Moving house is often listed as one of life's most stressful events, and for good reason. It's a time when we're supposed to be looking forward to new beginnings, but all too often, the process is fraught with anxiety and unexpected pitfalls. For seniors, in particular, the physical and emotional toll of relocating can be even more pronounced, making the choice of a reliable removalist one of the most crucial decisions in the moving process. Unfortunately, as the harrowing tale of 81-year-old Audrey reveals, not all removalists can be trusted.

Audrey, a great-grandmother with ailing health, learned this the hard way when she entrusted All Things Moving Australia with her life's possessions, only to be left in a state of despair. After paying a hefty $5,000 to move from Hervey Bay to Tarcutta to be closer to her family, Audrey found herself caught in a removalist scam that has become all too common.

Audrey was supposed to move to a new home when a removalist lost her belongings. Image Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio

The ordeal began with the promise of competitive prices and ended with Audrey's belongings lost in transit. Despite her best efforts to research online, Audrey, who is not computer savvy, was unaware of the company's history of failed deliveries and damaged goods — a fact that many disgruntled customers had already shared in online reviews.

The emotional cost of this debacle cannot be overstated. Audrey is still waiting for more than half of her belongings, including irreplaceable family heirlooms, six generations of photos, and medical equipment critical to her well-being. The situation is made even more dire by Audrey's health conditions, which include legal blindness, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Audrey's repeated pleas to Abbey Chen, the person in charge of All Things Moving Australia, were met with silence, broken promises, and ultimately, a half-hearted offer of a 50 per cent refund and a new delivery date that never materialised. When some of her items finally did arrive, they were delivered by a stranger and many were damaged or broken.

The story of Audrey's plight is a cautionary tale for all seniors considering a move. Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we want to ensure that our members are armed with the knowledge to avoid such devastating experiences. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you spend a dime on your next move:

​

1. Research Thoroughly: Look beyond the price and read reviews from multiple sources. If you're not internet-savvy, ask a family member or friend to help you research the company's reputation.

2. Check Credentials: Ensure the removalist is licensed and insured. This provides a safety net in case things go wrong.

3. Get Everything in Writing: From quotes to delivery dates, make sure all agreements are documented.

4. Stay in Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your removalist. If they become unresponsive, it's a red flag.

5. Know Your Rights: Familiarise yourself with consumer protection laws in your area. If you encounter problems, you may be entitled to compensation.

6. Consider Insurance: While it's an additional cost, moving insurance can offer peace of mind and protection for your valuables.

7. Plan for the Worst: Keep essential items and valuables with you during the move. If possible, transport critical documents and irreplaceable mementos personally.

Key Takeaways

• Audrey, an 81-year-old great-grandmother, paid $5,000 to All Things Moving Australia for an interstate move but has not received all her belongings.
• Despite warnings in online reviews about the removalist's past failures to deliver properly, Audrey was unaware due to being not computer savvy.
• Audrey has been left without irreplaceable personal items including medical equipment and family heirlooms collected over generations.
• Abbey Chen of All Things Moving Australia has been unresponsive and inconsistent, leaving Audrey's items undelivered, with Chen claiming truck breakdowns have caused the delays.

Audrey's story is a stark reminder that not all businesses operate with integrity. As seniors, it's essential to be vigilant and proactive in protecting ourselves from scams and unscrupulous service providers. If you've had a similar experience or have tips to share on how to ensure a smooth move, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Your insights could help a fellow member avoid a similar fate.

 

[PattiB]

How terrible for this poor lady, what a shame that her family weren’t more involved in helping her organise her move. I wouldn’t have been confident that my parents were okay to organise a move at that age. No offence to our older members but my late parents wouldn’t have embraced computers, especially my mum, but people seemed a lot older 20 plus years ago. The removalists should be forced to pay compensation.

 

[Barbara V]

I only use companies that have been in the business for donks,even if a bit more expensive. Also make sure they are insured

 

[Veggiepatch]

I only use companies that have been in the business for donks,even if a bit more expensive. Also make sure they are insured

Didn't work for me with Allied when I moved from Victoria to Western Australia in April last year. Countless emails and phone calls about my removal with no reply.

Thank you Erin Ginette for nothing. Because that's what I have from your ineptitude, you useless cow. Even a personal visit to the Dandenong South depot resulted in bugger all service.

Disgusting from a company who has been trading in its current form for 35 years!

 

[Catherines]

Didn't work for me with Allied when I moved from Victoria to Western Australia in April last year. Countless emails and phone calls about my removal with no reply.

Thank you Erin Ginette for nothing. Because that's what I have from your ineptitude, you useless cow. Even a personal visit to the Dandenong South depot resulted in bugger all service.

Disgusting from a company who has been trading in its current form for 35 years!

Sorry to hear about your issues and loss with Allied. Is there no government organisation you could approach about this? I understand your issues and calling out the company by name was a wake up call for others here that might need to move. Be wary of this company.

With regard to others who are elderly and need to look into removalists and their legitimacy - I hope your children can help before you go down the path of employing someone to move you, or at least have some neighbours or friends who can help with advice especially those of you who are not computer and tech savvy.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Sorry to hear about your issues and loss with Allied. Is there no government organisation you could approach about this? I understand your issues and calling out the company by name was a wake up call for others here that might need to move. Be wary of this company.

With regard to others who are elderly and need to look into removalists and their legitimacy - I hope your children can help before you go down the path of employing someone to move you, or at least have some neighbours or friends who can help with advice especially those of you who are not computer and tech savvy.

I named my contact at Allied Removals to enlighten others to the crappy service served up by what is considered as a "premium" removalist.

Name and shame!