I contracted with Authorized Movers on May31. They asked me for a deposit which they insisted that I give online using my credit card. Their moving men took my parent's furniture from a warehouse in Davie, Florida in order to ship them to our home in Vermont.
I contracted with them because they stated at the time of calling that they only use their own trucks to move and not the national system of movers so I felt secure knowing that my things were only handled with one company: Authorized Movers.
All summer, I called whatever phone numbers I had to contact Authorized Movers however I was constantly being switched from one person to another and never received any definite answer regarding the date of transport. My husband was not well and we were doing renovations; it was quite difficult for me to follow up except for numerous attempts to try them by phone.
At times, I would try communicating with a manager for as much as two hours to no avail. I was also anxious for this move because my husband's cardiologist is at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
On August 21, a man called me from Authorized Movers stating that they would charge me storage as of September 1st. This was the first call initiated by Authorized Movers after my many attempts. There should be no reason to charge me storage when due to weather conditions, they could move the furniture until the beginning of November.
And, the fact that they were holding my furniture for that period was on their accord, not mine. He stated that if the furniture was not moved by September 15, they would charge my American Express card $225 a month. I argued however he threatened throwing out my furniture in the street if I did not pay at that time.
On August 30, I received the second phone call from a man who said he was a driver of Authorized Movers. He stated that he had my furniture with him and he would be ready for delivery the next morning, Labor Day.
I explained to him that the home is a 24 hour drive when my husband and I would drive together and that because my husband would not be able and I would be the sole driver, this would be impossibility for me.in addition, the road conditions would be worsened due to Labor Day holiday traffic.
On September 15, Authorized Movers began charging me $225 a week. I continued to try reaching a manager to no avail.
On May 30, I went to Authorized Mover's warehouse in North Miami Beach. Meyer identified himself as a manager. He stated that this should have never been done and that he would arrange something for me. Nothing was refunded. He gave me his card with phone numbers to contact him, phone numbers I did not have. We both searched for my furniture which we found in two neat piles wrapped in black plastic which made it impossible for viewing.
When I called beginning July 1st to advise that I had a truck and driver, I continued to receive the same previous responses spending hours on the phone daily.in desperation, I called the North Miami Beach Police who dispatched two officers who met me there and found my furniture in the same condition. I advised Meyer at that time that I would be there on July 18th.
The driver I had could not show therefore I rented the truck myself and picked up my things. It was at this time that I found that the furniture was either damaged or missing. When I advised this to Meyer, he was adamant that if I did not take it, he would throw it out on the street or I would continue paying storage.
In addition, two workers there advised me that it was their experience that Authorized Movers are scam artists and they are responsible for many cases as mine. For that reason, I took my things and left.
I tried disputing this with American Express however although each time Authorized Movers would send a copy of the contract for moving because there is no contract for storage. There is nothing on the contract which states that they have the right to store the items without the consent of the owner.
The items which were moved were stated on their list correctly:
1. A Dining Table Scratched and chipped
2.6 Dining Chairs Scratched and chipped
3.2 French Provincial End Tables (70 years old) Damaged, Repaired
4.3 Chairs, 2 arm chairs, 1 Victorian Chair 2 Arm Chairs, Damaged; Victorian Chair, Missing
5.1 French Provincial Dresser (70 years old) Gouge cut out of top
6. Tea Cart 2 Casters damaged, 2 missing, gouges, scratches
7. Chaise Lounge Damaged
8.2 Sofas, one 70 years old, one 100 years old Both Damaged
9. Head Board Damaged horribly
10.2 Coffee Tables 1 Modern, 1 70 years old Modern, Missing; French Provincial, Damaged
11. $18,000 Desk in 5 parts Scratched, pieces torn and broken or missing
12.100 Year old table Missing
I have pictures of each piece of furniture. I want to recover my initial deposit OF $800 and the cost of 9 months of storage, $1575.00 (7 x $225.00) I never wanted storage; I wanted the things moved to Vermont.
Kiwifish23
Hollywood, Florida
U.S.A.
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