Andrea Wilson feared a moving dispute had cost her irreplaceable pieces of her family’s history. After Anthony Austin began looking into her case, she says those treasured belongings were returned.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — For any parent, the thought is devastating: losing a child and then facing the possibility that the ashes, baby pictures and keepsakes tied to that child may be gone for good.
Wilson, who lives in St. Augustine, said that nightmare unfolded after she hired a moving company to transport her belongings from Pennsylvania to Florida. She said another company ultimately handled the move, her items never made it to her new home, and she was told multiple times she would need to pay thousands more before they would be released.
Once the Ask Anthony team started pressing for answers, Wilson said the situation changed — and her belongings were finally returned.
A move that took an unexpected turn
Wilson said she hired America First Moving, based in Deerfield Beach, in December to move her possessions out of a Pennsylvania storage unit and deliver them to her new home in St. Augustine.
The contract she shared with Anthony Austin listed a binding estimate of $2,476.75.
“It was a binding contract, which means that’s kind of the end deal,” Wilson said.
But when moving day arrived, Wilson said the call she received did not come from America First Moving. Instead, she said she heard from Bristol Moving and Storage, a New Jersey company she had never contracted with directly.
Wilson had already relocated to Florida when her belongings were picked up in Pennsylvania. She said the mover told her additional money was required before her items would be transported.
“I panicked,” Wilson said. “I didn’t want my things to be thrown away or steal them, so I paid $750 over Cash App.”
America First provided Anthony Austin with a contract bearing Bristol Moving and Storage’s name. The document shows a deposit of more than $1,500 had been paid and lists an additional balance of more than $2,700. Wilson’s signature appears on the document, but she disputes signing it.
“I never signed a contract with Bristol,” Wilson said. “I signed it with America First Moving.”
Belongings never arrived
Wilson said she ultimately paid more than $2,200 but was later told she owed another $2,000 before her belongings would be delivered.
She refused to pay the additional amount.
When her possessions never arrived, Wilson began calling storage facilities across several states before locating what she believes were her belongings inside a storage unit in St. Augustine.
“My things were within a few days of going to auction,” Wilson said.
Inside those boxes, she said, were belongings that cannot be replaced — including the ashes of her son, who died about three years ago, along with his baby photos and keepsakes from his memorial service.
“These aren’t things you can buy at Target or Walmart,” Wilson said. “These things mean something to me.”
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Company responds
From Wilson’s home, Anthony contacted America First Moving.
A manager confirmed the company hired another carrier to complete Wilson’s move and said Bristol Moving and Storage is no longer in business. Anthony was unable to reach Bristol Moving and Storage or the mover Wilson identified.
According to America First Moving, Wilson’s shipment exceeded the original estimate and additional charges were assessed because of the increased shipment size and services provided.
Wilson disputes that explanation.
“Where are you getting these numbers?” she said. “It makes no sense.”
The Bristol paperwork reviewed by the Ask Anthony team includes more than $2,000 in moving charges, along with additional charges for fuel, packing labor and materials. It also includes a $75 fee for an additional pickup stop, which Wilson acknowledged requesting, and a binding estimate fee exceeding $1,300.
The America First Moving contract states the company acts as a moving broker by arranging transportation through carrier companies. It also says the binding estimate remains in effect unless additional items or services increase the cost of the move.
America First Moving says that is what occurred in Wilson’s case, although the company did not provide a detailed breakdown explaining each charge.
Wilson also said she discovered the storage unit where her belongings were being kept was not rented in the company’s name, but in the name of the individual she says transported her belongings.
“I’m afraid that if I pay what he’s demanding … I’m not guaranteed my belongings,” Wilson said.
Wilson said she wasn’t asking anyone to waive legitimate charges.
“I want to abide by the original contract,” she said. “That’s all I want.”
A resolution
After Anthony began asking questions, America First Moving emailed Wilson confirming her belongings remained in storage.
The company also told Wilson it would authorize the release of her belongings if she paid the remaining storage fees, which Wilson said totaled less than $700.
The following day, Wilson received her belongings and the storage unit was put in her name.
Before hiring a mover
- Know who you’re hiring. Ask whether the company is the actual mover or just a broker. A broker arranges the move but may hand your belongings to another company.
- Read the estimate carefully. A binding estimate generally locks in the price unless your shipment changes. If you’re asked to pay more on moving day, ask exactly why and get it in writing.
- Research before you sign. Check reviews from multiple sources, look for complaints with the Better Business Bureau, and verify the mover’s registration if it’s handling interstate moves.
- Never rely on a verbal promise. If someone says the price, delivery date, or services have changed, ask for an updated contract before handing over more money.
- Document everything. Take photos of your belongings, keep copies of contracts, receipts, text messages, and emails, and make a detailed inventory before the truck leaves.
- Protect irreplaceable items. Family photos, important documents, jewelry, medications, and keepsakes—especially things that can’t be replaced—should travel with you whenever possible.
- Be cautious with payment requests. Unexpected demands for cash, Cash App, Zelle, or wire transfers can be a red flag. Make sure you understand why additional money is being requested before you pay.
- Know your rights. If you’re moving across state lines, federal rules apply. Movers are required to provide information about your rights and responsibilities during an interstate move.
