Global Trans Van Lines misrepresentation of services and inflated cost.
Global Trans Van Lines was hired on 5/23 to pick up and transport my platform hydraulic bed from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to New York. I was told that the bed would be transported in a container and that the smallest size available was 300 cubic feet. Also, I was asked if the pickup and drop off locations could accommodate an eighteen-wheeler and I confirmed that an eighteen-wheeler could come on both streets. I expressed concerns about sub-contracting the job and was informed that they do not sell their jobs to other truckers. My bed was NOT transported in the 300 cubic ft container that I paid for it was jammed into a box truck with other customers’ belongings and received multiple damages. I was mis-lead and provided with false information because the representative told me my belongings would be transported in a secure container with more space than needed. Damages include a part of the metal frame that is bent and fabric covering the base of the hydraulic platform have multiple tears and dirt scuff marks. When the platforms were picked up, they were in exceptional condition. These covering were kept intact and never removed because they provided protection for the fabric covering the frame. These frames were always covered and well maintained up until they were picked up and in the possession of the movers. The beds were delivered on 6/17 and once the damages were discovered, I immediately contacted Global and informed a representative of the damages while the mover was still at my residence. It should also be noted that the driver arrived alone with no other worker to assist with the delivery. Follow-up calls to the representative Karl Luanda who handled the sale/contract did not go well. When I informed him of the damages and asked why my bed was transported in a box truck and not properly wrapped and secured, he said, I am babbling and that he had other calls and hung up the phone. Also, prior to contacting Luanda I spoke to a representative in customer service and asked why my bed was transported by a company Level Up Moving that I had not contracted with. The representative said they only use movers that are part of the company. Level Up is a separate company and is not affiliated with Global. I specifically asked prior to entering into the contract if Global would be sub-contracting my job and Luanda assured me that Global does not sub-contract. I immediately contacted Global and informed a representative of the damages and the fact that the beds were not delivered in a secured container and an 18-wheeler as specified in the bill of lading. I was dismissed and no one would address the fact that I paid $2,650.02 for exclusive use of a dedicated 300 cubic feet container. My bed was transported with other customers belonging by a company identified as Level Up Moving that I had not contracted to move my goods. Because my goods were consolidated with other customers belongings without my consent or disclosure, I am demanding a partial refund to reflect standard shared-load rates. Furthermore, as my beds were transported by a sub-contractor this is a breach of the contract because I paid for exclusive use of a dedicated 300 cubic foot container and delivery by Global not Level Up Moving. I have attempted to contacted Global by email and filed a complaint requesting a partial refund for the shipping and also telephone the company at (800) 884-7126. The calls have been either disconnected, rerouted to an answering machine or someone picks up and the call drops. I have left messages but to date no one as returned my call.
By Marcia H.