Complaint Review: USA Moving and Storage

I thought I had found a great deal through GROUPON and since Ive never had any issue with anything through Groupon I figured the same.  I was moving a one bedroom condo to a different addres less than 2 miles away, still on Miami Beach.

The deal on Groupon was 52% off moving sevices and was to include 3 movers, one truck, pads and dollies.  Here is the groupon ad,  usamovingservicesinc.com/

I opted for the 4 hours option which cost me an up front payment of $240.  Good deal right?  It couldnt take longer for 3 guys and traveling less than 2 hours and having an elevator at both propertys right?  Here comes the first BS

The condo I was moving into required them to show a bond certificate which Lisa(my "sales rep") said to provide would cost $200 extra.  When I balked at that as being outragous she quickly said they would slit the cost with me.  When I had to "think about it" and booking with them she hounded me calling morning, noon, and night!  Finally as time was winding down I decided I'd go ahead and book and paid, up front, $340!  After payment I didnt hear anything from Lisa again.  I even tried to call her and went to VM where there was nor return call.  At this point I wasnt entirely sure they were coming to move me.

The day before the move I got a call confirming address and time of arrival for the movers and truck.  Now as anyone knows moving and whole experience sucks but has to be done sometimes.  This company preys on your stress and knows you have a moveout and move in date that is generally in stone. 

When the movers arrived they were coming from North Miami, about 15 minutes from Miami Beach however charged one hour for the drive which once again was different from what they said and makes you lose an hour of moving time so they can upcharge you when they drag their feet and move you slowly so they run out of your pre-paid time so they can charge you more.  Also they started telling me that tape and packing(scrap boxes tey put on many things that didnt need anything) wasnt included and is extra cost but once again at that point what do you say.  Anyway they went about thier moving stuff since the moment they arrive they tell you you are on the clock even while they are standing around smoking and "looking" at your stuff to figure best way to pack. 

Finally after 3.5 hours we were loaded and heading to the other location 2 miles away.  Knowing they would hit me with some extra bullshit I swung by the ATM and picked up and extra $200 knowing it could never be more than that, after all with the value of the Groupon it was $537.00(actually paid $240 plus the $100 for the bond cert. so $340 so far).

When we arrived and met the movers at the arrival site is where the big ripoff scam really unfolds! This is where they hit me with wanting an extra $869.00 in materials and packing and extra time BS!  Also not unloading anything until they had cash payment.  When I refused and told them to call their supervisor or manager they did but informed me that I was still being charged for the time.  The guess what!??? We couldnt get anyone on the phone for over a half hour, more money they expected to get!!! Incredible!

I told this guy I was on the phone with that what they are doing is illegal and extortion and theft.  I proceeded to tell them that I deal with the FTC (Federal Trade Commision)every day and would have them shut down.  I told him I expected a little extra but if I had paid them what they wanted and all the fees ect a 2 mile move of a one bedroom apartment would have cost me $1309 which is beyond 4 times what any reputable firm would have charged!  I told the manager on the phone $100 extra was all I would pay.  He told me he'd have to call me back(keep in mind nothing has been moved out of the truck yet!).  Finally he got back with me in about 15 minutes and agreed to my price since my threats calling is operation theft and extortion.  I am writing all of this since the FTC should look into the shady practices of this company and GROUPON also need to know who they are attaching their name to.