When I booked a time and date for my move in March, 2008, the people from Atlas Moving & Storage seemed very friendly. The movers that arrived on the morning of my move also seemed very friendly - one younger person, probably in his late 30s and one older man, who seemed to be in his late 60s. I wasn't sure how he'd do, but they appear to have managed moving everything.
When I was asked to sign paperwork before they started loading the truck, the younger mover (Mover 1) asked me to sign an additional insurance waiver. I asked him what that was for, and he said I did not need additional insurance because I was FULLY COVERED already under their general insurance policy. He did not have a copy of the insurance policy on him for me to review it, so I accepted this representation and signed the waiver for additional insurance.
When Mover 1 was placing my bedroom dresser down onto the floor and pushing it against the wall in my new loft in Liberty Village, he did not use any type of mat or protector, and put a 2 foot long deep scratch in my new hardwood floor. When I pointed it out to him immediately, he acknowledged the scratch, apologized and said all I needed to do was to contact the company and they would arrange for someone to fix the floor. Second misrepresentation. After I paid him and he was leaving, he again apologized for the scratch he put on the bedroom floor.
When I contacted Atlas on Monday after I moved, they immediately said that I was only covered up to $20 per item damaged under the regular insurance policy, because I had waived additional insurance coverage. I specifically told them I'd only signed the additional insurance waiver because of the misrepresentation made by Mover 1. The company took no responsibility and said it was not their problem.
After incessant telephone calls and a couple of emails from me, a man whom I believe is the owner of Atlas went to my loft to look at the scratch on the bedroom floor himself, notwithstanding that I had already sent them a few pictures of the 2 foot long gauge. After his visit, he claimed that it was MY responsibility to ensure there were no nails or obstructions etc. on the furniture and that because there was a sharp edge of some sort on the bottom of the dresser, that was the cause of the scratch and they were not responsible. Don't movers always have insurance for these types of problems?? And don't they always have to use mats or protectors when they place furniture down to ensure no damage is done?? Clearly this company does not ascribe to what normal residential movers should do! And their customer service is atrocious. I highly recommend that you DO NOT use this moving company! Their rates are similar to others, where I'm sure you will get better service, particularly if there is a problem.
