Review for B&M. (Shawn & Michelle). Anybody considering them, don't be fooled by their past 4 & 5…read morestar-reviews; we had an awful & agonizing experience. They took advantage of unsuspecting seniors by giving a quote of $3600 total (one day to wrap paintings & furniture &one day to load, travel, unload, etc.) & actually charging $7450 (more than twice) to move within NJ to a place less than an hour away; they disappeared without completing the job.
Our first mistake: not getting in writing that the total price was $3600, since We got several estimates for moving our household items within NJ to a destination less than an hour away. We showed them ALL ITEMS that have to be transported and asked for the TOTAL PRICE. They all gave the total price estimates of around $5000, while B and M moving gave an estimate of $3600 for 1+3 men and 2 large trucks.
Our first mistake: We did not get it in writing because we were fooled by their prior good reviews.
Day#1:2/25: Shawn had earlier seen all items to be moved & told us that we should pack all our things except for the paintings & furniture & he would come 2/25 to wrap them so he could move 2/26. However, he didn't come. Upon texting him, he said that he would come very early 2/26 to wrap those things & then move.
Day#2:2/26: Shawn came late with 3 men, 1 medium large & 1 small U-Haul trucks, although earlier he had promised 2 large trucks. Also, he didn't come prepared with enough wrapping material; he had to go & get it wasting time. During the day, one quit, with only 3 men left. They started moving very late afternoon with one truck. We paid his invoice for that day.
Our second mistake: Although we saw for the very first time the fine print in the invoice that $3600 was only for the first 15 hours & extra time would cost @ the rate of $220/hr. For us, our their word that the "work will be finished in 2 days" was our bond. Since we had already verbally agreed for $3600 total, we assumed that the invoice was just a formality. Had we known otherwise, we would have definitely questioned him. Also, he never told us anytime that more hours would cost extra.
Day#3:2/27: Shawn showed up again late with only 2 men reaching the destination late afternoon, taking more time with less men; we paid his second invoice.
Day#4:2/28: again, same story; we paid his third invoice. (Total 3 invoice payments = $3450)
Day#5:3/1: Shawn came around 4 pm with only one man + his 1 1/2-year-old son & a dog; he demanded thousands of dollars more. We were startled; we proposed $5000 total, which was the estimate given by other companies. He went to his car to speak with his attorney about us. Since he was holding our goods hostage, threatening lawsuit & it was getting very late, we wanted to get it over with; we agreed to pay what he wanted, meaning $7,000. He let the dog out in our backyard & dem&ed us to babysit his son, so he could work! The 2 men started work 600pm, while we were entertaining, feeding, consoling & playing with his son. During work, he texted for an additional $8141.50 ??on top of $3450 we had already paid for an outrageous $11,591.50 total. We said the last amount he demanded was $7,000 total. Finally, we agreed for $7450 total, or else he would not continue work. Since it was getting late, Shawn said that he would bring a stronger & younger man at 1100 am on 3/4 & complete the work. Since he already got paid in full, he wouldn't charge any extra $. He signed an agreement (worthless). For B & M, their verbal or written words mean absolutely nothing; no business ethics whatsoever. The total work should have taken maximum 2 full days (not 4 partial days), had he come "one day earlier to wrap things & with 4 capable men & 2 large trucks on time the next 2 days," as he had promised earlier. Also, we had to stay awake late, giving them food, snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, water etc. On top of all that, earlier he gladly took for free our recliner & 6' bookcase which we were going to donate to charities; they were in super condition worth $1000.
Day#6:3/4: This morning, when we texted, he said he was sick. We wished him well & requested to keep us posted when he could finish the work upon feeling better.
Day#7:3/7: We tried unsuccessfully to contact him/Michelle by calls & texts. No response whatsoever.
Day#8 to #12: 3/8 to 3/13: waited in vain for more than a week. Same story as Day #7.
We got disgusted & gave up. We would never ever recommend B&M.