I write this review to share my experience and warn anyone considering hiring Brightside Moving Group. In working with them I learned first hand of their highly unethical and predatory business practices. I’m sure over the phone or in response to my review, Brightside will attempt to provide an innocent explanation behind everything I share, please do not believe them and fall victim. While Brightside doesn’t violate anything within their agreement (which they will stress), the core tenants of their contract, which are cleverly hidden, are unethical. Let me explain:Brightside will state they offer a ‘Binding Estimate’ – meaning clauses like price/square foot and other accessory costs remain fixed. This is true. However, their ‘estimate’ is nothing more than a number, it has no bearing on the final price the actual moving company (who is in no way legally tied to Brightside) will charge. Brightside will intentionally quote a low amount to win your business. This is where things become predatory. 1.) By quoting an intentionally low (i.e. False), estimate, Brightside has now won your business. They collect payment on the initial quote and your searching for a provider is done. You’ve now sealed your fate. 2.) You’ll then receive a QA call. The estimate is likely to increase as you may add more items. They will collect an additional payment for the delta in the original estimate to the new ‘final estimate’. You’re now in deeper. 3.) The movers will come and will not quote you a price until your items are either on the truck or lined up in the street. You’re now at their mercy. Remember, the movers charge their own price – and Brightside’s agreement clearly states this – it is in no way tied to the estimates provided by Brightside. As you have no other options to move, and your items are out of the house, the moving company will charge an extremely inflated price. a. Prior to signing the initial agreement, I shared my concerns with the Brightside sales agent that by the letter of the law, the contract states this could happen and I’m liable to pay any amount the moving company quotes. She assured me that while that is the case, “we do things the right way and only work the select moving companies who don’t operate that way.” She assured me that Brightside does things ‘the right way’. This was a satisfactory explanation as I assumed no good company could continue to operate if they continually take advantage of their customer base. I was wrong and these tactics need to be made known. My initial estimate was around $5,000, the final estimate rose to $7,900, and final cost of the move soared to $12,800. When the movers showed me the quote I immediately tried to contact my sales agent who promised they would ‘be there every step of the way’. Coincidentally, that day she was out of the office and unable to speak with me. In attempting to contact her over the following days, she told me she is now no longer associated with Brightside and is legally required to cease contact. In working to find a resolution with Brightside I was never followed up with. I made six separate calls over a 12 day period and at the end of things, I was only offered $400 with the strict requirement that I sign a non-disparagement clause which stated I would not say anything ‘negative’ about the company. I declined the money to share my experience. If this review can convince even one person to find another provider (please don’t hire a broker), the refusal of the $400 will be well worth it. I’m extremely disappointed with how the situation turned out. Moving is often a very stressful time and Brightside is the type of company that recognizes this and takes advantage of people while they’re vulnerable. Do not believe their low estimate, always be skeptical of the broker moving industry, and save yourself time and stress by hiring a professional moving company that owns the entire process from start to finish, you’ll thank yourself in the end.
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