BEKINS VAN LINES

Upon delivery, we discovered that one very expensive piece of furniture, a solid cherry dresser, had been damaged.  There is a long, deep crack running down the side of the dresser, almost from top to bottom.  We filed a claim with Bekins on August 30, as we had paid for full replacement value insurance coverage on the shipment.  On October 18, they sent an independent contractor to inspect the piece of furniture and assess the damage.  He told my husband and I that the furniture  could be repaired by sealing the crack.  He was going to submit his report to Bekins and said we should hear back from them in a week.  Bekins, however, did not contact us until November 21.  They had determined that the crack was 'climatic' (by this they meant caused by the change in climate, apparently between AZ and MA).  Because of this, they feel they are not responsible and won't pay for the repair.  We checked back with the independent contractor who inspected the dresser, and he was shocked and surprised at their conclusion; in fact, he had concluded the damage was caused by the movers and would cost $1,395 to repair, and he also told them we should be reimbursed for "loss of value" since we will never be able to resell the furniture for what it would be worth if it was undamaged.  So, basically, we have caught Bekins in a lie - all to save themselves money.  Miraculously, none of our other pieces of solid cherry furniture suffered 'climate' damage during the move.

I strongly recommend avoiding Bekins Van Lines.

Terrible. Van arrived a week late (we did receive promised compensation). Driver got stuck in driveway could not back truck up to house; goods had to be carried 100 feet. Goods had been moved from original van for the cross country run to another van. Most furniture was missing cover pads and items were piled directly on top of each other with no protection. Numerous foot prints on top of furniture. Lots of damage, nearly $8,000 on a very conservative estimate. Several items and several boxes were just entirely missing. Some damaged items were totally smashed to smithereens. Bekins only compensated for 1/2 of damages. Local rep, McKees, was of no help in appealing decision. It also took seven months to settle.

DO NOT USE THEM!