EMPIRE RELOCATION

They arrived one hour late at 1:00 p.m. They said their truck had broken down so they were late and there were no tools or shrink wrap on the truck to do the job. The office clerk had said not to empty drawers from our dresser or file cabinets as they would be shrink wrapped. They were not. They disassembled the bed with my tools. The movers were taking a great deal of time and stalling. Each time we went to see what they were doing they were sitting in the truck smoking or standing around arguing. They got grease on the white mattress box of an expensive tempur-pedic bed. They drug the mattress on the ground and also got grease on the ISO cool cover to the mattress while it was on the truck. They bent the base of a expensive hand made fig tree that I had ordered from New Jersey. They permanently scratched my glass coffee table. They did not assemble the bed correctly and all the screws were loose so it fell apart the first night I slept in it. They broke the wooden top of a large mirror that attaches to my dresser. I had that set for 30 years. They did not use runners to protect the brand new flooring and carpet. The file cabinet's wire hangars and files were all jumbled and bent due to not being shrink wrapped. They carried my dresser upside down with drawers opening and clothing falling to the back of the dresser. The drawers do not come out so much of my clothing could not be reached in the back. They cracked my wooden TV stand. And they saved for last, the worst part. They had placed a heavy metal file cabinet on top of a custom made desk that my husband made for me, putting a very large hole right through the top of it. The "quality control" man and his wife came to my apt at 6:30 at night, as the movers were still there. He looked at the damage and the time taken and said it was not acceptable. He only charged me 168.00 for the move and promised to fix the damaged items, by steam cleaning the mattress and box and fixing all broken wood items. He also said the truck had NOT broken down, the two movers had gone home for a lunch.That was the last I heard from them. Each time I called the office, they lied to me. They claimed the damage wasn't done, that no one had talked to me, that they didn't know me. I spoke with numerous employees over and over again and no one would help me. They would speak to me and the next time I called say they didn't speak to me. Finally on October 18, 2012, I sent a letter with a summation of the damages and asked for an Insurance claim form or a check for $676.70 (after I had obtained estimates) by October 29, 2012. That was being generous and would only fix two items, the desk and the Iso Cooler mattress cover. After they received the letter they called and said they would send a check for $600.00 by that Monday. Obviously they did not carry insurance. Today is Oct. 29th and I did not receive a check. I called them and a female employee refused to let anyone talk to me about the check. She said it would be cut tomorrow after an employee returned from funeral leave. They had been talking about this same funeral since the move. And yet even on October 29th, the funeral and funeral leave were still going on and no one else could cut a check in the eleven days I gave them. After googling this company I saw many previous complaints about this company. I had missed that when I was reviewing movers on the internet because they had temporarily changed their name to KING MOVERS prior to my move. I would not recommend this moving company to anyone. They are negligent, disrespectful, and deceitful.

Movers arrived without packing supplies in Casper and spent a lot of the day figuring out where to buy them and how to get the money for them. They somehow mis-weighed or forgot to weigh one of the trucks. We were billed about $5,000, then called and told there had been an error and we owed them an additional $2,000+. When it was time to have our things moved from storage to our home I requested a "re-weigh" because of the error and it showed that the weight was actually 3,000 lbs less than they billed us for. Lots of items were poorly packed and broken including lamps, glass pitchers, toaster, tools, etc... The biggest problem, however was that my husbands $2,800 road bike was stolen and replaced with a Walmart bicycle. We sent the other bike back and told them it wasn't ours. They promised to look for his road bike, but so far - nothing. It looks as if our original movers stole it because they quit right after our move. Also, the way they have their liability set up they are only willing to pay $0.60 per pound on damaged items. Finally, they have completely stopped taking or returning our calls. It doesn't get much worse than these people.

The movers were supposed to pick up my belongings between 7/2/12 - 7/5/12. They did not pick up until 7/8/12. Because they were late, I had to have my family move all of my things into my garage, because my landlord was expecting me to be out of the house already. I was told my thing would be deliverd to Montana in 3-10 days, on the eleventh day I called and was told that was incorrect (they couldn't imagine someone had told me 3-10) and that according to my contract they had 5-14 days for delivery. I checked my contract and found that was indeed the timing they were allowed. On the 15th day I contacted them again and was told it would be another week before they could get my things to Montana. Since I was living in an empty apartment, I wasn't happy, but still was expecting my things to arrive soon. After a week I called and was told they would check into timing. When I finally got a call back I was told that I would be happy to know my things would arrive by 8/1/12. I was not happy and told them so and that I expected some kind of compensation for my trouble. After much arguing, they agreed to decrease my final payment to them by $379.00. I was contacted on 8/2/12 and told that my things would be delivered the next morning between 6-8a.m. Since I was starting my job on that day, I arrived for people to be there when my things were delivered. No one showed up and no one called. I received another call they morning of 8/4/12 saying they were on their way to my home. I was so excited to finally be getting my things, but was soon horrified at what was being brought into my home! Almost every piece of furniture I own was scratched, gouged, broken, and completely ruined. Not to mention the items that just didn't show up. The movers immediately started apologizing and explaining that they weren't the ones who broke my furniture. They had me call the office manager at Empire and she explained that the people who were supposed to deliver to me the day before had come half way to Montana, turned around and gone back to Denver and said they changed their minds about moving my things - they didn't like the drive to Montana. So a different set of movers were sent the next day. The office manager apologized for what her movers were telling her was awful damage to my furniture and for me to take pictures and she would make sure it was addressed right away. After this, my phone calls and request for information were pretty much ignored. Kacie the office manager was the only ones who would take my calls, William actually pretended he couldn't hear me on the phone and hung up on me and the owner who I was told would call me never did. I finally contacted Budget Van Lines in order to get help with Insurance adjuster information for Empire. However, once I told Budget that I expected a refund for my move (I don't believe I should have had to pay $2200 to sit in an empty apartment for a month and to have all my furniture broken), then Budget stopped calling back too. Since then, I have spent hours on the phone trying to get a call back from Budget regarding a refund from them and Empire. I was just told that Empire would give me $300 and Budget $200 and they felt that was sufficient. I disagree. I'm afraid this is going to be an ugly battle and after everything they have already put me through I don't think I deserve the frustration. I am still living out of boxes, since my chest of drawers is so broken that it can't be used and both of my bookshelves are broken and can't be used.

It was a nightmare!!! I had 2 pieces of furniture ruined when a new worker didn't pick up my dressers high enough and broke off legs of my dresser. They said it was because the dresser was too tall to get in my bedroom. Funny how this piece was moved by friends appx 4 times without any problems. I watched as my 2nd dresser was being moved in the house and the new guy again didn't pick up the dresser until I yelled that the legs were being hit on the ground. They shouldn't hire inexperienced workers at my expense. I get to file a claim for 6 cents a pound for each dresser instead of 60 cents because they didn't tell me that I could buy insurance (this was my first time using a moving company). I sent a claim into their crooked insurance company 2 months ago, since I hadn't heard back from them. When I called, they put me on an indefinite hold 2 separate times. The 3rd time they actually sent me a claim form. It will be a miracle if I ever get paid.

These people are CRIMINALS. STAY AWAY FROM EMPIRE RELOCATION! I've had a horrific experience with them, and I would NOT wish thier "services" on my worst enemy. As a result of their utter incompetence, unprofessionalism, rudeness, inability to to delivery my items as promised on multiple occasionas, and attempt to charge me an additional $400 dollars for which I never agreed, I've filed formal complaints to the Better Business Bureau and Federal Motor Transportation Safety Administration. Sadly, other people have also had horrible experiences with EMPIRE as evidenced by yelp reviews, but since I was coming from out of state in a bind, I didn't do my homework... BIG MISTAKE. Below is part of an email I sent Jason Price, the owner of Empire Relocation: I am writing to make you aware of the unacceptable manner in which your company has been doing business. Pursuant to the terms of our agreement and my initial payment, my belongings were supposed to bedelivered on June 8th, 2012. You confirmed such a delivery. My items never arrived. After countless calls I was told my things would be delivered on June 12, 2012. Again, no one showed with my belongings or items. Still now, more than four days since the original scheduled delivery date, I have not received my items. This is outrageous, wholly beyond any terms or arrangement we agreed on and completely unacceptable. I have lost time and incurred costs by the fact that my items were not delivered as promised and I have taken time out of each of the last four days waiting for my items to arrive. I have expended further time and effort endeavoring to contact your company to resolve the problem. Irelocated for the purpose of a new job and am unable to do the tasks necessary for the start of this new employment. I have a newborn baby who has been without a crib to sleep in as you failed to deliver this necessary item. This is not an acceptable way to do business. I demand that I be contacted first thing tomorrow and time be provided, prior to noon, guaranteeing that my items will be delivered and so we can discuss a way to resolve this issue If you care to know the excruciating details of my ordeal, I have provided them below: I hired Empire Relocation on May 16,2012 for an interstate move for which I paid them $421 upfront fom a total charge of $1,685.13. The sales rep with whom I spoke with is named William. From the beginning, there were errors, unprofessionalism and incompetence. The first error occurred when the movers arrived 4 days before the earliest date they were supposed to arrive according to my conversation with William. William stated that the movers would call me 48h in advance of their arrival which never occurred. The mover, Charles, said he was never told when he was supposed to arrive and agreed to stay in the area for 48hrs to allow me to pack my items. Next, I called Empire several days before my arrival in Colorado to inform them that I may not be able to move in on the day that I had originally agreed upon. I spoke to Brittany, who works in the warehouse where my items were being stored, and told her about the situation. I explicitly stated that that there was a possibility that I would be able to move in on the original date as planned. When I arrived in Colorado, I called Empire Relocation, spoke to a sales rep named Brian and explained to him my move-in situation. He said they could deliver my items as late as 5-7pm and I should call them back once I confirmed that I could move in. I spoke to Brian several times throughout the day, and he stated it would be no problem. Once I confirmed the move-in, I called Empire, was transferred to the warehouse and left several messages that were never returned. I called the sales dept several times, but no one answered their phone. When someone finally did pick up, I was put on hold in excess of 10 mins so I hung up and called back. When I finally got a hold of a sales rep, I was told Brittany was in a meeting and would call me back later that day but she never did. I called the sales office again several times but no one picked up. When I finally was able to speak someone in the sales office, I asked to speak to William, the individual who took my order, and he said, ?What do you want me to do, sir?? No apology was given. told him, I wanted to have my items delivered as per what I was told earlier in the day by Brian. After leaving several more messages to Brittany, I finally got through to her, and she said that they could not ship my items that day. Confused, I explained that I was told it would be no problem. Rather than apologize, Brittany told me that the sales people don't handle shipping, and that I had agreed to ship my items at a later, which I did not. Apparently, Brian failed to speak to the warehouse. Subsequently, I found out that Brian is a lower level employee according to William, but he William acted as though it were my fault for trusting his employee, who represents his company, when he tells me something can done. I pleaded with Brittany to have my items shipped the next day since my baby's crib was in storage and I had work items that I needed to begin my new job, and she agreed. She said that the mover would call me in advance, but failed to give me an approximate time of when to expect him. I received a call from the mover, but missed the call since I was out with my wife buying essential items for the apartment that we didn?t have since our stuff was still in storage. I called the mover back immediately and he said he was at my apt with my items. I asked him if he could wait so I could return to let him in, but he said, ?I don?t want to inconvenience you. I?ll go back to the warehouse, and they can send someone out later. I?ll call you back when I find out the details.? The mover never called me back. I tried calling him back, left several messages, but he never returned them. I left several messages at Empire Relocation, and no one returned my messages. I called the warehouse the following day, and Brittany unapologetically said it was my fault for not being at my apartment and she spent $150 on the contract mover. Brittany said my items will be delivered "first thing" on June 2 days later. Reluctantly I agreed and OF COURSe, my things were not delivered. I called Empire on the day I was assured delivery, and experienced the same difficulties of not being able to get a hold Brittany and given the run around. I left her several messages for Brittany at the warehouse. I called the sales office again and they said Brittany would call me back. She never did. I called the sales office again after about 1 hour and asked to speak to the manager and suddenly Brittany was on the line. I asked her about her stating that my items would be shipped "first thing" this morning, and she said, "they will be shipped today". I asked her if i would recieve a from the driver and she said yes. At the time, I asked if I could speak to the owner or manager and Brittany said she is part owner so I could speak to her. I asked to speak with the other owner and Brittany said he wasn't available. I hung up and called the sales office, got the name of the owner, Jason Price and his email. I was placed on hold yet again for 10+ mins and just hung up and sent an email to the owner. About 2 hours later, I get a call from the regional warehouse manager, Michael, and he apologized. My first apology. He said they could not deliver my items today and because the warehouse was closed. I explained that I was told my items would arrive today and that I had just spoke to Brittany about it. I had also told him that I was supposed to get my items 4 days previously, and he said, "this is the first time you are speaking to me. I'm not about sour apples." At that point I was flabbergasted. He said the items will be shipped tomorrow, in the morning and I would get a call from the shippers. THe movers arrived and the dispatcher added an additional $400 local delivery fee that he said I agreed to. That was a complete lie. I called Empire's sales office, spoke to William, he told me not a "jerk", the gall of that guy, and pay the company what they want so i would get my stuff and then complain later.... I said I never agreed to pay the $400 and it was not in the contract I signed. William said it was a legal issue in Colorado. The movers subsequently left with my stuff claiming that they would lose their jobs if they didn't. William called me back and said he take $200 off the the new $400 charge and I said that was ludicrious, and that I never agreed to pay $400 and was never told of such a fee. He began threatening me about the delivery charges of taking my items back into storage etc... We hung up, he called back immediately and said the owner was so sorry and will waive the $400 charge and the movers would come back and deliver my items. I did finally get my items five days after the original delivery date. This company takes the word shady to a new extreme. GO WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN EMPIRE! YOU WERE WARNED!

It was a 10 out of 10 all across the board.

Overall the move was quick and organized,