In the Beginning

In preparation to this move, an inspector came out to the house to determine the approximate weight, size and shape of our household goods. This information was relayed back to the packers and movers so that they know what size and how many of what boxes they would need in order to move our stuff. So, when the inspector came to my Mexican pot, I told him that it was fragile and one of a kind and irreplaceable. I asked for a crate to be built to ensure that it would not be broken during transport. He informed me that a crate would not be built and that the packers would take care of it.

So, when the packers showed up, they took one look at the pot and told me that they would not pack it. I told them I wanted a crate to be built, they said they would not build one and that the movers would wrap it in shipping blankets.

When the driver/mover showed up, he took one look at the pot and asked why the packers didn't pack it. I told him that I wanted a crate built but was told it would not be possible and that he was to wrap it in a shipping blanket. He said the packers should have packed it and he then called the main office and requested a packer to be sent out immediately.

When the packer arrived, she looked at the pot and wanted to know why the packers had not packed it. Again, I told the story of my wanting a crate built, but being told blankets would be used. She said she would take care of it.

Into a wardrobe box it went. Then lots and lots of paper was stuffed inside the pot and some paper was stuffed along the sides. Unfortunately, no paper or bubble wrap was placed on the bottom of the box prior to my pot going in. It seems to me that almost a whole package of paper, which must have weighed ten pounds, was put on top of my pot and then the box was taped shut. With a ballpoint pen, the box was labeled "fragile vase."

When our goods arrived in Springfield, I was concerned for my pot. When I finally discovered the box, I carefully opened the top and was immediately suspicious as my pot didn't appear to be as tall as it should have been. I removed the heavy paper from the top and cut open the side of the box. The damage made me sick to my stomach. My one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable Mexican pot was crushed. The manner in which it broke, makes me think that it was dropped. The whole bottom is in pieces. That's when I noticed that no care or caution had been taken to pad the bottom of the box.

Until a claims adjuster can come to my house and visually inspect the damage, I have to keep it. Seeing it in pieces in my dining room hurts my heart. I loved that pot. The topper is that I made a special request to have a crate built. I repeatedly told all of those involved in the moving process that it was fragile and should it be damaged, I would never be able to replace it.

Alas, this was not the only casualty of this move.