Complaint Review: Kern County Superior Court -Dawn Bittleston - bakersfield ca

So let's review why this is such bad advice:

This moving company was even worse that US-1 and I suspect there is a connection between the two.  No, there is no connection between the two; they both run the oldest scam in the moving business.  If you look on ROR - you'll find several movers who were victimized in the same manner.  The fact they use the same playbook, means nothing.  The scam works because it's legal.

If not accredited with BBB, DO NOT USE.  Worst statement ever.  All scam movers are members of the BBB - and they use the BBB to shield their activities.  Since they're members, they have the absolute right to denigrate you on the BBB if you complain.  One scam mover was a member of the BBB and in 36 months, racked up more than 650 complaints.  Their rating with the BBB?  A-.  BBB membership buys you legitimacy as a business - which is why it's the last place to look for a mover.

I have made it a mission to weed these frauds out so legitimate companies will not have to deal with these bad apples.  Not until you learn quite a bit more about how the scam works.  So far, you have no ability to "weed" them out because what they're currently doing is legal, and no one at a government level can do anything about it, whether they are an elected official or not.  The DOT, for example, has exactly 3 people to oversee the thousands of movers in the 50 states.  Not much is going to happen when there are 3 people to police the thousands.

So now this company who no one can tell me is not linked to them is trying the same stunt.  No they're not linked.  As I already said, what you've fallen for twice now, is a very VERY old scam.  Think about it - you used the same steps to find this mover as you did when you contracted with US-1.  The link isn't with the movers.  The REAL link is how you found them.  You probably swore you weren't going to let this happen again, and then decided to use the same EXACT steps to find these guys, as you did when you found US-1.

This time though I'm taking it all the way to court, something I may now do with Long Distance Van Lines since I am withing the filing period.  You don't have a case.  Here's how the scam works - in case you haven't figured it out:

1.  You called the company and they asked you to complete an inventory form, which you happily did.  You signed the form and sent it back.

2.  Based on the information you filled out, they gave you a quote.  The quote assumed you filled out the form correctly, for which the estimate was prepared.  Unfortunately for you, the quote is not binding because of course - they didn't complete the list.  You did.  You did it happily.

3.  They loaded everything on the truck and of course, it turned out to be a whole lot more.  They blame you because you filled out the inventory sheet - it's your stuff and if you didn't account for everything, then the price goes up.  If you complain - it's your fault - and it is.  Legally, their contract is written to give them that right.  Since your signature is on everything, you can't claim ignorance.

The mover will generally prevail in a court situation because the scam happens to be completely legal.

They got into serious trouble with DOT and I'm willing to bet they were shut down since they 'claim' on BBB they are only in business for a year.  There isn't anything the DOT can do.  In the 40+ years since the ICC was disbanded, there have been very few movers who have been cited and forced to shut down by the DOT.  Most of these individuals cited still work in the industry - today.  And yes, they run moving companies.

Here is the best advice you can learn and what I tell others:

Moving is not an inexpensive venture and shopping for a mover based on price is a great way to get scammed.  If you choose the wrong mover, you will generally find yourself paying much more than if you had simply gone with a mover you can find in the Yellow Pages.  If you want to find a mover, then stay off the internet because that's where scam movers live and breathe.  If people stay off the internet to find a mover, there would be few scam movers out there.  If you want to research how to move and what to look out for, the best advice (and only advice) can be found on the internet.  The BBB tells you nothing and looking for reviews often tell you nothing because movers voluntarily open and close their doors before too many complaints are logged.  And no, there is no way to link the old mover with the new - since they all will have new MC numbers registered.

Choose a local mover near you.  Guys like United, Mayflower, Allied, North American, Bekins, Allied, and a few others are legit movers.  They may be more expensive, but...as I said, moving is not inexpensive.  Best of luck.