Tri-State Flat Rate Movers

TERRIBLE, EXTREMELY (UNECESSARILY) STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE due almost solely to the complete lack of professionalism, courtesy, people-and-problem-resolution skills by the head of the local branch of Tri-State One Rate Movers, VINCE. I actually had to resort to calling the police in the middle of this ordeal, seeing no other way to deal with him or the damages and danger to my and my roommate's possessions. As a first-time user of a moving company, I made some apparently common rookie mistakes that have cost me very dearly. Please learn from mine to avoid this awful experience. Some tips ands suggestions: (1) Inventory / Contract: I have since found out that real professional movers, unlike Tri-State One Rate Movers, should conduct an in-house inventory in advance of the move. In that way, there are no surprises to either party. A lot of unethical mover companies, like Tri-State One Movers, will simply take a list over the phone or e-mail. If the customer is one box over, then the customer is in ?breach of the contract? and the fees start to add up. In my naiveté, I simply e-mailed a list over to them a few weeks before the move. Unfortunately, my list quickly became woefully inaccurate over time. (My fault. I will admit.) Vince became very agitated and demanded more money IN CASH (an additional $575) in order to complete the move. He refused to even accept a money order or certified check. Demanded cold hard cash "since I stabbed in the back once and would do it to him again." His ability to work out the situation in a polite and professional matter was non-existent. His overreaction was completely unnecessary since there was a clause in the contract stating a fee per box over the stated limit. His overreaction, drama and refusal to approach the situation with calmness or sense of resolution caused a lot of unnecessary stress. (2) Have a back up plan: From the moment I met Vince, he was extremely rude and unprofessional. My first impression: I politely asked him to request for the two movers not to smoke in the moving van. Vince's reply: "What!? In the 22 years I have been in this business, I have never heard anyone ask that. EVER!" And it went downhill from that moment on. (BTW. Vince allowed his movers to continue to smoke in the van but used air fresher to hide the smell. I kid you not.) In retrospect, I really should have had a back up plan since I needed to be out of the apartment on that day. I had no choice but to tolerate Vince's bullying. (3) Photos: Do take photos of all your possessions. During the move, the leg of my sofa got busted. At this point, I was so exhausted and felt so threatened, I decided not to complain. However, the two movers did notify Vince who was unloading the van downstairs. Vince had a major fit, called me a liar and told me that the sofa was already broken before the move! He then produced a tiny piece of cling-wrap and informed me that the cling-wrap had held the leg together before the move. I responded that regardless of the cling-wrap, I now couldn't sit on the aforementioned sofa as a result of the move. Vince literally cursed me out and threatened not to deliver my roommate's possessions. (They were making two stops.) That's when I called the police. (Vince did eventually deliver those items but several of those also sustained substantial damage.) (4) Payment: Real professional movers, unlike Tri-State One Movers, will agree to take your payment / tips after the customer is all moved in and satisfied. That is what Vince and I agreed upon on the phone. Unfortunately, since I was in "breach of the contract", he demanded all the money plus the extra $575 AND a 15% TIP up front. I had no choice since he literally had all my possessions and my roommate's held captive. A terrible and traumatic experience.