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I need some advice. I never imagined what would be a relatively straight forward move would be a nightmare. I recently moved from Florida to DC metro. I signed a contract, paid 75% of the money due, and now the Florida-based moving company has “abandoned” my items and is refusing to deliver them. They picked up my items early-June 2019, have not responded to any of my calls or emails, and today I received a letter in the mail, stating that their interstate service is no longer active.
Per the email, they claim my household furnishings are in New Jersey at a storage unit. I contacted the unit, and they have no record of the moving company or anything in my name. Everything is MIA. I have spent thousands of dollars, and they have everything my family owns. Baby albums, furniture, artwork, China, jewlery, my diplomas, paperwork, medical equipment, a wheelchair; our entire life is lost.
When I call the moving company, the phone goes straight to voicemail. If I do manage to get ahold of them, they hang up on me immediately.
I tried contacting the Florida police. They said it’s out of their jurisdiction. I tried contacting the FMCSA, they said they can issue fines to the company, but are not able to help me find my belongings. I cannot afford a lawyer. And I definitely can’t afford to lose everything, and I mean everything, I own.
Does anyone have any advice? Or can point me in the right direction? How can I find my items?
I’m terrified that they’ve been lost, or stolen, or even sold. Thanks for your time and suggestions, anything would be helpful as I try to sort this out.
Why is your stuff all the way in New Jersey if it only needed to go to DC?? They would have had to take it *past* the destination to get it to Jersey!
In addition to the AG, you might try the Better Business Bureau.
As others have said.....contact your local TV and newspapers. You need to get as many involved as possible. These people can steer you in the right direction. Good Luck!
Go here:
MoveRescue® is the first industry-endorsed consumer assistance service aimed at stopping disreputable and unscrupulous interstate movers.
Approximately 1.6 million Americans hire interstate household goods movers each year. Unfortunately, a reported 3,000 cases of possible mover fraud occur annually. Many of these cases involve criminals who offer low estimates and then hold customers' possessions hostage in undisclosed warehouses, demand thousands of dollars in additional payments and threaten auction. MoveRescue is devoted to ending this problem by seeing that moving companies abide by the federal consumer protection regulations.
Please call 800-832-1773 if you would like to speak with a MoveRescue representative. You will be asked to provide information about your move and to forward your shipping documents for review. A knowledgeable representative will answer your questions about the moving process and advise you of the appropriate next steps to take.
I need some advice. I never imagined what would be a relatively straight forward move would be a nightmare. I recently moved from Florida to DC metro. I signed a contract, paid 75% of the money due, and now the Florida-based moving company has “abandoned” my items and is refusing to deliver them. They picked up my items early-June 2019, have not responded to any of my calls or emails, and today I received a letter in the mail, stating that their interstate service is no longer active.
Per the email, they claim my household furnishings are in New Jersey at a storage unit. I contacted the unit, and they have no record of the moving company or anything in my name. Everything is MIA. I have spent thousands of dollars, and they have everything my family owns. Baby albums, furniture, artwork, China, jewlery, my diplomas, paperwork, medical equipment, a wheelchair; our entire life is lost.
When I call the moving company, the phone goes straight to voicemail. If I do manage to get ahold of them, they hang up on me immediately.
I tried contacting the Florida police. They said it’s out of their jurisdiction. I tried contacting the FMCSA, they said they can issue fines to the company, but are not able to help me find my belongings. I cannot afford a lawyer. And I definitely can’t afford to lose everything, and I mean everything, I own.
Does anyone have any advice? Or can point me in the right direction? How can I find my items?
I’m terrified that they’ve been lost, or stolen, or even sold. Thanks for your time and suggestions, anything would be helpful as I try to sort this out.
I have no personal experience with movers, myself, so I cannot contribute to your question directly. But...
What is up with service providers, specifically movers in your example, HVAC, construction (remodelers) being some of the flakiest people in the workforce? Even when they DON'T have your money, they make an appointment with you, then no call / no show, and won't return calls and texts.
Plumbers and electricians seem to be the most punctual. Roofers are great, too.
Is it standard practice for the AC guy to blow you off for your scheduled appointment to make it to an emergency repair or commercial job for $$$ and not call to tell you anything?
I feel so bad for OP. I’ve had a terrible experience with my moving company and they are beyond inept, but at this point all I hope is to get my stuff in one piece. I expect it to be the last day of the move window knowing these idiots. I hate moving companies so badly. They are the worst!
Extortion moving companies are pretty common. They're pretty much what a person gets when they want to go for the cheapest company. In logistics, you get what you pay for. With extortionist scumbag companies, it's not uncommon for your stuff to end up at an auction somewhere.
From here on out, I would suggest you go with reputable companies like United, Atlas Van Lines, Mayflower Transit, Wheaton Worldwide Moving, North American Van Lines, or Allied.
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