This is a report of a rip-off in progress. I want to warn people about Universal Van lines, a company supposedly in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.in the industry, I think they are referred to as a "moving broker" of sorts. Choosing a reputable moving company is extremely difficult. I hope that this report will help others avoid what I'm going through. I hired this Florida company to move my belongings from California to Georgia. I asked that the contract include a *binding* estimate. Universal was extremely helpful up to the point where I signed the contract. Then my troubles started. I had negotiated an agreement with our apartment management in Ca. To vacate no later than the end of the business day on March 26. Failure to leave on this date would cost us a $2,979 early lease termination fee. Our scheduled moving date with Universal was March 25. After several days of being told by Universal that the truck would be arriving at almost any moment, it finally arrived on March 27 a day after our deadline to move out and after I had already carried almost all of our belongings out to the *street* just to get it out of the apartment to avoid having to pay the termination fee. The movers had very little to move as I had already done it myself. The apartment management, having noticed our predicament, was kind enough to waive the termination fee. Currently we're in Georgia waiting for Universal to tell us when our belongings will be delivered. When I called them 2 weeks ago, they said they were "surprised" to find out that the delivery hadn't already taken place and that they had no idea where our stuff was. For several days after, they made promises of delivery dates that never took place. Now we're faced with the fact that Universal hasn't answered their phone for the last 9 days and have failed to return the messages we left. We have no idea what's going on with them. I took matters into my own hands and searched the internet for the phone number of the company that conducted the actual move (Modern Moving Co.). I called them and they tell me that they *never* notified Universal of any projected delivery date and that they haven't been able to get through to Universal for the last week because they don't answer their phone.in addition, Modern Moving is saying they need an additional $600.00 from me before they'll deliver our stuff. (This despite a binding agreement with Universal). Universal still doesn't answer their phone. I'm currently debating my next move. I've already received guidance from the Federal Motor Transport Division. If we have to pay this additional delivery fee, this incident will most certainly be reported to the Better Business Bureau. For the record, I no longer view the BBB as a legitimate source of information. Finally, I'd like to add that there is *much* more detail concerning the incompetence and deception I've experienced with Universal over the past several months. What I've shared is just the tip of the iceberg. David Dacula, Georgia
U.S.A. Click here to read other complaint list of other Moving Companies
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