Pacific Van Lines Moving – (Editors Note:Also Known As Desi Movers Inc., Dynamic Movers, Dynamite Movers, Comfortable Movers Etc., Etc.)
After seeing an advertisement in the Toronto Star, on Friday, July 3, 2009, I, Lenea Grace, telephoned Pacific Van Lines Moving at (416) 999-6577 and spoke to a man on the phone about a moving quote. I explained that I needed movers for 2 pm on Sunday, July 5 and that I would be moving from a 1-bedroom apartment to a 3rd floor bachelor apartment approximately 3 km away from the original apartment. The man quoted me at $40/hour plus a one-time fee of $40 for their travel time. This would include all moving expenses and the labour of two moving men. He also said it would take 2-3 hours maximum. So, he had given me a maximum quote of $160 plus tax. I asked if there would be a deposit and he said no. I wrote all of this down.
On Sunday, July 5, 2009, two movers from Pacific Van Lines Moving named Joseph and Michael showed up in a beat-up van with no logo on the sides. They asked for a $350 deposit in cash before they would begin to work. I also signed a contract at this time and learned there would be more fees than the original quote had stated: a minimum of 4 hours labour (totaling $160) and a stairs charge of $20 per mover per flight per location (totaling $80). None of the other extra charges applied to me. At that time, my quote was raised to $280 plus tax.
The movers were slow and took about 1.5 hours of smoking breaks in total. They scratched my walls and my furniture, often ripping large chunks of paint of both walls and furniture.
Before we drove to the new location, the movers presented me with a bill for $747.50. I was shocked and asked about all the charges on the bill:
Labour: $240 (Charged for 4 hours of labour PLUS two hours of travel time)
Travelling cost: $40
Stair charge: $160 (Overcharged by $80)
Heavy item: $80 (There were no items over 50 kg as stated in the contract)
Kilometers: $30
Misc: $100 (They claimed this was for the “long walk” from my apt to the parking lot. My apt is in front of the elevator which lands in the front foyer which opens directly in front of the parking lot. In total, it is about a 5-meter walk).
They told me to phone their boss at 416-999-6577 and so I did. I calmly expressed my concern at the outrageous charges that did not match my quote or the contract. The man on the phone told me he was the manager but when I asked him to correct and remove some of the charges he informed me that “it is Sunday and I can’t do anything about it. Take it to court”. I asked for his name and he hung up on me.
At that time all of my belongings were in the van. I had no other way of moving my things, so I told them I was paying under protest and paid the remaining balance. I gave them $400 and the moving men did not have the $2.50 change to give me.
When we got to my new apartment at 448 Shaw Street, the movers told me that there would be ANOTHER $120 charge to move my belongings up the stairs. I refused to pay. Then they unloaded all of my things onto the sidewalk. I asked them why they were refusing to do their job that I had already paid them to do. They told me “their boss wouldn’t let them”. Then Michael looked at me and said, “Bitch I’m from the ghetto. I don’t give a shit”. Then they drove off, leaving me with all of my things on the sidewalk.
This is ridiculous. The service was sub-par, rude, and wrecked most of my furniture. It was truly daylight robbery.
When I researched this “business” on the Internet after this horrible incident, I learned that this company is licensed under the business number 1715130 Ontario Inc. and has gone under many names, like Desi Movers or Dynamic Movers in addition to Pacific Van Lines Moving. There was an article in the Toronto Star on August 15, 2008 about the same company scamming people, and yet, the very same company advertised in the Star just two weeks ago. I will be contacting the Toronto Star as soon as possible.
I would like to be reimbursed for all charges, as this was a complete waste of my money and time, as well as proven false advertising and a breach against the Consumer Protection Act.
