Rick
Raymond,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, December 05, 2008
This was done to my wife and I a few years back. I am shocked that this company is still allowed to have several DOT's and so many different companies going and still haven 't been punished! What can be done? We contacted several attorneys and not one of them would help us or even show any interest especially considering that AS OF AUGUST 2005, IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW FOR ANY MOVING COMPANY TO QUOTE ESTIMATES OR CHARGE CONSUMERS BASED ON CUBIC FT UNLESS THE CONSUMER IS SPECIFICALLY RENTING A DEFINED SPACE IN A TRUCK. Sorry this is still happening to innocent people
Elicia
Fountain Valley,#3Author of original report
Tue, February 14, 2006
This is now going on 28 days without my stuff. I have contacted The DOT and this is what they had to say: "We will call them and inform them about the law" NEWS FLASH!!! They dont care about the law, Sharon Bennimer told me in her exact words that the law does not apply to them.... I called the CPUC which tranferred me to the DOT again, and the Attorney General and the only one who was actually sympethetic was the assistant I spoke with, her question was " If the DOT is saying that they cant get your stuff back, and they dont enforce the law, then who does?" I am a confused on why this law was even passed??? No one enforces it, and if they did, who would enforce it. I now found out that Universal Van Lines is operating without a liscence... I gave the DOT the DOT # and they informed me that it was revoked, then the woman on the ohone had the nerve to say to me " Why didnt you do research to see if thier liscence # was fake." I said well they told me they were liscenced and they gave me the #. Where am I supposed call to find out if a liscence is valid???? Why dont you put that on your web site????!!!!! Is there any other suggestions on what I should do, the problem is that I dont have $4000+storage fees. I have 2 kids and moved across the country, most of my money has been spent on my move, deposit on house, bills,plane tickets.
Sharon
Alexandria,#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 14, 2006
I'm so sorry this is happening to you! When this is over, you HAVE to take them to small claims court. That phony second contract will get them into big trouble. It still amazes me that these movers have the guts to argue with the police, but at the same time, they are completely right, it is a civil matter. The laws are on the side of the movers. Try calling the California Public Utilities Commission, as well as the DOT as suggested earlier. The CPUC may have more bite, but I'm not sure of the exact outcome, as the company is based in FL, but the move ended in CA. Also, call the CA Attorney General. They have violated several federal laws by now. A few of these stem from those new laws I mentioned previously. First, all interstate moves MUST be based on weight, and accompanied by a Certified Weight Ticket. Cubic Foot-based moves are illegal. Two, they did not unload following the 110% law, but you knew about this one. Three, they took off and are demanding more money, thus holding your load hostage. Duh. Four, they forged your signature on a legal document in order to extort money. Whoo, boy, the AG may want to focus on this one. At this point, I would say it's best to just get your stuff back befor e they do anything vindictive. Pay what theya re asking, deliver your things, and then hit them full force afterwards. You have a very strong case to take them to Small Claims Court in CA. You can show the original contract that you signed, and compare that price to what you were forced to pay. Outline what has happened, and the phone calls. And incidentally, once you do, these are the people and addresses involved, so you can personally name them in the suit. Address from BBB: UNIVERSAL VAN LINES, INC 5900 Stirling Rd. Bay #10 Hollywood, FL 33021 Address from Incorporation papers: UNIVERSAL VAN LINES, INC. 2445 SW 18TH TERRACE #918 FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33315 BENNAMER, SHARON (President and Registered Agent) 710 S. PARK RD.,#14216 HOLLYWOOD FL 33021 BENNAMER, HAYIM (Vice President) 710 S. PARK RD., #14216 HOLLYWOOD FL 33021 HOROWITZ, SHAY (Vice President) 419 NW 94 LANE CORAL SPRINGS FL 33017 YOSEF, PORAN (Officer) 2445 SW 18TH TERRACE FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33315 Before October 10, they were known as Global Van Lines. I truly wish you luck with this. I will try to call you to talk.
Sharon
Alexandria,#5Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 14, 2006
I'm so sorry this is happening to you! When this is over, you HAVE to take them to small claims court. That phony second contract will get them into big trouble. It still amazes me that these movers have the guts to argue with the police, but at the same time, they are completely right, it is a civil matter. The laws are on the side of the movers. Try calling the California Public Utilities Commission, as well as the DOT as suggested earlier. The CPUC may have more bite, but I'm not sure of the exact outcome, as the company is based in FL, but the move ended in CA. Also, call the CA Attorney General. They have violated several federal laws by now. A few of these stem from those new laws I mentioned previously. First, all interstate moves MUST be based on weight, and accompanied by a Certified Weight Ticket. Cubic Foot-based moves are illegal. Two, they did not unload following the 110% law, but you knew about this one. Three, they took off and are demanding more money, thus holding your load hostage. Duh. Four, they forged your signature on a legal document in order to extort money. Whoo, boy, the AG may want to focus on this one. At this point, I would say it's best to just get your stuff back befor e they do anything vindictive. Pay what theya re asking, deliver your things, and then hit them full force afterwards. You have a very strong case to take them to Small Claims Court in CA. You can show the original contract that you signed, and compare that price to what you were forced to pay. Outline what has happened, and the phone calls. And incidentally, once you do, these are the people and addresses involved, so you can personally name them in the suit. Address from BBB: UNIVERSAL VAN LINES, INC 5900 Stirling Rd. Bay #10 Hollywood, FL 33021 Address from Incorporation papers: UNIVERSAL VAN LINES, INC. 2445 SW 18TH TERRACE #918 FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33315 BENNAMER, SHARON (President and Registered Agent) 710 S. PARK RD.,#14216 HOLLYWOOD FL 33021 BENNAMER, HAYIM (Vice President) 710 S. PARK RD., #14216 HOLLYWOOD FL 33021 HOROWITZ, SHAY (Vice President) 419 NW 94 LANE CORAL SPRINGS FL 33017 YOSEF, PORAN (Officer) 2445 SW 18TH TERRACE FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33315 Before October 10, they were known as Global Van Lines. I truly wish you luck with this. I will try to call you to talk.
Sharon
Alexandria,#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 14, 2006
I'm so sorry this is happening to you! When this is over, you HAVE to take them to small claims court. That phony second contract will get them into big trouble. It still amazes me that these movers have the guts to argue with the police, but at the same time, they are completely right, it is a civil matter. The laws are on the side of the movers. Try calling the California Public Utilities Commission, as well as the DOT as suggested earlier. The CPUC may have more bite, but I'm not sure of the exact outcome, as the company is based in FL, but the move ended in CA. Also, call the CA Attorney General. They have violated several federal laws by now. A few of these stem from those new laws I mentioned previously. First, all interstate moves MUST be based on weight, and accompanied by a Certified Weight Ticket. Cubic Foot-based moves are illegal. Two, they did not unload following the 110% law, but you knew about this one. Three, they took off and are demanding more money, thus holding your load hostage. Duh. Four, they forged your signature on a legal document in order to extort money. Whoo, boy, the AG may want to focus on this one. At this point, I would say it's best to just get your stuff back befor e they do anything vindictive. Pay what theya re asking, deliver your things, and then hit them full force afterwards. You have a very strong case to take them to Small Claims Court in CA. You can show the original contract that you signed, and compare that price to what you were forced to pay. Outline what has happened, and the phone calls. And incidentally, once you do, these are the people and addresses involved, so you can personally name them in the suit. Address from BBB: UNIVERSAL VAN LINES, INC 5900 Stirling Rd. Bay #10 Hollywood, FL 33021 Address from Incorporation papers: UNIVERSAL VAN LINES, INC. 2445 SW 18TH TERRACE #918 FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33315 BENNAMER, SHARON (President and Registered Agent) 710 S. PARK RD.,#14216 HOLLYWOOD FL 33021 BENNAMER, HAYIM (Vice President) 710 S. PARK RD., #14216 HOLLYWOOD FL 33021 HOROWITZ, SHAY (Vice President) 419 NW 94 LANE CORAL SPRINGS FL 33017 YOSEF, PORAN (Officer) 2445 SW 18TH TERRACE FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33315 Before October 10, they were known as Global Van Lines. I truly wish you luck with this. I will try to call you to talk.
Elicia
Fountain Valley,#7Author of original report
Mon, February 13, 2006
We finally received a phone call at 9:45 pm (23 days later) advising us that the movers were finally ready to deliver our items. They arrived at our house at 8:00 am. We then informed them that we are only paying 110% of our contract (Which we were told by the DOT). Of course they refused to unload our items. We then called the Mission Viejo Police Dept. the dispatcher (of the Mission Viejo Police Dept.) had informed them that they are not to leave and needed to stay. The driver then hung up on the MV Police dipatcher and said that they are allowed to leave, jumped into the truck and took off. We then called the MV police again and they put an APB out on the truck and ordered them to return to our house. This is where it gets horrible. The Police officer asked them why they would'nt unload the truck, they stated that there are 2 contracts and that makes it 2 separate jobs, therfore we needed to pay a total of $3600. The officer looked at the 2nd contract and everyone could clearly see that the signature had bee forged. One sign. said Robert Stevic the other said Bob Stevic, the officer got on the phone with the owner of Universal Van Lines (Sharon Badammer) and said that "the 2nd contract looked HOAKIE." Sharon argued with the officer saying that it was a Civil Matter and that they could do nothing about it. The officer then turned to me and said she is really sorry, but there is nothing that they could do. TO OUR AMAZMENT THE OFFICERS LET THE MOVERS LEAVE WITH OUR STUFF. We then spoke with Sharon and she advised us that in order to recieve our items back, Not only did we need to pay the full amount ,notthe 110% of the non binding estimate as stated in the law,but now we are going to be charged and additional $400 re-delivery charge as well as storage fees. Here is what it says in our contract: This price includes the following services: Door-to-Door Service Fully equipped air ride truck Disassembling & Reassembling of all furniture as needed Pad protection for all non-fragile items Loading and Unloading Placing of all furniture into your home at your direction Basic Valuation Coverage (Insurance) $0.60 per lb. per article (additional insurance is available) All road expenses - Fuel (subject to fuel prices increase), mileage, tolls, etc. NO taxes on moving service GUARANTEED RATE PER CUBIC FOOT Extra pickup or drop off within 20 mile radius is FREE First flight of stairs is FREE 1 Month FREE Storage with NO redelivery charges or handling fees Also the free 30 day storage, what a joke, we now found out that they start this 30 day free storage upon pick up, so because they made it take the maximum of 26 days, we have 4 days left of free storage. Then we are looking at paying for them to store our items! Is there someone who can please help us, i have a 5 year old on an air mattress and a 9 month old in a port a crib, we have no furniture and are now having to deal with wondering if we are ever going to see the sentimental things that are not replacable, Pics, albums,wedding videos..... Can someone please contact us! Elicia 949-707-1667
Sharon
Alexandria,#8Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 31, 2006
You are way ahead on this, but thought you'd like to know that as of new laws signed last August, movers holding goods hostage for payment (as is happening to you) are subject to a $10,000 a DAY fine if they are caught by the DOT. I would suggest you contact them first.