Ashley Movers - Gary Schwartz is holding my stuff hostage, Moving Ripoff in Katy Texas
The short version. Gary Schwartz and his "helper" Jerry bid for my move on an online auction site. I think he picked my move to bid on because I needed to put the stuff in storage for a little while. He picked up my stuff in December 2001. He was supposed to deliver the stuff to a Public Storage unit, and pay storage for 4 months. I would have access to the unit to get what I needed, etc.
After picking up our stuff, Gary said that our shipment was $1200 over the weight quoted in the contract. That would be an additional 2500+ pounds! I said I wanted it re-weighed, and I wanted to see the paperwork, and he said he would do that. After two more months of stories about the truck breaking down, etc. he finally said the stuff was delivered to Public Storage. But the driver never called me, and he had the keys to the unit. He said that the drivers "do this sometimes" (meaning not call the customer to come down and sign). So I called Public Storage and they said they had no such unit, and no way would they check someone's goods in under a mover's name only. So I called Gary back, and said I was calling a lawyer. He said that he'd call the driver and the driver would have the stuff to me in 1-2 days. And that there was still the matter of the overweight charge. I told him that when the driver got here with my stuff, I would have the money for him, and I expected to get the keys and the weigh statements in return.
But what actually happened is, he tried to take the stuff to Public Storage, and they wouldn't let him deliver it there! So instead of calling me, he took it to a UHaul storage, and then called me the next day. Again, saying that I had to pay the money and then he would overnight the keys to me. I told him I'm not paying any more money until I see the freight tickets, and he put my name on the UHaul storage. I know that he has no freight tickets indicating that he owes me ANY money. Then he had his "driver" call me and say that I have to pay Gary so that Gary will pay him for the money at the UHaul.
So basically he is now holding my stuff hostage until I pay him some "ransom", that he is not sending me a bill for. In 30 days, when payment is due on the storage unit, I'm sure he won't pay it, and then maybe UHaul will let me open it up and get my stuff.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Leigh
Austin,Texas,
Weighing Your Move
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, April 19, 2002
I have been appointed by the state of Texas as a Certified Public Weigher.
I weigh trucks for a living.
Whether they contain furniture, household goods or some other cargo, the consumer can contact the Texas Agriculture Department and ask for an investigation.
Each weigh station is required to keep a copy of the weight ticket for the state of Texas for just such future investigations.
I suggest you call the Department of Agricuture in Texas and ask what can be done.
A call from these folks usually gets the attention of anyone in the trucking business that hauls cargo for hire in the state of Texas.
Good Luck.
lawrence
W. Trenton,New Jersey,
Contact FMCSA
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 07, 2002
You can contact FMCSA and provide copies of your paperwork. The mover is required by law to re-weigh the shipment in the consumer's presence if requested.
While we can't always help every shipper, depending on the number of complaints that come in on a particular carrier, we will conduct an audit. Any consumer abuses will be address in some type of enforcement action whether it is court action or fines.
Also, had your shipment not been destined to storage, you would have had the right to receive your shipment for the amount of the original estimate + 10% and the carrier would have to bill you for any remainder after 30 days.
Upon receipt of your claim and depending on our workload at that time, your complaint will be reviewed and if warranted, the carrier will be contacted and reminded of the requirement to follow any regulations they may have failed to adhere to.
Hope this helps.