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United Moving Express Systems, Fastrak Movers fraud tripled my signed estimate after moving truck was loaded a bunch of liars and crooks! Is this the US or Russia? Sun Valley California
After getting three estimates to move my family's 2 bedroom apartment from LA to North Carolina, I went with United Moving Express. The quote was $2100. It could goes as high as $2,600 if I have 4000 lbs. instead of 3000 lbs. that was estimated.
Moving day arrives and the truck pulls up on time. The foreman tours the apartment and garage and has me sign a bill of lading for $2100. I then excuse myself to run some errands while my wife supervises.
When I return, the truck is 95% loaded and the foreman said it is coming in more than expected. I figured, oh well, looks like $2600. He says the cubic feet indicates this load will weigh in at 10,500 lbs! It'll now cost me $6200 he says. I tell him to call his boss and talk to me.
"Avi" calls back. I asked how it could be so far over the estimate. He said he wasn't sure what I was quoted, but he'll reduce the charge to $5280 so he can "help me out". He says it's a good rate (52 cents/lb) based on the cubic feet.
I say, what's this cubic feet stuff, I was quoted on 3-4000 lbs!! Your guy checked it out, if he's that far off he shouldn't be doing this job. What I didn't know was this is a scam operation from the get go.
I can't afford $5280, I can barely afford $2600. He says he can put it in storage at 300/month until I call to have it shipped. I reluctantly sign a change order form because I have to be out.
Two weeks later, in my parents house in NC, I get a phone call from a trucker in Tennessee to arrange a drop-off time. I laughed and said I didn't order the stuff to be delivered. He said it's not his problem and he needs cash tomorrow if I want my furniture. I DON'T HAVE IT. He says fine, he'll put it in storage.
I call United Moving Express and ask what the heck's going on. They said they have a 9/24 delivery date. I said that was when it was for $2100, and anyway we talked on the phone and confirmed I would store it until I called for delivery. Avi didn't remember that conversation and said to call when I had the money.
How do these criminals get away with this??? Is there not any government regulation. I called the FMSCA and left a message on the "hostage load" supervisor's machine 2 weeks ago. Now his machine won't take messages because it it too full. What a joke. Except the joke is on me to the tune of $3180.
I feel like I'm an American in Russia. Sure I can sue them if I hire a lawyer, but I can't afford a lawyer. Unreal
Bruce
Southern Pines, North Carolina
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Justice!! Well kind of
#20
Mon, November 18, 2002
For those who read my report, here's two lessons I learned; 1.) Save your Bill of Lading!! 2.) It pays to have a lawyer as an in-law! I thought I was totally screwed, but my brother-in-law wrote a nasty letter describing all the injunctions etc.... he was going to file if they didn't negotiate a settlement in the neighborhood of my original estimate. Two days later he received a call from their lawyer, and within a week we had a deal.
There wouldn't have been a deal to be made if I hadn't saved the original estimate and matching bill of lading.
On the down side, I just went to the storage facility where my hijacked goods were stored, and they were literally thrown in there without any care. Heavy stuff on top of boxes that are being squished. Ugly. Hopefully they haven't stolen anything, but I'll find out when I unload the stuff in a couple days. At least I wont have to buy all new furniture (which I couldn't afford anyway).