PIckens Kane Movers Do Not Use - Moving Review

I contracted Pickens Kane/Allied Van Lines to move me from a NW suburb of Chicago to Coconut Creek, FL. At the time I signed the contract I was strongly encouraged by the salesman Chris Lidge to purchase moving insurance in case my furniture was damaged which I did at a cost of over $200. This was for a loss of $30K with a $500 deductible. I was also advised by the salesman that I would be sharing a huge semi (tractor and trailer measuring 70') with three other families. The morning of the move 12/6/2010 a much smaller truck showed up and the driver advised me before he even saw my furniture and boxes that his truck was pretty well filled up having five families loaded on the truck prior to coming to my house (mine being the sixth family). He told me he would take what he could and another truck would come for the remainder of my things later in the day but the things would not be delivered at the same time in Florida as the second truck would pick up my things and take them back to their warehouse where they would be loaded at a later date onto another truck headed for Florida. I was furious and immediately called the office and the salesman and was told sometimes that happens. I have a high end bedroom set made of mauve colored mirror and metal which was custom made. I advised the movers the pieces were put together like a puzzle and secured to the wall but they didn't listen and pulled the cabinets away from the wall all together which badly damaged/bent the metal frame on one of the bases (that base cost me $523. They also carried out two expensive contemporary lamps but only one made it, the other one when delivered was literally bent backward and in two pieces - $450 lamp. The driver plunked it down on the floor and told me sorry and to file a claim. I had packed two Murano glass lamps myself with pillows in the box, Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap. One made it and the other was smashed to bits (this lamp cost me $500). They delivered my TV cabinet less one glass door as well and damaged art pieces. The movers pushed the boxes and furniture in the truck with such force they damaged and smashed many of my things in an effort to shut the door of the first truck. The space allowance in the first truck was a joke. The first truck delivered 1/3 of my belongings in Florida on 12/10/2010 and the second truck delivered the rest on 12/l6/2010. In addition to the side of the base cabinet being bent from my bedroom set I noticed one nightstand was badly dented (I paid $562 for the nightstand). I filed a claim as I was told to do - two estimators were sent by the mover and both clearly stated the bedroom pieces cannot be replaced or repaired as the company Ello custom made the pieces and they are now out of business. I have the original receipts for the bedroom set and supplied it. Pickens Kane/Allied refuses to make good on their own insurance that they so readily advised me to purchase for over $200. Buyer beware!! - this company is a disgrace. . My move was not a large one and the cost was $3700 and they refuse to make good on my losses WITH PURCHASED INSURANCE. I will attach the e-mail I got from their adjuster Judy Fisher so you can draw your own conclusions.


In an effort to resolve this claim we assigned another repair service and we are in receipt of their report.

In viewing the photographs it appears, as well as your conversation with Woodcraft Customer Designers that at some point you were going to have granite tops or something put on the top of the chest which would cover the claimed damages.

Although, we question liability at all for this piece as well as the night stand which you did not have on your claim form we will offer $100.00 as a cosmetic allowance and gesture of goodwill and not as an admission of liability for these 2 item. The items are not destroyed and can still be used for their intent. Therefore, the carrier would never consider replacement of these pieces for that reason as well as being at this point an unfinished piece of furniture.

Again, the driver told you about the damage when he was in your home with this piece prior to it being handled/moved. Additionally, you were presented with a customer check off sheet which advised the customer to note damages as well as missing items at the time of delivery. You allege you saw the driver damage the unit when it was pulled from the wall however, you did not make any note of it on this paperwork.

We are maintaining our position as previously outlined for the remaining items. We did check with the driver and he stated that no one related to the move ever took back with them, the lamp that was allegedly damaged in transit.

Adding the $100.00 to the previous settlement for the TV stand at $250.00. Your claim still falls within the deductible and therefore, no disbursement can be made.

We have settled the claim within the Rules and Regulations for transit damages. Should you wish to pursue your claim via other avenues we suggest that you go to Arbitration. You should contact the American Moving and Storage Association for this information.

Sincerely,

J. Fisher
Claims
Pickens Kane Companies

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