Binding vs. Non-Binding

[flyingdog]

We recently moved in and our movers way underestimated time/materials for the move. Shocking, right? My understanding is that if it is a non-binding estimate then they can't go over by more than 10%. How would I know if the estimate was binding or non-binding? I looked online, but stil am not clear on which one we received. There was an estimated weight on the estimate, but they never did weigh; the estimate was on time and materials. Thanks for any help!

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Is this a military move?
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[flyingdog]

Nope. Working at NAS for NavMar...

 

[toogie]

We recently moved in and our movers way underestimated time/materials for the move. Shocking, right? My understanding is that if it is a non-binding estimate then they can't go over by more than 10%. How would I know if the estimate was binding or non-binding? I looked online, but stil am not clear on which one we received. There was an estimated weight on the estimate, but they never did weigh; the estimate was on time and materials. Thanks for any help!

Didn't this moving company give you some sort of terms and conditions or an agreement you had to sign in order to contract them for the move?

 

[flyingdog]

Didn't this moving company give you some sort of terms and conditions or an agreement you had to sign in order to contract them for the move?

Yes, an 'estimate' that is strictly an estimate. So they went way over their estimate (it took 18 hours instead of 10 for 5 guys, it took 3x the amount of packing supplies (which they way overcharge for anyhow). They were one of the few companies that came to the house and we showed them everything, which is why we went with them. We walked through every room and said 'everything goes', including attic, shed.

 

[toogie]

Yes, an 'estimate' that is strictly an estimate. So they went way over their estimate (it took 18 hours instead of 10 for 5 guys, it took 3x the amount of packing supplies (which they way overcharge for anyhow). They were one of the few companies that came to the house and we showed them everything, which is why we went with them. We walked through every room and said 'everything goes', including attic, shed.

That was it? if you dont mind me asking, who was the Company?

 

[flyingdog]

That was it? if you dont mind me asking, who was the Company?

That was it? Meaning...? Instead of $2300 it was $4250.

Royal Moving out of Silver Springs.

 

[toogie]

That was it? Meaning...? Instead of $2300 it was $4250.

Royal Moving out of Silver Springs.

Meaning all they gave you was an estimate. did you sign anything authorizing them to do the move? a contract of some sort?

 

[flyingdog]

Meaning all they gave you was an estimate. did you sign anything authorizing them to do the move? a contract of some sort?

It was an electronic Moving Quote that we agreed to.

 

[toogie]

It was an electronic Moving Quote that we agreed to.

without seeing the document, my only advice would be to call their customer servive department and ask for an explanation. If you arent satisfied with the answer you get, you will probably want to consult an attorney. You probably figured that out on your own, so I dont know how much help that was...

 

[krazd_kat]

Check the better business bureau and see if they have anything on them. If they don't call customer service and see what happens, then tell them that you will report them to the BBB (as a start anyway).

 

[BadGirl]

It would also make sense to contact the base housing office to let them know of the unscrupulous behavior of this moving company so that the military can take this business off of their listing of recommended movers.

You want, obviously, to not have to pay this additional amount. But if you can help to prevent this company from getting additional business from government moves, all the better.

 

[flyingdog]

Thank you everyone for your advice; our plan has always been to write a letter to the company and let them know what occured to see their response and go from there (BBB, small claims, etc.). The reason for my intial question of what the difference was between binding and non-binding estimate is we want to know what to dispute. We can't dispute that it took 18 hours because it did; but we can dispute that the estimate was low-balled to get the business and argue that we should only pay 110% of the estimate. I would like to know more about binding and non-binding before doing so.

 

[flyingdog]

It would also make sense to contact the base housing office to let them know of the unscrupulous behavior of this moving company so that the military can take this business off of their listing of recommended movers.

You want, obviously, to not have to pay this additional amount. But if you can help to prevent this company from getting additional business from government moves, all the better.

We did not get this moving company from the base office; this was not a government move. We can certainly contact them when all is said and done, if we do indeed find them wrong.

It is not about the $ for us; the relocation was paid for (just not by the government); we are just looking out for the next person.

 

[toogie]

Thank you everyone for your advice; our plan has always been to write a letter to the company and let them know what occured to see their response and go from there (BBB, small claims, etc.). The reason for my intial question of what the difference was between binding and non-binding estimate is we want to know what to dispute. We can't dispute that it took 18 hours because it did; but we can dispute that the estimate was low-balled to get the business and argue that we should only pay 110% of the estimate. I would like to know more about binding and non-binding before doing so.

That would be why you need to call an attorney.. "If you have a phone, you have a lawyer..."

 

[BadGirl]

We did not get this moving company from the base office; this was not a government move. We can certainly contact them when all is said and done, if we do indeed find them wrong.

It is not about the $ for us; the relocation was paid for (just not by the government); we are just looking out for the next person.

I'm sorry, I just assumed that this was a military move. I'm a doofus for assuming.

Good luck to you, though!

 

[flyingdog]

That would be why you need to call an attorney.. "If you have a phone, you have a lawyer..."

Is this quote from a TV ad? or maybe a bulletin from the department of the obvious; thanks for the friendly advice. I think we'll keep it in house for now, we got scammed by a moving company and don't desire to have to chance the same from a lawyer.