -West, Mid West/East to East can take up to 14 business days. I am now on day 11, and still have NO indication as to when my property will be returned, if it is returned at all. Since I am assuming City Van Lines doesn't work on Memorial Day, the last day within the 14 days time frame would be Wednesday, May 27th.
Its been excuse after excuse with no one from this horrible, facetious company working with me or calling me back . The customer service reps seem to be enjoying my frustration, as they stifle a laugh and say "Oh Mr. so and so, I've heard about you!" when I call. I have never been treated so poorly by a place of business.
P.S. As a side note, the movers also asked me if I had anything I could donate as they were trying to furnish an apartment for a couple of the guys. I donated a fairly large entertainment center, and also fixed them a box full of kitchen stuff like utensils and measuring cups, etc. This fit on the truck no problem.
I have no real beef with the movers. I don't know what grift these 2 companies are running, But the men were respectful. Although then at the end the leader suggested that a tip for his men might be nice. I declined.
John
Lexington, Kentucky
U.S.A.