Complaint Review: G.P.S. Movers Inc. - Staten Island New York

OK.. Moving is never easy, ESPECIALLY cross country but when you have people who are allowed to scam and try to take advantage of those needing moving services, it takes moving to a whole new level!!Ready for this because it gets good!!


I was moving from Connecticut to Nevada on 8/20/2011 and I only had Queen matt, box spring, headboard, footboard, triple dresser, mirror, 30, 15 gallon bins and 10 boxes. Not much, as I got rid of most things as I knew it would make better financial sense to just buy new when I get to Nevada. I was advised my quote of$1,100.00 was binding and they were not brokers. Quote was to be based off of items listed (which I was very specific and they have the items listed on the quote) and estimated lbs. I even increased the lbs. and was willing to increase the quote by $100.00 so final quote was $1,200.00 as I did NOT want any surprises. I asked how they verified the weight I was advised the movers would have it weighed prior to arriving at my house and show me the receipt showing 0 lbs. After they loaded the moving truck they would then have it weighed again.


To reserve the moving truck I had to pay 30% deposit ($360. which I paid) and was to pay 35% at pick up and the remaining 35% at delivery (Remember this for later in the story). When movers actually arrived 6 hours late in BUDGET rental truck and half the truck was already full with someone else's furniture. I asked the driver how they were going to weigh my furniture and his response was, "Since It's Saturday there weren't any weight stations open so we will have to charge by cubic feet now." Ummm...excuse me? I asked Jack numerous times (in customer service) during the 3 phone calls I had prior to actually reserving the truck and he confirmed and also emailed me the quote and if they know I'm scheduled for a Saturday delivery, why would they quote me based off of that? The movers also informed me that by just looking at my stuff, it was going to be at least an additional $1000. As I pressed him for an estimate or what his professional opinion is since it's NOW CUBIC FEET, he advised me that based off of my original quote my Queen Mattress and box spring would take up a majority of the room. So I quickly thought and said to just leave the bedroom set as it would end up being less expensive for me to buy a new one when I got there. I asked if that would be enough to remove and the driver said it would STILL be over my original quote even WITHOUT my bedroom set. He wouldn't give me a verbal estimate at this point. Of course when I now try to call Jack in customer service they are closed and no one answers!!!


Now the driver proceeds to pull out a stack of papers and a roll of stickers (stickers say United Relocation Movers). The stack of papers was ANOTHER contract and he pulled a sticker off of the roll and put it on top of the "new" contract. <----These people must really think I'm desperate because I'm sure by this point he CAN'T think I'm dumb..?? No way was I going to sign that!! It was stating all different information that what was in my previous agreement and stating it wasn't a binding contract (just some quick things I glanced at and saw). Now this is the part from before that I stated to remember....  per the original "binding" quote I was to pay 35% upon picking up my furniture ....They were now trying to tell me that it is 70% when they pick up. WHAT??? First off....Where did these people come from and HOW are they able to do this?? Second...Where did they go to school because my calculations tell me that the 30% for reserving the truck and 70% for pick-up is 100%. At this point I advised them I do not need nor want them to TOUCH ANY OF MY THINGS and I will NOT be using them!!

 
I gave myself some time to collect myself and figure out last minute how Im going to get my furniture cross country in 1 before the battle to get my deposit back started.....On 8/31/11 I spoke with Jessica in customer service and told her the story and she agreed to credit my account and I should see it by the following week. I then waited till Friday 9/9 and still no refund. I called and spoke w/Ben in customer service who advised me accounting isn't in on Friday and I need to call back on Monday. (Should I expect anything less? Accounting not open on a Friday????? ummm...yeah!!) 9/12/11 I call and speak with Chris (at this point I've almost spoke to everyone in customer service because prior to me agreeing to go with GPS movers or United Relocation Movers, one of the many questions I asked Jack (the representative) was how many employees are there in customer service and he advised 6 at all times. So I spoke with Chris who advised me he would look into it and get with accounting and call me back.....Yep...No call back. On 9/13 I call and ask to speak to a supervisor and get Jessica AGAIN. I actually allowed her to apologize again and tell me that the refund will be cleared in my account by Thursday 9/15....well you can already tell where this is going....9/15 I check my card and still not there and call and demand a supervisor and get a snotty and rude Mike Lock who advised he is a supervisor and he can see the notes in the system where I've spoke with all these people however they aren't authorized to agree to refund me my deposit BUT he will do it and I will see it in my account by 9/20 the latest....Well it's 9/21 and nothing!!!


I still do not know how this will end but I will continue to file complaints and do WHATEVER I need to do!! Life already has It's challenges and we don't need companies trying to scam us and make us weary of US companies. HOW ARE THESE PEOPLE STILL IN BUSINESS??? How do we live in the United States and allow these companies that are based in the United States  to continue to operate??? I've disputed the charge and we shall see and hopefully I can save someone else from having to deal with this!! Also as I thought I was being thorough by asking the questions I asked and verifying they werent brokers, I was advised that UNITED RELOCATION MOVERS is under GPS movers Inc., umbrella. Shame on me for not asking THAT!!!  Another way I guess they get around the broker question and scam us!!!!!!