I engaged Darren Smith to move and store my belongings in June of 2024, at 205 Church Street,…read moreKeswick, where they remained until @ November 14 2024, where I had my items moved by Darren 's team to a proper storage facility, Green Storage, also in Keswick.
Darrens' "storage" I learned was located in the dingy, ratty (literally) basement of a rental property at 205 Church.
Upon examining my items at Green Storage, I discovered scuff and chew marks to family antiques, and wooden furniture, my Grandad's desk missing parts, broken boxes, and an expensive custom-made "Star Wars" toy was missing, but it's empty delivery box remained.
Every box that didn't have a lid, has rat turds in it. The lid of one box that was secure with dry foods came off during their handling, and rats got into that ruining all kinds of kitchen gear.
The stolen item was absolutely with my other belongings, and as it was a very much wanted collectible, I noticed it missing immediately.
I mentioned this to Darren, and made it clear I did not want to blame him personally, as our family has been using his services for some time, and they have always been courteous, and efficient.
However, when he offered to store my items in June, I assumed his was a proper secure facility, as one finds at Green Storage.
I spoke with Darren like a gentleman for some kind of compensation, and he said that he had no control over this building, even though he was renting it and under his control.
That said, he stated he might be getting a refund from his landlord in January, upon which he would forward me a refund for one of the months I paid storage fees (@$200).
Texts to him beginning in mid-January were ignored, and he has made no attempt to contact me.
He is ultimately "responsible" for my item being stolen and my stuff damaged, or ruined.
Someone in his crew has sticky fingers is the only conclusion.
Keep that in mind before you decide on this crew.