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Don't become a moving company victim
3 hours ago
A recent complaint New Jersey officials filed against a moving company illustrates why you must investigate movers carefully before deciding which one you’ll trust to handle you possessions.
The complaint, filed in state superior court against Fair Lawn-based Moving Max and two of its principals, contains the same concerns we’ve seen moving company customers express many times before. Among them is the alleged use of bait and switch tactics in which a mover provides a low-ball estimate and then later threatens to hold onto the customer’s possessions unless additional payment is made.
In the complaint, the state said Moving Max initially quotes prices ranging from $225 to $921 but inflated the amounts to $500 to $1,665 once the move was completed.
“When shocked customers protested these amounts, the defendants allegedly threatened to drive off and retain the consumers' personal belongings until payment was made by cash or money order,” the state said in announcing the complaint, which was filed by the state attorney general's office and Division of Consumer Affairs
The state said Moving Max based the additional charges on carrying furniture on stairs, travel times, the use of packing tape and blankets that the state said were unnecessary or actually used, and an “EPA” fee that was not included in the company’s filed tariffs, as required.
The complaint also accused the company of failing to conduct premove inspections and provide written estimates, formal contracts, and a state-mandated moving brochure. In addition, the state accused Moving Max of intentionally concealing contract forms so that customers could not adequately read them before signing.
The state said it had received 15 complaints against the company, involving an estimated $12,772 in overcharges.
The company has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau, in part for failing to respond to seven consumer complaints.
When we tried to reach the company, the listed number was out of service. Perhaps that's a good sign for consumers.
For information about what to do and some helpful tips: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-become-moving-company-victim-100000414.html
3 hours ago
A recent complaint New Jersey officials filed against a moving company illustrates why you must investigate movers carefully before deciding which one you’ll trust to handle you possessions.
The complaint, filed in state superior court against Fair Lawn-based Moving Max and two of its principals, contains the same concerns we’ve seen moving company customers express many times before. Among them is the alleged use of bait and switch tactics in which a mover provides a low-ball estimate and then later threatens to hold onto the customer’s possessions unless additional payment is made.
In the complaint, the state said Moving Max initially quotes prices ranging from $225 to $921 but inflated the amounts to $500 to $1,665 once the move was completed.
“When shocked customers protested these amounts, the defendants allegedly threatened to drive off and retain the consumers' personal belongings until payment was made by cash or money order,” the state said in announcing the complaint, which was filed by the state attorney general's office and Division of Consumer Affairs
The state said Moving Max based the additional charges on carrying furniture on stairs, travel times, the use of packing tape and blankets that the state said were unnecessary or actually used, and an “EPA” fee that was not included in the company’s filed tariffs, as required.
The complaint also accused the company of failing to conduct premove inspections and provide written estimates, formal contracts, and a state-mandated moving brochure. In addition, the state accused Moving Max of intentionally concealing contract forms so that customers could not adequately read them before signing.
The state said it had received 15 complaints against the company, involving an estimated $12,772 in overcharges.
The company has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau, in part for failing to respond to seven consumer complaints.
When we tried to reach the company, the listed number was out of service. Perhaps that's a good sign for consumers.
For information about what to do and some helpful tips: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-become-moving-company-victim-100000414.html