A California couple preparing to move out of state says their moving company is refusing to release their possessions after allegedly raising the quoted price to nearly double the original amount.
John Nelson and his wife were moving from Oceanside to North Carolina when they ran into what they described as a distressing ordeal in late May, with the dispute still unresolved about a month later, according to CBS 8.
The couple had first entered into an agreement with a moving broker for a full-service relocation priced at just over $16,000 and paid $7,000 upfront as a deposit, the outlet reported.
But when moving day arrived, Nelson said the cost was allegedly raised to $32,000, with the company claiming the household goods exceeded the initial estimate.
Professional movers load furniture into a moving van on April 6, 2016, in New York. (John Carl D’Annibale /Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
Nelson eventually agreed to continue with the move, saying he did so to avoid forfeiting the deposit, but later claimed the company sought even more fees when it came time to deliver the shipment.
The couple said the movers tried to deliver their items on June 3, about a week before Nelson said they were able to accept the delivery, CBS 8 reported.
That unsuccessful delivery attempt then allegedly resulted in contractors adding a separate redelivery charge, according to the report.
A moving truck and loading ramp is stationed outside a home in Queens, New York. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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“They’ve got $30,000 and they’ve got our stuff… and they’re basically holding it for ransom,” Nelson said.
“When you move, it’s an exciting thing…you never expect for somebody to take your stuff and not deliver it,” he added.
Nelson also claimed the initial delivery attempt may have been staged to pressure the couple into paying additional charges, alleging that the moving truck captured on video did not appear to be the same vehicle used to load their belongings.
“I think they just pulled up an empty truck to stage a charade,” he said.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’ve got stolen property that’s crossed state lines,” Nelson added.
Nelson and his wife reportedly filed police reports in both Oceanside and their new city in North Carolina.
American flags hang from beachfront homes in Oceanside, California, U.S., on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Complaints were also filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a dispute-resolution service that helps consumers address issues with companies, the outlet said.
According to CBS 8, the broker has received 280 complaints with the BBB over the past three years.
The broker reportedly disputed the couple’s claims but said it was working to find a resolution.
