Don't ever use Prestige Moving & Storage. We moved to Cookeville, TN in two separate moves, both originating in Naples, FL. Prestige packed and loaded on 7/11/2019, labeled everything properly and put that load into storage with instructions not to load anything on top of a very expensive cutting table. Jeff Smith, Owner/President of Prestige Moving & Storage agreed to this prior to us signing a contract. The movers were also instructed. On day 2 7/12/2019 the load going to our rental home in Cookeville, TN was not labeled, even after questioning them about numbering boxes. They transported that load in a Prestige Moving Truck which broke down en route. They then had to transfer everything to another truck before eventually arriving. When the load arrived there was no way to verify if all boxes arrived. The load put into storage would be transported at a later date. Insurance was paid for on both interstate moves, plus monthly storage fees and insurance for the items stored for 18 months. We called to request the storage items brought to our brand new home in Tennessee. Jeff then rented the largest UHaul truck and a pup and sent the driver, Jeremiah up. Then he hired two drug addicts from Bowling Green, KY 2 hours away from here to assist Jeremiah. They were 3+ hours late arriving. By then Jeremiah had unloaded the pup and set the items in the gravel driveway. One of the men was in severe pain upon arrival. He trembled the entire day. That move had more than $5,380 of significant damage to the cutting table, furnishings and wood floors in our new home. The claim was submitted within 30 days, with photos and estimates. Once submitted, Jeff refused to give us an insurance company, claim number, a representative or any contact info. He became belligerent, rude and extremely condescending. He'd hang up on us when we reached out to him. We kept records of all calls and emails sent.
Prior to the move the manufacturer of the table told me that it would be fine in a controlled environment storage as long as nothing was stacked on top of it, which was the reason for the conversation discussing the table with Jeff prior to signing the contract. When Jeremiah arrived, on Sunday, 12/13/2020 he told me that he had loaded the truck himself. He had our seven foot long cast iron patio table on top of the cutting table along with several boxes. The cutting table was visibly bowed downward at least 1/2", the angle irons supporting the table top were also bent and the legs were bent outward due to the extreme weight on top of the table.
Jeff delayed as long as possible, he wouldn't return calls until 4/30/2021. When he told me that he had been in the hospital with pneumonia. He asked me to be patient. He assured me that he would take care of everything.
Last month, Jeff sent us a check written on his business account for $885.93 along with a note that said he was refusing to pay for damage to the cutting table which actually needs to be replaced. He stated the reason for non-payment was that the table should have been disassembled. It that was true, he needed to do it. His crew were all professionals, right? He saw the table when he quoted the job and agreed to store it with nothing stacked on it. He now says that was an unreasonable request.
There are informational pamphlets that every professional mover is legally supposed to provide you with. Those were not given to us when he gave us his folder. Those pamphlets give you tips and lists of things to do before moving and/or hiring a professional mover. If we had had those, it would have been very helpful. I would have known where to look at the DOT sites, I would have known other steps to follow. Unfortunately, I had to hire an attorney to discover that information.
It is my opinion that he is charging for insurance but not purchasing the insurance policy; at least in our case. It's a gamble he is taking, but with high deductibles, he is hoping he will never have to pay out. Then he hopes that the customer will give up. He has had at least one other complaint filed against him with the BBB on 9/26/2019. The gentleman that filed that complaint experienced the same exact things that I have and in the end, Jeff did not pay him anything. So, I am writing reviews and filing complaints in hopes that it will save someone else from having to go through this with Jeff. Don't ever use Prestige Moving & Storage. Save yourself the aggravation. read more
