Absolute Van Lines ripoff Inflated moving costs damaged & theft of personal possessions moving hostage situation slow processing rip-off scam dirt bags Bolingbrook Illinois
I had a storage unit in AZ. where I had all my prepacked belongings. Found Absolute Van Lines via internet - got some other quotes chooses the above mentioned.
Received a contract I placed $500.00 deposit via CC for they refused to have me pay in full of $896.00.
After almost two months of calling (getting runaround) to find WHERE my stuff was I finally got delivery.
To my shock - a few men and a drunk girl showed up. All my boxes had been sifted through. Many items missing (appr. 25%). Now they want $3088.00 to release my possessions. Called police - nothing they can do.Took pictures and video tape of the people their, boxes and truck.
Did I fail to mention they charged me and additional fee of $692.00 for crate and materials to which I had a painting that had no protection whatso ever...needless to say boxes went through the canvas thus ruining the painting.
Since this point they had taken my "lifes possessions" and refused to state where its located. They have sent me a letter via email for a total of $3327.00 for delivery.
As far as I am concerned I can in time replace all material things HOWEVER my father passed away and the ONLY photos I have are in a few of the boxes.
I have been researching this, calling, faxing & emailing - you name it...seems that no one knows what to do or cares to help. I don't know what to do now....any suggestions, references or advice anyone has who has gone through this please contact me....
Ali
Kingston, New Hampshire
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Absolute Van Lines, Inflated charges, moving hostage, missing & theft of belongings
#20
Mon, October 07, 2002
Lynda - I would like to THANK YOU for taking the time to write to me. Although I am not intimated by these people for I truly feel I am in the right and they are taking advantage of MANY innocent people.
When my goods were put into my storage unit, I have witnesses to verify. No pictures of the items were taken at that time, rather pictures of when Absolute Van Lines attempted to deliver the boxes in NH, they were OBVIOUSLY gone through. (Tape ripped open, boxes crushed etc.) That I do have photos & videotape of. I have photos after the fact not before, thinking it could be word against word.
Although, I do have a fax that I sent them stating a few belongings on it that they would of had to factor in to get final figures for that are amongst the missing. Is this still considered interstate theft?
When they arrived - I had the police waiting for them... the girl was drunk - not the driver. The girl from out of country was on a visa but checked out ok. Apparently they ran the other men and came back ok as the truck was valid as well. I took pictures of the truck, license plate and people there. The police dept. stated that since it was a civil matter nothing they could do at that time.
I tried to go through there insurance company. I talked to D.O.T. and made a complaint as well. This is sticky - insurance only covers 60 cents per pound. That does NOT include depreciation fee. How sad... my painting I purchased for $3000 in the 1991. Since Absolutes Van lines lack of POOR crating and shipping, a few boxes went through the canvas. For that must of been why they charged me and additional $682 dollars. Needless to say I wouldn't get hardly anything to even replace the value of my pots and pans.
I have made MANY complaints here are few that I touched base with, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, D.O.T., Illinois Dept. of Trans., Attorney Generals, FMCSA, AMSA,BBB, Dispute Resolutions, consumer affairs and the best for last, THE Rip-off report.
With that being said any suggestions from this point??