DO NOT hire this company.
I made that mistake in June 2014 because it seemed like a nice family-run local business. Mr. Buhler was initially pleasant on the phone and assured me that all of my belongings would be well taken care of on the long journey to Halifax. I provided my deposit and signed a contract with Buhler's Moving and Storage, assured that insurance was included. Unfortunately, that's where the helpfulness and any signs that this is an honest business came to an abrupt end.
The first warning sign became clear when his staff members showed up to pick up my belongings in Calgary a day later than what was scheduled (June 3 as opposed to June 2, 2014). Mistakes happen -- but I did have to take time off work in order to wait all day, only for them not to show up, and then take another full day off when they did arrive.
I boarded my plane to Halifax with one suitcase, still confident that everything else in the world that I owned would arrive safely within a couple of weeks' time, on either June 11 or June 12, 2014, as promised. But the movers did not show up on the dates proposed. They did not show up the next day, either. Or the day after that. I didn't hear from Mr. Buhler during those first few days, even after attempting several phone calls and emails, desperate for any update.
It wasn't until June 14 that I received an email from Mr. Buhler, in which he told me to touch base with the Nova Scotia moving company that was supposed to take over the haul en route cross-country. Mr. Buhler himself referred to the situation as "a gong show." He was was referring to the fact that everything in the world that I owned had been placed by his movers on a semi-tractor trailer that also happened to be hauling drugs ranging from marijuana to hashish to heroin. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) and RCMP searched the truck, seized the drugs and arrested two of the movers June 4 at Edmonton International Airport. In total, police discovered about $9 million in street drugs, believed to be connected to a large organized crime group. You can learn more about this in the media:
https://globalnews.ca/news/1387751/record-drug-seizure-in-alberta/
https://edmontonsun.com/2014/06/11/9-million-of-marijuana-hashish-and-heroin-seized-in-edmonton-area/wcm/4344f473-5f
Days before these arrests, at least two of the men arrested by police were in my Calgary condo, handling and packing up my belongings, to be put on the truck that was seized and searched. Everything I owned was on that truck, ranging from furniture to clothing to memorabilia to jewelry to items of sentimental value. I reached out to Mr. Buhler and his company for help and/or direction. His company had no idea where my belongings were. Instead of an apology from Mr. Buhler, or any assistance, I received angry denials of our contract. I started making calls in an attempt to track down my belongings. I called the CBSA, ALERT, RCMP and several moving companies until I was finally able to locate my belongings at a Toronto-area warehouse. I had to hire two more companies in order to get my stuff to Halifax.
My belongings finally arrived at my new apartment on July 10, 2014. However, much of what I owned was visibly damaged. Some of my furniture was riddled with holes, electronics were torn apart and anything breakable had broken. Unpacking was heart break after heart break, as I picked up the broken pieces and tried to start over.
In order to raise awareness of moving company problems, as well as in an attempt to encourage Mr. Buhler to offer up some sort of assistance, I went to the media: https://www.capebretonpost.com/living/talk-about-a-bad-trip-drug-bust-disrupts-reporters-calgary-halifax-journey-19313/
After more angry denials and empty threats from Mr. Buhler, and much urging from friends and family, I pursued legal action in hopes of finding resolution to this nightmare, which has impacted me detrimentally financially, but most importantly, emotionally. Almost four and a half years later, the nightmare continues. My lawyers filed a claim on behalf of me with Nova Scotia small claims court -- and I won. I also won appeals in both Nova Scotia and Alberta. Most recently, on Oct. 25, 2018, my lawyers renewed the judgment against Mr. Buhler and his company because I have yet to receive anything -- not a single cent in compensation, let alone an apology.
As of Oct. 15 of this year, a Mr. Buhler and his company legally owe me $6,430.12, with interest accruing. Mr. Buhler continues not to respond to legal correspondence, or at all, so I will continue to keep this debt against him registered. I hope that he will come forward to negotiate. In the meantime, I urge anyone who plans to hire a moving company to check BBB, read reviews, and avoid Buhler's Moving - it may end up costing you much more to move than you think.
Thank you,
Kristen L. read more