On 01/04, Bannister Moving Co. Was called for an estimate on a move. A Bannister associate, quoted $90/hr for a 2-man crew with one truck for a 5bd/3ba home. The quote for a 10x20sf storage unit was $240/mo. No formal bid or contract was ever presented with any fine print or further details. On 01/14, I was on-site waiting for the moving crew and after several calls were placed to Bannister, the truck arrived an hour late. Once the property and amount of items was assessed, the 2-man crew suggested ordering an additional truck and another 2-man crew. Josie quoted a total of $180/hr for 2 trucks and 2 crews. The onsite crew stated they would call once the move was complete. This did not happen. Bannister did not make any contact with me, although they had both my office and cell phone numbers. At 8pm, one of my associates returned to the property to secure it. The movers were still finishing up with the last of the items, so the associate returned again at 12am. At that time, the move was complete. There was no contact from Bannister until 01/18, at which point they wanted to send the invoice. I spoke with the owner, Robbie Zelman, who was unclear and vague regarding the impending invoice. I asked what the total cost of the move was and was told it was “high, but it is all broken down.” I asked him to send the itemized bill and received a fax shortly thereafter for a total of $11,067.00. The invoice included 3 (2-man) crews at $270/hr; Inventory materials ($1,137); Fee of $0.60/lb for items moved ($5,770); Storage fee ($1,137); Miscellaneous items bringing the total to $11,067. I called Robbie to discuss the outrageous bill and advised there was no validity or mutual consent to most of the items on the invoice. I also advised him I would notify owner of the foreclosed property in questionand would get back with him. Shortly thereafter, Robbie showed up at my office, came across as threatening to the staff. The same morning, a second invoice arrived with altered charges for the same move. The invoice now included 3 crews at$285/hr or $3,377.25 $380 transportation; the storage fee was adjusted to $1,465. The invoice total was adjusted to $12,457.25. I immediately contacted my attorney. After reviewing the invoices, he advised me to make a partial payment to show good faith in resolving the matter. I promptly made a payment to Bannister for $6,000 on 1/21. On 2/1, Robbie sent an email to my attorney demanding another $2,000 by the following business day as “it was his slow time of year.” On 2/4, I received approval for the original $11,067 invoice. I contacted my attorney and wanted to move forward with final payment to Bannister. The attorney wrote up a waiver and release for Bannister to sign. The release indicated Bannister would accept final payment and any threats would be dropped. Banister refused to sign the waiver and has continued to threaten legal action and filing of complaints. I was informed that no one was to remove any of the items from the “secret storage facility without paying him a $2,500 removal fee.” It has been made clear that Bannister is over-charging me on services initially quoted from his staff.in addition, he is threatening to hold items that do not belong to him. Bannister should be investigated as no homeowner should have to endure this type of treatment. Robbie Zelman has refused final payment and is holding these items hostage at a rate of $1,465/mo on top of a $2,500 removal fee. With no other option, a law suit has been filed. I will be seeking damages of accruing fees and reimbursement of payment made as it is far greater than what was quoted by Bannister and is well above standard industry rates.
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