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Magic Moving And Storage, Top Moving And Storage, Amos Bretter, Gila Bretter Ripoff household goods held hostage by unethical thieves Fair Lawn New Jersey
On August 10, 2005 I booked Union Movers online to move me from
Eagle, MI 48822 to Albuquerque, NM.
Union Movers
3430 East Jefferson
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-760-6525
MC# 499088
Order # 900324
They agreed to move an estimated 222 Cu. Ft. of household goods for $1,099.00 of which I gave 1/3 down in a Master Card payment of $366.33; with 1/3 due at pick-up, and the final 1/3 in cash on delivery. The verbal understanding with agent Justin was that: Union Movers would be doing the actual pickup, the 2nd payment could be made by credit card over the phone at pickup. He also agreed that I did not need to be on site (I needed to get to Albuquerque to find housing) as long as they were given access to the goods and that the movers would call from the pickup site before they left for payment.
I made a detailed list of the household goods and boxes I left and measured everything with a grand total of 194 cubic feet.
The pick up was scheduled for August 18, Thursday. The pickup took place at 9pm, Sunday, August 21. No phone communication was made to me in Albuquerque regarding this pickup time or any of the agreed upon details of the pickup. The movers requested no second payment at the time of pickup.
On August 23, I received a phone call at 1pm from Sandra at Magic Movers to discuss the charges and 2nd payment for my goods. She quoted a total of 300 cubic feet of goods at $4.95 per cu.ft., for a total of $1,485.00, plus packing/taxes of $193.98, fuel charge of $ 74.25 and tolls/scale fees of $95.00, for a grand total of $1,848.23.
Magic Moving LLC
12-82 River Road
Fairlawn, NJ 07410
(201) 797-1314 1-800-862-0911
USDOT# 1331728 MC # 462129
When I expressed my shock at the price increase she said someone would call. On 8- 23-05 at 3:15 pm I spoke with employee Eric Ber regarding how total cubic feet changes with packing. He agreed to split the total final due between a Visa payment of $740.95 now and the same amount cash on delivery. I have since had unprofessional and argumentative conversations with both Amos and Gila from this office.
On 8-29-05, I gave my Visa card number to Sandra with the explanation that as I had to transfer funds to that account, they would not be available until 8-30-05.
On 8-31-05, Sandra calls with the explanation that in order to process my Visa they need a fax of my Visa card, front and back, and the front of my Drivers License and my signature on their credit card form, which they will fax. (This included a Credit Card Charge Back Waiver, which I ignored) By the end of business the forms and card copies were faxed. This same evening, driver Zi, called to say he would arrive Thursday, 9-1-05, am and would need cash payment of $1,481.90.
The next morning, 9-1-05, Gila from the office calls enraged that I did not fill out the Credit Card forms correctly and also said that payment of $ 1,481.90 would be due on delivery. Zi calls at 1pm that they are at my home. At this point I phone the Albuquerque police who say unless there is violence at my home all they can do is file a report. Officer Dave Archunde filed report # 050901-542. I arrived home at 2pm and tell Zi and assistant Carlos that I don't have the total in cash. He calls the office and is instructed to put my goods in storage. I invite them into my home to find a local storage facility and call, U- Store It, 4701 Cutler, Albuquerque, NM (505) 884-4580 and speak to clerk, Curtis, who quotes a price of $45.00 per/month for a 5 x 10 storage unit with 18 wheeler access. Supposedly that's where they went.
According to the FMCSA, DC office, when they called Amos at Magic Moving, he claimed that my Visa Card was not approved. Not according to Visa who on 9-1-05, confirmed by phone that Magic Moving had an approval for charges of $740.95, which had yet to be posted. And in her enraged call of 9-1-05 Gila claimed that they were releasing the charges to Visa in lieu of cash.
9-6-2005 FMCSA complaint faxed to David Yessen, New Jersey office.
9-7-2005 BBB online complaint to Trenton, New Jersey office.
Further online research revealed that on October 8, 2004, The State of New Jersey, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs filed an Administrative Action, OCP0387, against Amos Bretter, Top Moving LCC. A Yahoo search for New Jersey Movers lists: Magic Moving LLC, 160 Passaic Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032, an alternate address to Fair Lawn, NJ.
Ironically, Magic Moving LLC is a member of both the New Jersey Better Business Bureau and the American Moving and Storage Association!!!
Ernest
Albuquerque, New Mexico
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Report list of other Moving Companies
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on National Moving Network and other various transport companies ripping off the consumer
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Ernest
Albuquerque,New Mexico,
U.S.A.
Amos & Gila Bretter-More Federal Fines-$20,000.00
#4
Tue, August 25, 2009
Amos & Gila Bretter -A-Topps Moving & Storage LLC-New Jersey
Most recently the BBB revoked AMos & Gila Bretters membership:
http://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/business-reviews/movers/a-topps-moving-and-storage-in-paterson-nj-10002693#ratingdetails
Once again Amos & Gila Bretter have been fined by the Federal government:
Government Actions
On July 6, 2009, A-Topps Moving & Storage LLC entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The agreement settles charges the business violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Hazardous Materials Regulations and/or the Federal Motor Carrier Commercial Regulations.
Under the terms of the agreement, A-Topp's Moving and Storage LLC will pay a non-suspended portion of the civil penalty in the amount of $20,400 in twelve payments. Execution of the settlement agreement constitutes admissions of the violation(s) set forth in the agreement.
Ernest
Albuquerque,New Mexico,
U.S.A.
Amos & Glia Bretter: The Facts
#4Author of original report
Wed, March 05, 2008
Timeline of State and Federal Fines against Amos & Gila Bretter
10- 8-2004
The State of New Jersey, Department of Law and Public Safety,
Division of Consumer Affairs filed an Administrative Action, OCP0387, against Amos Bretter, Top Moving LCC.
$11,500.00 Fines levied.
9-6-2005
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration complaint filed with New Jersey office.
1-20-2006
FMCSA letter acknowledging Magic Moving's non compliance as reported and intention to issue enforcement action, in which civil penalties will be assessed.
3-16-2006
FMCSA levies fines of $4,300.00
Facts
There was never a written agreement with Magic Moving, NJ.
Magic Moving has a chronic history of closing up shop when they get in legal trouble, going to the next town, and reopening under a new name. The Bretter's are now operating under the new name, A-Topps Moving & Storage Co. LLC
Further Complaints & Facts
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website:
http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SafeStat/SafetySea.asp?ais=&DOT=1331728&WhichForm=safer&PageN=EH#EH
The National Consumer Complaint Database website:
http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/hhg/SearchDetails.asp?ads=&id=30954311&f=CNS%3D1%26CN%3D%26search%3D1%26DOT%3D1331728%2B%26MC%3D%26Submit%3DSearch
MovingScam.com:
http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15026
Gila
Fair Lawn,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Ernest Sturdevant stole Our Time And Service and Falsely using negative advertising on the Internet.
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, February 24, 2008
As owners, Amos Bretter & Gila Bretter, of Magic Moving & Storage. We would like to reply to Mr. Ernest Sturdevant's Rip-Off horrific complaint against our company for a move from Michigan to New Mexico on 8/21/05.
Mr. Ernest Sturdevant has maliciously misrepresented our company's name, i.e., by misinterpretation of information given and falsely using negative advertising on the Internet.
Our rates are regulated by the Division of Consumer Affaris and the Department of Transportation.
1. Mr. Sturdevant was not present at the pick up.
2. Mr. Sturdevant was advised of the balance and method of payment 7 days prior to delivery. Method of Payment either Bank Certified check or postal money order.
Driver arrived in New Mexico to find Mr. Sturdevant did not have money for the balance.
We made and exception & took a credit card. Card "DECLINED", "3 times." The 4th time card was approved, but Mr. Sturdevant refused to sign the necessary paperwork required in order for us to process the credit card information.
Please note, this took us a total of two days for all this action to transpire. Our driver lost was 24 hours with his deliverys.
3. Mr. Sturdevant has paid absolutely nothing to our company! It always seemed that he knew what he was doing. He thought we would leave the good, and pay us later. We now know he wants the service for free!
However, we feel we are the victim in this horrific situation he has created. We at Magic Moving & Storage will always be committed to serving the public on a professional level and at the highest standard.
Amos Bretter
Gila Bretter
Fiar Lawn NJ 07410