I didn't expect to be curled in a fetal position on my granddaughter's bed this morning ... this was to be the morning of new beginnings, early-morning coffee and maybe even the dreaded cinnamon bun with Jenn and David at the local coffee shop. Not.
My son couldn't be here but had some trepidations about "movers and scams". He was following a reliable gut instinct. I kind of pooh poohed his concerns but then encountered his worst fears - a shady company and a con game.
My trusting nature and lack of time to do the proper research for the moving company that was to handle all my modest earthly belongings did me in. They came, they saw, I was taken. Have you ever heard of waiting on an outside porch from 9:30pm until almost 4:00am for the movers to show up with their truck? It's hard to even write it about it yet. Jenn has and David, bless him, is a mensch. In my mind, he's Han Solo in Birkenstocks. The man is a dragonslayer.
I'm here, sleepless in Massachusetts (except for this morning's brief nap at 7am) and I just looked in the mirror to confirm that I'm still here and tried a smile ... a genuine "God it's great to be alive" smile just to erase the Bosch smiley scream that was forming during the wee hours of the morning. It was easier to smile with the sun shining and two little imps running around in princess dresses. Yes, that's the real world. Let them be innocent and naive for a bit longer. When it's time for them to know about the schemers and the liars, I'll be glad to teach them the lesson I learned last night.
Oh, Jenn was right too. I managed to lose my checkbook on the trip up.
37 comments:
Evil people. Really. So sorry. Like moving and packing and unpacking isn't stressful enough?? When your head stops swimming, make sure you report them to the Better Business Bureau. Tainting their "reputation" is one of the few things you can do outside of court. And I love the image of David as Han Solo. May the force be with you... Peace.
Oh crap! We're going to give you a call this morning. Ben is so proud of David--he said it's just what a superhero would do (I gave him a clean version of the events).
xoxokatieface
I am so so so so sorry. It just is not fair. I have to believe that people such as that have no idea the lasting impact their nastiness has on the lives of others. Without my own naivety on such matters, it would be excessively hard to get out of the fetal position each morning.
You WILL have many beautiful mornings with cinamon buns and Jenn... That I am sure of. Having lost my mother when I was 17, I found myself extremely jealous of the idea of you living just around the corner from her. What I would not give for my mother to see my children... and for them to know her.
I hope the sun shines a little brighter tomorrow.
Keri from Grinnell
Oh, dear. (I'm a lurker here, but this was enough to make me come out.) I have been in that same position. It is truly awful. Then eventually your stuff shows up...(it's been 6 years and still upsetting to think about). Thinking of you and hoping your earthly belongings arrive soon!
Well Damn. Whatta way to start things off. Can only get better from here. Chin up!!!
cyber ((((( hugs )))))
I hear this story just too often. I hope that all ends well and this is soon a distant memory.
Alicia in WA
So who are these horrible moving people? I think reporting them to the Better Business Bureau is a great idea. Maybe your readers have other suggestions regarding how to get the word out there that those people are creeps?
Anyway, I'm glad you're nestled safely in the Berkshires, despite the rough start. :-)
My heart goes out. There are no words. The f'ing bastards.
horrid horrid people. lets hope karma bites them BIG TIME in the ass.
Do report them to the BBB. Did you have a contract? maybe you could get some money back do you know a lawyer who could call and make legal noises?
oh well, i had a horrible move last august the day of katrina - its still a horrid memory cause my sister's house was being flooded in new orleans while i was battling with the movers... a year later and we have all moved on and semiforgotten.
however, i know how horrid it was for me and can extend much sympathy.
hug those lovely girls and let them help you forget the horrid people of this world - they are lucky to have you so close by!
im so sorry mater...hopefully things will be looking up soon :)
Hugs Dear. I'm so sorry you went through that. Horray for heroic son-in-laws!!
Please, take a breath and remember it can only get better from here.
I'm a dedicated lurker and a big fan The Mater and Moms in general. I'm so sorry that you went through such a mess during your move. Hooray for superheros and little smiles in princess dresses - those you deserve, the others involved you do not. Don't let this spoil your homecoming and all that it means to your family. Sending you hugs!
Oh gosh that IS rough. Wishing you that the worst part is over. Rest!
OMG, Mater, I'm so sorry.
I hope those "moving company" people's karma cupcakes, when they arrive, are chock-full of juicy cosmic retribution.
Good vibes. Love. More good vibes. This too shall pass.
My heart really goes out to you. I find moving house to be the most soul-wrenching, spiritually exhausting exercise in life, a time when you don't need *ssholes on your team on top of everything else.
Jenn speaks so highly of you: I wish I knew your secrets to being the world's best mother. Enjoy your new life together! x x
Much love to you and Han xxxxxx I hope the bad taste dissolves quickly, so the Princesses can be with the real you, untainted by other people's evil. Hugs hugs hugs.
I have SO been there and done that. I had the movers from hell, and I always recommend that people ONLY use reputable movers that have personal recommendations from people you know, because the moving industry isn't well regulated, Tom Reilly won't do a damn thing about it in MA, and they are so fly by night that they often sell the business and declare bankruptcy just to get out of the law suits.
If they are holding your things hostage, and they did mine for 6 LONG months, my brother is an attorney in Springfield and has successfully sued at least one moving company (mine) and has been thru all the pitfalls.
Did the charge you more once the stuff was on the truck? Even after you got a guaranteed estimate? That's a big trick of theirs. They are SUCH crooks.
I'm so sorry it happened to you. Maybe when you're feeling better, we can do a blog together about the pitfalls of moving.
Oh and the BBB is kinda a waste of time since the companies change names and hands so often.
I'm so sorry. Glad you've arrived though!
What a nightmare! I'm so glad you could relax with your grandbabies at the end of it all. . .can you get compensated?
oh, i'm so so sorry! I hope settling in heals the bad beginning, and you find a beautiful new life in the 'shires.
and that the bastids balls turn blue and fall off. in public.
Bummer. You must be so exhausted. But sans checkbook or not, you're there. The worst is over. Now you get to make your new place your home. Take your time and work your memories and belongings into all the nooks and crannies of your new home.
I've heard the 20/20 stories of bad moving companies but never "met" anyone it every happened to. I hope your stuff is now safe and secure in your new, sunny apartment and that after a good long nap this afternoon it truly can be a day of new beginnings.
I'm sorry. Movers can really suck. Go to movingscam.com and leave a message about them so others won't be duped. I found our movers through them and have been really happy.
Hope things pick up from here!
Ugh! What an awful start to your new life in the Berkshires! At least it can only get better from here, right?
Ouch! Like the bumper sticker says, "Bad people suck". Even smooth moves are rough. It'll all be worth it though--you'll settle in and have those two adorable girls (three counting their talented mom)as well as a painter/hero/son-in-law to dote upon you and you upon them. Fetal positons are okay until you feel up to dealing with the world again. Until then, long distance hugs!
There there poor Mater! Moving sucks! You have my sympathies and if you were in Texas you'd have some of my liquor too. And maybe some of my beefy friends to work over those creepy movers.
So sorry to hear that things went poorly. Here's to brighter (and less complicated) days ahead.
I don't know you, but I feel for you and I am so sorry that happened to you.
Oh, I am so sorry. Thank God you were with family. All of us included. See how loved you are? :)
Oh Mater!
Look at it this way - you started with the bad, now the good can start rolling in. A winning lotto ticket perhaps. Or a dashing new next door neighbor with a taste for cinnamon buns (or other buns). Long afternoons with the girls, strolling through one of the most darn charming towns on the east coast.
Remember you are much loved.
((((((hugging you right now)))))))
I'm so sorry to hear about the nasty mess with the movers.
You are loved and I hope that you can forgive them because they obviously don't know how it feels to be scammed like that.
I know this is a bad start but you are there! With you daughter and son-in-law-who-saves-the-day and two wonderful grandbabies!
Yipee you did it. The adventure begins!
Blessings to you mater--you're an inspiration.
Wow. I hope this has had a happy ending, or will very soon.
Welcome, sorry for the crappy trip.
Oh, Mater. How awful. I'm so sorry.
Here is lots of love and sympathy for the hellish experience you've just been through. I am glad Sophie worked her magic on your new place. I know you'll be very happy there - you are a very wise and compassionate person, and I can't imagine that you'd be anything but. :)
You poor sweet girl. Here is a hug. That is every color of wrong.
Post a Comment