This is a copy of a memorandum fax'd to the addressees, today. Please accept my apologies for the all-cap format. Our problem directly affects the well-being of three generations who have been struggling to stay afloat. All-Pro has sunk our boat, but we're still swimming!
To: elijah bowles iii, president
all-pro van lines, inc (usdot#: 699882, mc#: 323997)
from: alice p. Simcoe, hugh s. Simcoe iii, and alex cloyd-simcoe
date: june 4
cc: U.S. Department of transportation (fmcsa)
florida department of transportation (dca)
federal bureau of investigation
re: peaceful resolution of current conflict (moving scam)
Please allow us an opportunity to reiterate some of the realities associated with your refusal to deliver our personal property and furniture, which you have held, in storage, somewhere in winter park (fl), for the past 7 weeks.
1. Your original quotation that was made during our initial telephone inquiry with all-pro van lines, inc., was $1500.00. You stated that the quote was based upon your (alleged) history with 2-bedroom condos and the numerous moves from our condominium complex (ashley ridge, in fitchburg, ma), to points in florida.in light of your advertisements that touted, senior-citizen discounts for east coast moves, 30-days free storage, and, up to 65% off, we could understand that your initial quotation could, in fact, be credible.
2. Based on the abovementioned, we decided upon all-pro van lines, inc. To move us to debary, fl, and they agreed to send a team to begin our move, scheduled for april 12th. During the 3-4 day interim time, we tried to pack-up as much of our things as possible, but were unable to complete the task, however, all-pro agreed to pack what was left over, and we understood there would be an additional cost.
3. On the day the move began, the process of putting stickers on the items to be moved began. The repres entative approached mrs. Simcoe and asked her to sign a document which was presented as a document that gave all-pro the right to, put stickers on all the items to be moved. Mrs simcoe was suffering from dizzyness caused by an electrolyte imbalance, and was adament about not wanting to sign a contract until she felt a little bit better. She did, however, sign the (sticker approval) document, which as it turned out, was an agreement to allow all-pro van lines, inc. Reimburse us the equivalent of 60 cents per pound, should our property be destroyed in transit. (note: the actual writing of 60 cents per pound, was done after mrs. Simcoe signed her name!)
4. During the process of stickering items to be moved, items that had been taken out of storage and kept under a tarp on our side yard, were also ticketed. All-pro van lines, inc., has alleged that these items were not on the original inventory, which is just not true. Besides, there was not that much, to begin with, especially due to the fact that the entirety of these items took up less than 1/3 of a small (3' x 8') u-haul self-storage room.
5. Upon completion of the loading on the truck, we were in - formed that the price would have to be increased by $1000, due to all-pro van lines, inc. Packing the remaining, unpacked items, providing us with 5-8 wardrobe cartons, and the additional items. This figure was more in line with our expectations, and we subsequently agreed on $2500.
6. The delivery date on the work order was left open, due to the possibility that our new residence would not be ready for occupance until monday, april 18. The all-pro van lines, inc. Driver "jim." stated to us that his girlfriend lived in winter park, fl, and they looked forward to playing in winter park over the weekend, as soon as they got rid of a small load, destined to be delivered to a georgia address. At this point, everything appeared to be going along very smoothly. I felt that we had attained a rapport with the driver, his girlfriend, and helper.
7. On friday, april 15, as we were approaching florida, we received a call from the driver, jim, stating that the price of our move had increased to $3300! Later that evening, we met up with the truck at a rest area just south of jacksonville, fl, and discussed the situation, at which time it was decided that we would meet in the debary/orance-city area, later that night. I sensed that jim was very uncomfortable being the bearer of the news of the price increase. As i mentioned earlier, it seemed like we shared a mutual respect, as evidenced by a separate agreement between jim, his girlfriend, and i, which allowed us to save $200. (based upon my/our belief that jim was only a pawn in this ripoff by mr. Bowles iii, the nature of our agreement will remain confidential, unless a court order compels me to disclose the specific terms, therein.)
8. Realizing that we would be staying in a motel that night, and possibly the weekend, we booked a room at the deltona best western inn, and waited for the truck to arrive, which it did, around 10:00 pm. At that time, jim allowed us to take possession of two bicycles that had been lashed to extreme back of the truck. As jim and the others were leaving, he stated that they were going to put our belongings in a storage facility in winter park, fl, and they were going to go to georgia, drop off the small load, and then play until monday, at which time we would coordinate the moving-in phase of our move. We asked jim to let his superiors at all-pro van lines, inc. Know that we were very unhappy at the added expense. We pooled our resources and came up with $3300 ($1200 of which, was in the form of a check, given to us by our landlady in fitchburg, mams. Margaret serpa.) at that point, our total payment to all-pro van lines, inc. Totalled $3300, for which we have a signed receipt. Jim did say, that he would need to get final approval from the all-pro bosses, in order to deliver our things, based upon our not having the entire $3300 in cash. At this point, there was no doubt in my mind that jim was very uncomfortable with everything that was happeningi felt that his discomfort was genuine. He mentioned that his job was on the line. I could tell his heart wasn't in it, but he still obeyed his boss (es).
9. Again, as he was leaving, jim stated that he would do what he could, to help us with all-pro van lines, inc.'s higher-ups.
10. On monday, april 18, mrs. Simcoe discussed the new arrangements with mr. Bowles iii, who informed her that the final price of the move was now $5200, $1900 more than friday's quote. During the telephone conversation, mr. Bowles iii proceeded to call mrs. Simcoe a liar, and a conniving old lady trying to rip him off by telling such a sob story! He went on to say how everybody tries to play on his sympathy! This last comment was echoed, during a subsequent conversation later that day, with her son, hugh.
11. The latter call came as a result of hugh calling all-pro van lines, inc., in hopes of convincing mr. Bowles iii that he was not being scammed, when, in fact, it seemed like just the opposite was occurring. During this second call between mrs. Simcoe's son, hugh, and mr. Bowles iii, it was noted by mr. Simcoe that mr. Bowles iii was totally rude, disrespectful, and, more importantly, threatening. Mr. Bowles iii made it very clear that he was well within his rights to auction and/or sell outright, the furniture and other personal possessions belonging to mrs. Simcoe, her son, hugh, and his son, alex. Or, if he so chose, smash it all to pieces, or, put it in a big pile, and burn it! When mr. Simcoe stated he was considering some type of legal remedy, mr. Bowles iii just laughed, then stated in an arrogant manner, get any lawyer you want'we got the best there is!' when mr. Simcoe confronted mr. Bowles iii with the language that was used against his mother, mr. Bowles iii replied b y stating, i call it the way i see it! He went to say that his assessment of mrs. Simcoe was accurate, and he could see right through her. He then stated that noone (or, nothing), could touch him; or words to that effect.
12. Later that day, mr. Simcoe contacted the volusia county sheriff's office, asking if there was anything they could do to compel all-pro van lines, inc. To deliver the furniture, in question. They were sympathetic, but, due to the fact that our property was (allegedly) being stored in winter park, we would need to contact the winter park police, who in turn, informed us that the broward county sheriff's department had the ultimate authority due to all-pro van lines, inc. Being headquartered in broward county (5897 sw 21st street, hollywood, fl 33023). Mr. Simcoe contacted the broward county sheriff's department, but was not allowed to speak with a detective, as he requested.instead, he was required to relate his complaint to ago-between, who assured me that she would deliver my complaint to the appropriate department. I stressed to the complaint-taker four main elements with which i had major concern, the first of which was extortion/blackmailpay us more and more money, or you'll never see your furniture, again. The second main concern surrounded the whole concept of illegal conversion of one party's property to another party's propertyto us, a fancy juris-babble way of describing the act of stealing! Our third prime concern was the breach of agreementto date, we had never signed a contract that mentioned any pricethat was to occur at some point, however, in the heat of the moving process, we did fail to demand to see a final estimate. Our fourth prime concern was based upon how slick this whole operation was, replete with very obvious lies being told to mrs. Simcoe, essentially, taking advantage of her age and emotional/physical state, at the time of the move. Having functioned as a therapist for the past 30 years, i had the misfortune of encountering abuses levelled at the elderly, typically more trusting than their offspring, who have become acutely aware of ethical and legal breaches due to the increased frequency of their coming to light. Later that day, we received a telephone call from the same complaint-taker who stated that, we contacted the company and they told us there was a contract, and they had a right to hold your furniture. She then concluded by stating, the broward county sheriff's department will not pursue this complaint any further. I tried to explain that we were the ones making the complaint, and we allege that there is no contract, we are (ovbiously) being blackmailed, and, our property has, in effect, been stolen by all-pro van lines, inc., and they are, in effect, selling it back to us! The complaint-taker replied with the identical statement she had made earlier, the broward county sheriff's department will not pursue this complaint any further.
13. Later that day, or possibly the next day, mrs. Simcoe was informed by mr. Bowles iii that, instead of the $5200 price he had quoted (citing, that he had given us a break), the price was now at the full amount, $6800.
14. At this point, we were forced to borrow the additional $3500, due to our available funds being depletedand because there was no doubt in our minds that mr. Bowles iii was nothing but a sociopath who took pleasure in scamming innocent victims. We asked mrs. Simcoe's sister to loan us the money, which she did, mailing a check for $3500 directly to all-pro van lines, inc.
15. Throughout this entire time, we felt totally powerless to do anything but go along with all-pro van lines, inc. I now suspect, based upon this experience, what it must be like, to be a victim of rape!
16. When the $3500 check cleared, and all $6800 was paid to all-pro van lines, inc., the last hurdle for us involved a release document that absolved all-pro van lines, inc., as well as all persons associated with the company, of any liability whatsoever, regardless of the condition of our property, if, in fact, it even still existed!
17. Based upon feedback from the U.S. Dot's fmcsa representative, who characterized the release as illegal, as well as our elder-abuse advocate based in the legal-aid organization we were using, we refused to sign the release. The representative also went on to say, however, that poorly-written laws have created legal loophohes, that reduce the department's enforcement capabilities. Good for you, mr. Bowles iiibad for us.
18. A couple weeks passnothing much has changed. Then, in the early part of may possibly on the 3rd, mrs. Simcoe's sister received an addendum from all-pro van lines, inc., which indicated that mrs. Simcoe had signed an estimate of the price of the move. How this document miraculously appeared some 2 weeks after the furniture was to be delivered, is a matter for speculation. Further analysis will speak to the document's authenticity, however, noone remembers ever seeing the document.
19.
20.2 or three weeks ago, mrs. Simcoe received a call from my bowles iii's brother, nathan, who was inquiring as to the status of our acquiescing to signing the release. When mrs. Simcoe explained that we want to inspect our property prior to signing the release, he became as abusive as his brother, implying that mrs. Simcoe need to be in fear of her safety.
21. On friday, june 3, mrs. Simcoe's son called all-pro van lines, inc., and spoke to mr bowles iii, again requesting access to our property. Mr bowles iii responded in his (now typical) mannerthreatening, bullying, demeaning, etc., stating that he'd spoken with d.O.T., letting them know that you did not have a location for them to deliver the furniture to, which, as we can easily prove, is a total fabrication (lie)! The issue has always been about one thing, and one thing onlymoney!
22. As soon as mr. Simcoe mentioned d.O.T., as well as the f.B.I., mr. Bowles iii demanded to speak with mrs. Simcoe and told her to get an address and he'd deliver the furniture tomorrow! Later that day, as i am sure telephone records will indicate, mrs. Simcoe made several calls to all-pro van lines, inc, leaving messages that we wanted the furniture delivered to a particular location in debary, fl. To date, none of our calls have been returned. It appears fairly obvious that mr. Bowles iii is attempting to play more mind-games with usgetting our hopes up, then letting us down.
1. Mr. Bowles iii let there be no misunderstanding you have taken everything of value we possess and you have used it to extort more and more money from us. Your actions have caused more emotional damage than you will ever realize, because, sir, you appear to have no capacity for compassion, whatsoever.in fact, we get the distinct impression that you receive great pleasure from the pain you inflict on others. I can only imagine how tragic an upbringing you must have endured. Regardless, that is an issue that you can remedy by seeking out appropriate professional help.
As far as we are concerned, we ask, no, we demand that you agree to the following:
1. You provide us with a notarized affidavit that insures us that our property is in the same condition as it was when it was loaded onto your truck.
2. You make arrangements with another moving company, preferably a company that is a member of a national organization of movers, to deliver our belongings to an address of our choosing, at some pre-arranged time during the month of august.
3. You reimburse us in the amount of $3500, accepting our payment of $3300 as payment in full!
4. You reimburse us in the amount of $1000, helping us defray needless costs that we incurred as a result of your unethical, criminal behavior.
5. You will agree to never, ever threaten anyone in our family, nor will you arrange for bodily harm to occur to any of us. You see, you have created a very perilous situation, because people who have nothing, have nothing to lose. You have taken everything from us, and we want it back. We will do whatever it takes.
Please note, that this memorandum has been copied to the U.S. And fl d.O.T., as well as the f. Bi. I am dead serious about remedying this situation. My uncle jim (weldon) was a prosecuting attorney for the f.B.I., and i/we still have some contacts in washington, who i am sure will be very interested in your actions against my family. I really hope that the U.S. Attorney takes a long, hard look at your company, applying the litmus-test to see if there is justification to take action against you under the r.I.Co. Statutes. (who knows, mr. Bowles iii, maybe you'll get your picture in the newspapers, afterall!) also, the woman you referred to as a conniving old liar, is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served with distinction, during w.W. Ii, as a nurse. It was during the war that she met the man who became my father. He served the entire war in the pacific, on a submarine, and is a true war hero. Mrs simcoe was blessed with a marriage that lasted nearly 60 years! You are holding those 60 years of memories hostages, mr. Bowles iii. I was 58 years old when dad died those memories are being held hostage by you, mr. Bowles iii. My son has 18 years of wonderful memories locked up in your secret storage site (allegedly, in winter park); also being held hostage. There are enormous consequences that arise from such emotional turmoil that arises from your base behavior.
I can't imagine how anyone could pull this type of dirty trickand not realize how wronghow bad a thing, it is!!! You are so screwed up, it's pathetic.
At any rate, now that i've recuperated from a heart attack i suffered on may 9th, i will be devoting all my efforts in dealing with you, and, mark my words: everything you have done to this family will be addressed! You have operated much like a fox in a chicken coop, but you will cease to do so. Capish? These are not threats. We operate very differently, mr. Bowles iii. I am offering you an opportunity to extricate yourself from a very dangerous hole you have dug for yourself, as well as your company. If you have any capacity for rational thought, you will do whatever is necessary to remedy this useless abrasive you created for my family. I believe in adhering to certain ethical principles that, as evidenced by your behavior, is what separates us, from people like you. The time has come, mr. Bowles iii, for you to exercise some good judgement. Please.
Hugh
DELTONA, Florida
U.S.A.
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