Complaint Review: Starving Students Moving Company

There are a TON of complaints ALL OVER the internet regarding your terrible business, terrible workers, terrible practices, terrible customer service and you choose to ignore THOUSANDS of complaints...and THIS is the one you choose to respond to?  I guess this goes to show your terrible customer service...on another note, in  my opinion, it looks like you have threatened this individual with some sort of lawsuit or something to make him retract his statement.

My experience with Starving Student Moving Company was completely different. They showed up on time, spoke perfect english and moved me from one part of Los Angeles to another part of Los Angeles. The price quoted was the price charged & the amount of time they said it would take was just about right on.I would use them again. 

The experience with them was a hundred times better than other moving companies that I have used.

Davi, you presented a legitimate complaint against Starving Students with some good arguments, but it looks like they bought you off. I feel for the exploited immigrants and the dumped on natives, but it doesn't seem that consumers will have much say in the practice of businesses hiring day workers. In the very least, a head mover/worker should be licensed and responsible for all the other workers in every move. Starving Students claims more than this, but they are not credible, based on years of reports from across the US citing blatant fraud and criminal abuse. There is no excuse for the reported abuses (and management as much as workers). How does this go on? Court decisions against this company have apparently had no lasting and widespread effect. It seems this company should be shut down and the executives jailed.

Davi, you presented a legitimate complaint against Starving Students with some good arguments, but it looks like they bought you off. I feel for the exploited immigrants and the dumped on natives, but it doesn't seem that consumers will have much say in the practice of businesses hiring day workers. In the very least, a head mover/worker should be licensed and responsible for all the other workers in every move. Starving Students claims more than this, but they are not credible, based on years of reports from across the US citing blatant fraud and criminal abuse. There is no excuse for the reported abuses (and management as much as workers). How does this go on? Court decisions against this company have apparently had no lasting and widespread effect. It seems this company should be shut down and the executives jailed.

Davi, you presented a legitimate complaint against Starving Students with some good arguments, but it looks like they bought you off. I feel for the exploited immigrants and the dumped on natives, but it doesn't seem that consumers will have much say in the practice of businesses hiring day workers. In the very least, a head mover/worker should be licensed and responsible for all the other workers in every move. Starving Students claims more than this, but they are not credible, based on years of reports from across the US citing blatant fraud and criminal abuse. There is no excuse for the reported abuses (and management as much as workers). How does this go on? Court decisions against this company have apparently had no lasting and widespread effect. It seems this company should be shut down and the executives jailed.

Davi, you presented a legitimate complaint against Starving Students with some good arguments, but it looks like they bought you off. I feel for the exploited immigrants and the dumped on natives, but it doesn't seem that consumers will have much say in the practice of businesses hiring day workers. In the very least, a head mover/worker should be licensed and responsible for all the other workers in every move. Starving Students claims more than this, but they are not credible, based on years of reports from across the US citing blatant fraud and criminal abuse. There is no excuse for the reported abuses (and management as much as workers). How does this go on? Court decisions against this company have apparently had no lasting and widespread effect. It seems this company should be shut down and the executives jailed.

I have been in contact with Starving Students Movers and based on their response, intentions, and willingness, I have withdrawn my complaint and have edited my posts on our group website to reflect that. There is little need to post any photographs and videos, as it would serve no legitimate business or neighborhood interests, and they might be misleading.

PS: If you live in the neighborhood as you say, we would welcome your help to clean it up and remove the unlicensed businesses and contractors; under the table workers; and the unsavory people who are feeding off of all of them. There is no legitimate reason that this neighborhood should bear the responsability for so much of Sacramento's underground economy, especially so when many of them do not even live here

Davi

You stated you would post the pictures of the Starving Student trucks, this is a very easy task we have yet to see you do. As for the Starving Student trucks going to the "day labor" location as you put it you forgot to metion this is actually a public convenient store where the men get drinks and food to get them through the day. I also live in the area, I am also employed by Starving Students and know what goes on within the company.

Starving Students has never hired, nor will ever hire illegal immigrants. I know this and stand by Starving Students. All you did by starting this is made it immpossible for the actual Starving Student employees to go to a public store which they have every right to do, just because it happens to be where illegal immigrants congregate in the mornings hoping to get work. Hope you are proud of yourself.

Proud to be a Starving Student
Sacramento, CA

Hello SHARON,
Are you so upset that you have nothing to say lately about Nationwide, that you are trying to pass your wild imaginations to the readers of this website. My company as many others good companies are paying taxes and hiring legal workers, nothing gives you the right to accuse Nationwide.Before doing so, please have solid proof of wrongdoing.
And again, Sean and Davi - I find this issue irrelevant to this website . Go do something productive, what you are doing is destructive.

Sharon, and other illegal immigrant defenders...,

This is a ripoff report, not a sermonizing platform. So quit sermonizing. I won't respond to all of your ridiculous and tangent statements out of respect for the sites rules. Can you do the same please?
I guess there is a rule about not posting your email address too, so sorry for mentioning mine was in the post.

Hello Orit! How's business at Nationwide Van Lines going? Are you passing through to see if any new complaints about you have popped up yet?

I can see why you would see this issue as irrelevant, since your foreman have probably frequented these worksites often, and the cash you steal from your customers is being used to pay these guys illegally.

Davi, while I myself do not particularly like the idea of paying taxes while others do not, we all have to accept that fact that without these "illegal workers", many, many industries will shut down. Your big, new houses will take longer to build. They will get dirty from not having cleaning people around. Etc, etc. Workers who do not have paper take the jobs that nobody else wants, and do a d**n good job at them, too. There are many, many lazy people who are citizens of this country who feel themselves too high and mighty to take on such jobs that are beneath them. These are the ones driving away from the unemployment office in their fancy SUVs.

Face it, these workers are necessary. If you want to work on a problem, then why not volunteer to help some of these people apply for citizenship so they can legally work? Give training and support to the people of your community who are not TRYING to get the jobs the immigrants are "taking"?

What I find the most appalling is that Davi is camped out in his truck, taking pictures of honest people trying to feed their families. Stalking companies who hire them. Chasing away any paycheck that can keep kids from dying in the streets. Why don't you do something POSITIVE for a change?

Just yesterday a story was printed in the Washington Post about a group of DOT workers who parked in a 7-11 parking lot to count cars passing through a local intersection. This same place happens to be a worker congregation zone, WITH PERMISSION FROM THE STORE'S OWNERS. The workers have been so harrassed by people like you that they were getting angry at the government vehicles, the DOT workers were trying to calm them down, but most left the property. No money for their kids today. Of course, this probably makes you feel good, doesn't it? One less illegal to take your job. Tell us, Davi, how do you make your money? What do you call your job? Or is this how you spend your days? Harrassing others?

OK, too far off topic. Back to bad movers...

This sight isnn't just for those who have been ripped off. It's also to point out potential rip-off's as well.

The mexicans that are hired may do the work better, they may do it worse. I've had to work with people that have limited english skills, and trust me, even if the typical "lazy American" works slower, you spend less time having to manage these skilled people who understand what to do the first time. If you have to keep explaining over and over to someone, then you are wasting time and money.

And who cares if they work hard. If they aren't paying taxes, then it's illegal anyway.

And, trust me. Everyone knows that you can pick up a truckload (cause they are picked up by trucks) of illegal immigrants who are looking for daywork. It's been on the news, 20/20, and a lot of other reports that the police do not have the time to round up all the individuals to deport them.

I have presented my Email address to anyone who wants to see the proof, even the alleged owner of Starving Students. You are the one who is getting off the beaten path when defending illegal immigrants. This is, and was a complaint aimed at the company for unfair business practices, not one aimed at illegal immigrants in specific. And I have stated already, it was the Day laborers themselves that told me they do not have documentation that allowed them to work in the US.
Starving Students Moving company can easily remedy this complaint or "problem" by simply stopping their trucks from frequenting this day labor site.

Sean,
This report is irrelevant to this website.
This website is to share personal experience with a company who provided you with service.
This is not the case presented here.
The issue is totally blown out of proportion.
You do not even know if this is true.
And how in the world does Davi know these people are illegal. Does it say on their forehead
" I am illegal".
Live and let live. Let the authorities handle this.
Paco and Jorge may be better workers than Jo Shmo Smith, because they are here to WORK and support their families, and by the way to move furniture you don't have to have a Degree in English Language.

Orit,

You ask how this is relevant to a ripoff? Well, let's just assume that starving students is hiring illegal immigrants to do the work. This means that starving students is paying these people under the table (non taxable wages). Do you know what taxes are?

So back to paying people under the table. When the owner does this, the wages going to the immigrants are being taxed. No federal, state or social security is being witheld from each check. This also means the owner does not have to pay his share of the employees social security tax to the federal government as well. So to keep things simple for you Otis. Starving students is in fact ripping off the federal, state, and local governments by not paying a taxable wage to the illegal immigrants.

And, why call the company starving students if they are not even hiring students. Shouldn't the company be called starving illegal immigrants? Probably because nobody will hire a company like that. And, I wonder what some of the customers are thinking when they find Paco and Jorge who can't speak a lick of english moving their furniture around.

If you're going to hire immigrants off the street corner to do the moving, why call your company starving students moving. Why not just call yourself starving immigrants moving. That will keep people claiming mis-representation. Maybe people want to hire this company because they remember how poor they were when they were in college, and want to help these guys out a little bit. Instead, what you're doing is helping out a company who will pay undocumented immigrants under the table. This in turn, means the owner does not have to pay taxes, the government doesn't get their revenue, and goes deeper in debt. It's all simple economics.

The name of this Website is Ripoff Report. What does the issue of illegal workers have to do with this website?
Your report on this website is totally irrelevant.

Davi, you wrote and I quote "They who tell me they don't have legal presence or documents to work".

Really? Thats so surprising. I am shocked that someone in this country illegally would just volunteer that information to a stranger so freely. What would motivate them to confide that to you? Where I live, there are a lot of illegal immigrants, particularly mexicans, and they don't speak to the natives or interact much with anyone but their own because they are TERRIFIED of someone finding out they are in this country illegally. Losing their jobs and being deported is their biggest fear, yet these guys are telling a stranger "hey, I'm not suppose to be working here". I'm not saying you are lying because I don't know you, I'm just saying that is so shocking to me that these people would confide something like that in you...

Ok Mr Bear,

I'll try to find your email address and send you the photos. By the way, You may be right about them going to their routes as usual. It seems quite normal for them to be there. In other words, it's quite common to see your trucks and your drivers there. You can reach me at AyatollahGondola@Aol.com

As for the rest of the comments;
Yes, it is affecting me personally, and I'd rather be doing something else. But it is necessary.
And I am quite awre that many businesses cheat this way. That does not make it right. And no one is really helping the situation long term by continuing this practice.

Ok Mr Bear,

I'll try to find your email address and send you the photos. By the way, You may be right about them going to their routes as usual. It seems quite normal for them to be there. In other words, it's quite common to see your trucks and your drivers there. You can reach me at AyatollahGondola@Aol.com

As for the rest of the comments;
Yes, it is affecting me personally, and I'd rather be doing something else. But it is necessary.
And I am quite awre that many businesses cheat this way. That does not make it right. And no one is really helping the situation long term by continuing this practice.

Ok Mr Bear,

I'll try to find your email address and send you the photos. By the way, You may be right about them going to their routes as usual. It seems quite normal for them to be there. In other words, it's quite common to see your trucks and your drivers there. You can reach me at AyatollahGondola@Aol.com

As for the rest of the comments;
Yes, it is affecting me personally, and I'd rather be doing something else. But it is necessary.
And I am quite awre that many businesses cheat this way. That does not make it right. And no one is really helping the situation long term by continuing this practice.

Ok Mr Bear,

I'll try to find your email address and send you the photos. By the way, You may be right about them going to their routes as usual. It seems quite normal for them to be there. In other words, it's quite common to see your trucks and your drivers there. You can reach me at AyatollahGondola@Aol.com

As for the rest of the comments;
Yes, it is affecting me personally, and I'd rather be doing something else. But it is necessary.
And I am quite awre that many businesses cheat this way. That does not make it right. And no one is really helping the situation long term by continuing this practice.

Whether it is right or wrong, you can not single out one trucking company for this. My dad is in the construction business, and my grandfather was a truckdriver. There are reasons why you see illegal immigrants hanging out at 7-11, Home Depot and Lowe's in the early mornings. They are waiting for someone to pick them up and hire them for the day - cash only for undocumented workers. This is the same reason you see immigrants waiting in the parking lots at truck stops. Truckers hire them to do the heavy lifting and "dirty work" they don't want to do. Is it legal to hire an illegal immigrant and pay them cash? No. Is it common practice? Yes.

I also happen to live in an agricultural region, and those same illegal immigrant day workers are picking grapes for the Napa Valley wines you drink, and picking oranges, corn and other produce you eat every day.

Of course, there is an ongoing debate about whether the workers are being treated humanely, and then the other side of the coin with the argument that they are illegal and should not be here in the first place. No matter what your stand on the illegal immigrant issue, the fact of the matter is that companies all over the country and in every industry hire these day laborers. If that were not the case, why would so many of them risk there lives to come here for work? It is not fair to single out this one trucking company when there are thousands of other companies doing the exact thing.

Besides all that, why on earth are you so intent on monitoring this activity? Is it personally affecting your life, or are you just that bored?

I suggest you don't bother with INS or the cops. If they cared they would have done something already. Make copies of any tape you're going to use as the "authorities' are notorius for "losing" them. Next, give your local representative a chance to question those people that are supposed to be dealing with this problem, preferably at a neighborhood board meeting. That will make it official, and public. It's hard for the cops tell a polititian that they don't have time to do their job. If you get no timely results from that, go to the press. Also remember, E-mail is a great way to record and document back and forth between you and those in power. I had to do all this when drug dealers moved in to my area. It took three years, but I finally won and the street has been clear for years now. I'm known as the "camera-man" because so many of them went to jail because of me.

Davi:

I'm the CEO of Starving Students and your posting was brought to my attention. All of our employees are legal, documented, insured and pass criminal background checks. It is absolutely not our practice to hire any sort of day laborers, so I'm very interested in what you say you've seen.

We checked the GPS reports for our Sacramento trucks on the day in question and it looks like our trucks all left the branch and went to their moves as normal.

If you could please forward any proof you might have of this to me immediately, I'd appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Bear Barnes
CEO
Starving Students Inc.

Why are you singling out Starving Students? I'm many many more handymen, contractors, etc. are also going by there looking for help.

I "monitor" the area because it's my neighborhood. I interact with the day laborers alot, and it is They who tell me they don't have legal presence or documents to work. Starving Students is required to hire people who have either legal presence or work visas. They are also required to fill out state and federally required forms before they hire workers. For them to hire unknown persons off the street and present them to their unsuspecting customers as if they were permanent, researched people is unsafe, illegal, and bad business practice. It also allows Starving Students moving to compete against other moving companies in an unfair advantage. All they want to do is to keep their costs down by an illegal means.

Yes; as a matter of fact they do push American students out of the way to get jobs. Many people have stopped by and supported my claims and actions here. Many have told me they cannot compete against this type of illegal hiring.

I will post photo's of Starving Students activities there after I figure out the system here. I also have videos.

Davi, What are you doing to get the Day Labor Center shut down for, as you say being "mainly comprised of undocumented workers"? Have you called the I.N.S on all the "undocumented workers" And where are you working that gives you a reason to be "monitoring" them in the first place? Please respond.

How are you sure they are illegals, and why do you care? Were they pushing hard-working American students out of their way so they could get on the trucks first and steal their jobs? Try monitoring something else, like how many able-bodied Americans are hanging around the welfare office to pick up their welfare checks, then driving off in new Escalades with 20" rims.