After picking up my belongings, VIP Relocation called to tell me they had weighed my stuff and it weighed 1680 (180 lbs over the estimate which was 1500 lbs). It seemed reasonable to me that you could be over by that amount. So I didn't contest.
Then a week later they call me and tell me that they have reweighed the truck, and it actually weighed 2640 lbs!!! Which tacked on close to a $1000 to the total bill! I asked for a reasonable explanation for why there was a 1000 lbs. Difference in the weights and they were unable to give me one.
When they showed up to deliver my stuff, I paid them 110% of the original estimate. According to federal law, they must relinquish my belongings after paying 110% of the original non-binding estimate. Then I am supposed to have 30 days to build my case against them, or pay them if I find that the charges are lawful.
I was told that unless I paid in full, I would not be receiving my belongings. So I called the police and told them there was a crime in progress. Well, the DC Police said they would love to help me but that this was a civil case. Plus, since it was a federal law protecting me I needed to call the FBI. Who I actually did call, but they also said that this wasn't their jurisdiction.
When I realized there was a law protecting me against fraudulent moving companies, I felt relieved. Only to find out that there is no one enforcing the law I thought was protecting me!?
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