WARNING! ABC is out for themselves, not you! They hire cheap, shady companies!
Deerfield Moving & storage, a small business with a high turnover was selected for my delivery in IL. 2 out of the 3 men that showed up were wreaking of liquor & smoked weed on their break. The 2 intoxicated men sat inside the truck on break smoking pot and drinking, eating the generous lunch I provided.
When the first 2 men arrived (the 3rd was late and hungover) they began bringing in boxes. I asked for my inventory sheets to begin checking off each box. His response "I don't have them, and hey listen, if you were present & saw your boxes loaded into the truck at pickup in Germany, then you're good! No need to count, it only slows us down." This set off a red flag and my brother (20 yrs Navy) said Umm, no! You ALWAYS count your boxes. I wrote down every box number. I pulled out my folder with the inventory sheets during their break that I was provided by the packers in Germany.
I watched each box packed, filled to the rim and I began to flip out a little when I started unpacking boxes that were half empty, several boxes with Christmas decor mixed in w/kitchen items. My Christmas decor in Germany was on the top floor, my kitchen was packed separately on the bottom floor?! I unpacked one box with loads of paper and an empty "AMERICAN" pepsi can on top.
I unpacked boxes that had many damaged items because items weren't wrapped and the boxes were not full. The German men packed up every individual item as well as heavily wrapping my large furniture pieces. I noticed excessive tape on the boxes that were half emptied. At this point i knew someone opened boxes, emptied out what they wanted and re-taped them. The tape didn't even match!
I compiled my lists together & 10 boxes never arrived! I notified ABC & was told not to worry- my boxes probably ended up in another warehouse. She said she'd get on it right away! When she came back to me so quickly I began to worry! The rep said she was sorry multiple times; "just begin making a list of the items missing so we can get the claim filed" I told her about the damaged items; she said "let's just worry about about the missing items first". "with so many issues, I'm expediting this claim". I sent numerous emails asking for updates with no response. I was then contacted by the VP April Briggs. I told her about the men that were high and drunk. I hesitated because they knew I lived alone.
We followed military guidelines, I finally get an email from ABC saying they had to turn it over to a 3rd party. 58 days later (they are allowed 60) we find the entire claim was DENIED in full! NO explanation period!! It's winter in Illinois, and I have none of my winter wardrobe! I'd already maxed out credit cards and my bank acct. on clothes & the kitchen items I was missing. I had to start a job right away that I did not plan to do as I was on medical leave after sustaining an injury to my back working as a Vet Tech for the Army overseas.
The military rep said "they want you to file a local police report which he'd never heard them request this in previous claims, he even acknowledged something was "off!" At the police station, the officer laughed me out of the building. She said That is a waste of our time and yours! ABC or Deerfield should file the report. They are the ones that "misplaced/stole/tampered with your items"! I call Deerfield and they tell me to have my local dept file the claim?
I hired an attorney. He sent several letters to ABC demanding reimbursement for my goods due to their negligence.
The responses we received from ABC's ceo KERI BAILEY were accusations made toward me that I'm being dishonest , her incorrect knowledge of Military guidelines were shocking! How blatantly ignorant you are Keri Bailey! Abc has no business handling Military moves. I will write as many letters and file as many complaints as it takes.
It's now the 11th month so I had to take my claim back to the Military claims dept. every response from ABC has been forwarded to the military and heads are turning. They are disgusted that ABC would act in this manner and try to put the blame on me- the victim!
Deerfield had numerous negative reviews that I found online months ago and ironically they have vanished! It seems they have a Track record for "misplacing" household goods coming from overseas.
If I have to take ABC to court I will have no issues with that! I will not only get reimbursed for my stolen goods, but I will get back all of my attorney fees along with damages I've received mentally dealing with this for an entire year!!! Plus hours of work I missed to fill out, scan and notarize numerous forms over and over! Not to mention the fact that my back suffered more damage having to work when I was supposed to be preparing for surgery. read more