Moving?

[wigo]

If you ever move and plan on taking your tank with you and have a moving company move it for you then know this.

I recently moved from one state to another(so the move was large) and had the moving company "crate" my 180 gallon tank. When I got to my new residence I did not setup the 180 immediately(meaning not within 30 days). The crating company(3rd party) came and uncrated the tank. I did not see any apparent damage but told them that I would not be able to verify that no damage was done until I had it setup.

I built the stand and everything for an in-wall install, which took some time. I put the tank on the stand and then filled it with water and began to really examine the tank. I found a crack in the black trim in the corner, so I tore down the tank. I called the company and told them that the tank was broken. I went and bought a new tank and continued on the setup.

After 2 months of talking with them about the claim. They decided to offer me a "Good Faith Estimate" for the tank. They told me it was only worth $200, again this is a 180 and I just paid over $700 for a new one. Not to mention they charged me $250 for the crate. I told them that I should at least get the crate fee back as well. They told me that because the claim was so long in coming that they could only give me $200.

It was my understanding that I had 9 months for a claim but because it was a 3rd party that did the crate they require that I make the claim within 30 days.

I put this up here because I want all of you to be aware that if you get a moving company to move your tank they will not pay for it if they break it.

I hope this helps some of you.

 

[J.russell]

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear.

 

[Jar*Head]

Hello Wigo, thank you so much for the head up. I am getting ready to move in May 1. The company is Government Contractor who will come and pack all my stuff along with my mini Ocean. I will definitely check everything thorough when we arrive to Colorado within the first couple days.

I am sorry to hear about your lost. Didn't you have to sign any insurance paper? I am now getting nervous because my Mini ocean weighed much more than your 180g. Your tank must be Glass?

 

[wigo]

Yea the tank was glass.

All that broke was the most important piece which was the black trim that holds the glass together. I was very nervous with the water in the tank. I was told that it probably would be fine but why take the chance.

As far as insurance is concerned. I guess I could go down that route of making a claim with homeowners but I paid good money for the movers to take care of it for me.

The thing to remember, and you will find it in fine print is, their guarantee is not insurance, so find out what they value the tank/mini ocean before they pack it. If you don't like their evaluation then move it yourself.

We move our 90 ourselves so none of the livestock was lost but the 180 tank was. I had been holding it for a little while before setting it up and then we had to move.

The other thing is make sure that the packers see the tank holding water. I remember that was a comment as well. "We actually did not see it hold water before packing it".

All in all if I had to do it again I would have moved it myself.
Just lessons learned I guess.

 

[wigo]

Oh and the company was a very well known moving company.

 

[jnarowe]

Sorry to hear about this...I just would never allow a moving company to move my tank. I don't care if it is cross-country, I would put it in a Ryder and take it myself.

 

[wigo]

Exactly.
Take the tank handling on yourself and not a bunch of guys that could give a rip about your tank.

 

[Jar*Head]

I think the tank is longer than my Civic and possibly wider too lol. If i still have my Tundra i would do it myself...

 

[wigo]

Depending on the cost of the tank, I would either:
Rent a uHaul or sell the tank and buy a new one when you get to the new location.

 

[steeldeep]

that sucks. Sorry to hear.