In and Moving

In and Out Moving & Storage, Inc. In & Out Moving Crooked, predatory moving company that engages in illegal billing practices Chicago, Illinois

24th of Jan, 2011 by

Bottom-of-the-barrel company in every possible way. The owner is the most unethical person I've ever encountered. I have reported them to the BBB and the Attornery General's Consumer Fraud division for engaging in illegal billing practices. I hired this company for a moving and storage job: to pick up my belongings at one location, store them in their storage facility (located 5 minutes away) for 2 weeks, then deliver them to a second location. I spoke with a customer service rep, who told me my move would be charged at a rate of $114/hr. As requested by the company, I provided written confirmation (via email) of this contract. Things got off to a bad start when the moving crew showed up at my house early... 2 WEEKS EARLY. A few days later, I received a Customer Satisfaction Survey asking how my move went... again, before the move even started. Then I found out that a discount promised over the phone wouldn't be upheld. The company claimed that the discount was never offered (even though I had written proof in an email message). I considered switching to another company, even letting them keep my $50 down payment, but I decided to stick it out with them. That is a decision I sorely regret now. I had provided the company with a list of items to be moved. When the crew arrived at my house on the proper day, the crew chief told me it would take 2 hours to load my belongings onto their truck, and that the entire job would take 5-6 hours. Say what? I asked him why, if it takes 2 hours to load the truck (which includes all the time necessary to wrap the furniture), why would it take up to 4 hours to unload it at their warehouse (located 5 minutes away) WHERE I WOULDN'T BE PRESENT TO MONITOR? The crew chief shrugged and said, "It is what it is." I flatly refused to pay anywhere near 6 hours of labor. As estimated, the loading took 2 hours, which included about 30 minutes of wrapping. Because of my complaining, the crew chief reduced the time charge from a max of 6 hours down to 4 1/4 hours. If this job truly required 6 hours of labor, there is no way that a moving company would reduce their bill by 1 3/4 hrs (approx. $200) just because a customer complained. This was a blatant attempt to rip me off. It was such a scam that the crew chief couldn't even look me in the eye. Hesaid , "I'm just doing my job... my boss is not going to be happy about this" [i.e., failing to pad the bill]. Meanwhile, the crew left my house looking like a tornado had passed through. Tape rolls and wrapping material everywhere, the water bottles I provided scattered all over my and my neighbor's front yards. The day before my items were to be delivered at the second location, I called the company to confirm the delivery time (8 am) and rate ($114/hr). When the truck showed up the next day, I was presented with a bill WITH A HIGHER HOURLY RATE ($134/hr). AT NO POINT did I ever agree to this higher rate, and I told the crew chief that this was a mistake. He told me I had to pay it or I wouldn't get my belongings. As it was the weekend, the company's office was closed and I had no choice. The crew chief suggested I call the office Monday to get a refund. [The owner of the company has refused to issue a refund for the higher rate. He told me he didn't need my confirmation/acceptance of this higher rate in order to charge me it. That's right, the owner of this company believes that he can alter the terms of a legally binding contract WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OTHER PARTY! Outrageous... and completely illegal, of course.] All payment is due before the truck is unloaded. Upon arrival, the crew chief presented me with a bill for 4 hours of labor (at the higher rate). This company advertises that they bill by the 1/4 hr. The crew finished their work in 3 1/2 hrs, so I asked for a refund for the extra 1/2 hr I paid for. He said, "Sorry, that's just how it goes. If I don't collect for 4 hours, I will get in trouble with my boss." In sum, this is the scummiest company I've ever dealt with. They will attempt to gouge you every chance they get. Their efforts ranged from comical (2 hrs to load a truck, 4 hrs to unload it?!) to criminal (forcing me to pay a higher rate to get my belongings back, in complete violation of our signed contract). AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Like I said, I have filed a formal complaint with the BBB and the Attorney General's Office documenting their abuses.

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