I was really optimistic about Nomad when I moved from Manitowoc to Sheboygan. I was told they have a small move before me and then they would be at the house mid-morning. Despite being within a few miles of their company, no one ever came out to give an estimate. I was told based on the size of the house (2500 sq ft) and the distance of the move (about 20 miles), the cost would be around $1000.
On the day of the move, I had friends and family over (some had driven from Chicago) at 8:00 am to help. I called Nomad at 9:00 and was told the first move was larger than they thought, therefore it would be later in the morning when they came. At about 11:00 am I called again and was told that they were still not finished with the first move. I was frantic by then. At about 12:30 pm they finally showed with a small moving truck and 2 men. I was a little shocked but thought they are the experts so they know what they are doing. Within a few minutes of them arriving, they left again to go get a larger truck and a third person. By then it was after 1:00 pm and my help had left except for one person. They had been there for over 5 hours waiting for Nomad.
Then the day became a real nightmare. By 9:00 pm, they had still not finished packing the truck. I had to leave a new Stainless Steel refrigerator behind because it wouldn't fit in the truck (and the new owners were taking possession the next day at their request). It was after 10 before we got to Sheboygan and they had to literally pile items in the garage and leave to take the remainder to a storage locker. It was hurried, chaotic and I felt really bad for the guys moving. They had worked from who knows when that morning and had to unload a truck now in the dark into a storage locker.
I literally had mattresses in the garage, a garage door that couldn't shut because it was so packed and a child starting school the next day. It was very stressful.
Then, I took a look inside the storage locker the next day. I was immediately in tears as my personal items had been tossed into the locker like garbage. I had a nice sectional, not new but still very nice and it was upsidedown on the concrete with items piled on top. The bottom dust guard had been ripped off and my antique chest from England had a huge gash on it. My vintage bench leg was broken (didn't find that out till we unpacked) and a 48" TV was smashed under other items. My leather chair was also upsidedown on the concrete and the cushion was under the leaf blower. It was really upsetting. Once we finally moved into a home and unloaded the entire locker, it got worse. Heavy boxes have been piled on light ones, a large mirror was broken, it was unbelievable and heartbreaking.
I did not put a cost on the damage but felt it was at least equivalent to the verbal quote I had received. When I did not receive a bill for months, I assumed the Nomad felt regretful for their incompetence and had waived the fee.
Then the texts and emails started: Nomad was now demanding $1600 and taking no responsibility for their actions. At that time, I offered $800 (we had not yet cleaned out the locker so didn't know the extent of the damaged items) and felt that was even too much. Now that I know what else was damaged, I really felt like maybe I broke even or even lost a little on the move.
Here we are today: 2 years after this horrific move and I am now being sued for the $1600. With all of the pictures and people I had around the day of the move as well as the other moving company who took pictures for me as they unloaded that mess of a locker, I am ready to prove to Nomad that they made a mistake. I documented every single thing so I suppose we will see what a judge has to say.
I can't tell you enough not to hire them. I hate lawsuits and I despise this type of action but I guess I need to stoop to their level.
It is too bad really. read more
