Pete
North Port,#2Author of original report
Sun, July 17, 2005
This is located at:https://ssl.capwiz.com/usatoday/bio/userletter/?letter_id=157502886&content_dir=congressorg Below I am pasting a copy of a email sent to Senator Spector but it was returned as undeliverable. I am hoping that you will take an interest to what is happening to me and direct me to those who can help me. etc. I just sent a copy to the local tv station in Philadephia. [email protected] www.maiersrelocation.com web site of moving company Dear Sir, I am pasting below a copy of the complaint I have filed with the PA States attorneys office, I have also filed complaints against Maiers Relocations Service with the Better Business Bureau, The United States Dept of Transportation, The FBI on its web site siting Internet fraud etc, the Upper Darby, Pa Detective Bureau, The Thorndale, Pa Police Dept and now I am hoping that once you are aware of my problem, will take interest in order to assure that this cannot happen to anyone else. I have sat here and typed this story over and over and with each passing day, no seems to care enough to even try to do anything about it. I know there are many typing mistakes and I apoligize. I have decided to send you exactly as it was sent to the Consumers Protection office without corrections. If you cannot help me, I am hoping you to direct me to someone who can. Thank you for your time and hopefully your help regarding this matter. Sincerely, Gabriele Helene Fischer ++++++++++++++++++++++As filed via their web site on line.> PA States Attorneys office, Dept of consumer rights+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I was in the process of relocating to Warner Robins Ga, from Thorndale, Pa and was in need of a company to move my houselhold. I contracted with Maiers Moving company and on the 17th of November he arrived at my residence at 4 p.m. and started loading my household not finishing until 4.30 a.m. 18th November 2004. He had quoted me a flat rate for the complete job for a total of 3000.00 regardless of weight etc. I paid him in full in cash prior to his leaving with the understanding that he would have my household delivered to my new residence in Warner Robins within the week and definitely before thanksgiving. He did say that he had a small load to pick up and deliver Kentucky on the 19th and from there he said he would then proceed to WArner Robins GA and deliver my household. I was never given a pamphlet regarding my rights as a shipper etc. He did fill out an estimate sheet and a bill of lading, stating that I had paid in full. After having to go through 12 hours of supervising the movers, there were two men and one woman until four in the morning, I was completely exhausted and extremely tired. Since Mr. Maier said that he was not exactly sure on what day he would be able to deliver my househould it put asap as the delivery date but had guaranteed that I would indeed that I would have my belongings within a week. That he would call me in order to let me know exactly what day and time he would be there. The week went by and I d not hear from him. Finally I heard from him on the 27th of November and he told me that he had been out of town and would definitely call me on Monday to let me know exactly what day and time he would be there coming week. I did not receive a call. I then called many times, and there was never an answer. Each time I would get his answering machine and would leave a message for him to call me and it was really important that I receive my belongings as everything I owned was on his truck and therefore was not able to look for a job since I had only brought Jeans and a few sweatshirts with me to GA since I had been assured that I would receive my household within the week. He once again did not return my calls. I finally reached him on the Wednesday at 8 a.m. by calling his office phone. I was surprised since he had told me that he had a delivery to make in Atlanta and from there continue on to Warner Robins to deliver my belongings. I was getting upset at this point and told him I had thought that he was suppose to be on this way to Atlanta and he said that he was and that he was having his call forwarded. But he had already told me that he did not have a cell phone and would have to call me when he was on the road. He once again assured me that I would have my household that weekend. And that he would call me back that evening to let me know what day and time etc. No call once again. Saturday morning I once again called his office number, no answer, Finally I was able to retrieve a cell phone number he had used while I was still in PA when he had called me before picking up my belongings. I called the number and was his sister answered the phone. I asked to speak with Mr. Maier and he told me that he was doing a job in Anderson, South Carolina and would be headed to Atlanta on a job and then to Warner Robins to deliver my household. AT this point, I had had enough, it takes not dummy to know that since he has only the one 24 foot moving van with a pretty good size trailer behind , there is no way in the world he was telling me the truth. There was no way he could be doing all these other jobs when my belongings were loaded into his moving van on the 17th and it was packed full and the few things that could not fit into his moving truck itself were put into the trailer. I was assured by Mr. Maier that my things would remain on the truck. He did wrap, and stack with care and did a good job handling my belongings. That is why I tried to be patient with him when he took the 12 hours to load move my household into his truck etc. AT this point I cold no longer wait for my belongings and Mr. Maier had not once kept his word in regards to when he would arrive in Warner Robins or never kept his word and called me when he stated, assured me he would. I then called the Upper Darby police Dept and asked to speak with a detective. I relayed the story as I have stated above, a little while later received a return call from Dectective Kane saying he knew of this Mr. Maier and had a similiar run in with him two years prior at which time he contacted the US FED Dept of Transportation. He said that even though it really is not in his jurisdiction, he would try to contact Mr. Maier and help get my belongings delivered etc. I gave him the cell number I had been able to reach him on, he called and a bit later, called me back stating that he had spoken with him. This time Mr. Maier blamed mechanical problems for his non delivered. Detective Kane told him he had until Monday to deliver my things otherwise he would get in touch with the dept of Trans. etc. My daughter had sent an email asking what the problems was and told them she would get the authorities involved if he did not deliver my things. That Sunday, I received an email stating that the trailer had broken down and caused the delay and they would deliver my things on Tuesday and call me when they reach Warner Robins etc. Once again, no phone call. That evening I went out to dinner with my daughter and received a call from Mr. Maier while I was at the restaurant telling me that he had some of my things, since he could not fit them all on the truck to a storage facility in Eatonton, ga which is 55 miles from Warner Robins. He did say he would send the rest of my belongs via a private carrier directly to my residence but did not tell me when. The conversation between Mr. Maier and myself were heard by many others as I have a difficult time hearing on the cell phone and only use it with the speakphone etc. I told mr Maier that he was contracted and paid in full to deliver my things to the agreed delivery destination in Warner robins and he said that due to hostile conditions he had the right not to and if I wanted my things I would have to get them from the storage facility. He did give me the name and phone number of the storage facility. He also made it a point to mention that I should not worry as my hummel collection is in there. Detective Kane kept his word and called the US Dept of Transportation and Mr. Lawrence Hawthorne contacted me. I have forwarded all documents relating this complaint. Bill of Lading and all inventorty sheets etc. As well as all emails and information regarding any communications to or from Mr. Maier. The Chief of Police accompanied my daughter and I to the storage facility. When the bay door was lifted the sight we saw was unbelievable. My belongings were just thrown into this unit, boxes crushed, glasses broken and I finally broke down and cried. I had to make arrangements to get my things moved, not having any money left as it had taken every penny with all the added expense incurred by not having my things delivered as promised and I simply did not have the money to pay to get my things moved from Eatonton to Warner Robins Ga. The cheapest I could find was for 1000.00 flat rate from a local mover here in Ga. and my daughter lent me the money which was her Christmas. She works two jobs, a security guard at the prison in Montezuma full time and part time at a local CVS Pharmancy. He husband works two jobs as well full time. He is a deputy sherriff and guard at the Power Plant. Between them have 8 children so it is really sad because of Mr. Maier, my grandchildren have given up their xmas in order to help me. The movers and I went to Eatonton yesterday to retrieve my belongings. The asst police chief was there from the time we first got there until we finished loading the last piece. She wrote down every number listed on every item. She took pictures and documented the damages. There was not one piece of furniture that was not badly scratched, guaged or just completely broken. My things were literally thrown or dragged into this facility as it was only Mr. Maier and his sister who were emptying the trailer. My things were not on the truck itself, they were only in the trailer and the truck was never opened. The damages to my belongings are extensive, all the boxes were crushed and many were marked fragile. He piled boxes on top of my 27 inch tv and because of the weight, it was buckled out on the sides, crushed and completely destored. I have a solid cherry china hutch from Denmark that is in completely into pieces and cracked where it was forced apart. Retail cost of 7000.00. The damages are well over 20000 alone. But even worse, my bedroom furniture, office furniture, kitchen table, glass shelves, sections of my bedframe, entertainment center for the living room, imported solid cherry and glass tv/stereo stand for my 36 inch tv, and I do not know yet how many boxes or whatelse I may be missing with the exception I do know that the box which contained 76 hummels that have been in my family and handed down from generation to generation since my great grandmother is gone. He had made such a point to point out that they were there. Which told me I needed to make sure that the police were on hand to verify exactly what all was in the storage bin etc. The boxed of hummels were marked plainly as fragile and content HUMMELS. I had made it a point to make him aware that he needed to be very careful for them and that I would hold him accountable for any damages to the figurines. They are estimated to be valued over Fourteen thousand dollars. That is old estimate and the value is much higher now. I sent him an email stating that I wanted my things that he still had and replied stating that they were being delivered by private carrier, but no date. And he blocked my email address in order that he will not be able to receive any further emails from me. **********Added December 26th, 2004 I received a call from Mr. Maier claiming he was a man by the name of Bill Friedman and was from a private carrier stating that he was contracted by Maier to deliver some of my household to Warner Robins but due to the situation put them into a storage facility in Brunswick Ga which is approx 100 miles from my residence here in Warner Robins Ga. I told him I recognized his voice. He gave me the name and phone number to this storage facility and after speaking with them they reviewed their video and said that it was indeed Mike Maier and his truck that rented the storage facility. and they will preserve the video for future reference etc. I do not have the money to drive there and back in order to inspect the storage facility and to see what things of mine are there and what is still missing nor further damages to my belongings etc. The storage facility was very sympathetic to my situation and told me not to worry, they have put a secure lock of the shed and told me that they would not charge me any further charges until I can arrange to get my things etc. First and foremost I would like you to hold him accountable for what he has done. Theft, fraud and willful destruction of property are surely criminal acts and I would not think that he could just get away with something like this. Secondly, I want my belongings that are missing returned to me immediately to my place of residence here in Warner Robins and I do not expect to endure any further financial expenses or hardship whatsover. Then I would imagine Mr.Maier obtains most if not all his business from his internet web site, he should not be able to continue and should be banned from using the internet to for fraud. I would prefer to have him criminally prosecuted and since you cannot help retrieve loses for damages etc, I would hope you will direct me in the right direction. I have been told by Mr. Lawrence Hawthorne of the Dept of Transportation that he has had 6 complaints filed with his office against Mr. Maier since Feb. 2004. I have already called the Thorndale, Pa police dept and Officer Wardle is presumably handling the case. I am waiting for the completed final report of damages and inventory taken by the Eatonton police dept which should be completed this coming week sometime. Along with all the photos of damages etc. I just need to know where to go from here. I also intend to contact all the local tv stations and newpapers in the Philadelphia and deleware Valley, Upper darby area. I have already filed a complaint with the bbb and the FBI web site on line RE: internet abuse and fraud. Everyone seems to listen but no one seems to care or actually do anything. If all I can do it file a civil suit against Mr. Maier, endure the cost of a lawyer and time and expense to return to Pa in order to take him to court, where the court I am sure would decide in my favor order him to pay for all damages, missing items and added expense incurred through his fault, but I am sure that he would never pay one single penny. On his original web site, I believe he as recently as two days ago changed it somewhat, he stated he was a member of the BBB, not true, AMA certfied, not true, licensed and Listed a DOT number which I have printed out the original web site I contracted him through. I have all the documents and proof, so please cannot someone help me see to it that he will not be able to abuse, cheat, scam fruad anyone else. I will be anxiously waiting for your reply. Sincerely, Gabriele Helene Fischer 101 Capitol Avenue #8 Warner Robins, Georgia 31093 Only have a cell phone...........(478) 397-4899 Sincerely, Gabriele Helene Fischer
Sharon
Alexandria,#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, July 17, 2005
Wow, this is a pretty bad story! I will give you Maier's insurance information, so you can get your claim paid without dealing with him. But bad news on your car, Maier's does not have the authority to transport autos (so the problem with the trailer was that they don't have one), and I'm not sure what the insurance will say about that one. Cargo Insurance Policy # BCM13438 UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYDS LONDON Attn: LEBOEUF, LAMB, GREENE & MACRAE Address: 1875 CONNECTICUT AVE.,NW WASHINGTON, DC US 20009 Telephone: (202) 986 - 8000 Fax: (202) 986 - 8102 After that, you need to call the Department of Transportation's tipline and file an official complaint: 1-888-DOT-SAFT. You'll need their license numbers, which are DOT#1165862 and MC#236511. Maier's (Eveco) has had three inspections each of drivers and trucks, in which they were foudn to be driving without necessary glasses, operating the truck without the CDL truck driver's license, and driving the truck after being previously disqualified. The truck was found to have no back-up beepers, and the inspection records were falsified. You may have been lucky to receive your things at all! On May 17, 2005, the FMCSA fined Eveco for various violations. http://www.protectyourmove.gov/about/news-releases/fmcsa0205.htm The odd behavior of Michael Maier calling the police to force payment has happened before, so I wonder if he does it with all his customers. One last question, was there any hint that Micahel may be going by Michelle now? According to thi article, Michael Maier flew to Thailand to have a sex-change operation. But none of the complaints about Maier's mention a woman, they all speak of Michael. http://www.newamerica.net/index.cfm?pg=article&DocID=305 "Moore lives in Philadelphia, not far from where she grew up in the blue-collar town of Glenside. Back then, she was known as Michael Maier. She is now 36 and for the last 18 years has operated a moving company called Maier's Relocation Service, which runs trucks between Florida and Pennsylvania." Just wondering. But you should call the DOT as soon as possible. File complaints all over the place. This website is a wonderful place to start, it gets the word out to other possible customers.