Please read the whole review to get tips on how to fight back as a consumer.
First, our experience. After an online search and submitting my number to a website "designed to help you find the right mover," I started getting calls from all sorts of "moving companies." All of them did a household inventory over the phone and all of them came up with a price in approximately the same ball-park figure (around $3000). I went with Nationwide because they seemed the most honest. Michael Anthony (the person I spoke with) seemed very knowledgeable and assured me his company is listed by the Better Business Bureau (which it isn't, I looked). They moved our car and household goods. Here's what happened:
1) Our car was picked up late thanks to a faux pa on their part (had one of our contact numbers wrong) which it took me calling multiple times to fix. They never tried calling any of the other contact numbers listed (which were correct).
2) Seven days After our car was picked up, I called to find out when it would be delivered. Michael Anthony told me "I'm not being lazy, but you can google the Dependable Auto Transport yourself to find out when your car will be delivered." Extremely unprofessional, but I did, and found out my car was sitting at a wrecker in Atlanta, GA. It took me calling the wrecker myself to arrange delivery. Car may still be sitting there if I hadn't.
2) Once our household items were picked up (by Relo Van Lines) we were unable to track them until they arrived (Brought by Allied Van Lines). Customer Service played all sorts of games to avoid telling us where the stuff was and when it would arrive (they never did get the right date, it wasn't until the truck driver called that we learned our stuff was coming in 3 hours...). This, by the way, is a violation of federal law. They are supposed to be able to tell you WHO is carrying your stuff and WHERE it is (I called the fed gov and verified this).
3) Our household goods were damaged (we are submitting a claim form).
I think we as consumer's need to fight back and I've figured out how.
1) use social media. I posted the entire experience on my facebook page and already have friends forwarding the warning to all their friends. I've already saved several people from using this (and similar) companies. Here's a sample of one of my posts. "Amazing: On hold with my moving company insisting that I see in writing their various promises. Accidentally transferred to a general secretary. Asked her what her extension was and she said "which company are you calling about" I asked her which company she represented. She stated "several!" Transferred to some random representative I immediately asked for his extension number and was told that it depended on which company I was calling for! Then, I finally speak with a "supervisor" and asked for their reimbursement policy in writing. Was told that comes from the legal department. I immediately asked to speak with the legal department. I was told that it was a different department. Asked for their number, there was an embarrassing silence and then told that it is THE SAME NUMBER I JUST CALLED! I was then asked to hold, yet again... Amazing scam artists." I've also started an email forward with a warning about this company, similar companies, and a bit of our story.
2) make a complaint at the www.protectyourmove.gov (they fine companies about $500/day/violation!). In addition, they have a number you can call with someone who will help you learn your rights and how to protect them.
3) Don't be afraid to be a pain. Call the moving company and DO NOT HANG UP until they help you (they won't hang up on you but will do their best to make you hang up, just don't feel bad tying up their phone line!).
