AVOID USING BEKINS AT ALL COST!!!!!
Written: Feb 03 '06 (Updated Mar 05 '06)
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Pros: THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT BEKINS!
Cons: DISHONEST, INDIFFERENT, DESTRUCTIVE, CARELESS, LAZY, RUDE
The Bottom Line: Even if you purchase the maximum insurance, Bekins will block you from proper settlement. This is a chronic problem - even on BBB
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| lizgraphix's Full Review: Bekins Van Lines |
My certified letter to Mike Rogers on 10/21/05 - which he ignored - pretty much explains it all.
Dear Mr. Rogers,
On March 29, 2005 you loaded my home for a move to Los Angeles from Wheaton, IL.
===The driver showed up without a team
===The team arrived later – complaining they wanted lunch before they would begin
===It wasn’t until another team of 2 arrived that the work of taking furniture apart began; extremely late and was rushed. The original team remained only to bring things down the elevator to the truck.
On March 30, 2005 the driver had to return when the manager of my building informed me that some of my belongings were being thrown out because they had been left in one of the three elevators overnight (things like parts to my bed, a chair … etc.)
On April 5, 2005 I arrived at my new apartment.
On April 6, 2005 the driver called in the late morning asking if he could deliver that day – a day earlier than scheduled (I had planned to paint that day). Since I wasn’t painting after all, I told him it was ok to come.
===He was given bad directions to my place by the “dispatcher”
===I had to use MapQuest and my cell phone to guide him to me.
===He arrived at 1:30pm (too late actually)
===He didn’t have a crew until 3pm
===In the end, when it was dark, he had to put my large Black/Cherry unit together. I hopped into a shower knowing it would take them another hour and wanting to stay out of their way. My friend was there to answer their questions … they had none.
===I got out of the shower 15 minutes later to discover they had just left … never finishing putting the unit together. In fact, 2 days later we discovered they had hid the bracing behind my sofa. Therefore this very large heavy unit was left standing with NO support. We had no way to fix this as it was too heavy to even begin to move.
===The next morning I called Bekins asking if he would be coming back to finish (YOUR RESPONSIBILITY UNDER CONTRACT) and was told he “would not return” because he didn’t want to drive his truck there. It’s a perfectly drivable hill. In fact 2 other moving companies with the same size truck delivered that day also.
I then spent 3 weeks!!! calling and calling trying to get claim forms. I was told that even though this was a matter of not completing the job you were hired for, it would have to be handled under my insurance.
Finally, I received claim forms from [NAME WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY] at [UNINVOLVED BUSINESS NAME WITHHELD].
On April 26, 2005 I mailed my form. I heard nothing.
On May 20, 2005 I mailed the form AGAIN! Still nothing.
On June 21, 2005 I FAXED the claim form. This time I was called by a third party investigator (Coco Rafaat of Weathersby Guild of Southern California) who came on Saturday July 2, 2005. She had no clue what she was looking at or what was wrong.
On August 1, 2005 I FINALLY received a check. However the settlement assumed I would have to undertake much of the labor involved in fixing the damage to my furniture and Technics speakers. Further, the amount for the speakers was pulled from thin air. I called Singh at GSS and he said the estimate could not hold because he had not seen the speakers. Further, he said because they are Technics, the replacement parts would have to come from Europe (same as everyone else I called had told me) and that the repair would be between $600 and $1000 (refer to the amount stated on my claim).
Frequent calls (about 25+) to Ileshia Henry went unanswered. When at last I got to speak with her she told me I’d have to file a dispute and it would take 90 days to get a response.
On September 16, 2005 I was finally able to have IMPACT (the company YOU referred me to use) come over to finish putting my furniture together. Carlos from their company had called the night before to go over what was needed. However, once there, they determined it was too damaged (from the strain on the screws under unbraced weight which were tearing out, and from handling in the move) to be put back together.
On September 16, 2005 I again called Bekins. I was left on hold (deliberately) several times and hung up on 5 times!!! Then the day ran out and your phones were not answered. I ended up leaving voicemail but, of course, my calls were not returned. I then faxed a letter indicating that my claim MUST be fulfilled or I would be forced to take legal action.
I have heard NOTHING!!!!
Please be aware that among my calls were 5 left on your voice mail (in April, July and September). I never heard from you either.
I paid for $50,000 worth of insurance to cover FULL REPLACEMENT.
It is not my determination alone that the amounts in your settlement are WRONG and that my wall unit cannot be repaired. They were clearly pulled from thin air and lazy internet searches leading to sites where I could by hardware to repair furniture but then must figure how to install it myself.
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2/3/06 UPDATE: The check they sent for $1,303.00 BOUNCED!!!
As of 2/3/06 I have sent one final letter to Mike Rogers at Bekins ***DEMANDING*** compensation, per the insurance I paid for. I have also filed official complaints with the BB and the State Attorney Generals offices in both Illinois (origin of move and their headquarters) and California (where I moved).
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Anyone interested in joining me for a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. Clearly from the reviews posted here and elsewhere this is a chronic problem with Bekins that probably can only be remedied with legal action.
UPDATE AS OF February 23, 2006 =================================
On Feb. 7 I got a relatively quick response to my complaint via the BBB of Chicago. Bekins offered to make about 80% restitution with "no admission" of fault. Via the BBB's website process I accepted the settlement. Per the resolution they were to have mailed the check within 10 business days. I held my breath.
Per what I have seen in other comlaints, they offered a resolution but failed to make good. It seems to be a stall tactic to avoid a suit within the statute of limitations. However, if the check does not arrive within this week, I will files suit and inclue punitive damages (there are many).
The BBB did contact Bekins letting them know that the complaint remained opened because they had failed to follow through. This time they have not responded to the BBB or me. I won't hold my breath this time. Pointless. They are crooks!
UPDATE AS OF March 3, 2006 =================================
After a week's delay Bekins finally responded. They claim they never got the acceptance of their offer from the BBB. Riiiiiiight. Well, now they claim to know. They verified the amount to send and I accepted ... AGAIN! Let's see if the check actually comes this time. Also, it should be noted that they only responded AFTER I posted the February 23, 2006 update (above) on March 1st. Hmmm .... perhaps they are reading epinions.com??
Recommended:
No
Punctuality: Showed up late
Lost Goods: Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3,700.00
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Epinions.com ID:
lizgraphix
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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