Complaint Review: Union Express Van Lines - Plantation Florida

This comes as a complaint against Union Express Van Lines a Florida based inter-state moving company.

Address: 1868 North University Drive # 206 Plantation FL, 33322

Website: www.unionexpressvanlines.com

Phone: 800-261-6731 / 954-474-9390

Fax: 954-474-9388

License: USDOT# 1118477 / MC# 457949

job/order confirmation # 011504

From Address: Denver, CO 80202

To Address: Pittsburgh, PA 15211

Move Start Date: Jan 29/2004

Delivery Date: Feb 21/2004

I understand consumer complaints against companies in this kind of business must be a common occurrence, but for us this in not only the worst moving experience but also but the practices of Union Express Van Lines reflect fraud, forgery, extortion and theft. Which is a pretty serious offence and should be taken seriously and punished accordingly. I do have copies of the contracts to back my allegations.

Contract Fraud:

The initial contract sent and signed at the time of order confirmation/deposit payment with Union Express van line's sales rep. Ms. Melanie was different than the one brought at the actual pickup time. The difference was in the terms and charges.

The pick up representative Mr. Sharon made changes to the contract after signed by both parties.

Extortion and Theft:

"Hostage goods" situation, loads the consumer's goods onto the truck, drives off, and then refuses to deliver the goods until paid an amount in cash that can be up to four or five times the amount of the original estimate in strict violation of federal regulations. This seems to be a common practice of Union express van lines and we are no special consumers.

What's the point of purchasing insurance from union express van lines if they are not going to pay any damage claims, e.g. Broken legs and torn sofa bed.

Last but not the least Theft is the most serious crimes of all, as if our moving experience wasn't bad enough, seeking justice from the company is even worse. More than a month from the delivery date we still don't know the fate of our missing items, e.g. ceramic base glass top dining table (something so huge that cannot slip through the cracks)

Unfair Moving charges:

We were charged for more packaging material than used by Mr. Sharon at pickup.

Unlike the contract specified we were charged for the cubic feet used in the truck after loading, not the cubic feet of our furniture, which according to union express van lines resulted in more than estimated amount, resulting in unfair extra charges. Please keep in mind the loading was ad hoc and was not tight.

No surprises here we were charged with lot of other hidden charges, which were either not disclosed earlier in the contract. For e.g. Contract says long carry over 50 ft will be charged $75. In reality we were charged $75 per 50 ft.

Contract does not mention any elevator fee. We were charged $50 elevator fee?

Bad language and un-returned calls:

No calls until date were returned from any of the Union express van lines reps. regarding pickup, delivery or claims after the initial deposit was made. i.e. no consumer satisfaction and no customer support.

Mr. Sharon's use of vulgar language, swearing and profanity made this one of a kind experience. This showed total disrespect of Union express van lines towards its customers.

Missed Dates:

Union express van lines excels in missing target dates, pickup was made 2 days late than earlier scheduled and no reason or warning for this delay was established.

Delivery was a disaster, our goods were delivered 15 days after the promised delivery date by a third party trucking company and no calls regarding status of our furniture were returned. Obviously this resulted in $2000 extra spending on our side for hotels and temporary provisions.

Sub Contracting to Third Party:

Union express van lines promise, stressed on pick-up and delivery of goods using the same truck and same company (i.e. less handling and less damages), but in reality they came to pick up the furniture in a Rider Rental Truck and was delivered to us by a third party trucking company whose license nos. and whereabouts were not disclosed to us, Ultimately sub contracting the job to unknown van lines with an unknown reputation who could charge you something different upon delivery.

I don't think this company owns any 18-wheeler trucks of their own.

Prasad

pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.

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