- Report: #42846
Complaint Review: United Express Van Lines/Exceptional Van Lines - Sunrise Florida
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
United Express Van Lines/Exceptional Van Lines
6835 Sunset Strip Sunrise, 33313 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-405-1515
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
United Express Van Lines Exceptional Van Lines ripoff, fraud, scam rip off scam con artists only words to describe them Sunrise Florida
I am writing in that I am a victim of what is potentially a crime here. I contracted with United Express Van Lines to move property from Linden, NJ to Racine, WI. They appeared 1/13/03 to pack and load the truck. The initial estimate given to me by Este (sp) stated 1102.00.
I advised the quoted cubic feet (294) seemed small for what I told her I had. She advised no problem, the drivers would complete the estimate when they got to the location and loaded the truck.
Well, when they did, then the rate jacked up to 7.20/cu ft from the 3.75/cu ft initially quoted. Additionally, packing materials, which initially I was told by Este was included in the cost, came to 1078.00. At this point they are demanding 6445.00 for a move which was estimated at 1102.00 and are holding my property, which consists of antiques, prescription medicine and financial documents, as well as all of my clothes and dishes.
Joe, at the dispatch office stated the delivery would be made within 5-7 days. Well, it's now well beyond that time frame as the pickup was January 13, 2003. Joe said he was going to call me last Friday. He never did. I phoned him and left a message in the afternoon. This was never returned. I phoned again later in the day and was told by Sam, that Joe had left for the day and I should try back on Monday. I phoned today and Sam said Joe was not in. Each time I spoke with Sam I asked where my items were. He stated he did not know. He would ask me all kinds of questions regarding the details of the move, but yet couldn't answer any of mine. To date, Joe has not returned any of my calls and is never available when I do call. Sharon Jansen, Department of Consumer Affairs in Wisconsin did reach him and he told her I was to FedEx a Postal Money Order in the amount of $3,000.00 to their office, with no date or guarantee of delivery.
At this point, I feel I am a victim of theft. I phoned the Broward County Sherriff's office and was referred to the local police in Sunrise, FL. The policewoman stated she would head over to the location and see if she could get them to move quicker on the contract. However, she stated they had 30 days on a contract (which is not listed in the contract anywhere) so according to their jurisdiction, no crime has yet been committed.
The FBI, DOT, Departments of Consumer Affairs for New Jersey, Wisconsin and Florida, The Better Business Bureau in Florida have all been notified of this situation. Unfortunately, DOT is the only organization which has governing power, but I was told by Lawrence Hawthorne that he is one of three investigators and they just dont have the time to look at each individual case. I have faxed all documents related to this situation to the attention of Mr. Hawthorne.
The order number for the move is 3272696
United Express Van Lines (new name is Exceptional Van Lines)
MC# 415856
DOT# 976717
6835 Sunset Strip
Sunrise, FL 33313
1-800-405-1515
Nir Cohen, President
I have paid 220.50 on deposit for this organization.
David
Racine, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
I advised the quoted cubic feet (294) seemed small for what I told her I had. She advised no problem, the drivers would complete the estimate when they got to the location and loaded the truck.
Well, when they did, then the rate jacked up to 7.20/cu ft from the 3.75/cu ft initially quoted. Additionally, packing materials, which initially I was told by Este was included in the cost, came to 1078.00. At this point they are demanding 6445.00 for a move which was estimated at 1102.00 and are holding my property, which consists of antiques, prescription medicine and financial documents, as well as all of my clothes and dishes.
Joe, at the dispatch office stated the delivery would be made within 5-7 days. Well, it's now well beyond that time frame as the pickup was January 13, 2003. Joe said he was going to call me last Friday. He never did. I phoned him and left a message in the afternoon. This was never returned. I phoned again later in the day and was told by Sam, that Joe had left for the day and I should try back on Monday. I phoned today and Sam said Joe was not in. Each time I spoke with Sam I asked where my items were. He stated he did not know. He would ask me all kinds of questions regarding the details of the move, but yet couldn't answer any of mine. To date, Joe has not returned any of my calls and is never available when I do call. Sharon Jansen, Department of Consumer Affairs in Wisconsin did reach him and he told her I was to FedEx a Postal Money Order in the amount of $3,000.00 to their office, with no date or guarantee of delivery.
At this point, I feel I am a victim of theft. I phoned the Broward County Sherriff's office and was referred to the local police in Sunrise, FL. The policewoman stated she would head over to the location and see if she could get them to move quicker on the contract. However, she stated they had 30 days on a contract (which is not listed in the contract anywhere) so according to their jurisdiction, no crime has yet been committed.
The FBI, DOT, Departments of Consumer Affairs for New Jersey, Wisconsin and Florida, The Better Business Bureau in Florida have all been notified of this situation. Unfortunately, DOT is the only organization which has governing power, but I was told by Lawrence Hawthorne that he is one of three investigators and they just dont have the time to look at each individual case. I have faxed all documents related to this situation to the attention of Mr. Hawthorne.
The order number for the move is 3272696
United Express Van Lines (new name is Exceptional Van Lines)
MC# 415856
DOT# 976717
6835 Sunset Strip
Sunrise, FL 33313
1-800-405-1515
Nir Cohen, President
I have paid 220.50 on deposit for this organization.
David
Racine, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
David
Racine,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
finally received my property.
#2Author of original report
Wed, February 05, 2003
February 2, 2003, I have finally received my property. Yes, I contacted all the above agencies and then some. With the assistance of some agencies, which went beyond their scope to contact the company, and those of which is was in their scope, we finally got a truck to show at my house. After numerous phone calls to the company, "Joe", continually lied and would call me back and harrass me. Finally, after he told me I would never see my property, I phoned Agent Bill Schurick at the Miami-Dade FBI office. He said he was familiar with "Joe" and he would call him. He did so, and within 30 minutes, I received a phone call from Melissa H. who said I would receive delivery within 72 hours and another reduction in rate. I demanded this be placed in writing and signed and faxed to me immediately. I received such fax within one hour. The following day, I received another phone call from Melanie (United Express) who stated there was going to be a delay with no further information. I phoned Bill Schurick again as well as Lawrence Hawthorne, DOT and and the States Attorney General. All three phoned the company. Bill and Lawrence both phoned me back and said the company promised delivery by Sunday 2/2. Lawrence Hawthorne, DOT also advised me the Liability Insurance for the vehicles was terminated as of 1/3. He suggested I notify the State Police, Wisconsin as they may want to investigate the vehicle upon delivery. Shortly after 12:00p noon, I received a phone call from Jose, the driver who stated they were in the area and needed exact directions to my house. After instructing him how to get to the house, I phoned the State Police, Motor Carrier Enforcement who showed up moments after the truck. They refused to unload unless I paid first. As I read contract, it states I pay after delivery. Delivery would be once the property is in my house and inspected. State Police advised they couldn't get involved and suggested I call city police. I did so, they showed within moments. After a bit of discussion and phoning they company, City police advised the driver to unlock the truck or they would cut the locks. Since there was a "contract" dispute, the police stated that was a civil case. They stated both the driver and myself agreed this was my property, they stated I had legal rights to it. The truck was unlocked and friends helped me unload the truck. CBS58 news from Milwaukee taped the incident and will be showing it on the 10:00p news, February 17, 2003. Needless to say, there were numerous violations regarding the truck and the drivers. While unloading, I received a phone call from "Joe", whom the police stated when they tried to reach him was told no such person exists. I was standing amongst several officers at the time Joe phoned. I advised Joe I was busy and hung up on him. I have not heard from the company since and I have my property. There was MINIMAL damage, so, based on stories I have read, I consider myself lucky. SO - I am happy that I have received my property - I have contacted all agencies and then some - and I will not stop though until legislation is passed. I would hate to see anyone go through all of this.
Kay
Blacksburg,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Congress: DO YOUR JOB!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, January 27, 2003
Lawrence Hawthorne does the best job he can under the circumstances. It's true that his office is pitifully understaffed. Our United States Congress, in its infinite Republican wisdom, needs to realize that deregulation is not the answer to everything. They need to step up and do their job. Regulation of the moving industry is BADLY needed. Please contact the following people: Thomas Petri in the United States House of Representatives, is SUPPOSEDLY working on legislation that will stop scam movers. Rep. Thomas Petri Chairman Subcommittee on Highways & Transit U.S. House of Representatives B-370A Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Toll Free 800/242-4883 Joe Harrison American Moving and Storage Association 1611 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone 703) 683-7410 | Fax 703) 683-7527 Email: [email protected] (AMSA) [email protected] (Joe Harrison) Mr. Harrison is using AMSA dues money to lobby Congress AGAINST badly needed regulation Agent Bill Schurik, Lou Scherone or Greg Nelson of the FBI: Miami-Dade FBI office at 305-944-9101 Charles Horan, Director Office of Enforcement and Compliance Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department ofTransportation 400 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20590 Telephone: 202-366-2362. The DOT is so understaffed, they're not even able to enforce their own regulations, but you should call anyway and register a complaint.
