Complaint Review: America's Moving Network - Dania Beach Florida

Jessica Szachniuk, Eli Ashkenazi, Moshe Ashkenazi, and Lily Ashkenazi are all part of a middle eastern organized crime ring in Florida. My wife and I have lost everything we ever owned to these people (totaling over $100,000 not including priceless items).

Eli and Lili are now scamming under the name of American Moving Services. www.moving-ams.com. 1747 Van Buren Street, Suite 860, Hollywood, FL. You can talk to Eli at 954-920-3446 I suspect that Misty Way--the sweetheart that does the estimates is Lili. Are they really fat drunks? They need to be locked up.

I worked for Eli and Mo Ashkenazi for 3 days. The hours were from 9 AM to 7 PM monday thru friday and Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM. They tell prospects they've been appointed by the D.O.T. and the Federal Highway Administration, and that they will help them NOT to get ripped off in their move. They claim to represent the " TOP TEN " movers in the country... such as United, Atlas, Allied, Paul Arpin, American Red Ball, and a few others. Mike Moore goes by the name J.C., and lies and misleads. The " NOT TO EXCEED " letter they fax to prospects has the brokers name on it, since they " subcontract " their phone people.

My advice for the victim here is summed up in one word - COMMUNICATION In May of 2002, I graduated law school in Arkansas and was offered an Associate position with a law firm in Fort Myers, FL, who offered to pay up to 2000.00 for relocation expenses... We selected a place to live from Rent.com and I was contacted by American Moving Network and Michael Moore to make me an offer. He told me the same stuff he told everyone here.... That I would be moved by United Van Lines and that the cost would be just over 2000.00. The Move was to be for May 27.... Well April 27 comes and I get a call from a mover saying he is a couple miles out and ready to move, I am like... um its a month from now... So turns out AMN set the wrong day..... So Mike Moore and I went back and forth for a few calls and I stayed on him... I kept calling... and calling and getting faxed signed information from him. Then a couple days before the move he called and said United can;t do it, that I would be getting a nice moving company, Prime Movers. I did research and found all of this horrible stuff posted on Michael Moore and Prime.... I then again got on the phone called Eli, called Mike Moore, called Lily everyone I could asking them if they knew all of this and that I knew and they better not mess with my stuff.... They agreed they should not mess this move up. Mike was very unprofessional in my opinion... However, I did make sure I called almost hourly the days before the move, the bottom line is posting back and forth here is not going to solve any problems... Pick up the phone, call Mike Moore and stay on Mike until you get answers, these people are brokers, and they are there to help you, they have your deposit and they are making kickbacks from the movers... Prime did a decent job, buit as soon as the drivers showed up I was on the phone with Ethan at Prime Movers... I talked to him hourly from the moment my stuff left - I got the cell number of the drivers, we talked throughout the 3-4 days to get the stuff here to FL. Then the agreement time... Prime wanted 3800, when American quoted me 2000 (or just over) I was like I will not pay that! I said I paid AMN a deposit of 700 or so... They said we know nothing about that. So I got mike moore on the phone and eli and we conferenced with Ethan at Prime... I faxed the deposit receipt and they deducted the 799.00 So I ended ujp paying about 1000.00 more they said it was weight and packing and stuff.... Well I was just so happy to have my stuff here, I was like here take your money Mike Moore would lie and say he wasnt there, and then my wife would call and say she wanted an estimate and lo' and behold he was magically there.... He knew I was onto the possibility of bad things happeneing and they did me right, but you have to stay on these people day by day - hour by hour... Simply posting a post here trying to upset them and get them mad at you will not help. Call and say you need help, get them to help you - and help yourself by communicating with all parties. However, Because of the lack of ease I would never ever EVER use a broker again, but I must say if you have decided to and are in this position.... COMMUNICATE and stop writing notes on RipOff Report back and forth!!! Eli, Mike, and Lily.... Just use better moving companies that dont rip people off..... Part of the problem is the language barrier of the movers you use.... They are not able to communicate on the phone etc... luckily I begged and pleaded for Ethan's direct number and he did me ok... I thinbk that they overchanrged me but I will never be able to prove it.... They had like 3 or 4 loads on my truck tho so I am sure that was the huge weight inflation... they charged me like .68 x over 3000 more pounds then they said I originally had... I do not see how that could be.... But I wanted my stuff so I paid... and got it in 4 days... All because I was onto the possible downfalls and called and called and called.... Good luck to you all

Lily, I was again amazed to see that you commented on numerous posts, but have failed to address my posts at all regarding Michael Moore, AMN, and load bumping. My posts were dated July 3 and July 14, and in fact, are repeated in this very posting. Yet, you still do not respond. Again--any consumers reading this should take this silent as an admission of the facts as stated in my postings. America's Moving Network is a "broker" that affiliates with shady moving outfits. It will offer no customer support at all, and will repeatedly lie if asked to honor the terms of the sales pitch as given by slicksters such as Michael Moore. Please read the postings on this site and also Movingscam.com and take the advice given--do not use these internet moving companies or brokers. Regards,

Brain, You say that Mitch Lipka has an article from October of 2000 stating that Eli Ashkenazi is a criminal who was banned from the moving industry. Americas Moving Network only opened in 2001. That article is about a Mr. Aldo Disorbo who was banned by the attorney generals office for defrauding customers. In regards to Brains complaint that we called to harrass her, that too is a lie. An AMN employee contacted the Brains residence to find out if she was coming back to work and why she didnt call to let us know. As far as an assult and verbal abuse case, nothing was ever filed in regards to that claim. This is an employee who worked for AMN for 4 to 5 months. She lied to us about going school as well as many other things. Such a bad place but no complaints till 6 months later. Very convenient. Before you go and talk bad, first learn how to write proper english. Fact is, Brain is a pathological liar.

Brain, First, Ms. Brain as she calls herself knows nothing about any individual at this company. Brain failed to mention that she was never fired but did not show up to work, nor did she call to notify anyone at this company that she was leaving. In response to the so called harrassment, there was never any issue of such a thing till 1 month later at which time I confrunted both parties and one said no they didnt as well as other employees saying it never happened. If there was such a case why did Brain touch male employees and sit on there lap and flirt with them all day. AMN did everything to solve the situation which ultimately ended in the other sales person leaving AMN. In response to my being an alcoholic, I do not drink alcohol neither was I ever convicted of driving under the influence. In regards to us lying to customers about there move, well ask everything we need to in order to give a coplete and detailed estimate. If Ms. Brain was telling the truth, why did she continue to work for a company with no "so called" morals. She was with AMN for 4 months. It is because this employee is nothing but a liar who is trying to ruin a new companys reputation.

Brain, First, Ms. Brain as she calls herself knows nothing about any individual at this company. Brain failed to mention that she was never fired but did not show up to work, nor did she call to notify anyone at this company that she was leaving. In response to the so called harrassment, there was never any issue of such a thing till 1 month later at which time I confrunted both parties and one said no they didnt as well as other employees saying it never happened. If there was such a case why did Brain touch male employees and sit on there lap and flirt with them all day. AMN did everything to solve the situation which ultimately ended in the other sales person leaving AMN. In response to my being an alcoholic, I do not drink alcohol neither was I ever convicted of driving under the influence. In regards to us lying to customers about there move, well ask everything we need to in order to give a coplete and detailed estimate. If Ms. Brain was telling the truth, why did she continue to work for a company with no "so called" morals. She was with AMN for 4 months. It is because this employee is nothing but a liar who is trying to ruin a new companys reputation.

Brain, First, Ms. Brain as she calls herself knows nothing about any individual at this company. Brain failed to mention that she was never fired but did not show up to work, nor did she call to notify anyone at this company that she was leaving. In response to the so called harrassment, there was never any issue of such a thing till 1 month later at which time I confrunted both parties and one said no they didnt as well as other employees saying it never happened. If there was such a case why did Brain touch male employees and sit on there lap and flirt with them all day. AMN did everything to solve the situation which ultimately ended in the other sales person leaving AMN. In response to my being an alcoholic, I do not drink alcohol neither was I ever convicted of driving under the influence. In regards to us lying to customers about there move, well ask everything we need to in order to give a coplete and detailed estimate. If Ms. Brain was telling the truth, why did she continue to work for a company with no "so called" morals. She was with AMN for 4 months. It is because this employee is nothing but a liar who is trying to ruin a new companys reputation.

Lily, we have indeed done our homework. the owner of your company, Eli Ashkenazi, is a convicted criminal who was banned from the moving industry. information about that can be found at www.sun-sentinel.com. there is an article there by Mitch Lipka from October 29,2000. the title of the article is "Counties' Ordinances Haven't Cut Out Abuses." THE SCUM GET EVEN WORSE Now these scumbags have gone as far as to use employee files to contact our relatives. Make anonymous phone calls asking when we will be at home. Calling our new place of employment and harasing us and our new employers. We have not contacted them we are letting the courts decide on our last paycheck and criminal case against the asault and verbal abuse. I don,t know who these guys think they are but I do know that they are stupid bunch of kids with alot of dads money. People like this should not be aloud to offer consumers a customer service. Since my employment with them Ive seen them hold customers furniture hostage, deny damage claims, knowingly reserve a move for less wieght and then charge the customer more money when it goes over wieght, and at the end laugh about it all. This company and all of its affiliates are bad busness people and bad for the moving industry. You would think if I was just a disgruntled ex-employee I would eventualy just go away and move on with my life. But they are the ones who are pushing this issue to another level. They are disrupting my life. Using my employee files to contact members of my family and harasing me at my new job. I have made all the proper steps by the law have contact my states congressmans office and other agencies. The BBB handle matters with employment. And the BBB is like any other company it is only reponsive to complaints in favor of companies that are members and or pay their fee. Don,t let these guys fool you do your research. Know one would go to all the trouble and be this angry unless this company did somthing to harm them. Know one cares what contracts they have, the post office is only a contract contracted by another company who contracted Nationwide Relocation Service. They have made their money by cheating customers, employees, and the goverment. If someone would do their research at the post office they would realize that they are contracting a criminal to represent them. Check out arcives @sunsentinel.com in Florida search for Eli and Lily Ashkenazi at Americas Moving Network I know and seen how they operate its not good. EX - FT LAUDERDALE, Florida

After getting about 20 moving estimates, I chose ADVANCED MOVING SYSTEMS of Sunrise Florida to move my things. I was to move from Chicago IL to Las Vegas, NV on Dec 29th, 2001. I was quoted a price of $1,400.00 by Odelia Vale on the phone, and she sent me the contract by email. The contract stated "FULL PROTECTION OF YOUR FURNITURE WITH BLANKETS AND PADS" I asked Odelia over the phone if this was a binding contract and she said YES $1,400.00 was all I had to pay and that delivery would be 7-10 days. Moving truck came on 12-29-01 on time. The driver's name was Dror. Dror and his assistant began to move my largest furniture and started wrapping the furniture in cardboard wrapping. I asked them why wasnt it being covered with pads and blankets like the contract said, and I was told they were not informed of that. I showed Dror my copy of the emailed contract and he said they didnt tell him that, and that cardboard wrapping was additional money as was the tape they were USING! Corrugated cardboard was $2.00 per foot and tape was $4.00 per roll! He continued to wrap to his hearts content. I told them to STOP wrapping my items and padding my bill, and Dror told me he HAD TO wrap it as the co did not want to pay me for damaged items. Finally my 6'4 male friend stepped in and ordered them to stop! The men stopped wrapping my items. I assumed my tv would be protected with blankets and pads...per the contract, but it was not and I was charged $15 to wrap the tv in corrugated cardboard! Another "extra charge" I was charged $28 for 2 blankets...even tho contract said "full protection with blankets and pads." I had 3 pieces of custom framed art. They asked to put all 3 in the same box..and charged me $15 for each piece in one box! Another "extra' $45! And one of the pictures arrived damaged anyway..the glass was shattered upon opening the box! Everything I owned fit in half of my living room. I didnt have too many belongings. A King size bed, computer desk, loveseat, 20 med boxes, bike, coffeetable. When I was down to the last two items to be moved, Dror told me that I had suddenly run out of space on the truck and if I wanted them to load the last 2 items, I would have to pay extra and sign the Bill of Lading for these extra charges. I was charged for 80 ADDITIONAL cubic feet @ $5 per foot...costing me $400 extra! Not to mention the $224 in packing material fees they padded my bill with! TOTAL ADDITIONAL COST $624.00 I was told If I didn't sign, they would not take my things and that the truck was going to leave. It was my bed and large dresser, and I had to be on a flight in the AM so I was forced to sign the paper. Then the movers hung around and Dror begged for a tip!! I told them they just squeezed all the money out of me and should leave. That was 12-29-01....I flew to Vegas on 12-30-01 with two bags of clothes, and waited for my things. I was promised delivery by Odelia Vale in 7-10 days. 10 days went by and no phone call. I called Advanced Moving Systems (AMS) and was told that it would be 14 days after the check was received. I called again and was put on hold forever. I called again and was hung up on. I called again and was told Odelia was on vacation for two weeks. I called and was told to call back on Sunday am. I gave the driver a certified Bank Cashier's check for $1400.00 and 10 days later AMS says they had not recieved it. I finally talked to Tommy, and I also complained about the padded bill and he offered to delete the $28 blanket charge when I reminded him about his contract stating "full protection with blankets and pads." I slept on my empty apt floor for two weeks, with a blanket I bought at Wal-Mart ($36 additional expense)living out of a suitcase. Since they didn't deliver on time, I couldnt stand it anymore and went out and bought a used mattress for $40- another expense. Finally I called my Lawyer in Chgo, and he called them and let them know we were on to them.. My truck came on 1-15-02...a full 17 days after my things were picked up in Chicago. The truck was not even AMS, job was sub-contracted to EZ Movers of Chgo. These guys from EZ Movers were excellent! I asked Sam the driver how much space my things took up on the truck and he said, "not much...5x15 feet!" So I highly doubt I went over 80 cubic feet on the truck leaving Chicago!!! This proves AMS PADDED MY BILL !! So I got charged $2,024 for 5x15 feet which comes to $26.90 per foot on the truck leaving Chicago! While Sam and his helper were moving my things in...we noticed some glass noises in one box. I opened the box and found one of my custom framed Art Prints was shattered. Says so much for the expert packaging I was offered and charged $15 per picture for! Also my file cabinet had fallen apart in transit and they packed the pieces in one box. Two handles were missing off my bedroom furniture. I am lucky I got all of my belongings..but I am putting in a claim for my damaged items, my padded charges, and the extra expeneses I incurred while waiting forever for my shipment. They did not deliver on time as promised, they padded my bill and I am VERY unhappy. Like I said, things only happened after I got my lawyer call them. I have called and emailed several news media, including 20/20 to expose this company and we shall see what happens. If I can get extra money back they ripped me off, and if I can save someone else from these headaches with this company I will be satisfied. Traci Glon Las Vegas, NV

Don't mind Lily she is just a drunk who get caught driving under the influence. That is not real smart there; I had a family member that was killed because of people like you. I used to work at America's Moving Network. It was such BullS--- we were told to lie to Customer. Just to get the order in then Lily would Make up her BS lies and try to make it look like it was the Customers fault. Just like she has in these complaints. I had to leave that place they are like a typical company in south Florida and New York they will promise you the world take your money and leave you out to dry paying double the estimate. and by the way you still owe me money Ex Brain

Lily, I was very surprised to see you took the time to comment on Missy's situation--but still have not taken the time to address my postings of July 3, 2002 and July 14, 2002. In fact, my second post follows immediately after Missy--and yet still no response. Any consumer reading these posts should take this silence as an admission of the facts as stated in my post--and also as evidence America's Moving Network's policy on Customer Complaints. Regards, Rob Maysey

Missy, Now I know who you are. You had sent me an e-mail: There is no furniture. This was a temporary residences for 6 mos. I need a pick up on Monday July, 1st. We are in no hurry to get everything to Long Beach. This is a narrow street we are on. I am not sure a 75 foot trailer could get down the street. It is also a dead end, so they can't turn around. It is a residence, so a truck can get 75 feet from our door Missy Weiss....... The only thing is that you didnt choose us to do your move.... You chose America's Best Movers to do it and you are confusing there name with our name. Next time please check the name on your contract before you make false allegations about the company. [email protected]

I was very surprised to see that America's Best Moving Company is a "new" company that had only serviced about 125 customers. Michael Moore and also Jerry of the AMN both insisted that they have a stable of corporate clients including Sears, and that they regularly do corporate relocations.

Lily, Actually, I am fully aware of the scams perpetrated by America's Moving Network and Classic International, and have documented proof that such "load bumping" does indeed occur. I received the itemized list of inventory goods, along with the "Will Not Exceed" price provided by Michael Moore of America's Best Moving Network. I was also told by Mr. Moore that Global Carriers would be conducting my move. Low and behold--Classic International arrives to do the move. About a third of the way through the load, I too was told that my estimate was low, and my goods were going to be about 8,400 pounds and not the 5,600 pounds estimated by Mr. Moore. I have retained the inventory list for my records, and would be happy to provide this to any interested party. I told the movers who arrived that my goods did not weigh 8,400 pounds. I was then presented with a blank inventory list and asked to sign. I told the driver I would not sign the form until the inventory list was completed. He asked again, and I said "No. Complete the list, I will review, and then sign." The goods were loaded, and about 90 minutes later, I receive a call informing me that my goods we actually only 7,160 pounds. During this time, I tried on several occasions to contact Mr. Moore, who was unavailable and failed to return any phone calls. I was also told by Mr. Moore that to prevent load bumping, my items would be independently weighed by being loaded on pallots. This was not the case, and I immediately called. Mr. Moore insisted that the benefit of using the broker is that they will exert pressure on the carriers to benefit their customers. As stated, Mr. Moore was "unavailable" and did not return repeated messages. Angry, I had my furniture and goods dropped into a storage unit. I then did what most consumers have not. I hired an independent moving company to pick the goods up at storage, videotaped the entire process, and obtained independent weight tickets certified by the state of Texas. My weight had been inflated by exactly 700 pounds. In addition, while unpacking, I noticed that items such as couch cushions were packed in $40 wardrope boxes, as were nightstands, brooms, hangers, desk parts, etc. $40 each! Next, I sent certified letters to America's Moving Network and Classic demanding an explanation. Classic sent me a release form stating that I was entitled to a $409 refund for the additional weight which was added by error. I called the claims department, and informed Betty that this did not even cover my out of pocket expenses which included hiring the independent moving company, renting a storage unit, and obtaining independent weight tickets. She again stated that I was entitled to a $409 refund. I told her that was not sufficient and didn't even cover my expenses. I then asked her how such "errors" occur. Betty explained that sometimes the drivers make visual errors when walking through an apartment. I informed Betty that this wasn't a visual estimate, this was the weight provided to me on a weight ticket. Betty then said she wasn't sure what the process is. I stated, "Betty, as described to me, the truck is weighed prior to your load, and immediately after." I then asked her how such "errors" were possible. Betty again had no response. I will be happy to share all correspondence with intersted parties, including my weight tickets, inventory lists, and the videotape recording of the move.

One of the most common moving scams is the moving of two (or more) shipments in one van. Often another van delivers the packing material separately, which is not on the van when it is weighed. Additionally, regulations state that if the exact weight of the packing materials are not known, then the authorized weight is only 50% of the gross tare weight. No company volunteers that information, do they? ED Magedson [email protected] We are not lawyers. We are not a collection agency. We are Consumer Advocates. ...the victims' advocate WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists We are a Nationwide Consumer Reporting News Agency ...by consumers, for consumers Don't let them get away with it. Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

If you had a clue.... you would know that we provide weight tickets before they load the truck and after they finish loading. In regards to your claim that there was a double load on that shipment, the truck was empty. Also each and every one of our customers have the option to follow the truck to a weight station once there shipment is loaded and physicaly watch them weigh the truck, and as we all know, weight stations are governed by the govenment. :-)

It appears that this is a clear-cut case of estimate fraud combined with a clear-cut case of load bumping. Load bumping is where a mover will load two loads onto the truck, and represent it as the weight of a single load (the fact that the load was almost twice what it should have weighed probably means that this is what happened).

Both estimate fraud and load bumping are epidemic in the moving industry, as is the other fraud that occurred in this case -- a broker representing themselves as a mover, and representing that the estimate that they issued had any legally binding power.

Note that only movers, not brokers, can issue legally-binding estimates. Yet at badmovers.org we regularly hear of these fly-by-night Internet brokers representing that the bogus estimates that they use to low-ball people (via estimate fraud) into shipping through them have any kind of power. They don't. These "estimates" are bogus. They're a sham. They're inherently a fraud, because they are not binding in any way upon the actual moving company that does the move.

Don't get fooled. Don't use an Internet broker. Their entire industry (moving brokers) is based upon fraud, and even if you hit upon the hypothetical honest man amongst the scam artists, note that most reputable moving companies are affiliated with one of the "name" moving networks (such as United Van Lines or etc.), meaning you'll still have scum of the earth moving your goods in all probability.

-- Eric Lee Green, Citizens Concerned About Abusive Movers, http://badmovers.org

Pat,

The name of my company is America's Moving Network, which means that I have a network of carriers who do the job for us. That is explained
to each and every customer that we work with and the service is better because of that fact. I'm sorry if you've had a bad move before but my buisness is new and my goal is to satisfy my customers not mislead them

You know what's funny about the moving industry? Sometimes these so called 'movers' don't disclose that they are brokers - this smells and sounds like a broker to me.

Kay... from Blackburg Virginia... For you I have this to say. You have way too much free time on your hands as I can see. First before you come and slam my company get your facts straight because you are hurting a good company for no reason.

We have no association with National Moving Network nor do we do any sort of buisness with them.

I am fully aware of there reputation and actually inform all customers to steer clear of them. We are a great company and do everything in our power to protect all of our customers.

Again, get your facts straight before you go ahead and talk about people because it just makes you look really bad.

Kind Regards
Lily Ashkenazi

good....then I'm sure you'll be abiding by Florida's new bill (HB-893) that prohibits moving companies from holding a customer's goods hostage and demanding more money than the estimate.

First of all we have no association with NMN. Secondly we have not ripped of thousands of people because this company has only been open for seven months and have only had about 125 customers. We do everything possible to keep our customers satisfied but when they double there weight, we have no choice but to charge them for the added weight the didnt notify us about.

National Moving Network was recently fined by the FMCSA/DOT. see the news report at this website: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/contactus/press/2002/032802.htm.

the owners of National Moving Network, Randy and Aubrie Goldberg, also own Progressive Van Lines about whom there are numerous complaints.

Lily, your company has ripped off thousands of unsuspecting customers. your righteous attitude is inappropriate.

Mrs. Thomas failed to mention that when she called America's Moving Network she gave us a list of items. We had given her a not to exceed price based on her weight and furniture list.

She was also faxed a copy of the furniture list and all packing that we were to do and signed for it.

She saysthat all the other moving companiequoted her at 7200 lbs. If that was the case she still more than doubled her original weight.

Unfortunately, there are still some customers out there that think that if they dont tell us about items we'll just "throw it on the back of the truck".

What Mrs. thomas failed to realize is that the truck had a certain amount of weight reserved for her shipment. Even if they had a little extra weight reserved for items forgotten that still doesnt cover double the weight increase that she had.

Also, when mrs thomas had spoken to Michael Moore she had told him that she had a shed but nothing was going to be moved from it.Needless to saythat shed was jam packed with her things and she had wanted it all moved. Finally, please understand, we could be off by 500 lbs.....even 1000 lbs but it is impossible for us to under estiamte soeones shipment 7500 lbs. Take some responsibility for your action. We didnt try to rip her off. In our opinion she tried to pull one over on us.