Complaint Review: Jordan River Moving & Store

Even worse than a non BBB member business having any rating, when a BBB member has less than an A, and these folks have a B+, that's a major red flag to me. Of course, others here completely dismiss the BBB itself as shysters. Make sure you hold their feet to the fire, but unfortunately the fact that you signed anything they wanted you to, duress or not, probably gives the BBB the out it needs from having to count your complaint against them.

I have just read Jordan River Moving & Storages letter to you explaining their side.  The following can be supported by emails, photographs, and witnesses:
 
1.         On 4 March I received a call from JRMS stating that my personal belongings weighed 1900 lbs.  When I moved down to Oregon from Alaska I had 1400 lbs.  Since I had not purchased anything in Oregon, but had in fact sold items, this was a gross error on their part.  Their original order #132480 sent via email on 11 February was $1603.00 on a minimum weight of 1000 lbs., with one month of free storage.  Please bear in mind that I am not contradicting or arguing the storage fees for February through May, a total (per estimate) of $75.00 per month or $300.00.
 
2.         Also, as per their original order #132480 of 11 February, I was to pay 65 per pound for anything over 1000 lbs.  Per their invoice of 9 June, I had a total of 1680 lbs.  The extra would weight charge should be $293.80, but I was billed for $486.00 on 9 June, and on the invoice of 7 July, that amount is listed at $686.40.
 
3.         On 9 June, when I received the invoice from Brad, I responded, in part, with So 1439 and change is all I owe now correct? When is it scheduled to arrive? I need to know a date so that I can request work off to be home.  I had requested that it be delivered during the week of 28 June.  I received no response, so again emailed Brad and told him I wanted my things delivered on 28 June since I had made arrangements with my work to take that day off.  Still no email response, and when I telephoned to talk with Brad on 29 June, I was told by Emily to quit calling about [my] stuff.
 
4.         On 30 June I began to write to you (BBB), Moving Trust, the DOT and several others about my predicament.  I also wrote to Brad stating that I would accept my things on 2 July and would take that day off. I finally received a tentative date of delivery for 14 July to 17 July.  On the basis of the original invoice of 9 June, I had a cashiers check in the amount of $1439.80.  I had had to have this sent down from my bank in Alaska. 
 
5.         The driver arrived on 13 July, with two local helpers.  I have never threatened punch anyone in the face, I am 52 tall and weigh about 114 lbs.  This driver was over 6 and about 300 lbs. (I have a photo of him, whose name is Searg).  I did, however, threaten to call the police when he took my check and threatened to drive off with my things.  He required a signature from me that I agreed that I owed another $300.00, and would not allow me to write anything on the paper except my signature.  In fact, I was on the phone with my mother during this altercation, I couldnt even reach the clipboard to sign it, he held it so high.
 
6.         To date, my jewelry box was damaged, I am missing an original painting, 21 items out of 60 are missing, there were rat droppings in my things, and most  of boxes had water and crush damage.  I have photographs of all.
 
7.         The second invoice, that of 7 July (marked final), shows a balance due of $1739.80.  However, individual items are billed differently then those of the first invoice.  Extra weight is billed at $686.40, a difference of $200.40 from the original invoice.  Full packing is billed at $338.20, a difference of $61.20 from the original.  Warehouse handling is billed at $147.00, a difference of $21.00.  And a fee of $300.00 is listed for storage.
 
8.                  Their web sites claims Jordan River Moving & Storage is the most trusted mover among other state to state moving companies in WA. Whether you are moving a hand full of items or an entire household, no job is to small for Jordan River Moving & Storage and Whether you need to store your items for a few days or years, Jordan River Moving & Storage offers a convenient, affordable storage facility for your items.  On every page there is a logo for Moving Trust, the Better Business Bureau, ProMover, AMSA, and more, leading one to believe that they are a responsible, caring company who is proficient at moving.  I state again, this is the most irresponsible, least credible, poorest example of movers I have ever known.  In fact, Moving Trust has attempted to mediate this disagreement and Jordan River Moving & Storage have not only turned them down, but now is threatening to sue me for $300.00.  My jewelry box alone is worth $300.00.
 

At this point in time, what it will take to settle this, is a refund of the entire amount I paid for this move ($1439.80), for the DOT to pull their licenses, and for the U.S. Attorney to file suit against them for accounting fraud, theft, internet fraud and anything else they come up with.  On second thought, I also want punitive damages in the same amount as I paid for this move, or a total of $2879.60.  This would be an acceptable amount of damages in Oregon.
 
If you would give me with an email address wherein I could send the photos, emails and invoices to you, I am more than happy to provide them to you.  In addition, I also have the statements from the two individuals hired by Searg to unload the truck at my residence.  You are welcome to all.
 
CORRECTION TO RESPONSE TO CASE ID  #22296730, SENT 25 JULY 2011:
 
Due to my high level of upset, there are calculations that were incorrect, and I wish to correct those at this time.
 
Paragraph 1 states that the storage was from February through May.  Since my items were picked up on 28 February, I would not owe for February.  March would be the free month (being the first month), I would owe for May, but since I requested my belongings be delivered in June and the company did not do so, I would only owe one month of storage at $75.  Additionally, I requested that my belongings be re-weighed in front of me and was told I would have to drive from Oregon to Kirkland, Washington in order for that to happen.  This is completely contrary to my rights as required by law in the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration handbook "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move."
 
Paragraph 3 I neglected to mention that I had paid them $803.00 on 28 February when the guys came to pack my things.  Additionally, it was 2 July when Emily told me not to call about my things.
 
Paragraph 5 I inferred but did not state that I signed the paper claiming I still owed them $300.00 under duress.  Searg refused to give me my things unless I signed it, and refused to allow me to write anything else on it.   I had no choice.
 
Paragraph 6 I neglected to mention that among the missing items were photographs of my father, who is deceased.  This is in addition to the listing on yesterdays response.
 
Paragraph 9 states an incorrect amount since I did not add the money I had already paid, therefore the amount I want refunded is $2242.80.  I also request punitive damages in that amount as well, making the total $4485.60.
 
I am forwarding all to the State of Washington DOT and licensing, the State of Oregon DOT and licensing, the US Attorney since this is an interstate case, the Federal DOT and FTC, and will update my complaints on various web sites.   
 
 

My things are currently being brought into my home; however, the boxes are in really bad shape, so I'm taking photos of everything. In addition, the driver had a paper stating that I owed another $300, which I do not agree to, but I had to sign it to get my things. I called my mother and she was on the phone and can testify to my signing that piece of paper under duress, since the driver would not allow me to write anything on the paper but my name. This is not his business, but I had to sign it. I will fight this.

I have heard from their attorney who is trying to tell me I am libeling their company. I am not the only one who's had severe issues with this company, I have refused to remove anything I've said online.

The $300 came about because they changed their invoice costs, certain items (not fuel or storage) are listed higher than in the original invoice. This is a blatant attempt to rip me off.

So far, my jewelry box is broken, there is water damamge on a lot of these boxes, one of my lamps is broken and they've tried to give me someone's elses top for the lamp.