You get what you pay for with Bekins...
Written: Sep 04 '07 (Updated Sep 05 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Customer Service Experience: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Local agent good, inexpensive
Cons: Takes too long to deliver, Keeps changing estimates of delivery day
The Bottom Line: I wouldn't use Bekins again in the future, although I do recommend Advance Moving company if doing an intrastate move.
|
|
|
| sairwakay's Full Review: Bekins Van Lines |
The Summary: (If you don't want to read my whole experience)
Local agent was good to work with, but Bekins and/or my driver took advantage of the long delivery period I was given. My estimated arrival date changed multiple times, and my driver never kept in contact with me. In the end, he told me he took some days off while he had my stuff.
First some background on my move:
I was moving from upstate NY to west TX. I had just completed my graduate degree and after 9 years of studenthood I hadn't acquired a tremendous amount of valuable goods. However, I did have more stuff than could fit into my small car, and a few large items but no furniture. I debated on how to approach my move. At first I thought I would rent a U-Hal trailer but a friend recommended against it and my mom (who was my travel partner) thought it would be too much of a hassle to tow all this way. Since my new employer was paying $2500 for moving expenses I decided to look into getting a moving company.
Why I Chose Bekins:
After doing some research on how to pick a moving company, I realized that I needed to contact a local company and have them physically come and do an inventory. (DON'T USE THOSE INTERNET SITES WHERE YOU CAN GET MULTIPLE QUOTES). I contacted the few interstate moving companies in the area for a quote. As it turned out, most had a relatively large minimum of 2000lbs or more. Since my move was small I didn't want to pay extra for stuff I didn't need. I contacted Advanced Moving company a Bekins agent in Ithaca NY, and discovered that their minimum was 1000 lbs, and my quote was at least $1000 less than every place else I had looked.
What was Good About My Experience:
First I'll say that my dealings with Advance Moving were always positive. The estimator was professional and gave me a binding quote. Everyone I talked with at the office were courteous and helpful. On the day of the move (I packed my boxes myself to save extra money) the movers arrived promptly, and were quick and professional with their work. If I were doing an intrastate move in upstate NY (which would mean dealing only with Advance Moving and note Bekins) I would consider using the company again.
What was Not So Good About My Experience:
I was going to be going out of town for a few days immediately before I planned to move, and so thinking I was being quite clever I had the movers come a full week before I would be heading to Texas. Thus, my belongings were picked up on July 24, although I wasn't leaving until July 31. When I requested my quote I was told that my belongings could arrive anytime between Aug 2 and Aug 20. This is obviously a big window. I had read some other moving horror stories (unfortunately I had not found this site) and figured this was Bekins' way of covering their behinds in the case of any unforeseen circumstances. After I got to Texas I called Bekins to track my shipment. First, their automated phone system was not working - the entire time the only message I got was "This shipment is ready for pick-up." When talking to a representative I was given the date of Aug 9. It was a week after I arrived and more than 2 weeks since my stuff had been picked up - which seemed altogether reasonable. However, a few days later this changed to Aug 11. On Aug 10, I had not heard anything from my driver and called again. I was told I was still scheduled for Aug 11, and the driver could call as soon as 2 hours in advance. I checked the online tracking and now my shipment was changed to Aug 14. On Aug 13 I still hadn't heard from my driver and called again to confirm. The representative told me I was still scheduled for the 14, when I asked if she could tell me specifically where my belongings were she put me on hold while she tried to contact my driver. She came back saying she could not reach him, but he was supposed to call me to give me an update. On Aug 14, I still heard nothing. I called again, was told again that they could not reach my driver but that the rep would call me back within an hour. She never called & I called later that day, and was finally told that my driver had been reached, he had some truck problems and would not be coming that day. The next day I tracked online again and saw my shipment was now scheduled for Aug 20 - the very last day the contractually could. My belongings did come on the 20th. My driver told me that they "scheduled him some off time between moves, and if he didn't take it, he'd not have any all summer." (I don't understand why he couldn't have brought me my belongings AND then took his off time...) I honestly don't think there was ever any chance I was going to get my things before Aug 20 - but if they had told me that up front of course I wouldn't have booked with them. I felt that they were dishonest in this respect.
In the end though - I did get my belongings within the contractually mandated amount of time, everything got here, and nothing was broken (might be the result of my good packing than anything else).
Recommended:
No
Punctuality: Showed up late
Ease of Filing Claim: N/A
Lost Goods: No
Amount Paid (US$): 1300
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
sairwakay
|
|
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.