YOU BETTER BUDGET MUCH MORE
The owner is real slick. Upon…read moreinquiring about a move, Nick McDonald comes off friendly and continuously says he has the best prices. His original guesstimate based on real numbers provided by me: about 10 items like couch, queen bed, bureau, coffee table, 2 bar stools, a small desk, coffee table, rug and 12-14 boxes. Then I emailed and said 2 couches because my daughter was given one for her new place. Nick's guesstimate was $245. ( see attached) I thought jeez that's not alot so no problem with an extra 10% weekend fee. Nick was very aware, per our discussion, about long hallway and walk to loading zone at first apartment. Loading zone and easy access at new apartment with reserved elevator. It took Kennedy and Jonathan over 3 hrs to load items onto truck. They had to do probably 6 more trips to load due to only having a dolly each. No flatbed. Kennedy and Jonathan moved mattress and heavy couch on a dolly. I was surprised an experienced and allegedly best moving company per pompous and rude owner, Nick, didn't provide a single flat bed. I would not have used this company if I knew owner provided only 2 dollys. It's unrealistic to move apartments and homes without flatbeds. The longer it takes benefits Nick 's bottom line. One flatbed could have moved 12 boxes with one trip. The dolly handled 4 boxes and increased the number of trips. Flatbed could have moved everything else in 2 trips. Instead of loading 10+ boxes on a flatbed these guys could only load 4 on each dolly making numerous trips. I've never seen a mattress being moved on a dolly. Pretty difficult to balance it moving down hallways. So the move became over 800.00, 3+ hrs to load at first site and 2 at new apt. (see attached) Nick also didn't send contract prior to move. He had the mover bring it and do the unpleasant job of informing you that you must sign understanding that if Budget Moving damages any items you will be paid a whopping 30 cents per pound - I stand corrected from pre edit, However, per lb is worse than per dollar. So your antique lamp worth $1000 gets damaged. 30 cents per lb is about $1.80. A contract presented at the time of moving when you've made plans is putting the customer "under the gun" so to speak. I consider this in legalese, "signing a contract under duress."When I asked Nick about the 3% merchant charge that he never mentioned, I couldn't get a word in, he was beyond defensive and was probably the rudest person I've ever experienced. A know it all, braggart and beyond rude. I told him he did not mention this charge and if I'd known, I would have brought cash, so i'm not paying it. He kept rambling about his 5 star reviews and his experience. Blah, blah, blah. Well, his overall rating is 3 on most review sites. With all his experience and business acumen, one would assume he could provide you with a close guesstimate instead of your cost being nearly 3x his "quote." Reminds me of the old bait and switch tactic. He then rambled on that he has top reviews and I responded, " Not anymore." Nick responded, "I doubt your negative review will affect my business. " I responded. "We'll see." This is an honest and factual review. See attached his guesstimate with so many caveats; it can rise or fall depending on traffic, weight of boxes, number of items, distance moving to load truck. Then see final charges. The only positive was that our movers were excellent. Kennedy and Jonathon were professional, friendly, polite and very hard working. Not sure how they can work for anyone as unprofessional and rude as Nick. Thank you Kennedy and Jonathan. You were a pleasure.
Given Nick McDonald's response below, I have posted below a text he sent to a customer who also wrote a negative review. There's others even worse. He attacks anyone who posts anything negative. Basically harassing reviewers which is against policy for good reason.