Need help/advice: Movers - Bait & Switch

Unfortunately, nothing is in writing you'll probably need to pay the extra charge. If the cost is too high tell them you'll seek legal counsel and maybe they'll split the charge.

agree with #2. Moving industry is not regulated and movers are the lowest form of life. Unfortunately you have to get everything in writing, more specifically a binding contract.

Movers are right about the shuttle charge for NYC; I made the same move from the W coast and was told that large moving trucks are not allowed in Manhattan after 9/11, so there's an additional charge.

Make a complaint to the NYS department of transporation. All moving companies operating in the state are licensed through that body. In addition, you can sue in small claims court.

can BBB intervene? or can i only just report them?

WRONG... your contract states conditions of contract for moving your furniture/car/etc. It also states the charges you would incur. If there is a statement/clause in your contract stating additional charges may be incurred, then you will be responsible. the amount of the charge is questionable. i would discuss this with the company as you may be charged for storage fees if you do not pick up your items. You may also arbitrate this matter in court as you can clearly argue that you were not told nor is there any written agreement on the contract stating you are responsible for additional charges. However, the courts will not side with you if you leave your items with them. At the time that you were informed they had your products, you are responsible to pick it up. you will not be able to recover any storage fees.

#4, not all moving companies in NYS are licensed.

what if they show you the contract after they've loaded everything up on the truck and force you to sign it or they'll take your things in storage? I have a tape recording. Can I sue them for extortion?

#7 and #4, yes and no. A moving company can operate in New York without a license. HOWEVER, it cannot be insured unless the company is licensed through the State Department of Transportation. You should never work with an uninsured moving company therefore.

original poster: storage fees. that's another thing. this ding-dong co shipped my stuff over to nyc without an address (only had a zip code). only found this out when i wanted to extend my storage rental. anyway, i complained to the original manager & asked them how they could poassibly ship stuff over without an address & only a zip code. anyway, to appease me, the old manager said he was able to negotiate a wholesale rate. well, guess what, once again - null & void & no documentation.

Your best chance is if you can work with the old manager. Will he voluntarily sign an affidavit about what he said? If so, then you'll win your case based on promissory estoppel.

#8 Most interstate moving company work as "brokers." They hire other companies to carry your products as "piggybacks." If you have a tape recording of the incident as you've stated. It is not extortion if you allowed them to continue to carry on with the project. You have the right to terminate the contract and not continue with their services. You may have had to pay a few dollars for the time to load and unload your stuff. However, the courts will say you had an "implied contract" when you allowed them to carry on. If you believe it is a case of extortion, the courts will only push your case back to your local police department where the incident happened. Your local police department will assist you with filing a police report and forward your information to a detective and local District Attorney for review. If it is clearly a case that the DA believes there is a violatation of the law, they will prosecute. You can only collect civil damages if there was a mallicious act that cause you great harm. You must prove your damages and that's going to be tough!!!

#10. "old manager said he was able to negotiate a wholesale rate. well, guess what, once again – null & void & no documentation." This means they are brokers!!! They have no authority over the movers except getting a commission for referring your business.

not sure who's worse - the brokers or the movers....

You should always get a "Not To Exceed" Estimate before hiring movers. I have moved many times with a Not To Exceede estimate, the the final cost has always been below the estimate.

original poster: i've never even heard of the "not to exceed" estimate. that is a great idea.

old manager: he's MIA. tried calling his cellphone but nothing. i'm 100% sure that the new manager will not help me locate him.

A couple of years ago there was a lot of noise about the problems with interstate movers, for instance the movers would tell you it would cost $4,000 & when they arrived at your new home they would say, "It's $7,500, pay us or your stuff stays on the truck!" Can you contact the Interstate Commerce Commission for help? What about an elected officia? I never hesitate to remind them that they're working for the tax payer, but generally they are very helpful. Good luck!

the best moving you do it yourself. go to anyone you know at the local bakery, coffee shop or bakery, super, maintanance people in your building. Ask 2 or 3 of them if they would move you, you agree on the pay by the hour, you rent the truck, and voilá, there you are at 1/10th. of the cost. No I do not work in finances.

#17, many buildings won't let you move yourself in or out. You have to provide proof of insurance. And it is hard to hire James from the local bakery for a cross-country move.

You forgot 6M plus immigrants

Parallel universes

Stay away form OZ. They are not honest.

Wall Street is honest, Enron too.