Complaint Review: Soul Movers - Internet

To Whom It May Concern

I am a victim of a moving scam. I acquired moving services from Soul Movers on April 26^th, 2010 with a quote of $1,056.25. I had scheduled the move for May 1^st, 2010 at 10 am, because I had a flight to Miami at 3 pm. The move was supposed to be from Boston to Miami. I explained this to Soul Movers and they assured me that there would be more than enough time to pack my one bedroom apartment with plenty of time left over for me to catch my flight. Come May 1^st, Soul Movers arrived inexplicably late with no remorse or apologies. They told me that I could leave them in charge of moving my property once I left. Their representative said since there was no time to document everything to sign a few blank forms and they would catalogue all of my items.  I had to take apart all of my furniture and had to move all of my belongings to the living room ON MY OWN  in order for me to make better time. The movers started re-packing my already packed belongings into their proprietary boxes and began bringing my things down from my building to their moving truck.  I never questioned their actions because I thought they had the experience and best interest for my belongings.  I signed the contract with the $1,056.25 figure we agreed upon.  At around 2pm, more than 95 percent of my move was in their truck. I started leaving to the airport and one of the movers told me that I needed to leave a check for  $1,111.00. I felt maybe he was confused because I was supposed to pay half of the $1,056.25. He proceeded then to tell me that my move had now been doubled, and that if I didnt give him the check for that amount he would just unload all of my things onto the busy, downtown Boston Street I lived on.  I felt I had no choice but to leave the check. I feel they used my situation to their unfair advantage and made me leave a deposit greater than the quoted price under duress. The boxes that they used to re-pack my boxes cost me $30.00 each respectively.  They poorly packed their truck and charged me an extra $893.75 for the additional cubic feet my belongings took up.

The moving company that they contracted to deliver my belongings in Miami (I signed a contract with Soul Movers only, Upon looking it is not in the contract that I would allow anyone else handle my belongings) had very questionable workers. I refused to pay any more that the 110% of what they were entitled to according to federal statute 325.407 under D.O.T regulations and they took out a bat and started swinging it menacingly. I called the police, but it was considered a civil matter and I was unable to collect my belongings. They are holding my belongings hostage which includes my stethoscope and many other medical devices, which is against the law in every state. Today is May 18^th. It had now been almost 3 weeks and I have yet to see any of my items, even after over paying these criminals. They even sent me waivers via email asking me not to divulge this to BBB, DOT, or any one else. Which also is against the law, because it is EXTORTION.