I am 12 year U.S. Air Force disabled veteran, medically (honorably) discharged in November and I am also a single of mother of two. I currently work for the Department of Defense at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. And I recently moved my family to Maryland from North Carolina. However, I've, recently, been the victim of what the Federal Trade Commission lists as rogue movers or what the FBI, your organization, has described on your website as "The Case of the Moving Violations."
Please note that AAA Vanlines of 6180 Atlantic Blvd. Suite D Norcross GA 30071, practices the same scenarios as the information posted on the FBI's website.
Said company contacted me via e-mail around July 11. I was eventually quoted a price of $2709.00 to have my household goods moved from North Carolina to Maryland and was required to pay half of said fee by credit card prior to the movers packing my items. The movers arrived at my home on July 29 with a "Budget" rental truck that was smaller than what was described to me by the customer service representative that handled my case whose name is James Whittle (sales manager). I questioned said vehicle and was continuously assured via phone by Mr. Whittle that the truck would be big enough to store my items, as I had approximately 8,000 lbs of furniture and etc... Said vehicle wasn't big enough and I had to end up transporting some of my personal belongings by POV to Maryland from North Carolina.
My belongings were transported back to Georgia from North Carolina and I soon received a phone call from Mr. Whittle stating the price of the move had gone up from $2,709.00 to $4643.00. I was told due to my goods taking up more space than they estimated, as the scenario on your website and the given packing materials and fuel cost that the price had gone up. I was shocked that the price had gone up so much and when I contacted the sales manager, Mr. Whittle, to discuss such, he hung the phone up on me more than once. I had not disrespected him, but I did raise my voice because he didn't want to hear me out in reference to the price change.
I was scheduled for a 1 August 08 delivery, but the delivery personnel didn't arrive until 8pm that evening due to personal reasons as stated by the driver. To make a long story short, the delivery personnel left my home without finishing the job as I was promised. They stated that they were going to take a cigarette break, but they ended up leaving without saying anything to me. When my mother heard their truck start she reminded them of furniture that still needed to be moved or assembled and they acknowledged that they knew of this and would be right back upon the end of their cigarette break. However, they never returned as mentioned. I had several items that were left in my garage with the company's blankets still intact. I have pictures for proof. Mind you, I had already submitted full payment to the delivery personnel so I paid for a service, but the contract was breached. Afterwards, I tried contacting the delivery personnel twice, as the driver contacted me prior to arriving to confirm my delivery address. The driver didn't answer the phone. I, then, called the company and tried to notify the sales manager, but to no avail. I left a message on his answering service. He never returned my phone call. I tried e-mailing the sales manager, but there was no response, but prior to the move the sales manager contacted me consistently and returned all of my phone calls. I tried contacting the manager of the company, but I was told that James was the manager. I didn't receive a call or anything until it was realized that I stopped payment on a personal check because of breach of contract.
Therefore, I ended up paying the company $3,000 and stopped payment on a check for $1,653.00. I wasn't allowed to see the truck being weighed and per the gentleman that packed my items who goes by the name of Malachi, stated he didn't use $2,000 in packing materials and that he knew the company had been dishonest with other customers. The delivery personnel stated the same thing so I was shocked to know that these gentlemen continued to work for a company like this. I have filed complaints with the Federal Motor Carrier's Commission, the Better Business Bureau, the Georgia State Attorney General's Office, and the Federal Trade Commission. I have had to also contract a lawyer in reference.
I, again, contacted the company on August 14 and was able to finally speak with the owner of the company who later told me he would only reimburse me $500.00 even after speaking with a lawyer who spoke on my behalf. The owner threatened me saying he would take me to court and ruin my credit because of something his delivery personnel did to me, which is a travesty of justice. I discovered on 14 August 08, that AAA Vanlines (A Vanlines) have had 99 complaints in the last 36 months for delivery issues, customer issues, charges that were bogus and etc... Some of the complaints were resolved, but most were unresolved or administratively resolved. The BBB has revoked their license and it was found through the BBB that they have been illegally using the BBB logo. Also be advised that the sales manager, James Whittle, after having received my household goods at their location in Georgia, contacted me to state that if I didn't accept a delivery date of 29 July 08 instead of the date we agreed upon of 01 Aug 08, that they would keep my household goods until they could deliver them and charge me.in their contract it stated no storage fees for 30 days. I contacted the gentleman who packed up my household goods in North Carolina, who goes by the name of Malachi, several times to find out what was going on with my shipment and he stated he'd speak to someone on my behalf because he knew what they were trying to do to me. I, as mentioned, received my items on 1 Aug 08, but only after having to go through "hell." This company is in the business of scamming innocent people and they really need to be stopped before many other people experience what hundreds of others, including myself have already experience.
I have since tipped off the FBI regarding this company and to my surprise they have been aware of moving companies like this one, as they have a scenario on their website that states exactly the ordeal I experienced. With that, I contacted the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Georgia to find out that this company has been reported 99 times within the last three years, they are using the BBB logo illegally, and their license was revoked by the BBB. I have informed the Federal Trade Commission, the Georgia State Attorney General's Office and the Federal Motor Carrier's Association regarding this company and their deceitful practices.
Al2getherlovely
White Plains, Maryland
U.S.A.
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