I am in desperate need of help.  My furniture is being held hostage by moving company.  I relocated back to my hometown from California in July, 2002.  I got my estimate for my move at the time of pickup for $2,300.  My furniture was supposed to be delivered by Aug. 10, 2002.  Instead it was delay at least 5 times with a final delivery date of Aug. 27, 2002.  The driver called the day before and gave me a final price $3,416.00.  It turns out that my furniture was not actually weighed until the day before.  I was not given a revised bill.  Because I did not have all of the money, my furniture was taken to their Chicago facility until I could pay them. 

I had tried to come up with the extra money, but since I had not found a permanent job (I was working temp agencies) yet at that time, it was difficult.  Last spring the company contacted me to see if I had made any progress, and I had not been able to come up with the whole amount.  Since they were late in delivering my furniture, the company suggested that I make monthly payments to them which I started.  My 2000 Ford Taurus's engine seized at that time.  I could not afford to make up past due payments and pay for a new engine, so I filed CH 13 Bankruptcy.  

My attorney thought I could get my furniture back that way, but the company did not want to go that route.  In the meantime, I found a website about moving company scams.  After putting my story on the message board, someone contacted me that might be able to help.  Turns out she had been scammed also.  She started educating me about the moving business, and I found out that the company should have delivered my furniture for 110% of the quoted price which would have been about $2,500 and billed me for the rest, which they did not do.  

Now the charges are $5,000 and possibly higher, which includes storage.  With a big chunk of my check going towards the CH 13 every month and no other way to come up with this money, I can't even get a second job because that money would be considered extra income and would have to go towards the CH 13 payments.  After finding a permanent job, I had to move from my parent's house last summer, so since then I have been paying rent on an empty apartment, my daughter and I have been sleeping on air mattresses, and surviving with bare necessities.  

A co-worker donated a TV and pots and pans which we are extremely grateful for.  I am a new grandmother also to a beautiful 9 month old girl.  It is very uncomfortable for me to really enjoy spending time with her at my home especially when I keep her overnight, not having furniture, not even a comfortable bed for her to sleep in.  Everything I own, my furniture, important papers, baby/school pictures of my son and daughter, all our clothing, etc. is being held hostage by this company.  

I know this is hard to believe that they would hold my furniture for this long, so I think the company is aware of some serious wrongdoing on their part.  I can provide proof that my furniture is being held if you require it.  My daughter and I just want our furniture and life back.  My family currently is in no position to help.  I don't know how much longer the company will hold on to my furniture before auctioning my items off.  Any donation would greatly be appreciated.  Thank you in advance and God bless you.  


Member #VC7H4F9