After checking with several moving companies and the BBB, I hired NorthStar Van Lines to move me from California to Texas. Now I am out over $2000.00 and just about everything I own.
North Star gave me an estimate from a very detailed inventory list and the agreement was that I pay a deposit of $400.00 when I scheduled the pickup date which was June 22. I was to pay 50% of the balance when the movers loaded in CA and the remaining 50% when my property was delivered.
The first thing to go wrong was the movers didn't show up when scheduled so I called and was told they would be there the next day. I then received a call from the movers telling me they would be there at 7 am. They didn't arrive the next day until 2pm. When they finally started loading I was told they did not bring the proper packaging for some of the items and would not be taking them. I ended up renting a U-Haul trailer to transport the things they left.
When they finished loading I was asked for 60% of the balance not the 50% as agreed. I paid and they drove off with my belongings.
Now the nightmare begins... I received a phone call from the mover who loaded my things two days after the pickup and I'm told that there will be an additional charge of over $1000.00 for packaging materials and extra space used.
Immediately I call NorthStar and tell them what the mover had said. I explained how they didn't take many of the items they were supposed to which were all large things (beds, aquarium, desk, etc.), so it should actually be less if anything.
I spoke with a woman named Ivana, who knows absolutely nothing. She's the one when told to call 911 would have to call information for the number! She said she had so speak to her boss and would call me right back. Of course no call ever came.
For the next week I called numerous times a day and would either be put on hold, given names and numbers of other people to talk to, some of which do not even exist or told I would be called "right back" and never receive a call.
On June 29th the movers arrive to deliver my things at 10:00pm (a different truck, trailer and movers). A woman tells me they want the balance in cash before they will open the truck and shows me a bill. The balance is now even more! I show her the copy I received when the movers loaded and you could clearly see the copy she had was altered. I told her I would pay as the contract stated, up to 110% of the estimate plus the $206.00 they were charging for packaging material and then deal with NorthStar on any balance they said remained.
She became angry and said she wanted the total balance she had on her document or they were leaving. I told her I was calling the police so that there would be proof they refused to deliver in accordance to the contract. That's when she really went crazy and told me if I call the police I will never get my property and she would see to it and if I want my @#%! Then to pay the amount she says.
She just ranted on and they tried to drive away but the police arrived. This crazy lady told the police I had tried to run her over with my truck which was parked along the curb next to the moving truck and told them that I attacked her! This nut had lost it! It was obvious to the police too because they dismissed the accusations. They apologized to me and said they wish they could help but it was a civil matter and told me to file a civil suit immediately in the morning.
Because of how the crazy woman was acting I didn't want them to leave with my things so I said I would pay the amount they were saying and again just deal with NorthStar for a refund, but I wanted a receipt and a statement verifying what items were not delivered which were on the inventory list. Now miss drama queen says the two men inside the truck which I haven't even seen were too afraid to stay and unload so they were able to leave with my property!
The police apologized and told me again to file a civil suit immediately.
The next morning I called NorthStar to find out where they took my things and try once more to straighten this mess out but I was told the movers were at the police station reporting me for pulling a GUN on them when they came to deliver and hung up on me! I talked to the police and they said a report hadn't been made but the officers who came to my house know nothing like that happened and not to worry.
I am so upset, I now have to get an attorney and go to court to get my property and in the meantime I have to replace what I can at least temporarily and pray they do not lose or destroy our family photos and the things I can't replace.
I will never trust BBB again. Where are they now when I, a consumer, a victim needs help?
Davene
cedar hill, Texas
U.S.A.
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