My previous address was Harpers Ferry, WV and I relocated to Boerne TX., May. Before moving from West Virginia, I contacted a few moving companies for estimates to move my household goods from WV to Texas. I knew they needed to see all my household items, provide estimates on pricing of the move as well as pricing for insurance coverage.
I decided to go with Medved Moving & Storage Co, located on Route 40 East, Hopwood, Pa, 15445. Medved Moving & Storage Co is also addressed in P.O. Box 818, Uniontown, Pa 15401. I signed a contract with Mr. Ashton to move all my house hold items plus shipment of my auto. I paid for shipment along with replacement insurance in case of damages. Most of my household items were purchased in Europe and would be hard to find within the United States.
The amount of damages totals $13,065.
What worries me is that time is passing and Mr. Ashton's disregard for the legal system and the Better Business Bureau and The Attorney General of Pennsylvania attempts to contact him regarding this claim. I would like to resolve this matter once and for all in a timely matter.
In the course of packing, a few items were broken and noted on the household inventory list of all items, being shipped. I made Mr. Ashton aware of the broken items on the spot, before they were loaded on the truck plus noted on the inventory sheet. Once all items arrived at our current address in Boerne, TX. I informed Mr. Ashton I would submit a claim for replacement of all items damaged. Once all items were unpacked at my new residence, I discovered additional damages. I listed each item with a description and provided a replacement cost for either repair or replacement. My Claim was submitted to MEDVAD Attn: Mr. Bill Ashton in Dec. The claim package was returned because it was not signed for and I returned the claim back to MEDVED in Jan. I made numerous phone calls to check on the status of my claim, Without having any luck.
I purchased replacement insurance with Medved Moving & Storage Co. Thinking they would have an incentive to handle our household items better, since they would not want to go thought a claim process and drive their rates higher for insurance and operations. I was wrong on that thinking.
Eventually, I was able to reach Mr. Ashton regarding my claim and was told, I would be refunded the money that was paid for the insurance and sixty (60) cents a pound on the damages (Option 2) as stated in the contract. On the bottom left hand side of the contract it states: customer's declaration of value. There were two options to choose from:
Option 1 states: Full replacement value protection which is checked and states the value of my shipment is $250,000 and initialed with no deductable.
Option 2 states: release value of 60 cents per pound per article. Which was not checked or initialed.
It appears Mr. Ashton decided to disregard full replacement cost mentioned in option1 and go with the lesser amount which was not indicated on the contracted. I may not have mentioned that Mr. Ashton is an authorized agent of Bekins.
Mr. Ashton provided a book from Bekins explaining: your rights and responsibilities when you move, Bekins excellence in moving valuation coverage (explaining on how to file a claim).
I sent a copy of the claim to Bekins to try to reach a resolution and was advised, I would need to settle this matter with MEDVED. Bekins Moving Company indicated in their reply to my claim stating, The shipment was not handled by Bekins Van Lines LLC. They went on to explain that they operate as a motor carrier of household goods in interstate commerce. Bekins Van Lines LLC operates through a number of agents across the country for the sale and service of interstate moves on BEHALF of Bekins.in the letter's details, Bekins didn't directly move any of our household goods. Basically, there is nothing that they can do or would do to resolve this matter.
I feel that Bekins Van Lines LLC shares a degree of responsibility, especially if you go to Bekins web site and look for a mover in the Uniontown Pa, where Medved is from, the only agent listed is Medved. Thus making Medved an Authorized agent for Bekins.
I believe that the actions taken by Bekins/MEDVED moving is a true case of fraud and a violation of a signed contract.
I contacted a local lawyer in Boerne Tx, who examined my claim, and was told he could not handle an out of state claim, due to possibly changes in the location of the Federal Court. I have contacted a lawyers in MD, WV and PA with the same results.
The reason so much time has elapsed is the difficultly in trying to resolve the matter through Mr. Bill Ashton, plus waiting from a written reply from VP of Bekins, contacting a lawyer, allowing time for the them to review the case, provide their decision, if they would be able to handle the case.
Appreciate any assistance that you may render to bringing this matter to an equitable resolution.
Will provide all documentation referencing my moving claim at your request.
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