I hired Authorized Movers to move me from Georgia to Washington State. The original estimate was $4,000. Two men showed up in a Uhaul, I asked them where the moving truck was, as I had specifically asked Amanda from Authorized Movers if they owned their own trucks and she stated they did and that my move would be handled by them as they are a "full service moving company". The driver explained to me that their truck rides very low to the ground and would not make it into my development, this struck me as strange as when I moved into my home, the truck (nationally known moving company) had no problem parking right in front of my home. I allowed them to take my items as they told me the truck was 15 minutes away.
They took two loads and left around 9pm. They wanted me to sign a binding contract totalling $11,000 or more and I refused (after they had taken all my items), and I told them I wanted the truck weighed, empty then with my things and they assured me they had weighed the truck empty prior to coming to my home and would provide me with the weight tickets, I asked to be present for the weighing of my items and he told me it would be the following day, he never called me to tell me and then days went by.
Authorized Movers would not return my calls, or they would put me on hold, or tell me they would call me back and then never did. I finally received weight scale tickets from them which were almost impossible to read, but could make out that the company name on the ticket was not Authorized movers, but two totally different companies I had never heard of.
Trans American was one of them, I looked up their web site and their DOT #, called the DOT and was informed that their license had been revoked on March 4. The other company (I will omit their name and they are a reputable firm and do not transport household items, and this ticket may had been sent in error or to further the crime, not sure). I spoke with Julie at this company and she was very helpful and asked me to send her a copy of the ticket they sent me which I did.
I then was told (by accident I believe), that my items were in Savannah, GA which is the opposite direction from Seattle, and had been there for days. I called the DOT back and the GA rep informed me that it would be in my best interest to suspend the move and get my items back. As the DOT # had been revoked. The dispatcher who's name is Shy Levy (according to Authorized Movers) called me and told me he did not want to move my items. "Good" I said, and he told me he would charge me for storage and labor, I then asked the DOT official what he thought they would charge and he thought between $500 and $1,000, and as sad as it was I would probably have to pay it in order to get my things.
My belongings had not left GA for 8 days! Shy Levy called me with the location of my items, which was a Public Storage warehouse located 16 miles from my home in Doraville, GA. He also told me to meet his driver there at 6pm with a Money order in the amount of $1400.
I met them, they finally arrived at 8pm, and were two young men who I do not believe were aware of what they were involved with. They refused to open the gate and unit until I paid, but I was persistant and explained to them I was not handing over any money until I was confident my items were intact and all accounted for. I was able to have a police officer present as I was unsure of the safety aspect for myself. My husband had already left for our new home and I was without him for this situation. The young man opened the gate and the unit, and the new moving company I hired was appaled at the condition of my items.
Many boxes were smashed, it appeared some had been opened, a flat screen tv was just sitting in the unit uncovered, as well as most of my furniture that was not previously boxed. The National moving company I used, new of Shy, and were not suprised this happened. The two young men began to understand what they were a part of and felt very bad, however, they continued to pick up and deliver the next day. I then got my belongings in a truck and on its way to Seattle, and I did not give them a dime.
The following morning, 7am to be exact, I received a call from Shy Levy and he stated he had more of my items, and that he was going to sell them. Additionally something was said regarding a threat to me and the police officer. He speaks in broken english so it was difficult to make out but I have kept the recording.
I placed a credit alert on my credit bureau report, not knowing if in fact he has any of my personal belongings, but I will be able to determine that once my items are delivered. Additionally the DOT is involved!!!
Shari
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.
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