Contracted moving through Pacific Storage sub contractor of Bekins Van Lines who sub contracted out to Rebel Moving/Van Lines to pack and crate my belongs for shipment overseas. June 3 3 men showed up 2 hours late and the lead man was shown what was to be moved. 99% of items were already packed.
Their job was to move furniture and boxes into crates for shipment. I pointed out and told the lead person the areas not to be packed or entered into. This main area was the dressing area of the small 2 beddroom apartment I lived alone in. I had been up all night prior boxing and taking apart items. I removed the jewelry I wore everyday and placed them in a cabinet on the wall in the dressing area. These items were a 1 caret diamond ring, a smaller diamond pinkie ring and 2 bracelets; one containing approx. 14 small diamonds. This wall cabinet was not in the bedroom area and had to be walked into deliberately as well as a cabinet door opened to take another piece of jewelry, a diamond pendant and choker neckless. The other items were sitting on the shelf, but again out of direct view.
The men arrived late and without any tools to disasemble my furniture with. I was in the apartment packing items they refused to pack the entire time. This apartment was 1000 square foot. I also had my digital camera sitting on the kitchen counter amoung various other items.
The men were there for approximately 5 hours. When they left I immediately left for work, locking the apartment up. The next morning when I awoke around 7 A.M. I went to put on my jewelry only to realize the items missing. I immediately phoned the police. They arrived and made a report noting that this was not a breakin but Grand Theft and at the same conclusion I made, by the movers. These were the only items stolen.
I phoned the moving company immediately and was told they were closed but dispatcher would contact the men. Monday morning I contacted the moving company and personally went to their facility. After personal conversation with owner, Bill Greek, I was told that they would talk to the men again, as they had denied the theft, but no further action would be taken. They brought out my crates and they were opened. It was noted that I had personally packed almost all the boxes but the one that they had packed, movers, was opened and gone through. They wanted proof that the items were not mistakenly packed.
The movers had done a terrible job at packing and many items were left even those tagged and inventoried. Rebel had new men come out and pack the balance of my items.
At the request of Bekins corporate, I had been talking to them since Rebel Van Lines refused to offer any assistance or settle, I wait until my items arrived from shipping to go through them all and make sure they items were not misplaced. Of course this was a joke as the items were not to be packed and in an area off limits to the movers. I was personally taking my jewelry with me and wearing the items I wore daily. The camera was also being personally taken on the plane.
The total for the stolen items was over $10,000.00
Bekins, Rebel as well as Pacific Storage has offered no assistance.
I was contacted a few days later with the total weight of my shipment and given a quote. I agreed and attempted to give Pacific Storage my payment information. A few days later I was able to talk to the agent who finally got my payment confirmed. Through miscommunication and non returned phone calls by them, I learned that my items sat without being loaded onto a carrier for shipment.
They offered no excuse for this delay.in fact, they did not ship my things until the day I left, June 25. We had it planned that my shipemnt would arrive shortly after I did. My shipment was not shipped for 3 weeks. This caused hardship and stress as I had everything I owned being shipped and planned on the arrival of my possessions to set up housekeeping with.
My possessions when unpacked by receiving moving company had me personally there as they opened crates. Many boxes were crushed under the weight of what was piled on top of them. Several pieces of furniture were not packed but pushed into open spaces with no padding, thus chipped. The receiving movers were shocked and surprised at how my possessions were shipped and stacked. I filed a complaint and a list of broken and damaged items but have never received any communication or settlement.
To this day and numerous phone calls to Bekins & Pacific Storage, I have been told that I have no proof that this theft occured and they would no longer discuss the matter. The men are still employed with Rebel Van Lines and I was told that they would not fire them because it would leave them short handed and they did deny the theft. I have proof that these items were owned by me and I no longer have them, as of June 3. I also have a Police Report.
I was also told that Rebel Van Lines was a member of the BBB when I was there personally and have found out in filing a complaint that they are not. They also told me that they have had no complaints about them and the men had over 20 years combined employment history. They will not take responsibility for any wrong doing or offer any settlement. They have refused any further communication.
I want this theft known to the public and to be aware of movers. I am searching for an attorney who would go after this theft with as much passion as I have that this was totally wrong and should not happen to anyone and that thieves are allowed to go into homes and steal go unpunished.
I will not go away nor allow this to happen to another unsuspecting person. Bekins contracts to companies that employ theives.
Christine
Kihei, Hawaii
U.S.A.
0 comments