Last Friday, March 12, 2010 I had called Desi Movers & Storage, to get an estimate to move my Washing Machine and Dryer from my house in Mississauga to my daughter's house in Kitchener and moving my daughter's Washing machine and Dryer from her house in Kitchener to my house in Mississauga (basically we were exchanging our appliances).
Michelle from Desi Movers & Storage gave me a verbal quote (over the phone) of $140.00, here is the breakdown: Labour Charges : $40.00 per person. Since the move would involve 2 persons, the labour charge would be $80.00. Travel: $60.00 Total = $140.00. I confirmed with Michelle the price and booked an appointment for today Saturday March 13th 2010 at 2:00 pm for the move.
Yesterday, March 13, 2010, two employees of Desi Movers & Storage showed up around 2:00 pm for the job, as scheduled. Before the employees would start on the job, I repeated the details of the move and the quote Michelle had provided the previous night for the job. The employees agreed and confirmed that it was correct. Then one of the employees gave me with the moving details suach as the date, Start time, address, hourly rate and travelling rate along with the Terms and Conditions at the bottom and was asked to sign the paper. The moving details had the same information as Michelle had informed me earlier. I signed the paper. I was asked by the Desi Movers & Storage employees to pay $400.00 deposit as the company's policy. I was quite surprised cause this was not informed earlier. Anyways, after couple of telephone calls with Venesa, a Desi Mover employee, I was told that it is the company's policy and apologies for not being informed by Michelle earlier. I was informed that Michelle is not in today and Venesa would be the contact person. Venesa, informed me that after the job is completed, the total charges would be deducted from the deposit and the balance amount would be refunded to me. I agreed and paid the employees $400.00 as deposit. One of the employees wrote on the contract, 'Paid a deposit of $400.00'. The Desi Movers & Storage employees loaded the appliances (washing machine and the dryer) in the truck. Since they had lot of room in the truck I requested if they would move 2 boxes (approx. 3 cubic feet each filled with old stuffed toys and old clothes) along with appliances, they agreed and said, 'just don't tell our boss'... they were supposedly doing this as a favour. Soon after the deposit, $400.00 was paid I was handed an invoice (invoice #: 1305) for $943.00: Here is the breakdown, as written in the invoice):- Labour per man = $320.00, Travelling Cost = $60.00, Stairs Charge (3 flight) = $180.00, Appliance Charges (4 pieces) = $200.00 Kilometres = $60.00 Others = $123.00 Total = $943.00. Paid a deposit of $400.00. Balance Owing = $543.00 I was shocked and asked to cancel the move, but was informed that the Terms and Conditions of the contract states that deposits are non-refundable. The Terms and Conditions also states in fine print that $30.00 per person will be charged per location per flight, if there is any stairs involved. Since I was left with no options, I decided to go ahead. I told the employees that since I had paid $400.00 already, the balance amount ($543.00) would be paid when they deliver the Washing machine and Dryer from my daughter's house to mine. This was not acceptabe to the Desi Movers & Storage employees, cause as per the company's policy, "Driver will collect full amount of money after loading the truck". I paid $943.00 in full to the Desi Movers & Storage driver.
The employees reached and my daughter's house and asked my son-in-law to pay for $400.00 as deposit for taking their washing machine and dryer back to Mississauga. My son-in-law called me to inquire. I just couldn't believe my ears!! I told my son-in-law that this is a complete fraud company and not to send anything with this moving company. My son-in-law informed the employees that he doesn't want to move his appliances to my house. Desi Movers & Storage employees asked him to pay $150.00 to unload the appliances from the truck, other wise they would be taken to storage. My son-in-law had no choice but to pay them the $150.00.
The appliances along with the 2 boxes were dropped off just inside the house, near the main entrance door. The employees would charge extra ($120.00& $60.00 each appliance) to take them down to the basement. I called Venessa at the Desi Movers & Storage office to find out what was happening, she told me, "If you keep bothering me, I will add my time to the invoice." I inquired about her rate and was informed it is $40.00 per hour! My daugher over heard the Desi Movers & Storage employees talking amongst themselves that, 'the boss will be happy today... we earned $943.00...'
I paid $1, 100 for for doing half the job and the applainces were left on the hallway!
I am state of utter shock and very angry with the Desi Movers & Storage company.
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