In July, 2009, we entered into an agreement to be moved by “Advanced Moving (Bay Area California)(WWW.ADVMOVE.COM)(866-606-7876)(US DOT: 1886782; ICC MC: 679805), which assured us that they are not a broker and there would be no hidden charges, and our belongings would be delivered from California to Texas in two days. Theirs wasn’t the lowest bid but somehow they convinced us they were reliable.

On moving day (August 10, 2009) a company called “Best Moving” (DOT 1778644) showed up and loaded our household belongings, then told us they were taking it to storage and it could be there for up to a month. They also required us to sign a contract with Continental Express Inc Moving & Storage (DOT 1498731) (ICCMC 563367) out of San Jose or Fremont California (depending on which pages of contract), that included $267 in wrapping fees and a $175 storage fee!

After many calls to both Advanced and Continental that elicited no information, not even a record of our move, we finally got our goods delivered two weeks later, by Continental Express Inc., this time out of Brooklyn, New York, in a United Van Lines Truck with DOT # 1693165 (ICC MC 621759). Before unloading we were made to sign papers that included a new $125 “bulky item” fee that had been added to the contract after our signature and so was not on our signed copy. (The movers could not identify which item was “bulky.”) We objected but of course they required payment on the spot or no delivery.

We also objected to other new charges, including new extra weight charges. I showed the movers the language in the contract and in federal law that limits the amount they can demand upon delivery to 110% of the nonbinding estimate (they can bill for the balance in 30 days). They said they were not authorized to waive full payment upon delivery. I repeatedly called to speak with the company’s employees in California but of course there was no one authorized to discuss it.

They also refused to accept payment in anything other than cash. We tipped the movers in both locations, assuming they are as exploited as the customers, although that may not be the case. We are trying to dispute the overcharges and want to warn others.