citi line moving

Living in the city and having moved a few times, I wouldn't think that it were possible for a moving company that has been around for so long to pull a fast one on me. I really wish that I had read all of the negative reviews ahead of time because they all have a similiar pattern and horror story.

I booked this moving company over the phone. They called themselves CTL moving (Citilines is what the truck said). The man on the phone told me that the move was $50/hour, no minimum hours, PLUS one hour of travel time ($50) and NO HIDDEN FEES.

The movers were supposed to arrive between 9am and 10am. I received a call at 9:25am from the movers telling me that were on the way and they were running 20 minutes late.

2 guys finally showed up at 11am and we were on a strict deadline because we had to book the elevator in both buildings, and pay a security gaurd to watch the move (condo policy). Other people were moving after us so we HAD to be out in time.

I wasn't sure when the movers were going to show up so my boyfriend and I started loading up the elevator because we had a deadline.

The movers moved slower than mollasses and finally they had the truck loaded at 12:30pm. Before they left the old place they made us put a deposit down of $300 and said they would either subtract it from our balance or if the move was less they would refund the money. We agreed since we were in a hurry and we figured the move had taken 1 1/2 hours so far, another 1/2 hours for unloading makes 3 hours maybe 3 1/2 so we were looking at $50 * 3 hours = 150 + 1hr travel = $200 (AS WE WERE TOLD OVER THE PHONE)

We arrived at the new place (5 minute drive down the road)

When they arrived before taking anything out of the van the one mover wrote up a bill which is odd because how would they know the price if they had not finished moving?

The invoice read $500 and I was in utter shock.

The charges were: Minimum 6 hours, Extra $30 for moving a couch, $100 for travel time (for a 5 minute drive). As far as I know, a "heavy item" is classified as a sectional couch, a fridge/freezer, heavy cabinet etc., not a standard couch that most people own.

I immediately called the person I booked with as I was sure it was a mistake that would be taken care of. The person on the phone said, "you are arguing over $30?" I said No, try $250. They then said let me call the mover and I'll straighten out your bill. The mover was standing next to me and his phone rang. He said "uh huh" a bunch of times and then hung up and said there is nothing we can do that is your bill.

I tried calling back a few times and let it ring 100 times and no one would pick up (I assume they had call display)

My boyfriend went to withdraw money and I asked when they were going to start moving. They said not until we get the rest of our money.

With all of the stress of moving and elevator deadlines, we did not have any time to dispute this with the police or anything so we just paid them so that our possessions were not being held hostage anymore and came to terms with the fact that we had just gotten hosed.

The movers were very rough with my things as well as so far I've noticed 3 things that were broken.

I am going to write the Better Business Bureau and see what comes of it.
In hindsight, I wish I had thought to read reviews over the internet and then I would have realized that this company is a scam. From reading other reviews on here I am glad I was only taken for a couple hundred bucks, as many others were taken for MUCH MORE. I am sorry that you had to go through this as well.

The worst part is that I am normally really good at not getting hosed and am very cautious in any kind of purchase. The elements of my story that are very similiar to others include; arriving ridiculously late, a $300 deposit (isn't there enough collateral with all of our possessions at stake), moving slow, breaking things, and then charging DOUBLE of what the agreed price was while holding your things hostage.

PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF FROM BEING RIPPED OFF. When moving: GET A WRITTEN QUOTE, BE SURE TO ASK VERY DETAILED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONDTIONS AND PRICE, and STEER CLEAR OF THIS COMPANY.