Anonymous
map-marker Santa Ana, California

21st Century Moving And Storage Moving Service Review from Santa Ana, California

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In summary, I needed to move my Dad's things (who had passed away) into another storage facility. I called Robert (21st Century) to arrange for this. I just received an email confirming that my move was scheduled @$73.00/hr, cash only (they take credit cards but at $84.00/hr. The movers arrived at the facility and packed up the items to be moved. Upon our arrival at the new facility, the movers were starting to unload and one mover said that he needed me to complete some paperwork and pay 50%, and the balance when the move was complete. The movers had me sign several documents, but the ONLY DOCUMENTS I was given copies of were 2 yellow pages, containing some basic information and descriptions. I told the mover him that I didn’t have cash, so he got on the phone with Robert to tell him, then handed me the phone to talk to him. His tone with me on the phone was escalating. I told him the same thing that I didn’t have cash, but provided him with my debit card #. I was told that I would be charged the higher rate because I was using a credit card, which I said was fine because I did not have cash. Because the situation was not pleasant and Robert seemed to get increasingly angry on the phone, which made me feel threatened and panicked, I forgot to tell him that since the card I gave him was a debit card, it needed to be run in 2 separate increments; because of the amount of the transaction, it would not go through in just 1 transaction. I then hung up with him He called back and sounded even angrier telling me that the card declined 3 times. I tried to explain to him that the card needed to be run in 2 increments because of the large amount. His only comment was "why didn’t you tell me that before!" and then continued to repeat that it was declined 3 times. I continued to try and explain to him why and requested that he run it in 2 increments. He refused telling me that he was going to take my items and "store" them. I told him that I would give him a regular Visa, but he continued to repeat that "card declined 3 times". I kept telling him that the other card was a debit card, but the one I was going to give him was a regular Visa and not a debit card. However he continue to ignore what I was saying and in an angry tone, just repeated that the "card declined 3 times". He also told me that "I was playing games"! I basically begged him to take my other Visa credit card, but he refused and told me that they were going to take my items and that it was going to be $250 a day to store my dad's things on the truck! Also, since they were not going to be available the next several days, I would end up paying for days they were not there/available and busy with other moves. So even though I had no choice and I wouldn’t be able to get my items that day, I would still have to pay the $250/day to store my items on his truck. NO WHERE IN THE ONLY PAPERWORK I WAS GIVEN TO THIS POINT( the 2 yellow pages) DID IT SAY THAT ITEMS WOULD BE STORED ON THEIR TRUCK AT $250/day!! To the contrary, on 1 of the yellow documents I was given, it stated that for incomplete payment, the items would be taken and PLACED INTO STORAGE AT $20/DAY!!!. With that the phone was handed back to the mover and unbeknownst to me, he was telling the mover to pack up and leave (I found out later that apparently he told the mover that it was New Year's eve and that he wanted to get out of there). I believe that this was a set up to get more money from me. I called him and left him a message the very next day to make arrangements to get my items. However he did not return my call until the following day. The night of the move he had quoted me $914 for 10 hours TOTAL, INCLUDING EVERYTHING. However, when he was telling me what he was charging me for when he called back, somehow that 10 hours he quoted me, turned into a charge for 13 hours. I was also told that (even though he was not available for me to get my things back) he was charging me for 2 nights storage @$250/day AND 13 hours AND re delivery!! So because he refused run my debit card in 2 transactions, or to take my Visa card, he charged me a total of $1504, instead of $914. It would seem in my opinion, that due to the fact this was an already a very emotional situation because the items I needed moved were my Dads, Robert could have done the decent thing and charged my card(s) and not have taken my items against my will. But it appears to me that losing the additional $560 he made off me by doing so, was not worth it I would like to add that since it was just my niece and i doing this move with no males around, it s my opinion that we were easier marks for this. Subsequent to this happening to me, I did some on line research and found that according to The National Association of realtors, that situations like mine are apparently "a scam that's more common than many realize" with movers. So much so that President Obama enacted a law to protect consumers from practices like holding owners items hostage…. http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2012/09/04/movers-hold-home-owners-items-hostage
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
1 comment
Guest

Dyanna Janine Peters,

We arrived at you storage unit at 12 noon on December 30, 2016. We waited for you until you decided to show up at 1:30 pm.

We loaded your items and tried to deliver them to your new storage in Irvine. Upon arrival in Irvine you called our driver to inform him that according to your gps on your phone it sent you the wrong way on the freeway towards Las Vegas. (Really!!!) Again they waited for you this time for 45 minutes. When you arrived the driver tried to settle the bill with you but you said you had no money to pay them as well as you did not have your wallet with you.

You knew the move was a cash rate and yet you didn't have any money, not even a partial amount due. When this happens it's hard to fathom someone did not do this intentionally. It clearly stated on our email confirmations to you as well as three inch letters on the CONTRACT you has signed that this is a cash only rate. Because our crew was constantly waiting for you they just wanted to unload and go home.

So I authorized you to use a credit card out of convenience to you so we can complete the move. You did not have the credit card with you and you gave us the numbers of the card to run. The credit card was declined and automatically a California State warehouseman's Lien is placed on your items for non payment. This law was made to protect companies who are being taken advantage of.

Our only option was to take your items back to our warehouse until delivery could be made. How selfish of you to avoid paying for a service we provided and let our employees wait for you every step of your move, and how selfish of you to force us to leave items on our truck inconveniencing the customers we had to move the following two days with that truck. I provided you with two free night's storage on our truck and I was in no way hostile to you over the phone. I treated you with the utmost professionalism given the circumstances.

Now you have crossed the line with posting false stories on the internet and you are smearing our company's name through defamation. Now is a good time to stop!!!

Anonymous
map-marker Huntington Beach, California

View from the inside

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I used to work for Robert Presti. Oh what memories! A mover's life is hard. Often we had no work and endured a life of hardship. We worked like slaves, for slave wages. That's the norm in the business. He's a pretty square dealing guy. He has a soft side, but you won't see it very often. Rob had a rather short temper back in the days when I worked for him. One time I was in the field and had a dispute with a customer who decided he didn't want to pay for our services after we finished the job. I explained the charges to the customer up front and we did a good job for him. I made a mistake by not collecting the amount due before the job was finished. The customer told us that he was going to go see Rob. We started laughing and told him...."Ya...Do it!" He said ..."Why are you laughing?" Rob used to let me hang out at his warehouse on the days there was no work. I was broke and homeless. One time Rob brought me a blanket when I was laying on a sofa in his warehouse. Sometimes the phone would ring when I was waiting there and I got work that day. I had some bad experiences with him, but he and I always laughed about it afterwards. The most important people you'll deal with when hiring a moving company is the movers themselves, not the companies owner. I worked with some excellent people at 21st century, and few that I didn't like. My buddy and I got a lot of repeat business. Customers asked for us by name. They fed us and gave us good tips. I worked for other moving companies too. I did better working for Rob. I like Rob. If you like the mover's work, please be generous to them and treat them well. I was lucky in 2008. I got my old job back and moved up. I had over 30 years experience as a thermal processer before I ever worked as a mover. I have a good home and a new car now. I make good money and I don't have to break my back for slave wages any more, but I will always have good memories of my time working for Rob. Hey Rob!!..........Miss you pal!!
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Reason of review:
Fun times
Anonymous
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Rip Off Moving Service Review

Rob is it crook! Do not use this moving company! They will mislead you and RIP you off.. words of advice
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Anonymous
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Rob the owner of 21st century van lines blatintly missled and charged 100.00 .

My name is christopher l Watkins on monday april 11th 2011 went to 21st century vanlines 2nd of 3 storage vaults, With matt tayler and myself and 2 trucks.It was shortly befor closeing time when we packed both trucks to capasity. There was know room for a small couch single mattress.Befor leaving 21st century van lines property at 11633 Martens river circle in fountain valley California zip code 92708 I spoke with Rob the owner of the company in front of my helpers Matt and tayler and exsplained that i may not be able to get back that night to pick up the remaining small couch and single mattress and box springs that were all in very good condition. Rob then said to us just try your best to make it back ,I then said of course i will ,but if i can not return you may keep ,sell,give away, or dispose of these few items. Rob then said again just try to make it back ,And during this whole conversation neglected to inform us that i would be charged 100.00 dollars if i could not make it back that evening. The following day my sister Wyn Dee stone received a e-mail from rob stating a extra charge will be accessed of 100.00 dollars for leaving these 3 items.This is dishonest ,deceitful,And totally unacceptable .If rob owns up to this mistake or misunderstanding and sends my sister Wyn Dee stone a new e-mail removing the 100.00 dollar charge i will gladly write a new and positive review that rob honerd this unfortunate misunderstanding. Sincerly Christopher l Watkins
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Loss:
$100
3 comments
Guest

We were advised by our customer that her brother Christopher Watkins had a substance abuse problem and not to trust him when he picked up some furniture at our warehouse. Of course he left items in front of our warehouse and decided not to pick them up.

Our customer was charged a disposal fee not christopher Watkins. Unfortunately again innocent people are blamed for the misfortunes or should I say the choices Christopher Watkins has made in his life.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-374795

*** you you robed me

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-666268

Your Momma! :cry

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Colette Xne
map-marker San Diego, California

21st Century Moving and Storage

We had a dispute with this company. We contacted the proper authorities and the dispute was resolved in a matter of a few months. Since then we have had no issues with this company. The dispute was settled to our satisfaction. And, while this site requires we use 100 words to complete our comment, I have nothing further to say. Unfortunately, I will have to continue to type unil I hit 100 words or I will not be able to post the outcome of this particular incident. I am getting close to 100 words which will allow me to stop typing and close out my commentary. Thank you.
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Kenneth Imz

Moving and Storage

We used 21st Century Moving and Storage. The owner of the company, Mr. Robert Presti, underestimated the number of vaults he would need and then charged us for storage in excess of the Not to Exceed Contract we had entered into. In addition, we gave 30 days notice for the date of our pick up and move out of our interim apartment and, for our belongings to be moved into our new home. Even with 30 days notice he insisted he could not accommodate us. Because the lease has run out on our interim apt. we now have to hire a second mover to move us out of our apt and we have to wait 5 additional days beyond closing to recieve our belongings.
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2 comments
Guest

Kenneth Lotano was given a complete refund on the overage amount he paid. Unfortunately when a customer fails to let the moving company know of another pickup from storage, we get the blame for doing the estimate wrong.

Guest

i am writing from cbs 3 tv in philadelphia, looking for people who have been scammed by movers and storage owners.please contact me215-977-****jsill@***.com

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Colette Xne

21st. Century Moving and Storage

First, I would like to commend the packers and movers of 21st Century Moving and Storage. The men were quick and overly efficient, occassionally packing items that were marked Do Not Pack. However, they were more than willing to retrieve those items if requested to do so. On a more personal note, the men were a pleasure to have in my home. However, after having had specific conversations with the owner regarding the cost of storage over the entire period for which our belongings would be in their care and, after having entered into a "Not to Exceed" contract for the number of vaults and the cost of the vaults, we were very unpleasantly surprised to find out that we were being charged an additional $100.00 per month for storage. The owner had underestimated the number of vaults needed to store our belongings. The under-estimation was approximately 33% off the mark which, we belive, to be a significant error. In confronting him about this error he attemtped to justify himself by informing me that the "Not to Exceed" contract only covered the first month of storage and thereafter the cost of storage was not covered in the contract. It is not rational to expect people to see a storage cost in a contract and interpret that to mean only the cost of the first month of storage. Particulary, when we asked this specific question of him during the course of negotiations. If you are dealing with this company, which I do not recommend you do, beware.
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2 comments
Guest

This was resolved to our satisfaction.

Guest

This was resolved to our satisfaction.

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Anonymous

21st Century Moving and Storage

We hired 21st Century Moving and Storage for a large move. We entered into a not to exceed contract for the moving and the storage. The agent, Mr. Robert Presti, underestimated the number of vaults we would need and then, after our possessions were in storage, he charged us an additional $100.00 per month. When it came time for us to request our belongings, we did so giving 30 days notice for the date we needed for a pick up at our interim apartment and delivery of the goods in storage to our new home. Despite having given 30 days notice we were informed that he could not accommodate us. We now have to hire and pay for a second mover. We will not have our belongs for an additianal 5 days after closing on our new home.
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2 comments
Guest

Marymichelle Lotano was given a complete refund on the overage amount she paid. This was an unfortunate incident and we have changed our policy. We do not issue Not To Exceed estimates due to the high incident of being mislead by customers.

Guest

This was resolved to our satisfaction

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