Disaster experience with Classic Removals

<p> I would like to warn consumers against Classic Removals, a Durban-based moving company that operates in most big cities in South Africa. Please don’t be fooled by the “reasonable” quotes they provide. Once you have signed on the dotted line, you are likely to be committing yourself to a very stressful, costly and distressing experience.</p> <p> </p> <p>This is the story of my move from Cape Town to Durban recently.</p> <p> </p> <p>On 11 Nov 2015 I signed an agreement with Classic Removals to move my house content from Cape Town to Durban on the 14th, 15th or 16th of January 2016, and I paid the deposit.</p> <p> </p> <p>I believed everything was going to happen as planned as I had several telephonic conversations confirming this. </p> <p> </p> <p>On 11 Jan 2016 I received an email informing me that the move will occur the next day. The only alternative dates given by the company were the 21-23 of January. I pointed out that this was not the date that we contractually agreed upon and I explained that I was still working fulltime as a Doctor at the University of Cape Town till the 13th and had not finished packing. I further explained that, as I have a cat, it was very difficult to arrange accommodation for myself and my animal for the 2 extra nights. Furthermore it was impossible for me for the move to occur on Jan 21st-23rd as I would have left Cape Town by then. I was informed that there was nothing the company could do about it and that the truck HAD to leave that Tuesday. I had to pack for most of the night to get everything ready for the move on the 12th and had to take unexpected leave for that day. It was extremely difficult to get accommodation for my cat and myself for the extra 2 days, which I finally managed by staying *******ly in a friend’s “pets not welcome” rented flat.</p> <p> </p> <p>On the 12th my move was collected and during a conversation with the driver I was told that the truck was not leaving on the Tuesday (as I was told) as they had another move to pickup the next day. My move was then taken to storage in Durban where it remained until I moved into my permanent accommodation in Durban.</p> <p> </p> <p>The delivery of my furniture in Durban was arranged for 12 April between 1 and 3 pm. I sat in the empty apartment for this period but was told at 3 pm that they were running late and will only be there at 4.30 pm. At 4.30 pm I was told that the move will only be there after 8 pm or could alternatively be delivered the next day.</p> <p> </p> <p>When the move arrived on the 13th April the last thing that was taken off the truck and brought into my residence was my antique glass display cabinet, which was damaged- the one side-wall was completely smashed. I was told by the crew- who were the same people who collected my furniture in Cape Town- that the damage occurred during the removal of my furniture in Cape Town, but I was not informed of this at the time. I also noticed after the movers had left that a designer bedside lamp was delivered completely dismantled and without the electrical wiring- all that was delivered was the lampshade and the base. </p> <p> </p> <p>After repeated phone calls and emails complaining about the broken furniture, during which time I not once received an explanation as to why I was not informed of the breakage which occurred months before, the glass cabinet was collected for repair. The wiring of the lamp could not be located, but in several emails I was informed that replacing the lamp/wiring would be discussed with the manager. My attempts to speak to the manager personally were in vain- I was always told that he was elsewhere and that my message will be conveyed. When they collected the cabinet I also returned the lamp requesting that it should be repaired as well.</p> <p> </p> <p>The return of my furniture was confirmed for 20 May. I left work early to be at home on the agreed time (after 4 pm) but no one arrived and I was not called to say that the furniture would not be delivered.</p> <p> </p> <p>Again, attempting to contact the manager to find out what had happened resulted in no joy.</p> <p> </p> <p>When my furniture was finally brought back on 24th April, the lamp was in the same broken condition and the cabinet was only partially fixed- althouth the glass was replaced, only the outside wood paneling was repaired but those on the inside and no attempt was made to clean the glue off the cabinet which was used to attach wood inlets to the glass.</p> <p> </p> <p>Not once during this whole period did anyone apologized to me for the fact that 1) I was not informed of the damage to my cabinet and 2) that my lamp was dismantled without my permission and that half of it was lost by the company.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have since the return of the furniture requested the contact details of the owners/ board of directors of the company to discuss my dissatisfaction and to warn them that I will be reporting the incident to consumer watch groups, but my request has been met with silence. Again, I urge consumers not to use this company that has been a nightmare to deal with throughout my move.</p>