Coach me!
I'm trying very hard not to become embroiled in a war of words with the purveyors of Good Ol' Boys Moving, the company I hired to facilitate my move from Toronto to Vancouver. It's becoming very difficult for me to do that, however, when they won't acknowledge any amount of wrong-doing, or, at the very least, that they may have been able to communicate with me better. They've even gone so far as to say that I'm lying and making things up. And so far, they've only had to deal with me - it hasn't gone beyond an email dialogue asking for a rebate, and explaining my reasons for the request.
I am not inclined to take a legal route with them, as I it's really not worth it for the $500 that I'm asking for. However, $500 is $500 and I could really use the extra money put back on my VISA. I've reached a roadblock, and I need assistance getting over it, around it, or removing it from my path, somehow or another. I feel that, on principle, I need to make a stand here, but I'm not sure how next to proceed.
One option is to try and have VISA charge-back my credit card since I have not signed anything with Good Ol' Boys acknowledging or authorising the payment. And since the second portion of the payment, the final portion which, to my very great surprise, was itself more than the total quoted amount for the entire move, was charged to my card by a different company, I feel that this option could work. But is it the "right" option?
Of course, I believe that I'm right, and that I'm deserving of this money back. But, just as obviously, Good Ol' Boys disagrees. So who is RIGHT?
I appreciate any insight, probing questions, or other assistance you can provide that might help me resolve this particular conundrum.
Thanks all. Be well.
posted by Paul Keetch @ 12:11 p.m.
7 comments
7 Comments:
Based on the tone of your posting...it certainly doesn't sound like you've stumbled across any of the BC fine-pine. Take a deep breath, perhaps a couple. sr
Hi PK,
Sorry to hear about you guys having a bad time with movers. To be honest, I've heard so many stories regarding moving companies. I don’t know if you remember or even heard this, but my mom went through a similar ordeal when her and dad took a break a few years ago. Here’s a quick summary….
The movers went to the house on Easthill to pick up my moms things. Everything went well until they got to her new place. All of a sudden, they wanted 3 times the quoted amount or they were going to drive away and go to their yard with all my moms’ stuff. (ya right I’m thinking) The first thing I did was run downstairs to move my car in front of their truck, so they couldn’t leave. (at least without causing major damage) We ended up calling the police because it was getting ugly and someone was going to get knocked out. The movers even got into an argument with the officer … and were very close to getting arrested. It was especially satisfying to see that as my mom was pretty upset by that point. After the police officer explained to the movers that if they had left, they would have been charged with theft and a couple other things … they were very cooperative. The dummies didn’t know the laws they were going to break. Ends up that this is a policy the moving company employees must follow. Anyways, it all ended well but not before they tried to rip my mom off!!
My recommendation is that you go for the throat to start with and settle for what you're asking for. Cause they'll take you for everything they can!
-POINT-
These companies are JOKES and should be regulated! I’m really surprised that we don’t hear about movers getting “Murder, Death, Killed” [Demolition Man].
Be well u2,
Chad
Hey Chad,
What is the name of this company and what city are they based in?
Hey there
I have been waiting for the invitation. I just didn't think you would ask for input in such a public place!
I realize you really want an answer to your "question" and advice about this particular situation, however, you might well guess that the issue is elsewhere.
Why do you create havoc, tension and disharmony in your life as you choose the things that you say you want?
Car rentals, pay cheques, computer crashes, skin-of-your teeth timing, unfair landlords, movers .... I won't belabour the point.
The answer to your question is that you both believe you are right. And you can only act from your own sense of integrity about the money. You may have more insight if you ponder my question.
HB,
The public nature of this discussion isn't my style, but since you asked, I'll put it out there: here's what I think...
Whenever I'm in a difficult situation, I ask myself, "What's the lesson here?" I find it's a really good way to step back and take an outside look at the problem especially if you can remember to do it while still in the situation. And the lesson I look for is related only to me and is not based on just the physical reality. For example, in your situation the lesson is not just "next time use a national carrier."
If we are in fact all connected, and we do make agreements at an unseen level so that we might learn and have fun in this life, then tuning into why you've agreed to experience this particular hiccup makes forgiving the movers more than easy - it makes it unneccesary.
And perhaps letting go if the need for retribution can become both the "right" thing and the "easy" thing.
Life is a river, my dear brother, go with the flow. You're living the dream you've had since you were a boy, embrace it, and forget the rest.
hi PK,
What do you do … work on this spiritually and physically until the Sun burns out? Sometimes humans need a good kick and that's just a fact of living here.
If you can let go of the $500 … do it. The movers will be happy knowing that they once again ripped off a decent, honest & respectable couple. More importantly, you guys will also be able to enjoy the days moving forward.
…,
Chad Gareau
p.s. I like names … so much better. Whoever “sr” is, I don’t remember the name of the company as this was a few years ago.
Okay, so let us say I am driving down the highway and some jerk cuts me off just so he can be one car length further up the line. Damn him, I'm going to teach him a lesson, so I speed up and retake my "rightful" place in traffic. Next thing I know, our friend is tail-gating me giving me the finger and weaving back and forth looking for an opportunity to get ahead of me, to make a gain at my expense. My blood pressure shoots up . . . road rage has taken over and we are an accident waiting for a place to happen, and even if an "accident' doesn't occur this time, the toll on my health (mental and physical) is undenialable. Paul, as you know, this happens every minute of every day in most major cities. I have been there (as I suspect have you).
What is the difference in this situation, other than the immediate monetary stakes are known? You are on the road of life and "road rage" is as much a fact of life here as anywhere. Take the high road. Trust that no deed goes unrewarded/unpunished. It is not your job to be "traffic cop". You are in a beautiful city with a beautiful woman (I am speaking of more than just the physical sense here and I know this, even though I have not met her, because she would not have been drawn to you if she were not). Let it go and rise above all this and let the universe do it's reckoning in its own way in its own time.
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