Jeanski
Buffalo,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, November 11, 2011
I have to go with Comment #1 from Jim. I've used this company no less than 6 times in the last 10 years. Particularly after reading all the horror stories on ROR about moving companies, I'm glad I used them. It's generally cheaper, and even though I have to do some work myself, I've never had a problem. Not once, and I've moved all over the Eastern US.
Personally, I think they're a great company!
Jim S
Anaheim,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, November 11, 2011
I mean if something like a moving company selling your goods gets to that point, you REALLY haven't paid your bill. In order for that to happen, you must have been about six months behind in your storage payment. Whether you think you've been gouged or not is irrelevant. If you had a dispute, your contract probably states that you have to pay the disputed amount in full, and then let a small claims court decide. Your chances succeeding in small claims is probably better than 50-50 depending on the nature of the gouge.
The truth of the matter is this: Your items are no longer yours - that's why the company won't accept payment. If the items aren't yours anymore, you're essentially trying to buy things that belong to ABF now. They don't belong to you anymore - that much is for certain. Once you get that letter indicating your goods have been abandoned, there is no amount of money you can give even a good and very reputable DIY carrier like ABF to get items back that are no longer yours.
At this point, you have a couple of options:
1. You can hire a lawyer to issue a cease and desist letter regarding the sale of your goods, and an order preventing them from selling the items. Yeah, it means you need an attorney, but being this late in the game and taking your dispute to this level...you really don't have a choice. If you time the letter just right (just before an auction), it may buy you time. Now it may work, and it may not.
2. You could show up at the auction and try to buy your items back. It may cost you more money, but if you let a few people know you're there to try and buy back your items, I suspect it's possible the bidders may just let you have it without bidding up the price. I wouldn't count on that though. The guys who bid on these items are just barely human beings (or at least they haven't been walking upright for very long...).
I understand those aren't good options, but they're the only ones you have at this point. Best of luck to you.