Be Careful - Moving Review

Our experience with Simplicity was a nightmare. Even though we provided them with an inventory list of our furniture items and explained in the document that the list did not include clothing items, pictures, kitchen items, and other miscellaneous article, they still showed up 5 hours late without a truck that could handle the job. Our service was to include full packing and a dedicated truck from our pickup to our destination. Although full packing was provided, the moving company did not bring enough materials to do the job; consequently my wife and I had to purchase more packing materials at our own expense. We also had already packed a great many items prior to the arrival of the moving company. Needless to say, after being at our house for 13 hours, the moving company was not able to get all of our household goods on the truck. They did offer to send a 2nd truck at our expense; however, there was no was we were going to do that; consequently, we arranged to move the rest of our household good ourselves. 
I must point out that the quote you receive over the internet is not really a binding document. When the moving company showes up, your are presented with a contract that is rather lengthy to read and review. You are also presented with another document that allows the moving company to revised the estimate that provided to you for the move. This includes additional charges for items, services, and supplies. If you are considering using any company that provides you a quote over the internet, please tell them you want to review the REAL contract before you make any decision. This way you can avoid any hidden charges for services. Also, the contract outlines specifically that any verbal agreements made to you by our sales person are not binding. This includes items that may be listed in the quote you receive over the internet. 
The moving company will conduct an inventory of all your items. Ensure that you watch them very carefully. The items we paid the movers to pack were not labeled or inventoried. They simply put a number on a box. In our case, there was no guarantee that the box actually made it on the truck. We had to validate that at delivery and even then it was difficult. 
The moving company requested the initial deposit in the form of a credit card. At pickup, we had to provide them with 50% of the balance in cash or a cashiers check. This should be a big "red flag" not to deal with a company like this. There was no option to pay with a credit card, check card, or other form of payment.
After the truck was loaded, our household goods where taken to New Jersey to be transferred to another truck. Keep in mind, our agreement called for a dedicated truck for our move from Maryland to Florida. Somebody will have to explain to me how this logistially saved money for the company with todays gas prices; however, this is what happened. 
When the truck arrived in Florida (6) days later, we were contacted by the driver to coordinate a delivery time. This was refreshing because we heard nothing from our driver at pickup until we called Simplicity Moving to find our why they were late. 
When the truck arrived at our home in Florida. The truck not only had our household goods on it but some other customers as well. Once again, we were promised a dedicated truck. The drive promptly asked for a cash payment before the truck was unloaded. The delivery truck was the same size as the truck that picked up our load. The pickup truck was completely full whe it departed our house in Maryland. This truck was not completely full and had some other customers household goods on board as well. I did not take this as a good sign. The delivery truck also did not have all of the inventory lists for our household goods. This made it very difficult to verify what may be missing from the move. 
I also have to point out that the driver tried to get me to pay him more money (tip) because he had to move my items up a flight of stairs. This was included in our quoted price, and we had only a couple of dressers that needed to go up that flight of stairs. The vast majority of our household goods were placed in the garage or on the main level of the house. 
After unpacking and going through our household goods, we discoved several damaged furniture items and a external computer hard drive. We found several items missing as well. This included; (2) laptop computers, the Bose Speakers for our Surround sound system, a Panasonic Blue Ray DVD Player, Apple TV, JBL computer speakers, a Microsoft Webcam, and table from our formal living room. I must also point out, that during the pickup of our household goods, the moving crew dropped our 55" 3D Plasma TV and shattered the screen. 
We are now in the process of filing a claim with Simplicity Moving for the damaged and missing items. So, I really cannot comment presently on how this process will go. 
I will let you know that we did complain about the service we received by Simplicity Moving and the replies we received just quoted the quote and the contract. They were more than happy to charge us more money to move the items that were not loaded on the truck at pickup; however, you can understand why we did not do that. 
Finally, I will tell you that I was contacted by well over 25 moving companies. All of them, with the exception of the major carriers, provided an estimate based on weight or cubic feet. Only the major carriers will physically come to your home to provide you with a quote. The smaller companies will not do that. The major carriers will do a good job; however, you will pay a great deal for that service. The lessons we learned from our experience is:
1) Pack your own items. Take the time to ensure you inventory every box and label the box for placement in it corresponding room.
2) If you don't want to pack your items, pay a separate company to do it for you and move the boxes and furniture yourself. 
3) Use a pod or a company like Upack to move your household goods. You only pay for the space you use. 
4) If you must use a company like Simplicity, be sure you see the contract up front before you give them one dime. Be sure that all the services you are requesting our outlined in the contract. 
I personally will never use a small moving company or moving broker for any moves again. I will pack our own items and use a company like Upack or PODs to move my items. 
I feel that the business practices of Simplicity Moving are less than reputable and that anyone conducting business with them should have their agreement or contract reviewed by an attorney before you give them any money. 
 

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