- Report: #1411336
Complaint Review: Legion Express - Chicago Illinois
Reported By:
Russell -
Crown Point, Indiana, United States
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Legion Express
1965 W Pershing Rd. Chicago, 60609 Illinois, United States
Phone:
773-270-8383
Web:
www.legionexpressmoving.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Legion Express Lighthouse Moving Damaged and lost our belongings Chicago Illinois
When moving, this company was to move and store our "stuff" until our new house was finished. They had our stuff for 5 months. They claimed all of it was going to be in a climate controlled warehouse, it wasn't. A Lot of our belongings came back dirty and signs of moisture damage. On the day we moved into our new house, they said they would be here by 9am. They didn't show up until 4pm. Upon getting our things off the truck, we were noticing some funiture was broken or damaged. Our $2,000 television was smashed.
A missing lawn mower, missing book case, missing compound miter saw, 3 filthy mattresses that were not in protective bags that we paid for, and many boxes were crushed and the contents inside were damaged. All totaled $8,000 off our belongings were ruined or missing. Before this company was hired, I asked if I needed to insure all of it. I was informed that it wasn't necessary because they carry insurance to cover it. When the movers showed up to take out stuff, they had me sign the contract stating that I was not insuring the contents myself. All of this was trying to be explained by a guy that could hardly speak English.( heavy Russian accent).
I tried to file a claim with them to recover some if not all of my losses, but was told I actually signed a contract waiving their insurance and all they would cover was $0.60 per pound for a grand total settlement of $64. This is insane!! I tried to initiate an arbitration process, and certified mail a letter to the movers, but the post office returned my letter saying it was unable to forward it. I know when moving there is certain risks involved, but this is almost criminal! Is there anyone there that can help me with this situation?
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Russell
Crown Point,Indiana,
United States
Thanks for the feedback
#2Author of original report
Tue, November 14, 2017
I was hoping that was not the case. We have been fighting this for about a year now and the longer it went on , the more I knew I was f*****. Thanks for the help, I guess I should let it go now and cut my losses!
Jim
Anaheim,California,
United States
What You Posted Is Pretty Standard
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, November 14, 2017
The mover is correct that they have insurance, but only if the warehouse catches fire and burns everything inside of it. The insurance they have would not cover you during your move. In addition, movers would have to be licensed to sell insurance during a move, which is why there is valuation. You can opt to have Full Replacement Valuation (which is close to insurance, but isn't) at an additional cost, or you can opt to have valuation at $0.60 per pound which costs nothing. Sounds like this is what you opted for.
Once they opted to pay you the $64, it pretty much ends there. I have seen this before - someone sues the mover for the low amount of valuation received. The judge yells at the defendant, and then dismisses the case against the mover. The contract you signed is pretty ironclad; the mover is under no obligation under the contract to enter into arbitration and even if they agreed, you would lose the case. The moving industry is largely unregulated at the Federal level and only minimally at the state level.
The only real way to avoid a situation like this is to do everything you generally should not do. For example:
1. Don't comparison shop for a mover. Moving is expensive and the company that gives you the best price is generally the scam mover. The well known movers whose trucks you will see on the highways cost more, but you are more likely to be more comfortable with them and have far more resources to do your move correctly vs. someone you found on the internet.
2. Don't look for a mover on the internet. You will find a scam mover there - because that's where they live. Research a mover on the internet; if you see no reviews for a mover, generally they're a scam mover. Scam movers close their doors when enough bad reviews show up, and then reopen under a new name where they can't be traced. Look for a local mover in the phone book - yes, the old fashioned way.
3. If you want to conduct research, really figure out how a move is supposed to work. It really works like nothing you've ever experienced, which is why so many people are victimized.
Many times, people learn the hard way about the way the moving industry works. I'm sorry this happened to you and best of luck....
