This is the first time we used this company but also will be the last time. On August 6, we moved to a place 5-minute drive away and the heavy items only include a piano, a 3-person leather couch, two office L-shape desks and a washer and a dryer and no refrigerators nor fitness equipment. The rest were regular house furniture and other normal household items. We packed all of them into small and medium size boxes and bags and left a lot of unwanted stuff behind. This company sent three guys over at 10:00am including the owner Jason.
They started with right pace but getting slower and slower. A lunch break took over 30 minutes and multiple small breaks along the way. Well, it was a hot day, I tried to be thoughtful by offering water, snacks and drinks, and picking up the takeout for their lunch without uttering a word. I noticed Jason- the owner spent most time in the truck to slowly arrange the items which took quite long and most time just two guys moving (they charges 3-mover rate). One of the movers was relatively old and when it came to moving the heavy items, they had to wait for Jason to do it with another relatively younger mover. This created pause and waiting. In addition, I caught there were moments the movers were standing around and sitting in the truck doing nothing or chatting.
The trip between the house and their truck seemed longer and longer with their pause and slowing down. It took them more than 3 hours to finally load the truck and left my house! Unloading took even longer. One mover only took one piece such as a small size rug or a chair at a time for multiple trips. Again, I didn't say a thing but still offered them water and drink. If slowing down and taking breaks could relieve the exhaustion from the heat and moving, I'm fine with it as long as they bill reasonably. They were dawdling to wrap up and dragging out the time. Towards the end, instead of discussing the fee, Jason was talking to me that they got $3000 fine last night as being caught some a part on the truck was loose and blah blah blah. When I finally asked for bill, it was 5:20pm and Jason said it was 7.5 hours in total. Seeing my reaction, he indicated he would take 30-minute lunch time out. He charged me $1220 not including tips. He asked for tips and I gave him $1280 which didn't include $50 lunch I bought them. He returned me $50, the final bill I paid was still $1280.
Well, reciprocation is not a term for these people. After I shared my experience with my friends, they said I was too nice and kind, and suggested me to post our experience on HomeStars so that other people can learn from it. There are a lot other good moving companies on HomeStars and I will use the resources here to find a better one in the future. Lesson learned!
