Complaint Review: Duntara Moving & Storage

Several contractual breaches for job including:

Moving company contracted to pick up items in Ohio from 8/29 - 8/31 and deliver to Florida within 14 days. Company did not pick up items until 9/4 and deliver until 9/18. These delays were without valid communicated excuse and resulted in me being forced to push back my new job start date, as well as inconvenience several other parties involved in my move (owners of former and new residence, etc.). Duntara (unbeknownst to me prior to hire) hired my business out to a non BBB accredited company (Mack Relocation and Storage out of GA), even though one of their top selling points was that they themselves are BBB accredited with a current A- ranking. This wouldn't have been a problem had so many things not gone wrong.

The contract for the move was based on weight, at $0.36 a lbs. Before hire, a 3000 lbs estimate was created for the move totaling $1556.22 with fuel and logistics. The weight was to be determined before the item pick-up by weighing the truck before my items were on it, and once again after. The company was contractually obligated to present me with a signed, certified weight certificate for both weighings, so that I am able to verify that the amount charged at the end of the move was accurate.

The problem is that I never received a signed and certified end weight certificate, so am virtually unable to verify any charge at all. Even when asked to verbally state the end weight of the truck with my items on it, the company was unable to do so on numerous occasions over the phone, or in person. When I refused to pay until I was able to see my lawfully required documents needed to verify what I am paying for, the truck driver refused delivery stating that they wouldn't give me my property until I paid. He then proceeded to walk away, uncaring of what I was saying.

Being that I was living in a place without any of my furniture or items, and that the company was far past due on deadlines, I paid the amount informing the driver that what they are doing is illegal and I will be seeking reimbursement for the missed deadlines, and the fact that I felt like I was a victim of extortion. Upfront before item pickup, I paid a down payment of $466.22. The total that I was told they were owed (without proper verification) was $1089.36. The price difference between my deposit and the "owed" amount (a mere $0.64), and the fact that they have been unable to provide verification on the end weight says that they didn't even bother to honor the contract, or possibly even weigh my items at all.

Before the company was hired, I was told that there would be 48 hours notice on everything from pick-up to delivery, and that there would be constant communication. After hiring them, there was no communication that I didn't initiate with repeated phone calls from my end. When they did call, it would be with false information. One example (of many), is a call I received 9/9 at night telling me that my items would be delivered 9/10 and to expect a call from the driver on the next day with an accurate time. I cleared my schedule and yet no one came, or called to tell me otherwise. This was (and is still) a VERY continuous theme with the company: No communication, no information, or lies.

Also before hire, I was assured that I could use a credit card for everything involved with the service. This was false and I was refused delivery without a money order.

Upon delivery I had missing items, and several broken items. An entire computer desk was ripped apart, instead of unscrewed. Furniture legs were broken off and missing. Glassware shattered, and various other issues resulting in replacement.

Darren ( of Duntara) is who I was supposed to be working with for the whole move, but then it changed to a woman named Nicole. In all actuality, it has been no one for well over a month because there has been no direct communication outside of the bi-weekly Better Business Bureau messages that have been dodging the real issues.

I can post the back and forth between them and I from the BBB if necessary.