My aged mother has asked for me to be her advocate in this matter, hence this letter.
My mother is a senior who lives in San Jose, on a limited income.
I find it appalling that an organization; Starving Students Moving Co. Feel they can stoop to such a low level in dealing with Senior Citizens.
My mother engaged the services of Staving Students to facilitate in moving her small 2-bedroom apartment and belongings to her new apartment, 12.6 miles away.initially she was not given a price for their services, nor did any one from that organization provide an estimate. It was only when the movers came to proceed with the move, that they advised the charge was only $79.00 and hour, there was no mention of any additions fees or charges. This was on Sunday Feb. 4 at approximately 9:30 AM.
The men began the moving process shortly before 10:00 AM. At that time, she observed that one of the men had an injured leg and had extreme difficulty in physically moving about.
They completed the move at 1:30 AM on Monday, 15.5 hours later, At that time they told her she had to sign forms allegedly pertaining to the work they had performed. This was done in a very dimly lighted car port area. She signed the forms, as she felt greatly intimidated and apprehensive by their presence and demeanor due to the situation and hour. She wanted to put the horrible experience of that day behind her ASAP. She paid them what they demanded, i.E.! $1373.17. She felt intimidated and apprehensive by. It should be noted, that at this time these movers had not completely finished moving all of her belongings. She called their office the next day, and was told there would be an additional charge. She advised they did not finish the agreed move the night before. They then returned and finished the move.By that time she had recognized many discrepancies with regard to the actual items moved and what was reflected on the documents they had her sign. She brought this immediately to their attention. She was told rather rudely to call the office. She called their office several times there after, but had to leave messages. No one returned her calls.
Feeling that she had been greatly overcharged and mishandled she asked my husband Robert Wagner to contact Starving Students. He was advised by their representative, for her to send a letter, they would investigate. She complied, attached is a copy of her letter, 2/12, which is self explanatory
Subsequently, she received their Mr. Darrin Dougans letter of March 2. His letter appears to be self-serving, and is an apparent attempt to avoid the true facts of the occurrence of Feb 4&5. He references a Mr. Markle, I believe this is the gentleman my husband may have spoken with. Their contentions regarding long carry at the loading and unloading & over 200 boxes were moved that they were in need of re-taping is a complete fabrication and a total prevarication on their part.
When my husband spoke with their representative he was told in essence that they were holding to their documentation as signed by my mother, [again this was in a darkened car port at 1:30AM]. And if he didnt like that, then to go ahead and sue them. While this is still an option, it is unlikely my mother would be adept to the riggers of litigation [Which I presume they are counting on.]. Starving Students Customer Service Skills and practices need a great deal of inspection.in my opinion this Invoice Paddingand following actions by their representatives or agents, coupled with the Stonewalling of an elderly person is designed with blatant extortion intent. I feel Starving Students must be investigated by your offices in that their tactics are extremely questionable, and perhaps tantamount to fraudulent criminal business behavior.
Jodi
San Jose, California
U.S.A.
0 comments