I contracted with Goldstar Van Lines to move my tiny one bedroom worth of belongings from Portland Oregon to Santa Ana California. The weight, with their own admission was well below the initial estimated minimum of 2000 lbs. However, they found a number of bogus ways to charge me almost $500 more than the original estimate! The initial estimate was $853.60 and they ended up charging me $1,318.60.
They used packing material to pack the belongings I had already packed, without my authorization, and charged me for them ($207). Also, even though their original delivery estimate was between 5-7 business days, and I took delivery in 4 business days (May 8th), they charged me and additional $198 for "Storage and Handling", because they said I was not ready to take delivery, which was not true at all. They will tell you and show you my signature on the form that has these charges to show that I authorized them to do this. The truth is that in the hectic process of moving, they asked me to sign a few forms with the title optional services which had no numbers on them and I felt ok signing because I had not asked for any optional services and they did not tell me that they have performed additional services. To be sure, my sister who was helping me that day, asked them what is it they are having me sign and the guy said, "nothing new, just all the same things we have agreed upon already"!
It seems to me that with a low estimate, they use the "bait and switch" tactic to get you signed up. They treat you nicely upfront until they've got you and once they have your belongings in their possession, they show their true face!
I have called them and written to them numerous times and asked for my money back, and have gotten no response.
What really upsets me is the fact that I made a decision to move my stuff based on their estimate and if I had known to begin with that it would cost that much I sure would have made a different decision...such as just selling my stuff in Portland and not dealing with the hassle of moving.
