I had begun the preparation of my movefrom Florida to Texas the first week in December. I had narrowed it downto moving my belongings with the help of my family, or hiring a moving companyto complete the hassle for me. Upon variousquotes, USA Relocation INC out of Plano, TX, seemed like the way to go. Throughseveral phone calls and emails I was quoted $1100 with a pick up date ofDecember 17th, and an arrival date of December 21st. The $1100 was based on weight, and an extra 30 boxes were added due tothe fact that I was not aware of how many boxes I would have. December 9a deposit was made by my boyfriend in order to secure the dates witha man named Lee.
Movers arrived at my Boca Raton, FL home at 10 am onDecember 17. The driver had told me that it was going to be about $1000on top of the $1100 that was quoted because I had exceeded the amount on thequote. The driver had been told that the move was amounted by cubic feet. The driver tells me that we've gone over ourcubic footage allotment (our quote was by weight). Plus, he said that they hadto pack up some of my small boxes and that the material and labor was over$400. I told him that was not the agreement that I was partaking in. Ihad immediately called Lee at USA Relocation INC in Texas to explain thesituation and ask what to do, because I had been dealing with him the entiretime. Lee had suggested I speak with the manager, Mike, who worked indispatch. A direct quote from Mike at USA Relocation INC: Do not worry aboutthe movers there, they are just drivers. Do not listen to them. Upon Mikesrequest, I forewent the move. At the time of completion of loading the truck onDecember 17, the driver requested that I paid $1442.50, and if I did not, my belongings would be put in storage until payment was received. $1442.50was only 50% of the cost of the total move. The other 50% was to be paid attime of delivery on December 21. Mike at USA Relocation INC receivedanother phone call from me explaining the disagreement in payment, and theexcessive extra amount because I was being charged by cubic feet. Mike told me, Pay the amount and we willwork it out in the end. I wrote a check of $1442.50 and it was cleared December18. I was packed and ready to go, trusting USA Relocation INC, and thedispatcher Mike. Driving my car and extra belongings, I arrived inTX on December 20. Anxiously awaiting my belongings thefollowing day, I did not receive a phone call from the movers. A phone call, again, was made to Mike at USA Relocation INC. He stated that the drivers gotheld up, and they would not be arriving until the time frame of December 23 December 26. Later on the 23rd, therewas still no word from USA Relocation INC. Again, a phone call was made toMike. Mike told us that the driver again got held up, and we would receive thebelongings on December 29. Returning from Nebraska on December 28, we again awaited the movers on the 29th. No call or no show. Mikewas called, again, stating that USA Relocation INC did not have a driver fromFlorida, and they sub-contracted a company that would deliver on January 2. January 2nd approached, and still no sign of my householdbelongings. Mike was called again, and we were told, This is not my problemanymore. No contact information was ever given to me with the driver orcompany information that had my items, as promised by Mike on the 2nd. The same situation occurs day after day. Mike and Lee from USA Relocation INCrefuse to answer my phone calls/emails or respond to my messages left withother USA Relocation INC associates. January 5 I called Lee at USA Relocation INC with ablocked number. He answered and had told me that he was not aware of thesituation. Through explaining myself to him he said, Let me stop you rightthere, I cannot help you with this matter. The person you need to talk to isMike. Mike is actually on the phone with the moving company that has yourbelongings right now. I said, Thats strange, so he just called them when Icontacted you? Lee said, I will give him your message, but just know he isyelling at the company that has your stuff. I proceeded to give Lee my number, again, to make the process easy for USA Relocation INC. January 5 we contacted a phone numberthat was on a moving sheet of a man named Robert located in Florida. He incharge of the company that now has my belongings. However, he has neverreceived a phone call from Mike or anyone at USA Relocation INC. I am still awaiting several return phone calls from Mike.
Through ample research, I have found the following:
USA Relocation INC does not have voicemail, opposed to one a legitimate company uses.
USA Relocation INCnever identifies the company by name any time that I called, they say helloor can I help you? I am entitled torights and responsibilities when I move. The main item that USA Relocation INC did not follow was the rules onthe Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading that USA Relocation gave me had noinformation about the movers, the company, or the delivery date; all of which amoving company is required to provide at time of pickup.information on your bill of lading should bethe same information as what was provided in your written estimate, if youreceived one. The driver who loads your shipment must give you a copy of thebill of lading before loading your belongings. (http://real-estate. Lawyers.com/Handling-Movers-with-Care.html) I did not receive a copy until the moving company was finished loading thetruck and ready to ask for payment. USA Relocation INChas not honored many of the commitments that were made. USA Relocation INCstated in the contract that my items were going to be charged by weight. Theychanged the contract on me the day of the move to being charged by cubic feet. My items at the time of loading the truck were never moved. USA Relocation INChas sub-contracted my move to another company in which they could not provideme any information on. USA Relocation INC never consented me about sub-contracting;they went behind my back and out of the agreement terms. USA Relocation INC states: We offer a BINDING-NOT-TO-EXCEEDthe estimate contract that covers all expenses up front. There are nohidden charges. All of the fuel surcharges, taxes and tolls are included. Thisis the best way for the customer to know exactly what your total moving costsare and offers you the comfort of knowing everything up front. I was charged forfuel. USA Relocation INC states: Our BINDING-NOT-TO-EXCEEDestimate is designed to protect you from any hidden charges. Ourproprietary moving software is designed to calculate your item's weight. Thisis done instead of the old system of using cubic feet to make sure the weightis accurate and also over estimated at the same time. We do this to make surethat your estimate will not go over the actual weight which saves youmoney. This may work in your favor after the move is complete in that if theactual weight is under the estimate you will receive money back for the overcalculation. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of USA Relocation INC!
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