Simonik has deceptive & fraudulent practices and did not keep their word on multiple counts. Their "guaranteed rate" does not mean anything. Their weighing wasn't honest. Buyer beware!
First, their sales rep Matt, courteous and seemed professional at first, gave a low-ball estimate to get our business. They gave us a "guaranteed not to exceed" estimate of around $12k. I also purchased a "guaranteed rate reduction" just in case our weight would come UNDER their estimate. But a week after they picked up our goods and put it in storage, he called to say that the weight came way above (about 4,000 lbs) above their estimate. Apparently, they did either a very poor job estimating our goods, or purposely underestimated (by a couple hundred items?!), just to get the job and then "stick it to us" later. I had not hidden any items, and even disclosed one additional item that I later found during the move, that was in a dark corner of our crawl space, that was most likely missed. They wanted me to pay an additional $3,500+! Not having researched all my rights yet, I said to Matt that I would be willing to work out a number in between and asked for a new quote. Instead, he sent me a change order showing no compromise on his part, but asking me to pay the additional $3,500+. Apparently, he had no intention of absorbing any of the error in his estimate. He SOUNDS nice on the phone but what he DID doesn't line up with what he SAID.
I called other movers and professionals in the moving industry and was told that they are bound to keep their "guaranteed rate" estimate. The "Mover's rights & responsibilities" book says that even if the estimate is non-binding, they're not allowed to charge you more than 10% above the original estimate. Multiple professional sources confirmed that my complaint was valid and what Simonik was doing was unethical. I called Allied Van Lines to complain, and they reported that in the system Simonik had already put in the higher weight and price, when I had not even signed this change order! I let Allied Corporate know that I had not agreed to this change order, and that Simonik was charging me way more than originally estimated in their "guaranteed rate estimate", and that I was disputing this charge.
In my follow-up calls with Simonik, the sales rep was not helpful nor did I trust him, so I asked to speak with the president Jim, who then insulted me on the phone, yelling, calling me NAMES (unbelievable!) and threatening me. ("I can charge whatever I want to for that extra item, you won't get your things back until you pay, etc.") He was unprofessional & a bully. He wasn't willing to work out a compromise until I showed him my other quotes. I wanted to get my things back and decided to work out a compromise to do so; I gave copies of the two other quotes I had received, a low/mid non-binding estimate, and a higher, binding estimate that was actually accurate. Knowing I would file complaints w/various organizations and go after him legally if necessary, Jim did work out a number in between, and net-net, I ended up paying about $1,800 (about 11%) more than the original estimate and signed the change order.
Next, the weight ticket. ALWAYS ask for the weight ticket, and know that you have the right to be present at the weighing. I was not present at the first weigh-in after pick-up, but did ask for copies of the weight tickets. But not being able to trust in the integrity of their weighing, I did ask to be present for the weighing at final delivery. Matt seemed reluctant to have me present at the weighing and even slightly tried to discourage me from being present, but when I stood firm, he complied and connected me with the driver who would do the delivery. And guess what? The weight of the delivered goods came in 850 lbs LOWER than Simonik's weight. How do you think Simonik got a weight 850 lbs higher than the actual weight? Even their weighing was dishonest!
I'm so disappointed & disgusted at the levels of dishonesty in their company, that I can't even speak with them. In the end, I got my things back, from a mover that didn't keep their word and even falsified their weight of my goods to charge me more... but it it took a whole lot of stress & fighting to get my things back! I will never deal with them again, and warn others from doing so.
The packers, loaders & unloaders worked hard and seemed to do a good job. Not sure how the unloaders at the Simonik storage facility did; a few of our items did arrive broken, and we will be filing a claim. On delivery day, the unloading team, led by ANOTHER Allied Van Lines driver (this agent was from NY) did a good job, and we tipped them well. Overall, Allied Van Lines might be OK, but PLEASE do stay away from their local agent Simonik Moving & Storage!! :( read more