I am a retired 60-year employee of State of Oregon and moved from Vancouver, Washington (5319 NE 109th St) to 270 Ridge Road, Walworth, Wisconsin to be near my five grandchildren in September 2008.
I had several individuals from my office assisting in my move to Wisconsin. Mr. Goetz, United's agent insisted on helping me pack. Mr. Goetz had "stolen me blind". In fact it was so extremely obvious that my staff told Goetz to "get the hell out of there" as his theft was so very obvious. I telephoned and finally found the general manager for United's movers for this area. All he would say was that Goetz has worked for them for 21 years and they never received a complaint on him. And, I am certain the reason for this is because it was very difficult to find the general manager. They sent me a letter a few days later stating that "should they find the missing 4 boxes of Swarovski Crystal they would let me know. Of course, I never received a word about the loss. And because I was unable to insure all of my Swarovski crystal, I could NOT be reimbursed for my loss. We found also several items from someone elses furniture moving. The crystal pieces I lost was my hobby for the past 22 years and cost approximately 20,000.00.
In addition, my oak serving table was severely scratched. I also did not receive one of my Swarovski crystal chandelliers, one box of books and CD's, 3 new electric heaters, huge 4' high nutcracker, all shelving for my new oak entertainment center and also my book case.
I would imagine my loss was in the area of 25,000.00. I cannot tell you how devastated I am at my loss and the apparent attitude of United Van Lines.
Your agent robbed me blind as my moving staff can attest to. This was quite a slap to my face to have worked so very hard for all of these years and to have managed to collect all of this crystal and to have such a large amount of my collection stolen.
For example, the day before the second moving company arrived to pick up my things, I heard a noise in my sun room. Mr. Goetz knew that I am not only elderly, but quite severely disabled. I was not able to see 100% clearly, but I am certain it was his truck that had backed up in my driveway loading up these 4 boxes of valuable crystal. When I turned on the lights, the car sped off. I have never been robbed at this residence particularly since I have my property fenced but feel that Goetz knew just exactly how to extricate what he wanted from my home.
I am totally devasted since I had just retired at the age of 78 years and to have so blatantly been robbed of my prized possessions and feel that I should at least be partially compensated for my great loss.
I would greatly appreciate whatever assistance you can give me as I am totally devastated and so very much trusted Mr. Goetz at the beginning of his helping me move.
And, because I was unable to prove the loss due to the fact that I had a lot of things to move and it took me until the first part of August to finally go through all of my boxes.
Please help me. I am on a fixed income and simply cannot duplicate all of my Swarovski crystal. This is making me ill and therefore I am unable to finally begin enjoying my long-deserved retirement.
Sue of Chattanooga, TN August 16, 2009
I am writing on behalf of my neighbors Kay and Roy with their permission. On June 17, 2009 a United Van moving a family in across the street, hit and tore off a branch from a large, old, cherished tree. True, the limb was overhanging the street, but we believe that it could have been easily avoided by approaching from one street over. That would take an exceptionally caring driver, however, and is beyond what one would expect to encounter.
The main problem occured when the driver spoke in a rude and hateful manner. So they called Kwikway Transpotation/ United Van Lines and spoke to a representative who was equally rude and hateful, saying the United Van Lines would sue THEM if the truck was damaged. All they really wanted was an apology.
This neighborhood knows what happened and none of us will use United Van Lines for our moving needs. I wonder what the President/CEO of United Van Lines would have to say if he knew the kind of ill will that these employees have spread.
The tree's wound was trimed and sealed at a cost of 500. We just all hope that the beautiful tree will survive.
Wendy of Irving, TX August 4, 2009
The moving guys were great. The phone sales staff charming. But a year after I moved, Suddath's accounting department charged my Discover Card almost 400 in bogus charges. Because of the way the contract is written, I'm out of luck--even though I'd handwritten that any additional charges would have to be discussed and the additional charges they told me about at the time of the move (110 worth) were paid immediately and signed off on by me, unlike their bogus "bill" with no signature they provided to Discover. These charlatans pulled a Sopranos on me with the help of Discover. Buyer Beware!
Discover says that because of how the contract is worded, they could charge my card at any time after the move. Years later even. So they don't mind that it was OVER A YEAR after the move that this blatant rip-off scheme was hatched. I guess I just need to pray they don't decided to charge me another 5K two years from now.
But seriously--I regret all the years I loyally used [Discover] card. Either I pony up 375 to the Discover Card empire or my credit is hash. I guess I learned a lesson about both Discover Card and Suddath/United. And contracts.
Arturo of Houston, TX March 23, 2009
Filed a claim for damaged turntable and missing lamp for total of 245 dollar. Claimed denied even with pictures of opened box with damaged turntable with poor packing by shipper.
Damaged of 245 dollars
Ashley of Lockport, IL January 7, 2009
On 10/07/2008 our boxes were delivered from Mesa, AZ to our new residence in Lockport, IL by Armstrong Relocation/United Van lines. While they were bringing in the boxes I was told to check numbers off as they read them to me on a form. There was confusion as some of the stickers had fallen off and they actually brought in a chair that was not ours. I noticed that I did not see my Crate Amp amongst the things, but saw that Crate Amp had been written on one of the boxes. They told me if I had anything missing or broken I could file a claim and my problem would be resolved.
In the next few days I discovered that my Crate Amp was in fact missing, was not in the box, so I called the number on my forms and filed a claim. I was sent a claim form, and I filled it out and sent it in promptly. On 12/17/2008, I was informed by K. Loeffler (Claims/Quality Control Mgr.) that our claim had been denied. My husband called and spoke to her and she still denied our claim. We have the box with Crate Amp written on it by the movers, pictures of the box, and receipts from the place that we purchased our item from. We also have written letters from friends and relatives who saw the amp and knew we intended to have it transported by the movers, as well as some dated online journal entries detailing when the amp was acquired (about 6 months before Armstrong/United lost or stole it, this date is noted on the receipts as well) and what my intention with it was.
The amp was for personal use and I was very excited to have it. Armstrong/United (K. Loeffler & T. Wibbels) are now ignoring our emails despite the overwhelming evidence that their company is at fault - that the amp was not placed in the box marked Crate Amp and was either missplaced or stolen by one of the movers. I just want my crate amp back (in the mint condition that it was before the move) or a refund so I can buy a new one!
This item cost us 351.17 on 3/22/08, and was 6 months old when Armstrong/United lost, stole, or misplaced it. It was something that I used everyday and was in mint condition at the time it was supposed to be moved.
Dorothy of Charlotte, VT November 28, 2008
Furniture and property damage caused by those employed by either United Van Lines and/or Hughes Relocation Services, Inc. Numerous pieces including antiques as well as newly refinished hardwood floors. They are refusing to acknowledge the claim even though we took out insurances for our belongings.
Thousands of dollars in damaged antiques and other furniture and household items and approximately 600 in damaged floors
Michele of Garner, NC November 2, 2008
while loading my 47inch TV on the truck, the person slipped and dropped the TV. At the time the tv was waapped and the damaged was not noticed. Upon delivery of my furniture, the tv was unwrapped and the damaged was noticed. The tv was cracked acrosed the top and the screen had dropped on one side.
I sent a online request for damages to United Van Lines. Which stated that a adjuster would come and look at the unit. I received a check for 90.00 or 0.60 cents a pound for my 1400.00 tv. No one came to look at the damages. It simply stated that I choose the minimum coverage plan and based on this I was paid what they considered a fair price.
I was never offered any options on any plans by anyone. There were lots of papers to sign and in the rush of the moment you don't have time to read all of the papers. Also a few days later I noticed that two of my dinning room chairs legs had be sanded down making them uneven and rock when you sit in them. I don't see any need to report this to United at 60cents a pound. I will have to live with it.
Charles of Springfield, VA October 16, 2008
My company contracted with United Van Lines to relocate my household goods from Wichita, KS to Springfield, VA in Jan 08. These same goods were to spend sometime in temp storage. The estimator didn't do a good job and increase the load by approximately 15% and ordered boxes for items we don't own and didn't order boxes for items we own. The packers were from Tulsa, OK and did a pretty good job of packing the items. They didn't tag all the items, be the next day when the driver showed up, all were tagged. The driver at the house in Wichita laid down some type of removable plastic flooring to protect the carpet and hardwood floors. Not all the items that needed to be inside a box were packed because the estimator didn't provide that information.
We have some very expensive road bikes and hybrids that needed to be boxed. When the items that were boxed arrived, I would say that 99% were in good condition. Only a few chipped glasses and bent HMDI cables along with a few odds and ends. The items that were just wrapped in blankets, like all my wooden furniture and tables were damaged. I mean all pieces. Also, when I completed the Bingo Sheet incorrectly, with the driver standing over my shoulder at the destination, he didn't say anything. I was writing down the missing boxes in an incorrect box and the driver didn't say anything and the Fenton, MO adjuster used that against me. I also didn't receive all my boxes.
I filed a claim, an appraiser showed up and documented what I said we broken. I had to fix a few items like the kitchen table so we could eat. (That claim was denied - reason; United didn't have a chance to look at the damage. United did damage my walls, but we indicated that was okay as long as they didn't put a hole in the wall. We hadn't finished painting the stairwell at the new house. My major grip is the damage to the furniture and the driver here in Springfield, VA not telling me I was filling the form out incorrectly. I think the storage company is out of Stafford, VA along with the delivery driver to Springfield, VA. As I indicated, I think most of the damage was caused by the Stafford, VA bunch.
Since I completed the Bingo Sheet incorrectly, about 10 boxes that were missing were denied in the claim, along with a few other items that I received a very low-ball claim amount. Shifters for my bikes cost about 300.00, I was given 50.00. I had to go back to the company to demand a relook on a few items that I figured I could win the argument on. I was provided an additional amount in claims.
With that second claim letter a paragraph was included that if I disputed the amount I would have to file with an arbitration company to settle the dispute. That is not correct because I know what the contract my company has with the moving company. I just cashed the checks and will not use this company again. When I move again (and I will), I will inform my company that I cannot use United Van Lines and to select a different carrier. As a guess, I am out less than 1,000.00 so it wasn't worth the hassle.
Jonathan of San Jose, CA October 1, 2008
I was scheduled to be relocated by my new employer, who contracted a relocation agency to relocate my belongings. The agency to relocate me was United Van Lines.
United Van Lines contracted the move to Andrew's Moving and Storage, who subcontracted King Relocation Services.
King Relocation Services showed up at my house, packed my belongings haphazardly and managed to loose 1 box in the short move to San Jose from Los Angeles.
After giving United Van Lines 2 weeks to find the package, I called demanding they find the box.
After waiting for 3 hours while Andrew's Moving and Storage performed a package trace, the customer services representative informed me that they can't find the box.
They answered with We lost it and unfortunately it happens all the time, here's the claim's website..
I doubt they could really find anything within a 3 hour time span. and could have done a lot more to find my package.
Apparently it's easier to shuffler a customer to a claims service than deal with it themselves.
After 3 weeks, still no trace of the box.
Katie of Phoenix, AZ August 28, 2008
They are liars. They did NOTHING that they said or wrote they would do. The estimate was increased, over time, by 150%. They arrived 6 hours late, delivered by things from Houston to Phoenix almost 3 weeks late. They NEVER returned my phone calls, much less initiated the calls to inform me of their whereabouts or my things. When I asked, directly, where my things were (since it was 2 weeks late, at this point), Brandy's reply was I have no idea. Because you pay United the deposit for the move, they already have their money. The remaining balance (that has to be paid by money order) is paid to the outsourced mom-and-pop gang who pack and move you.
I was told I would receive a 150 credit since I was under my weight estimate. I've never received that credit. If I had to move myself with a Little Red Wagon I would do it over using United Van Lines. But beware. Because of the ICC disolvement, there is little to no regulation of interstate commerce. They operate carte blanche--AT YOUR EXPENSE AND INNOCENCE.
Several of my goods are damaged. I am out several hundred dollars, since the credit was never granted. They lied about the estimate, asking me to pay more, when they owed me almost 300.
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