Michael N.
1/5
Update: In reply to the message below, this is my public facing account. Connect with Cynthia concerning this review. The relevant e-mail thread is "Lodging and Food Expenses for Delay" on June 1st, where you can find my information. Tag series is 822844 in Orange.
My experience with Best Movers was the worst experience I’ve ever had with any service or shipping company.
If, for some insane reason, you choose to accept using them as your moving company, budget for a lawyer and hire them in advance.
Your belongings will NOT arrive on time, or close to it. You will NOT hear from them until you reach out. The first COUPLE of delivery dates are hopes, not deadlines. If you get them for a government contract I suggest you sell your stuff or move up yourself with a truck.
Here’s the timeline of events. For reference: I requested pickup in Ontario on April 27th or 28th and Delivery on May 15th:
April 20th - Employer awards Best Movers the contract from Ontario to Northwest Territories. I reply and ask for next steps.
April 22nd - No reply by e-mail. I call and leave a voicemail.
April 23rd - I receive a bizarre phone call asking me if I can have my stuff picked up on April 24th. I agree.
April 24th - Driver claims truck is broken and will have it fixed and come later. Still doesn’t come that day.
April 25th - Driver does not come. Says they will pickup tomorrow.
April 26th - Driver does not come.
April 27th - Completely different crew shows up. They enter my apartment, no masks, and start packing. They don’t bring enough packing material. They miss several items and an entire storage room that I have remind them of. Keep in mind I sent a detailed list and pictures in advance.
April 27th - May 10th: I spend a week with family and drive accross Canada to Yellowknife and quarantine.
May 3rd - With zero communication at this point, I reach out to Best Movers. I ask them if we’re going to hit our delivery date. They reply that it’s best to delay until May 22nd/23rd because of COVID.
May 17th - I reach out again to confirm delivery date. They now say May 30th or 31st (again) because of COVID.
May 24th - I exit quarantine. Still living in a hotel.
May 29th - They reach out (FIRST TIME EVER THEY REACH OUT TO ME WITHOUT PROMPTING) telling me that the delivery is delayed because the driver lost his wallet/ID and they won’t let him into the territories.
I tell them these delays are becoming frustrating and concerning. I get a dismissive reply.
They tell me they’ll have an update for me on Monday, and they’re waiting for an update from DOT.
May 31st - I reach out for an update on Monday, there’s no update. Also now the fault lies with Public Health, not DOT. I reach out to Public Health myself.
May 31st-June 1st - I reach out because my onboarding package won’t cover my hotel stay any longer, but I literally have nothing in my apartment to live with. They decline, stating that their driver losing their wallet/ID and not being allowed to enter the territories is ‘An Act of Law’. Meaning that they don’t take responsibility for their drivers breaking the law if they were to drive without a license. Note that down.
I ask ownership where my belongings are, and were for the past 6 weeks.
Ownership replies “Thank you for your below opinion. We will let you know once the delay has been resolved.”
June 2nd - I start speaking with lawyers. A Public Health manager replies to my inquiry looking into this 'delay' further and states that supply line workers/truck drivers cannot be denied entry to do their work or return home.
June 3rd - My employer gets involved. I recieve a terse email telling me that my belongings will arrive on Saturday.
June 5th - My belongings arrive. Many items are damaged, scratched, or missing (see pictures). My only recourse is to pay $150.00 to get compensation. I choose not to do this because I believe it will end in a legal battle after their unique and favourable interpretation of their own contract. After speaking with lawyers in NT, AB, and ON, it's not worth my time for the cost of replacement.
