Business ProfileforBighorn Moving Ltd.

Bekins Kelowna failed to provide a realistic quote for storage prior to shipping my goods to Australia. When I questioned the monthly figure which is double what I was previously paying for individual self storage, I was berated for not knowing the weight of my goods. There is no reason why they could not have provided an estimate or average cost for a one bedroom apartment. I am studying full time and will commence full time employment in July. When I advised I was unable to pay this monthly fee in addition to payments towards outstanding moving and packing charges, and would have to consider moving goods back to self storage, they advised there would be an additional $900 charge for this. I advised I would pay the storage costs until July and then would have to move goods to contribute to outstanding Benkins account, suddenly the entire amount must be paid by May 31 or they will auction my goods. Shocked by such unethical and *********** business practices. Have also contacted Benkins Canada but they are apparently unable to influence and claim no responsibility for their individual franchise holders.

In response to your review of services provided to you I will answer and provide fact and time line for response. Bekins Moving and Storage Kelowna received initial communication and request for a quote on Nov 23rd 201. Many emails ensued after that to gain required information of what was in storage and to provide a written quote accordingly. You advised you wanted to move ahead and were advised that payment of the local move to storage and the monthly storage would require a non-refundable deposit and a credit card on file to process those charges. Your deposit on the credit card declined and therefore you sent an email transfer promising to update the credit card information as soon as possible. Bekins Kelowna accepted that in good faith having no reason to believe you would mot pay the charges you agreed to . You are now attempting to find a way not to have to pay your invoiced charges and have threatened to go to social media as well as the Canadian Association of Movers, Bekins Corporate office and the BBB. Through many email communications Bekins Moving Kelowna did in fact provide a written quote and conditions for the pick up and move into our warehouse storage facility. March 27th an email communication advising and as quoted: “It is very important to note that these quotes are reflective of minimum charges and actual charges will be based on the actual scaled weight and volume of what you are shipping. I am not able to provide a guaranteed rate until I know the exact weight and volume. Once I have it at our warehouse and have weighed the shipment I can revise the Australia portion keeping in mind that the final charge for this portion will be adjusted and revised when an actual date for shipping is advised.” After that date the quote was sent and was signed and accepted by yourself on April 1st , 2022. The move date of your goods from self storage to Bekins storage warehouse was April 21st, 2022. You advised, when sent and invoiced for said services, that the actual storage charges was more than you could afford and your plan was to remove the goods and have them returned to self storage. This resulted in a quote for that additional said service of $900.00. Of course, as is normal business practice, all charges for the move and storage to date would require payment in full. You have indicated by your email communication and this BBB review to present ********** remarks of our business being ********* when it is clear you have no intention of paying your invoice for services you agreed and accepted. Bekins Kelowna has no interest in holding your goods against your wishes and have offered a solution, after the invoice is paid and a release is signed, to allow you to have another mover pick up your goods and deliver them to your choice of self storage. As is laid out by the Warehouse Lien Act of BC , you were advised of a date, May 31st, required to pay all charges and should that not happen the process would be started to take your goods to auction to recoup the charges and costs of sale. Email dialogue and signed documents accepting the quote and moving conditions are attached.

Again I maintain that Bekins Kelowna did not provide a realistic estimate of the storage costs at their facility to store my goods in bulk storage prior to shipping overseas. They quoted the minimum cost and then advised the actual would be more than double that. They have provided no explanation regarding this cost, which is again double what I was paying for a self contained storage unit in another facility. I maintain that this is not an honest or ethical business practice. This has placed me in a position where I am unable to make payments against their moving and packing charges in addition to the monthly bulk storage fee. They have now requested I pay the entire amount owed by May 31 otherwise they will auction my possessions. At the same time they are attempting to bill me $900 for moving my goods back to self storage. Bekins Canada has requested I remove my review from their website as they claim no responsibility for the business practices of their individual franchise holders. Be aware of this when you think you are contracting with an international well known company, you are in fact subject to the business practices of the franchisees and will get no backing and support from Bekins Canada.