Tom's Moving and storage was hired to move our household in July into storage until our new residence was ready in September. All of our belongings were held in their storage facility through September 2. We were never provided with a written estimate detailing what our expected charges would be. We were simply told not to worry about it, as they had done work for us before.
On September 2 my husband and I were allowed into their storage facility to open containers and decide what we would like moved into our new home and what we would like sent to our new storage facility. We were told we would be provided with two assistants. When asked what we would be charged they said don't worry about it, we have always taken care of you.
My husband and I spent the entire day from 10:00am to 6:00pm opening containers with two men and separating our items. That day I noticed I was missing about $150 dollars worth of bottled water. I told the manager the next morning the day of the move because he had already left for the day by the time I was sure. On September 3, Tom's Moving sent a four man crew to my new home, which we had already taken up residence in, to deliver our stored belongings. Each man had a different job. One was to stay in the apartment and direct activity within. Two were to transport items up and one was to stay in the truck unloading. The mover's finished at about 2:30 pm. At about 4:30pm I went into my bathroom and into a cabinet where I had stored some personal belongings that morning before the mover's arrived. I took my box back out to put it back on the counter top and upon opening found a ring missing.
The company was called immediately and alerted as to the theft. They instructed me to call the police and file a report. They also stated it was impossible that it could have been anyone on their crew. A police report was filed that day and a private detective was hired.
The company still had possession of more that 80% of our belongings in their facility including almost all our children's items. Upon investigation by the police (subpoena's were obtained because the company refused to release information), it has to light that the company does not keep proper employee records, just names and cell phone numbers and a social in some but not all cases. NO background checks were performed on any of the workers, so in short they were paid as day laborers, many times cash or personal checks by the company. Of the four men who moved our household at least three had criminal records and one of them, the manager of the move had been arrested numerous times for breaking and entering, the pawing of stolen goods and assault. This man was also not working at the company within three days after the theft. He is under investigation now by the police department. It also came to light in the investigation that numerous other personal items including clothing, shoes, alcohol, wine and more were stolen from the truck. Boxes were opened on the truck and items were removed. It was also stated that this was a common and know practice by these employees. The only assistance this company offered was to submit our claim to their insurance company knowing full well it would be denied as cash and jewelry are not covered. This should have been submitted to their surety bond company. However, there seems to be no evidence that they are in compliance with sect 507.04. To add insult to injury, when we requested to move the rest of our belongs out of their facility they presented us with a severely inflated bill and demand letter via e-mail stating that we must pay with CASHIER'S CHECK ONLY and that it had to be deposited and cleared before anything was released. Fearful for our belongings and frankly for other repercussions in light of their newly discovered criminal backgrounds (owner of the company also has a record), we complied even though it was virtually extortion and no estimate had been provided.
APPARENT VIOLATIONS
Sect. 507.04
2. A certificate of deposit in a Florida banking in the amount $25,000
Company refuses to disclose if they are indeed bonded in accordance with sect. 507.04.
It appears no where on any paperwork provided by the company or its official website.
They state they are only insured and can only file a claim with their insurance company which they know does not cover the theft of cash and jewelry.
Question: How could a company that does not keep proper employee files or perform background checks get a surety bond or be an agent of a national moving company for intra-state moves?
Sect. 507.05
(2). No estimate prepared or provided prior to moves.
(5.) Improper itemized breakdown and description or services
Sect. 507.06
(2) Mover refused to relinquish household goods including children's item unless payment was received in only one form, cashier's check, prior to delivery. (Have written proof of this demand)
Sect. 507.07
(3) Deceptively misrepresented
(e & d) Shipper's rights and privileges I as the shipper who hired a supposedly reputable company have the right to know if criminal are being sent into my home. Their failure to disclose their lack of due diligence and lack of surety bond has cost me.
(f) Knowingly made false statements to the police and private investigator with regards to their employees and their past records.
Sect. 507.08
Per all offenses listed above these are deceptive and unfair trade practices.
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