American Van Lines Damaged almost everything I own Fort Lauderdale Florida
I am hoping you can help me with a moving company I hired in May 2007. The name of the company is American Van Lines in Ft Lauderdale, FL. The day the movers came seemed pretty normal except they were not wrapping any of my furniture in front of me. The mover (Linton) said that his coworker was outside wrapping the furniture before it was put in the truck. When I tried to walk outside Linton said I needed to stay there to make sure they carried out all the right stuff.
I called American that day to get a estimated date of delivery and they said that it normally takes 2 weeks. I called on 6/2 (saturday) and the rep told me that it was down that my delivery would be there the following Saturday. I called that wed 6/8 to confrim and now the rep told me that my stuff would not be delivered by that sat and that it may take another 2 to 3 weeks. I called every other day after that and with each phone call came a different excuse as to why my stuff was not getting loaded in the truck.
The one excuse I was given was that because it was raining they could not load my stuff. I was told that my furniture would be delivered on 6/30 or possibly 7/1 and that I would get a phone call from the driver. The driver never called so I called American on 7/1 and demanded a supervisor to speak to. They gave me the number of Anthony DiSorbo, the owner. I also found out from some research that Anthony has a brother Aldo DiSorbo that was banned from the moving industry by the FL Attorney General. When I spoke to Anthony he said he would call the driver and ensure they deliver my belongings that day (sunday 7/1).
The driver finally showed up late afternoon. They would not open the truck until I paid. Much to my horror when they finally opened the truck I discovered that about 65% of all of my belongings were ruined by water damage and was covered in mold and mildew. This is a little confusing especially since they said my delivery was delayed due to the rain so how did it get wet. The first thing I saw was my mattress and box spring. I almost cried because I paid an additional $50 to have my mattress and box spring put in a protective carton. They were never put in any carton and they had water and holes in them. I had to throw away everything that was ruined as the mold was making me sick. I do have pictures as proof of all this.
I had a lawyer look at my case but they are telling me there is nothing that can be done since I did not take additional insurance. American said all that I am entitled to is $159.00. I have not signed an release forms as I am hoping there is something that can be done to help me. $159 will not even cover half of what I lost. I am sure that Im not the only victim of this company. Who would ever imagine that a moving company could ruin almost everything you own.
Mad
Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
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8 Updates & Rebuttals
United Van Lines
Florida,USA
Unfortunate
#9General Comment
Thu, October 06, 2011
Thats a bad situation.
Here are moving tips: I recommend 3 quotes starting with your favorite company last. Stick to A national company who has agencies in every state. Check their fleet at www.protectyourmove.gov if they have no fleet or a small one move on. We have a fleet of 8000 vans. And 700 locations. Fnd out who the parent company is and call them. Just google it. Unigroup owns mayflower and united van lines. Sirva owns north amercan and allied. Do business with an agency who self-hauls and has their own fleet. For instance, Suddath has 1300 pieces, armstrong has about 1000, McCollisters has 1200, Beltmann has 1200, griffin moving and storage only has local trucks, same with AA varco, same wirh a1a atlantic moving and storage. Get my drift. Use an agency that is successfull and self sufficient, it shows they know what they are dping and cares about quality.
Only get an inhome estimate, never a phone quote its actually a written federal statue.
Check with consumer services Www.bbb.org Www.moverescue.com Www.movingscam.com Www.protectyourmove.gov
Ask for word of mouth Ask what type of corporate relocation they do and who are their clients furthermore ask for proof or a case study.
Go to their warehouse. Call a few times into their customer service at different times of the day a few days a week, see if they pick up theiir phones. See if your estimator has a personal cell phone.
Never hire a company who cant offer replacement insurance directly through them. 3rd party insurance companies are worthless, they have complaints on here movinginsursnce.com bakerintl.com relocationinsurance.com all these are terrible.
Check consumer reports and JD power & associates, see if they are rated, if so that means they do a quaity check. Ask your estimator if they provide quality checks on move day.
Ask if they charge extra on longdistsnce moves for shuttles, we dont? Why should it be your fault if you dont know if a tractor trailer fits or not. Otherwise it is a hidden cost and you will have to pay it.
Ask if they are drug tested and ask for a sample proof of ID card for background check.
Look up the owner of the company and google him, see what comes up.
This is a complete moving 101, good luck.
PS, hire a good company in the beginning, yes its more, but you will pay less in the end. Need help message me ill give you 3 good companies that fit all this criteria.
Mad
Lafayette Hill,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Original complainer
#9Author of original report
Wed, October 05, 2011
Hello again everyone. I am the original one who made the complaint. I am glad to see that people are still reading my original issue and my only hope from this now is that they will go out of business for good. I had to end up taking the small amt as every lawyer said there are no laws out there to protect customers from these moving companies. I also love how after 4 years there is a post from their Customer Relationship Manager asking me to contact them so it will be straightened out. I highly doubt after four years they are now willing to reimburse me fully. To anyone out there who ever needs to move take my advice rent a truck and manage a way to do it yourself as that is the only way you will be protected. If you cant do that research the company as best as you can. That was the one thing I sadly didnt get to do as the move itself was stressful.
TRUTH BE TOLD!
Inverness,Florida,
United States of America
CUSTOMERS SIGN CONTRACT THAT ONLY PROTECTS AVL
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, October 04, 2011
No matter what the sales reps. tell the customers, in the end it is the customer's word against their word. The burden of verbal proof is on the customer.
The AVL contract has in writing everything to go against the customer.
If you want to sue AVL, you have to travel where they are located, hire a lawyer in that location, and all of that will most likely cost you more than you would be awarded.
AMERICAN VAN LINES DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO QUIT SCAMMING!!!!!!!!!!!
CLAIMS RE-IMBURSEMENT: By signing to accept AVL's disgraceful re-imbursement, the statement also states the customer will be relieving AVL of any further responsibilities. That is something to think about before signing.
Customers who AVL put through living h**l, should remain persistent and relentless in telling everyone possible how AVL operates and to avoid AVL like the plague!
No matter what AVL says, they can never be believed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tommy
Holllywood,Florida,
United States of America
LMAO!!=laughing my a** off! just in case u didnt know!
#9General Comment
Sat, September 24, 2011
They are the best movers! Buy the insurance, you never know whats gonna happen. Ruined your mattress? LMAO!!!!!! Too funny! Have a great day! Mold? Love it! start a cheese factory!
Customer Relationship Manager
Florida,United States of America
AVL Customer Relationship Manager
#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, September 22, 2011
Dear Customer,
We regret hearing that you had a bad experience moving with American Van Lines. Our team works diligently and non-stop to ensure that all our customers receive the best service possible. Unfortunately, there are times in which a few things might go not according to plan, and we have to deal with those changes.
We know it's been a long time since you posted your review; but, if there is anything we can do to help you at this point of your relocation, do not hesitate in contacting us to further assist you. We will need your job # ID and a phone number were we can reach you.
Sincerely,
- Customer Relationship Manager
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Take the $159.00
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, September 12, 2007
Sharon is right for all the reasons she stated. I can absolutely tell you this cost you more in real dollars and sense whan using a major mover to transport your items - bottom line. I personally would never use any full-service mover except one of the major companies because of the industry and the scam movers in it.
Sharon
Alexandria,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Can't sue
#9Consumer Suggestion
Thu, September 06, 2007
Actually, in this case, the lawyer was right. If the customer didn't buy additional insurance, there's a basic coverage that pays 60 cents per pound of weight of the damaged item. It's up to the customer to decide which to buy. However, was the option ever even discussed with you, Mad? Did you specifically check the box declining additional insurance, or was it done by the movers?
There's also something called the Carmack Amendment which covers household goods movers from being sued for anything. All you can do is go to Small Claims Court to try and get back certain charges that are not legit. You can't sue a mover for extortion, for theft, for loss and damage, or for lost wages while waiting for your stuff to show. That's why the moving industry is so overrun by scam movers. You have to wait for the government to step in, like they did with Aldo Disorbo, the brother of the owner of this company.
What you can do is complain all over creation about American Van Lines. File your claim for whatever you can get for the damage. Take the $159 that they offered. File your complaint with the (ineffective) BBB and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Go to more websites like this one and keep telling your story. The more times people read about what you went through, the more informed they'll be when deciding whether or not to use this particular mover.
Nikki
Coconut Creek,Florida,
U.S.A.
Find a new lawyer
#9Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 05, 2007
What your lawyer told you doesn't seem right. Find another lawyer. You can sue anyone for anything and I have heard of some pretty preposterous lawsuits. This one sounds legit. You should be compensated.