**BUYER BEWARE!!**
AB Moving was hired to handle a small residential move. Upon their arrival to my home this morning, I asked if they offered insurance. The one mover that spoke English called the office and I was informed that they did and it would be an additional $75. I agreed to the amount and requested any paperwork outlining what was covered and I was informed they didn't have anything on hand. I have purchased insurance before from other moving companies and I typically receive info on a customer's rights - this was not made available to me on this move.
One of the movers walked up to a large art sculpture I have and pulled it away from the wall from it's upper left corner. I immediately asked him to please not touch that piece in front of the other two movers. As he spoke very little English, I have no idea if he understood me but I assumed he did as he backed away from the piece.
After almost completing the move, I had a business call come in on my cell and during the call I heard a splintering sound behind me -- they had tried to pick up the sculpture and broke the upper left corner in the same area where it had been pulled away from the wall by the mover. I was horrified.
After requests to not touch that piece, they handled it anyway and broke it. It's valued at $12,000 minimum as seen on the artist's site at: http://www.possobonsculptures.com/gal_fw011_search4tomorrow.html
Working with the 3 of them, we gingerly got the piece lying on it's back in the middle of the living room carpet. Upon completing the move, I contacted the specialty art installer and informed them of the situation. They have declined to move the piece since it has now been damaged. I've contacted the artist who informed me that this piece, IF it can even be repaired will now no longer be an original as it's been damaged and has lost it's value. AB Moving company requested that I send the details to the owner via email (abmoving@msn.com). I complied and explained what happened and received a brief email reply saying their insurance limit was $0.60 a pound.
I then phoned them and the owner, Kenny Baker answered and he said that his company does NOT provide insurance and he has no idea who his movers called to say I would be covered for $75. When I asked him about his email reply regarding the coverage by pound, he started talking in circles.
He also said he doesn't take responsibility for his employees / independent contractors / subcontractors that represent his company. They are unwilling to assist me in finding a professional art mover to transport this piece before Sunday, 1 July 07; they are unwilling to crate and ship the piece back to the artist for possible repair (even though with the repair it has now lost it's value).
They, and their representatives, sold me moving insurance but then reneged on saying it was available once the damage occurred. They demanded to be paid in cash. They are unwilling to provide any assistance to alleviate this situation.
**BUYER BEWARE!!**
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