And THAT is the reason that i have done all our moves ourselves!! Pain to pack and move but happier at the end when it settled into new place with no damages but maybe a scrape on the heavy footboard of the bed.

I can feel for you. We moved one time and they wrecked our water bed. I saw them drag it on the ground and it turned out they actually ripped a whole in it. We had to use duct tape to fix it and they were just dropping the boxes in the apt when they brought them in.

We tried to get them to pay for damages, but they said it wasn't their fault. We didn't get any satisfaction.

When my MIL moved, the movers she used stole some furniture (antique) and broke other pieces. She didn't get any satisfaction either.

It's too bad there deosn't seem to be any way to hold them to anything. However, someone earlier suggested pictures. Maybe take pictures of everything before moving, then there is proof if anything's damaged. Just like car dealer service depts are now logging in any damage on your car before they drive it in for servicing.

This is the right way to prove your lose and damages

Funny thing about the BBB, I watched a news program awhile back, can't remember which, one of the 20/20 type shows where they were talking about the BBB rating. Apparently for a while it was normal for some bussinesses to purchase a better rating with them. If this is a national company that moved you prehaps they were one of the companys. I would still file a complaint though, because I have personally found that most of their ratings are accurate about a company. I hate it when one company uses a sub-contractor because that give them an out on the responsibility if it is in thier contract. Our local newspaper pulled that one on my boys when they were paperboys. They wanted their money but they were not responsible for helping the kids collect it when someone wouldn't pay, leaving us liable to the newspaper for the money and we couldn't even refuse to deliver the paper. You would think that these companys wouldn't want their names connected to the bad reviews.

I just saw this article about :"things movers won't tell you" on Yahoo:http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...ou-mainstreet. Funny timing.

Bingo - make a lot of noise and keep making it until you get compensated. These companies COUNT ON YOUR BEING ERODED BY THEIR INDIFFERENCE AND (money-saving) STALL TACTICS.

If you run a quilting or sewing business, check with an accountant for a damage write off, and have photo and damage list/costs documented and ready.

If you do not run a business, your moving expenses are a tax write-off (I am pretty sure) - perhaps there is an additional write-off or two for the damage.

Also, check with your home owner's insurance carrier - maybe there's something in there as well...

Good luck and remember: the moving company is counting on you to fade away (PO'd, but still faded away) from the efforts to recover what your entitled to

Oh no! I had the greatest movers when I moved from NJ. Not one thing broken.

there is a website called replacements.com where you can find most any china pattern ever made. I have a very old pattern from well over 100 years ago and they have replacement pieces for it, too. Don't despair - stick to your guns and stay angry. No one wants to deal with a woman scorned!!

Calling the BBB doesn't do a lot of good. I had it explained to me that if you report someone to them they send out a report to the offender. All they have to do is reply and they don't get a bad mark. Found that out when we were buying a new car..there was a big bulge on the tire. The day we went to pick it up my husband checked the tire that they said was replaced...it was just traded with the other back tire ... now the bulge was on the inside..their response when he caught them was "we sell cars...not tires"! We reported them and got the "nothing" answer. Needless to say we did not purchase that car!

Go to ebay for your china..it is cheaper than Replacements but copy the Replacements prices for the awful movers! I think you will have to give them estimates of damages.

My movers brought an antique chandelier all bent up. Not even packed in a box after they promised they would pack it well for me. The guys delivering said that they found it like that on the loading dock. That move cost me over $8K. I was so upset. We had moved into a brand new house and I was so mad about the chandelier that I didn't notice that my electrolux carpet cleaner didn't make it to its desitnation until about a year later! Try and make a claim! Its virtually impossible.

So sorry, I'm an Navy wife, lots of moves, some bad! Here is a website that you might be able to replace your china with. I've used it before and if they don't have it now, they might get it in.

Replacements, Ltd.
quotesbb@replacement

Good luck! If you are military, the gov. should reimburse you for damage.

CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU NOW!!!!!!!

Hire a lawyer charging you more than 10% over the estimate is illegal and you have paid enough. If you let them get away with this they will do it to others and then you become partially responsible. If you have a good case you go to court not for you but to stop the movers from profitting on shoddy service!

I would be happy to share some of my stash with you. Just let me know the type of fabric you want.

I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you. Just not fair!

I'm happy to share my stash too - just let me know what kind of fabric, or color, you are partial too. Just PM me with your address. Debbie

So sorry for your aggravation. I know it is hard when you lose things due to someone else's negligence. We had a mover dump the coffee pot and pack the grounds and dirty pot, trashcan with trash in it, and other wierd stuff. Boy was my dad mad when he went to get coffee and had to find the coffee pot, unpack it and brew a new pot BEFORE WE MOVED. Good luck on your quest.

When all is said and done , contact "Angie's List" on line to warn others to avoid this company.

thanks everyone for your support. This is what I love about this board! I'm feeling better this afternoon. :)

By chance, today I came across an article that talks about movers ...

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/112727/things-movers-wont-tell-you-mainstreet

That article has a link to a Federal government site that helps folks who have various problems with their movers ...

https://www.protectyourmove.gov/

I just finished looking it over and it contains a lot of useful information as well as toll free numbers for getting assistance because of federal laws governing transportation. If I were you, I'd look this over carefully and call to get some help.

I'd go after them with a gun, but then I am a bit radical about things like dummies breaking and destroying my stuff! It may not mean anything to them but it does to me and I'm the one that paid for it.

We have moved alot and the worst was when they were unloading boxes and flood water was pouring out of the bottom. Saddest is when I didn't catch them and they crushed the antique christmas ornaments I had gotten from my mother just a few months before. They were wrapped and in a box but they crushed the box flat. I just sat down and cried. But ya know when they pack that stuff they are there to pack not look at everything. But I did catch them before they packed my furniture polish soaked rag... I think some of these people are just stupid. Like loading live plants into the truck. Stupid stupid. 31 years of moves I have alot of stories lol

I've done 2 international moves one sin state and 3 out of state moves and never had a problem. I'm so so sorry that you've had bad luck.

I'll be happy to share some of my stash with you!

I'll be glad to share too! Anything in particular? Color, design, size, etc?

Try replacement Limited for the china 800-Replace This company has thousands of patterns also a web site you can ck.
That will give the movers the price to replace your china
i'm surprised they didn't suggest this co. My movers checked every table, chair etc before leaving as they placed the furniture to see if anything needed fixing. The guys were just great in 100 degree humid weather. I used a national company even though it was local move.(United)

We have moved 13 times in 23 years and inevidably something happens. Plastic totes do not move well. We've had as much damage in a short move then overseas. Best way to box fabric is put it in garbage bags then let them box it or tell them you will. The boxes get compressed when they are stacked on the trucks and travel over the roads from bumps etc. We've watched plenty of these get loaded and unloaded. You'll have to weigh how badly you want the claim because most likely you will have to turnover any items you are claiming as damaged to them and there will be a cap amount paid out.

I am not sure who in your state licenses movers, but if they crossed state lines, they may fall under federal jurisdiction. That said, I would start by calling the FTC, and asking who to send extra copies of your complaint to.(Squeaky wheel gets the oil!) Moving companies are regulated like everything else, and if you do nothing, you are letting this happen to others, and taking an un-needed loss. Ask the moving company who holds their "bonds". All companies are required to be bonded against loss. If you mention this to the moving company, you may be amazed at how fast they want you to be happy with them. A "bond" is like insurance to do business. (They don't want their rates to go up either.) Good luck. I would also check your homeowner's or renter's insurance. They can make you whole, and go after the Mover's insurance company themselves. I hope this is helpful. :thumbup:

I hate moving companies. They have done more destruction than good in the three times we have had to use them for moving. I called the last one "Bust em up Bekins". I know I should not mention names but they destroyed a new upright freezer, and one of the workers stole my stainless steel pressure canner and a large antique bowl. They are all detestable to deal with too. The point is they're all like that so far as I have experienced. Also unless you paid for full replacement coverage,(quite expensive) then they will only pay something like $ .65 per pound of damaged items. We are thinking about moving back to the lower 48 and I am trying to get my husband to agree to a u-haul truck. I sure hope you can do better than we did. Sure sorry for your troubles.

Just another word of advice to anyone wanting to move with movers. There are boxes called Glass Packs. They are extra sturdy and strong. They are about $4.00 up here but maybe not as much in the lower 48. They are worth it. They hold up to a lot of abuse.

I have ordered from Replacements and was very happy with what I got.Wonderfull place to get lots of good deals on adding to your dishes.

Thanks sooo much! I'm reading this very carefully!

So sorry to hear about all your trobles with the movers. Yes, write down everyhting that was broken or destroyed, along with the value. I just moved too, but we didn't hire any movers since we didn't have lots of things, my nieces and friends helped us move.

know exactly how you feel, removers lost parts of 5 dinner/tea services, dropped chesterfield sofa and prie dieu,wrecked clocks---3 grandfather-2 wall--3 mantle, lost oxygen cylinder , wrecked victorian mahogany dining table,broke ebony knobs on sideboard and lost shelf to vict wardrobe, etc etc--------------my thoughts are with you;
make a FULL list and also photos of filthy stuff for your claim which must be made in time, you can ask for extn in reasonable circs; good luck.

Having been in the military and having to deal with movers whenever we've had to change duty station we were pretty lucky, very few things were broken and what was broken was easily and rather inexpensive to replace. One of my fellow NCO's were not quite as lucky. He was being packed up by some Greek movers that were hired by the military to pack and move his belongs to the port to shipped back to the states. Two days after this was done, he and his wife and family were visiting a local street market and lo and behold --- there was the same moving van, packers and --- you guessed it --- all of his household goods being sold to anyone that want to buy them. He reported it to the local Greek police and the military. He was pretty much told nothing could be done about it until he got to his new duty station. When he arrived at his new duty station, the majority of his things were gone. It was horrible!!!

Last time my son moved his household goods had to go into storage for three weeks while he was waiting for the apartment to be ready. Goods delivered, he signed without counting, etc. and later discovered the box with his t-shirt quilt from high school shirts was missing (several hooded jackets also in the box.)

The moving company was notified and they (supposedly) searched the warehouse, coming up with nothing. Now this is a quilt with shirts with his name on them....what would anyone else want with it if delivered with their goods? You think it would show up somewhere!!

Sounds like you got one of those moving companies that basically hold you goods hostage to insure you'll be willing to pay double to get them. Heed the advice about complaining & pictures.

Yeah. On one of our moves, the inebriated woman broke my pedestal dining table trying to take it apart even after I told her repeatedly that it had been wood-glued when assembled.
Supervisor came out to the house and said we'd get our money back on it.
But if I wanted the money instead of the furniture, I could have sold everything to begin with and bought all over again at destination.
No telling what you are going to get with movers.
.

When I moved up here almost 18 yrs ago, my daughter helped (?) me pack, but sent up bags of garbage, and threw out what I wanted to keep...(mistake?) and also kept many books, wooden plates,etc.. that she wanted... 2 young men from the moving company (I had a 14 rm house) had to look at all the toys, (and play with some) that my husband had in his den... really annoying. Believe me, I will NEVER move again.. (I'm 81 now..) I am a collector (not a hoarder) to meke up for the void in my life that has to be filled??? I also get yarn & material, to knit,crochet & sew for the NICU ... so I do get rid of a lot of the things I have here...