SIMONIK MOVING & STORAGE CO

The crew was very careful, very punctual and pleasant. BUT the estimate given by John did not cover all the packing materials we would need. On moving day, they had to deliver and charge for additional moving and packing materials causing added stress and several hundred dollars of unexpected charges. . When the furniture arrived in Boston, even though the crew had been warned that some furniture would have to be lifted in through a first floor window which had been removed - somehow there was an additional fee of 100 that had to be paid in cash. We ended up paying several hundred dollars more than the estimate. We were able to manage but I think that these situations add to your stress on a very stressful day.

Prior to move their low key salesman was friendly and helpful in supplying moving boxes and wardrobes. We went through the paperwork quickly as it seemed very routine. There is a section asking if you want additional insurance beyond basic coverage. He didn't encourage nor discourage it and didn't really explain the need either. The estimate was for 10 hours which should have been more than enough time as practically everything was boxed and ready to go. A few things needed to be packed by them. On moving day the crew of 5 arrived on time and got right to work. Two of the men seemed to be very inexperienced. Not 10 minutes after they began a mover dropped the globe of an antique lamp shattering it. The crew chief said to leave it in an open box so their claims department can examine it. Loading the truck was going smoothly and quickly until we noticed a lull of about 25 minutes. It seems they were having some sort of problem moving my armoire from the bedroom. I don't know what the problem was or why it took 4 men to figure it out. It took about 3.5 hours to load the truck and hit the road. Not bad. About an hour later they arrived and brought in a few pieces. I brought them a pizza and they wanted to eat it in the truck. I didn't realize they get (or take) a half hour break. Unpacking took much longer than packing for some reason. A mover was taking an extremely long time assembling my China closet which entailed putting 4 nuts on bolts. He was trying to do it with a needle nose pliers. I gave him a wrench and the job was completed in a few minutes. Later I found him in the garage trying to put the doors on a refrigerator with the same needle nose pliers. Not having proper tools is a major time waster and could cause damage to the furniture. After the sun went down it became very dark and they had no lights or flashlights. Fortunately I had floodlights for them to use. My thanks was being charged and additional half hour overtime. It would have been unnecessary if they had proper equipment. My biggest issue is with the broken lamp. The previously friendly salesman now became dismissive, said it would be referred to the claims department and we would hear from them in a few days. His response to my question on how it would be handled was "You have basic coverage and would be paid $6.60 per pound." That means for my thousand dollar lamp they broke I would be paid about $40. I asked about their responsibility, he got defensive and nasty saying that is all they are required to offer and I could've bought more insurance if I wanted. So they feel they can break anything and have virtually no responsibility. It is their attitude more than anything that rankles me. Their claims department never called. Since I had not moved in 25 years perhaps I should have asked more questions or researched more. But if I do move again, it will not be with them.

Upon reaching my new property, they realized my driveway was long. They tried to charge me an additional three thousand dollars to move my things up my driveway. Then they tried to hold my furniture hostage. I called the police and an attorney. I paid them the $4000 but I did not pay them the additional $3000 they were asking for. It is all done with now but I would never use them again after that experience. I would just not recommend them to others either. I did not walk away feeling too impressed with them.