Horrifying, Life-Changingly Terrible
My original quote indicated that the cost for the shipment, including all fees, would be $5,967.21. This included packing, pickup, temporary storage, and delivery. This cost was determined by the carrier's estimation software, where I went through my house and which items were to be packed/shipped After my belongings were packed in the truck, the courier rushed me through the paperwork before I could provide informed consent. I was shocked that the amount I was to be charged was $11,146. Furthermore, I noticed that the courier had filled out certain parts of the form that it was designated that I (the customer) would provide. I paid for the courier to pack the items, and under the General Agreement Clause it indicates that the courier is responsible for the condition of the contents of cartons packed by the company. However, on the "Bill of Lading Contract," it says that "All damages and missing items must be noted on the inventory logs," meaning that I would have had to evaluate every single item. As soon as the items were off the truck (many items left in driveway), the courier indicated that per the contract, I was to sign the paperwork IMMEDIATELY, and that I could go back and add items that were lost/damaged in shipment and storage when I filed my claim AFTER I signed. Despite my objections and inability to find the clause in the contract which showed this, they went from urging me to complete the paperwork to relentlessly berating me to sign the form. They pressured me into signing the contract before I could make any reasonable assessment of the condition of my belongings (or even which items were missing), therefore relinquishing any claims for items which were not listed as damaged as the courier was bringing the items in. I meticulously evaluated and cataloged all of the lost/damage/destroyed items. This detailed list included repair quotes, a multitude of pictures, original receipts, replacement receipts, and weights. Precisely 5,232 pounds of my items were lost/damaged/destroyed. Per the contract, the compensation for this should have been $3,139.20 at 60 cents per pound. After submitting my claim, the settlement offer that I received was $78, based on only 130 pounds. I feel as though MidWestern Van Lines took advantage of me, and pressured me to make decisions without informed consent which unilaterally worked in their favor. Most of the phone numbers which they originally provided me were disconnected, and I have found it precisely impossible to reach anybody which could even provide me information. The representatives which I have spoken to, both at Midwestern Van Lines as well as MovingClaims.net, have provided me with conflicting or even incorrect information, leading to confusion and uncertainty which, once again, tilts the scales in their favor. This entire ordeal has left me emotionally drained, brought me to the brink of bankruptcy, and a severe diminishment of faith in humanity as a whole
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