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Report: #37472

Complaint Review: Help-U-Move, Inc. and ABF Freight System, Inc. - Jupiter Florida

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Daytona Beach Florida
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
  • Why?
  • Help-U-Move, Inc. and ABF Freight System, Inc. 131 Bishopwood Drive Jupiter, Florida U.S.A.

Help-U-Move, Inc. and ABF Freight System, Inc. KILLED MY FURNITURE Jupiter Florida *UPDATE Photo's tell the story!

*REBUTTAL Owner of company: Too Good to be True?

*Consumer Comment: Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

*Consumer Comment: Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

*Consumer Comment: Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

*Consumer Comment: Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

*Consumer Comment: Household Furniture SHOULD NOT be sent via FREIGHT

*Consumer Comment: Follow the simple loading procedures.

*Consumer Suggestion: ABF U-Pack

*Consumer Suggestion: TAKE PICTURES

*Consumer Suggestion: TAKE PICTURES

*Consumer Suggestion: TAKE PICTURES

*Consumer Suggestion: TAKE PICTURES

*Consumer Comment: Another unsatisfied customer

*Consumer Suggestion: Oh, and about a life....

*Consumer Comment: Avoid Help-U-Move Types of Companies

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: I worked on the sales side of shipping

*Consumer Suggestion: Found this site before I got taken for a ride.

*Consumer Comment: Last comment (and yes, I know what I'm talking about)

*Consumer Comment: I don't think that jeff knows what he's talking about!

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Whatever...these THOUSANDS of other people just haven't come forward

*Consumer Comment: "The Same Thing Happened"??? Noooo...........

*Consumer Comment: Ya gotta love it

*Consumer Comment: Jeff, Do you work for ABF?

*Consumer Comment: Perfectly satisfied and would recommend U-Pack

*0: You don't know what you're talking about

*0: Well, I have photos that show how "unfounded" and "unwarranted" my statements are

*UPDATE Employee: no reason to dispute that your belongings were damaged

*UPDATE Employee: successful and thousands of people

*UPDATE Employee: successful and thousands of people

*UPDATE Employee: successful and thousands of people

*UPDATE Employee: successful and thousands of people

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In 2001, I moved from Virginia to Florida. To save money, I--much to my regret--found Help-U-Move online, a company that arranges to move your belongings at a lower cost than professional movers because you, the customer, pack and unpack the truck. Help-U-Move contracts with ABF Freight Systems. As with all moving companies, there is a contract stating that the movers will only be responsible for something like .10 per pound if your belongings are ruined. Like most people, I figured this statement was in case of an accident, and I did not think it meant that it covered problems such as the movers ABUSING your belongings.


This is the top of my once-beautiful antique secretary. The glass was completely busted out of this, although when the truck was packed, this piece of furniture was packed in blankets.

a
This is an example of what was done to one portion of my $300 coffee table.
If you want more photos, I have them.


An ABF truck was delivered to my house, and I hired PROFESSIONAL MOVERS to pack the truck. Help-U-Move left me instructions on how to install a bulkhead, as my belongings would take up approximately 1/3 of the truck, and others' would be packed behind them. The professional movers installed the bulkhead.

When the ABF driver came to pick up the truck, I specifically had him open up the back of the truck and CHECK THE BULKHEAD. He did, saying it was secure.


What would possibly do this to a metal file cabinet?


This is a photo of the bottom of my beautiful antique secretary after the move.

When the truck arrived at my new home in Florida, the bulkhead installed by the professional movers did not appear as it was when installed. In fact, it had something different holding it up. When we took it down, I was beyond appalled. My belongings, which had been neatly packed and secured in Virginia, were literally PILED IN A MESSY HEAP.The ABF driver who delivered the truck told me that from the way my things appeared, "It looks like they rolled the truck these things were in. Is this the same truck?" It was, but there was no evidence on the outside that the trailer had rolled. (Someone else told me that ABF drivers are known to drive poorly, and that the company has been known to move people's belongings from one truck to another while en route.)

My belongings had obviously been THROWN in a heap after having clearly been tossed around the back of the truck. It was obvious that either the bulkhead, installed as instructed and o.k.ed by the driver, had come down and my things all flew around the back of the truck for half the trip, or the bulkhead had been taken down and the same thing happened. Because my bulkhead had 2x4's in place (nailed to the floor of the truck as well as to the bulkhead itself) holding it up and the 2x4's leaned away from the wood, I suspect that SOMEONE took down the 2x4's either to look at my belongings, move my belongings, or to create a tad more room when they put another load in the truck. It would have taken some WILD driving, I think, to make that bulkhead come down.

But adding insult to injury, it was obvious that once this problem was discovered by the ABF driver, he THREW my things back where they belonged. In all honesty, it appeared that a few drunks had tossed my things about the truck. This included an antique secretary (ruined), an antique shotgun (broken), a coffee table (chunks of wood missing), and a white couch, which had been WRAPPED and tied in heavy plastic, which now had BLACK FOOTPRINTS (OIL OR SOOT STAINS) ALL OVER IT. The entire back of the couch now wobbled back and forth, and the couch had to be thrown away. There was hardly one thing I owned--even a television packed in styrofoam in a box--that was not chipped, scraped, or broken.

Help-U-Move immediately tried to blame the people who loaded the truck. Then they told me that ABF Freight System was responsible. ABF sent an inspector from MTI Inspection Services out for insurance reasons. This man could not believe the damage to my belongings. He took photographs of everything that had been damaged. Strangely enough, when I asked ABF and MTI for copies of these photographs, they were not available.s

I completed a claim form, the man from MTI verified all of the damage, and ABF refused to pay me the (rather measly) $5,825 that I was asking. ABF tried to put it all off on Help-U-Move, all the while insisting that nothing was wrong with the trailer they delivered. They said they could not substantiate my statement about the bulkhead being different than the one put in place in Virginia. They told me that if I amended my claim to reflect a figure of .10 per pound of my items, they would REVIEW that claim. (Why, then, had they bothered to send the inspector out?)


I never could figure out what severe "violence" in that truck could have torn this Pierre Cardin suitcase that had been used once.

Unfortunately, Help-U-Move insists on being paid by credit card prior to your move, so there was no way I could NOT pay them ($1175 + deposit) for ruining my belongings. My credit card company was unwilling to get involved in the dispute, as it did not involve ITEMS.

No attorney has been interested in taking this on, as I'm not asking for $100,000. Help-U-Move and ABF have a pretty good thing going here--both companies knowing that they don't have to take responsiblity for ruining people's things, all the while they both get paid for doing it!

Penny
Daytona Beach, Florida
U.S.A.

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This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/07/2002 07:48 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/help-u-move-inc-and-abf-freight-system-inc/jupiter-florida-33458/help-u-move-inc-and-abf-freight-system-inc-killed-my-furniture-jupiter-florida-update-37472. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
30Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#31 REBUTTAL Owner of company

Too Good to be True?

AUTHOR: Movinman - (United States of America)

POSTED: Saturday, August 18, 2012

Most folks that shop around for moving services will realize that they will get what they pay for. If you have little or no knowledge of the process involved by professional movers, you are taking a risk when you engage the services of non-professional movers. ABF is a reputable freight forwarder that provides trailers and cube units to move used household goods period. Whomever you hired to load your goods is responsible for their condition if the truck did not "roll over" as stated in the article. The driver had no business even offering that suggestion, I train people for the van line business and could not offer an opinion as to the quality of loading you received. Did you take photos of each "tier" (row of furniture) as the truck was loaded? What was up against the glass doors of that cabinet? Cloth pads will not prevent thin cabinet glass breaking if something other than flat is loaded up against it. If you do not understand the concepts of "tier building" then you may allow amateurs to proceed to trash your furniture.

I am sorry for your loss, I hope you receive some form of compensation from ABF as their driver who clearly spoke out of turn, (unless he's the one who rolled the truck) seemed to concede some fault or liability for the company.

Remember this, these employees are teamster freight haulers, I'd bet 99% of them are not qualified to comment on the quality of used household goods as they are loaded. I also sell a program for people to move themselves, how to pack, load, budget, and select a service, ABF is just one service I recommend but you have to know what you are doing.

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#30 Consumer Comment

Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

AUTHOR: Richard - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Hello All,

I know this is an old report but I had to make a comment.

I am in no way associated with ABF. My Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Uncle nor any other member of my family is or ever has been associated with ABF.

I am a shipper. I do use ABF exclusively for my LTL freight. I am in no way getting brownie points or any other points for my rebuttal.

I personally deal with the dock workers, drivers, dispatchers, admin and supervisory personnel of my local Albuquerque, NM terminal and get freight quotes from an office in Florida. It has been my experiences that ABF is the best LTL carrier I have ever used. We have shopped around and used several different carriers only to come back to ABF because we get a good return on our dollar. I don't remember ever having to make a claim with ABF and I have been directly involved in the daily shipping of my company for over 10 years. (Side Note: the only problems we have ever had was when a marketing partner would get involved. Marketing partners are smaller LTL companies that contract outlaying freight for ABF. In other words ABF pays them to go to places that are out-of-the-way to pickup or drop off. I have had problems with marketing partners picking up at the ABF terminal then taking it to their terminal and poking forks through the side or what not. If a company is no longer a marketing partner for ABF it was probably ABF that severed the ties because said marketing partner was not playing by the rules or was damaging too many shipments. I now pick my items up at the dock to avoid crappy marketing partners.)


I would have to agree that the items were not packed correctly. I know it is a hard egg to swallow but it is most probably the truth. I would be very upset too but you must lay blame where blame is due and it sounds like you watched your movers pack your items and didn't know what you were looking at. You sound very intelligent but really, what do you know about packing a truck? We load several trucks a day here and never have a problem because we know what we are doing. We did pack an overseas container wrong once and that was a fiasco when it got to port. Guess the ship hit a storm on the way and since we had whole 2000 lb pallets packed and wrong it also looked like it was rolled, shook, stood up on end and thrown down but that had nothing to do with ABF as ABF doesn't do international, only LTL domestic and we loaded the dang trailer. We didn't go after Sea-Land because we packed it wrong.

So in summary, ABF is the best LTL we have ever used. Quick, courteous and professional. I have used or received freight from all the big boys from FedEx to Yellow and ABF is the best. I would talk to the minimum wage loaders. But then again this is all 4 years ago so I am sure it is done. Just had to put my two cents in and that is only worth one and a half anyway :)

By the way ABF U-Pack uses individual boxes about 1/3 - 1/4 the size of a standard LTL trailer eliminating the need for bulkheads. Don;t be afraid to use them.

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#29 Consumer Comment

Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

AUTHOR: Richard - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Hello All,

I know this is an old report but I had to make a comment.

I am in no way associated with ABF. My Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Uncle nor any other member of my family is or ever has been associated with ABF.

I am a shipper. I do use ABF exclusively for my LTL freight. I am in no way getting brownie points or any other points for my rebuttal.

I personally deal with the dock workers, drivers, dispatchers, admin and supervisory personnel of my local Albuquerque, NM terminal and get freight quotes from an office in Florida. It has been my experiences that ABF is the best LTL carrier I have ever used. We have shopped around and used several different carriers only to come back to ABF because we get a good return on our dollar. I don't remember ever having to make a claim with ABF and I have been directly involved in the daily shipping of my company for over 10 years. (Side Note: the only problems we have ever had was when a marketing partner would get involved. Marketing partners are smaller LTL companies that contract outlaying freight for ABF. In other words ABF pays them to go to places that are out-of-the-way to pickup or drop off. I have had problems with marketing partners picking up at the ABF terminal then taking it to their terminal and poking forks through the side or what not. If a company is no longer a marketing partner for ABF it was probably ABF that severed the ties because said marketing partner was not playing by the rules or was damaging too many shipments. I now pick my items up at the dock to avoid crappy marketing partners.)


I would have to agree that the items were not packed correctly. I know it is a hard egg to swallow but it is most probably the truth. I would be very upset too but you must lay blame where blame is due and it sounds like you watched your movers pack your items and didn't know what you were looking at. You sound very intelligent but really, what do you know about packing a truck? We load several trucks a day here and never have a problem because we know what we are doing. We did pack an overseas container wrong once and that was a fiasco when it got to port. Guess the ship hit a storm on the way and since we had whole 2000 lb pallets packed and wrong it also looked like it was rolled, shook, stood up on end and thrown down but that had nothing to do with ABF as ABF doesn't do international, only LTL domestic and we loaded the dang trailer. We didn't go after Sea-Land because we packed it wrong.

So in summary, ABF is the best LTL we have ever used. Quick, courteous and professional. I have used or received freight from all the big boys from FedEx to Yellow and ABF is the best. I would talk to the minimum wage loaders. But then again this is all 4 years ago so I am sure it is done. Just had to put my two cents in and that is only worth one and a half anyway :)

By the way ABF U-Pack uses individual boxes about 1/3 - 1/4 the size of a standard LTL trailer eliminating the need for bulkheads. Don;t be afraid to use them.

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#28 Consumer Comment

Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

AUTHOR: Richard - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Hello All,

I know this is an old report but I had to make a comment.

I am in no way associated with ABF. My Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Uncle nor any other member of my family is or ever has been associated with ABF.

I am a shipper. I do use ABF exclusively for my LTL freight. I am in no way getting brownie points or any other points for my rebuttal.

I personally deal with the dock workers, drivers, dispatchers, admin and supervisory personnel of my local Albuquerque, NM terminal and get freight quotes from an office in Florida. It has been my experiences that ABF is the best LTL carrier I have ever used. We have shopped around and used several different carriers only to come back to ABF because we get a good return on our dollar. I don't remember ever having to make a claim with ABF and I have been directly involved in the daily shipping of my company for over 10 years. (Side Note: the only problems we have ever had was when a marketing partner would get involved. Marketing partners are smaller LTL companies that contract outlaying freight for ABF. In other words ABF pays them to go to places that are out-of-the-way to pickup or drop off. I have had problems with marketing partners picking up at the ABF terminal then taking it to their terminal and poking forks through the side or what not. If a company is no longer a marketing partner for ABF it was probably ABF that severed the ties because said marketing partner was not playing by the rules or was damaging too many shipments. I now pick my items up at the dock to avoid crappy marketing partners.)


I would have to agree that the items were not packed correctly. I know it is a hard egg to swallow but it is most probably the truth. I would be very upset too but you must lay blame where blame is due and it sounds like you watched your movers pack your items and didn't know what you were looking at. You sound very intelligent but really, what do you know about packing a truck? We load several trucks a day here and never have a problem because we know what we are doing. We did pack an overseas container wrong once and that was a fiasco when it got to port. Guess the ship hit a storm on the way and since we had whole 2000 lb pallets packed and wrong it also looked like it was rolled, shook, stood up on end and thrown down but that had nothing to do with ABF as ABF doesn't do international, only LTL domestic and we loaded the dang trailer. We didn't go after Sea-Land because we packed it wrong.

So in summary, ABF is the best LTL we have ever used. Quick, courteous and professional. I have used or received freight from all the big boys from FedEx to Yellow and ABF is the best. I would talk to the minimum wage loaders. But then again this is all 4 years ago so I am sure it is done. Just had to put my two cents in and that is only worth one and a half anyway :)

By the way ABF U-Pack uses individual boxes about 1/3 - 1/4 the size of a standard LTL trailer eliminating the need for bulkheads. Don;t be afraid to use them.

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#27 Consumer Comment

Doesn't Happen Very Offten with ABF

AUTHOR: Richard - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Hello All,

I know this is an old report but I had to make a comment.

I am in no way associated with ABF. My Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Uncle nor any other member of my family is or ever has been associated with ABF.

I am a shipper. I do use ABF exclusively for my LTL freight. I am in no way getting brownie points or any other points for my rebuttal.

I personally deal with the dock workers, drivers, dispatchers, admin and supervisory personnel of my local Albuquerque, NM terminal and get freight quotes from an office in Florida. It has been my experiences that ABF is the best LTL carrier I have ever used. We have shopped around and used several different carriers only to come back to ABF because we get a good return on our dollar. I don't remember ever having to make a claim with ABF and I have been directly involved in the daily shipping of my company for over 10 years. (Side Note: the only problems we have ever had was when a marketing partner would get involved. Marketing partners are smaller LTL companies that contract outlaying freight for ABF. In other words ABF pays them to go to places that are out-of-the-way to pickup or drop off. I have had problems with marketing partners picking up at the ABF terminal then taking it to their terminal and poking forks through the side or what not. If a company is no longer a marketing partner for ABF it was probably ABF that severed the ties because said marketing partner was not playing by the rules or was damaging too many shipments. I now pick my items up at the dock to avoid crappy marketing partners.)


I would have to agree that the items were not packed correctly. I know it is a hard egg to swallow but it is most probably the truth. I would be very upset too but you must lay blame where blame is due and it sounds like you watched your movers pack your items and didn't know what you were looking at. You sound very intelligent but really, what do you know about packing a truck? We load several trucks a day here and never have a problem because we know what we are doing. We did pack an overseas container wrong once and that was a fiasco when it got to port. Guess the ship hit a storm on the way and since we had whole 2000 lb pallets packed and wrong it also looked like it was rolled, shook, stood up on end and thrown down but that had nothing to do with ABF as ABF doesn't do international, only LTL domestic and we loaded the dang trailer. We didn't go after Sea-Land because we packed it wrong.

So in summary, ABF is the best LTL we have ever used. Quick, courteous and professional. I have used or received freight from all the big boys from FedEx to Yellow and ABF is the best. I would talk to the minimum wage loaders. But then again this is all 4 years ago so I am sure it is done. Just had to put my two cents in and that is only worth one and a half anyway :)

By the way ABF U-Pack uses individual boxes about 1/3 - 1/4 the size of a standard LTL trailer eliminating the need for bulkheads. Don;t be afraid to use them.

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#26 Consumer Comment

Household Furniture SHOULD NOT be sent via FREIGHT

AUTHOR: Sally - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, April 19, 2007

Dear Fellow Readers,

Let's all be honest: we all know that household furniture should NOT be sent via a FREIGHT carrier. Just spend a few minutes thinking about what the employee of the FREIGHT carrier said: they are not a household mover, they ship "freight".

So what do you do when you have just a few or even a single piece of household furniture to ship? Call a company that specializes in small shipments. Check them out- be sure they are a reputable company (BBB, Department of Consumer Protection, FMCSA, DOT etc.) Most of all be willing to PAY what a reputable carrier charges.

I've read some of these web sites like Moving scams- they tell everyone who has a small move to call ABF freight company! It's NUTS!

Yes, I'm sure these freight companies do a great job, with FREIGHT NOT ANTIQUES!

The moving industry has become so full of
"know it all's" that it's hard for someone who doesn't work in the industry to know what to do.
I'm just a consumer, one who has spent hours educating myself on this industry.

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#25 Consumer Comment

Follow the simple loading procedures.

AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, April 18, 2007

I used this service to move from Texas to California, and had no problems once so ever.I simple followed the loading instructions,such as placing furniture in the middle of the load, surrounded by padded items in the sides, heavyier
items at a minimun height. I bought plywood and 2x4's and over nailed my bulkhead from floor to ceiling and all my stuff arrived fine. Just try to remember these trucks are freight haulers and not limos. Good Job ABF !!

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#24 Consumer Suggestion

ABF U-Pack

AUTHOR: K - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 09, 2007

Penny is your complaint with Help U Move Inc or ABF U Pack? NOT THE SAME CO.

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#23 Consumer Suggestion

TAKE PICTURES

AUTHOR: Nicole - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 26, 2005

It can't be said enough:

Take pictures of the inside of the truck BEFORE loading, take pictures DURING, and take pictures AFTER loading. Then when the truck is delivered take pictures BEFORE unloading, take pictures WHILE unloading and take pictures once the truck has been emptied and cleaned. It would work best to have a time/date stamp on each picture as more proof. That way, in something like that happened, you can help prove your case that your "professional" movers packed the truck properly.

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#22 Consumer Suggestion

TAKE PICTURES

AUTHOR: Nicole - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 26, 2005

It can't be said enough:

Take pictures of the inside of the truck BEFORE loading, take pictures DURING, and take pictures AFTER loading. Then when the truck is delivered take pictures BEFORE unloading, take pictures WHILE unloading and take pictures once the truck has been emptied and cleaned. It would work best to have a time/date stamp on each picture as more proof. That way, in something like that happened, you can help prove your case that your "professional" movers packed the truck properly.

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#21 Consumer Suggestion

TAKE PICTURES

AUTHOR: Nicole - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 26, 2005

It can't be said enough:

Take pictures of the inside of the truck BEFORE loading, take pictures DURING, and take pictures AFTER loading. Then when the truck is delivered take pictures BEFORE unloading, take pictures WHILE unloading and take pictures once the truck has been emptied and cleaned. It would work best to have a time/date stamp on each picture as more proof. That way, in something like that happened, you can help prove your case that your "professional" movers packed the truck properly.

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#20 Consumer Suggestion

TAKE PICTURES

AUTHOR: Nicole - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 26, 2005

It can't be said enough:

Take pictures of the inside of the truck BEFORE loading, take pictures DURING, and take pictures AFTER loading. Then when the truck is delivered take pictures BEFORE unloading, take pictures WHILE unloading and take pictures once the truck has been emptied and cleaned. It would work best to have a time/date stamp on each picture as more proof. That way, in something like that happened, you can help prove your case that your "professional" movers packed the truck properly.

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#19 Consumer Comment

Another unsatisfied customer

AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, August 28, 2004

Hello,
I just moved about 3 weeks ago and used the ABF u-pack service just like everyone else here. I also had some damaged furniture which at the time was the least of my concerns. Upon arrival of the truck at our place, we noticed that the truck was filthy inside.

A broom and some big tarps could cover that up nicely. We loaded all our belongings into the truck and notified them that they could come pick up the truck. That is were the problems began.

The terminal specifically told us in person that they would pick it up the same day. It was not picked up until the next night at 10:30pm. It sat over 30 hours outside our home in downtown, unlocked.

We arrived in Lansing and anxiously awaited the arrival of our stuff. It was supposed to get to our home on Thursday.

My wife called ABF U-Pack on Thursday and asked them when the truck would arrive. They told my wife that it would not arrive until Monday or Tuesday. My wife asked him how it was possible that it would be almost a week late and his exact words were, "It will get there when it gets there, that is our policy."

My wife was in tears after several other arrogant comments by the "friendly customer service personnel." On Saturday, we contacted the local terminal and explained that we had anticipated the arrival on Thursday and would need to get into it before Monday. They agreed and told us that we could come to the terminal Sunday night at 10pm and someone would let us into the truck. We arrived and no one was there. We called several numbers on the door and finally reached the branch manager who assured me that somebody was there. There wasn't! He tells me that he would get someone there by midnight to open our truck.

We arrive a 12:00am and somebody finally shows up. I felt really bad for this part time worker who had to come in and cover someone elses shift. He moved the truck into position and opened it up. The truck was still filled with mechanical equipment. They quickly unloaded it and soon we were at the bulkhead. The bottom of the bulkhead was where it was placed, the top was a different story. It had actually buckled and slid out about 3 feet. All of our stuff on the top had shifted its way onto the bulkhead. They had to lean the forklift against it while I slowly lowered it down. Upon doing that, everything fell on me. Luckily I didn't get hurt.

We spent the next three hours trying to find what was once in the front of the stuff and now completely buried under it. We ended up leaving at 3:30am completely dirty, tired, and sick of ABF.

We received a big $100 off for the late days. Wow, that really made it worth my time. I filled out the survey online and someone is actually going to contact me. I can't believe it. Needless to say, I am sick of dealing with this incompetent company. Comming soon to a search engine near you will be an anti-ABF website. I will be taking stories and posting them along with the complete version of mine. I will also post my resolution on here from the survey people.

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#18 Consumer Suggestion

Oh, and about a life....

AUTHOR: Penny - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, August 04, 2004

...To whomever advised me to move on or to get a life or something, FYI Rip-off Report.com e-mails me each time someone posts anything in relation to my original report. In all honesty, I had nearly forgotten about this till someone reponded way back when -- So keep on a' posting, and I'll keep checking out what's been written :)
I don't understand the anger of some people when others get hurt or ripped off by companies. Thank GOD for sites like this, for freedom of speech, the media, for consumer advocates, and, yes, at times even for attorneys. Otherwise, imagine how screwed "the little guy" would constantly get. It is a GOOD thing in this country to speak out about injustices and consumer issues. It amazes me that anyone has an issue with that. So, as for moving on...well, ya know....

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#17 Consumer Comment

Avoid Help-U-Move Types of Companies

AUTHOR: Penny - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Adrienne (my long lost sister or new best friend? HA! God forbid that anyone else be upset with these companies!) -- Your suggestion is right on. And I'm glad you did read this before moving yourself. I would avoid any of these types of companies from here on out. I know moving companies as a whole don't have the best of reputations, but these clowns are in a class of their own.
I have moved numerous times using friends and U-Haul trucks...once across the country. None of us were professional packers or movers, and NEVER were any of my items broken.
Honestly (and sadly), I think that's the only way to go. I just don't get why or how some people can read the simple facts, see the photos, realize that I could probably get sued for lying about this, and STILL try to put the blame back on the packers or me. It's the all-too-common "blame the victim" thing. As I believe I said in my original report, even the claims guy from ABF came to my house and said something like, "Did the trailer ROLL???" when he saw how damaged my items were. He was shocked. And, quite suspiciously, all of the photos he took "disappeared." I never saw one of them.

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#16 UPDATE EX-employee responds

I worked on the sales side of shipping

AUTHOR: Rick - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, August 03, 2004

The complaint sounds terribly familiar. I used to work on the sales aspect of trucking for a subsidiary of ABF. The subsidiary is no longer affiliated and I am no longer employed by the company or in the industry. Company loyalty does not come into play here.

Since I was in sales, I was usually the first called when there were damage issues. Our company did not move furniture but I am very aware of the service, procedures and working conditions.

First of all, $.10/lbs for damage is what it is. Unfortunately you cannot claim amounts in excess of that. I have had first hand experience with similar circumstances that can be very troubling. However, the rates and "release value" ($.10/lbs) are designed to preserve the financial viabilty of the company. If claims were paid far in excess than the amount charged to move the freight...no trucking company would be able to stay in business.

A couple examples: the numbers are estimates from my memory

A real example: a shipper moves a 2000lbs piece of used machinery valued at $5000. It falls while on a forklift bending a several hundred pound rod of steel. The replacement cost of the rod exceeds the entire cost of the machinery because it needed to be manufactured from scratch. The release value of "used machinery" covers less than 1/4 the cost of the machinery itself. Essentially, my shipper has to buy another machine alltogether out of pocket. Fortunately most companies have insurance to cover the discrepancy.

Another real example: Paper labels printed for a food product. Shrink wrap was torn in shipping and a black dust entered contents. Inspector deemed labels a total loss despite the fact they were intact. Original cost to produce labels $5000, release value $1400. Cost to replace labels using evening shift on overtime, $8000+.
My customer is out $13000. They recovered $1400 in claims. Ouch. Unfortunate...but no rip off

I can only speculate as to the cause of the damage . 18ft trailers are not usually on an air ride suspension and any loosening of the freight will cause severe shuffling and bouncing. It is entirely possible that if the load had shifted, that it broke free of the bulkhead. As for the footprints, etc. that would have come from dockworkers quickly trying to reload the trailer. Likely it was if far worse shape that you saw upon delivery. It is far outside the scope of dockworkers to re-pack or repair the damage.

Unfortunately there is no consolation by my writing other than a clarification of liability. And the liability was in writing and limited to $10/lbs. Your misunderstanding does not gain you any legal edge in the matter.

Oh, and that bit about ABF drivers being lousy is rubbish. That's no different than saying everyone from Florida is a crappy driver. And the drivers have no control on the packing of the load or the roads they have to traverse. My personal experience with truck drivers (as a general rule) is that their skills are far superior than the average passenger car driver.

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#15 Consumer Suggestion

Found this site before I got taken for a ride.

AUTHOR: Adrienne - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, July 09, 2004

I started planning a cross country move a couple of months ago, and very luckily ran across [DELETED]this site before I got taken for a ride. They have a blacklist ( disturbingly long) of companies to avoid, particular scams, and very detailed information concerning and legal recourse you may have.

I would advise that anyone considering using any sort of all-inclusive, or u-pack-it moving service check out this site and take heed to the numerous warnings.

Good luck, and I am very sorry about your furniture.

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#14 Consumer Comment

Last comment (and yes, I know what I'm talking about)

AUTHOR: Jeff - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, July 09, 2004

Well, Andrea, it's like this...

You're right. Penny is right. AND I'm right.

Each person's individual experience is theirs alone and is unique.

The vast majority of us who've used U-Pack/ABF are happy. You, Penny, aren't. You, Andrea, for some reason aren't (is Penny your sister/best friend?).

Bad experiences, if you can't see past them to the quite probable fact that you could've done something differently to avoid damage, breed resentment and the need to find a target to lash out toward.

ABF/U-Pack was the target here. It may as well have been Joe-Bob's Freight Haulers for all it's worth.

To this, I say...c'est la vie.

Such is life.

Time to move on now.

And no, I'm not a mover, packer, freight-shipper, trucker, or in any way, shape, or form affiliated with any moving company.

I'm a pilot.

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#13 Consumer Comment

I don't think that jeff knows what he's talking about!

AUTHOR: Andrea - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, July 08, 2004

Jeff if you had no affiliation with the moving company mentioned or any other why are you getting so snippy? I have moved several times with my husband and we have soo much stuff. We never wrapped or padded things, yet nothing was ever broke or scratched at all. We moved over 200 miles like that.

Penny's things should not have been in that condition period. If it were your things and you took the utmost care packing them you would have the same response as her. So would you please quit you self rightousness and just admit that penny and I are right. Put yourself in her shoes. Again are you sure that you aren't affiliated with any type of moving company?

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#12 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Whatever...these THOUSANDS of other people just haven't come forward

AUTHOR: Jeff - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, July 08, 2004

Whatever.

You had a bad experience, either with your "PROFESSIONAL" packers or with U-Pack or ABF.

So, because YOU had a problem, the entire organization is to blame. YOU had a bad experience, so EVERYONE ELSE who uses this service is BOUND to have a bad experience, n'est pas?

Hogwash.

Your "PROFESSIONAL" packers packed the trailer. A COUPLE of your furniture items shifted and were damaged. The U-PACK company was new and was still sorting out certain things, so your claim was handled incorrectly. Well, I'm sorry for you. But just because YOU had a problem with A COUPLE of furniture items that were INCORRECTLY packed by your "PROFESSIONAL" movers, that doesn't mean that the entire thing is a bad deal for the THOUSANDS of other people who have used U-Pack and have NOT had any problems now, does it?

I had A COUPLE of items damaged because they weren't packed well enough. Whose fault was it? U-Pack? No.....

ABF? Try again...

That's right! MY fault!

Whose fault was YOUR problem?

Could it, just possibly, have been your "PROFESSIONAL" packers?

The fact remains, your problem was ISOLATED. THOUSANDS of other people have used ABF/U-Pack for their moving needs and have not filed any reports. What does that say about YOUR situation? That these THOUSANDS of other people just haven't come forward?

Please think about this before you answer. Or, better yet, DON'T answer and GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE!

You had a problem. So sorry, but it's over, and it was ISOLATED. The company may or may not have been to blame (and I SERIOUSLY doubt that they were in any way to blame), and it's OVER.

Of the THOUSANDS of people who've used it, NONE have filed any complaints as you have. Why is that, I wonder?

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#11 Consumer Comment

"The Same Thing Happened"??? Noooo...........

AUTHOR: Jeff - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, July 07, 2004

No, I don't work for ABF, and no, the same thing didn't happen to my sofa.

What I said was that I DID stand on my sofa during the loading of the trailer, but as I had it carefully wrapped in stretch wrap and furniture pads, there was NO damage done to it at all.

The point I was making was that if there were black marks on the sofa, it may well have been from the "PROFESSIONAL" movers standing on the sofa to load something in a higher space, as I did, but not taking the proper precautions (furniture pads) to prevent damage to the sofa.

The fact of the matter is, with U-Pack/ABF, it is IDENTICAL to U-Haul, Ryder, Budget, or Joe's Rent-Em-And-Drive-Em. You pack it yourself. Period.

What you elect to do to ensure the safety of your valuables and how they are packed and unpacked in the trailer, which does not have the same cushy suspension that U-Haul and others do (it's the same suspension as any other freight trailer), is the only safeguard against damage. If you pack loose, things shift.

If you pack tightly, they rub. Therefore, you need to pack so that everything is protected because it WILL bounce, it WILL shift, it WILL rub.

Taking the matter out on someone else because THEY did the driving is scapegoating in my book.

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#10 Consumer Comment

Ya gotta love it

AUTHOR: Penny - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Andrea, ya gotta love it. People who weren't there read clear writing and try to tell me that what I saw happen (the guys from a professional company pack the truck, the ABF driver check how the truck was packed and CHECK THE WALL and ok everything) wasn't what really happened.
Seems like the proof in the pictures is difficult for some to handle. Wonder why?
I know the truth hurts some folks. You'd think they'd straighten up their act rather than defend this mess.

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#9 Consumer Comment

Jeff, Do you work for ABF?

AUTHOR: Andrea - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, July 07, 2004

I was just wondering if Jeff works for Abf. It does seem strange that he had the exact same thing happen to his sofa. Personally I would be very irritated if my furniture was scuffed especially if it was padded.

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#8 Consumer Comment

Perfectly satisfied and would recommend U-Pack

AUTHOR: Jeff - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, July 03, 2004

I recently moved from Pennsylvania to Texas using U-Pack and ABF trucking. I have moved quite a bit and have had my share of mishaps. This has prepared me for how to stack items, how to wrap items, how to box items and so forth.

We stacked boxes in an intricate mosaic in the front of the trailer. Heavy, solid boxes on the bottom to prevent the collapse of the cardboard.
We then stacked our furniture items, having wrapped stretch wrap tightly around each piece and placing furniture pads around the more delicate items.

I had minor scuffs on two pieces of furniture, and a major scuff on one piece of furniture. Whose fault was it? Mine. They weren't secured but were allowed to come into contact, even PADDED contact, with another piece of furniture in a loose fashion.

Trailers don't have the suspension that your automobile does. If they hit a bump, they bounce. This can, and often is, a jarring bounce. This is why items loaded on pallettes are loaded as they are, to prevent this from happening.

You cite black footprints. Is it entirely possible that your "PROFESSIONAL" movers STOOD on your sofa in order to load something over the top of it? I know that *I* did just this with MY sofa...

You cite damage and show photographic proof, yet you do not show how you had the items packed, nor do you show the protection around said items, nor even adequately describe it.

I'm sorry for your loss, but it sounds now as if you packed your furniture in a fashion that was too poor to handle the abuses of the open road in the back of a semi-trailer, and now want someone else to pay for your mistake. If you had used a U-Haul, you would be blaming yourself, but since you didn't drive the truck, you are seeing your scapegoat.

Did I have damaged items? Yes. Whose fault was it? Mine. Did I get ripped off? Hardly. In fact, I have just recommended to a friend of mine who is getting ready to move to use ABF and U-pack.

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#7 0

You don't know what you're talking about

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Monday, December 09, 2002

You yourself weren't involved in this in any way, so I don't know how you can talk about my specific situation. You are simply blindly defending your employer. Don't tell me ABF workers didn't touch my belongings. I had BLACK FOOTPRINTS all over a WRAPPED white sofa. I certainly didn't put them there, and I WATCHED the--yes--PROFESSIONALS pack the truck.

If you read my report, it stated that I specifically asked the ABF driver to CHECK THE BULKHEAD, and he did, telling me that it was installed ok and that my things were secure.

Do you need brownie points at work or something? How silly for someone like you to speak about a situation you know nothing about. Aren't you all the way out on the west coast? Do you have supernatural powers that allow you to see what each and every ABF driver is doing ("we did not touch or move your belongings")?Please--you're just digging your company in deeper with these ridiculous remarks.

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#6 UPDATE Employee

no reason to dispute that your belongings were damaged

AUTHOR: Mike - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, December 08, 2002

Penny



I have no reason to dispute that your belongings were damaged. Pictures are not necessary.

You make a point of capitalizing the word "PROFESSIONAL" when you refer to the people who loaded your belongings. Although I am not familiar with the company you used to pack your belongings ,I doubt that at the wage they pay their people that they stay on for a career. They have a big turn-over and hire a lot of minimum wage loaders who ARE NOT professional movers.



The way a trailer moves down the road there is shaking and bouncing that occurs in transit. If the property is not loaded correctly ,heavy on the bottom ,light items on top and proper padding and bracing,then damage will occur.



Any point, my main rebuttal was to the fact that you made comments "Someone told me" about how bad ABF drivers are and referred to the dock workers who load the trailers as "looks as if a bunch of drunks"threw my stuff around.



Again,I sympathize with your loss. But ABF only moved your items from point A to B. We did not move or touch your belongings. It is the responsibility of the shipper(you) to assure all is loaded properly. We cannot assume liability for something we had no control over (the loading of your belongings). That is between you and the people you hired to do the job and maligning ABF and it's employees is not being fair

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#5 0

Well, I have photos that show how "unfounded" and "unwarranted" my statements are

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Saturday, December 07, 2002

I'll send along the pictures and see what Mike thinks then.

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#4 UPDATE Employee

successful and thousands of people

AUTHOR: Mike - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 07, 2002

Hi



I am a supervisor with ABF. To point out a few problems with your comments. ABF is a common carrier who moves freight. We are not a household moving company. The company started a U-Pack division a couple of years ago. It has been successful and thousands of people have used it to their satisfaction. It costs probably a fifth of what it would cost from a moving company and the service is excellent.



We provide a clean trailer at the customers requested location and they load their own belongings and secure them with a provided bulkhead. Charges are computed by mileage from point of origin to destination and length of feet used in the trailer. Any space left over in the trailer is filled with freight going to that destination. At no time have I ever heard of anyone taking down a bulkhead for any reason. The last thing we would want to do is have to mess around with personal belongings. At no time have I heard household goods were moved for any reason. They are always delivered on the trailer it was loaded into,untouched.



Everything loaded onto these trailers was NOT loaded by an ABF employee but by the individual or their agent they hired. If the goods were not loaded properly,then they could become damaged in transit through no fault of ABF.At the time of securing the move and signing the contract,the individual is made aware of the fact that we ship all "personal effects/household goods at a release value of .10 lb." Our goal is to move freight in a timely manner.



As for "drunks going thru your items", our dockworkers are professional in every manner. They are Teamsters and very proud of the work they do and would never intentionally create any circumstance that would damage anything on the trailer. As for you "hearing ABF drivers are very bad", as an employee I am proud of the fact that we have consistently been awarded national honors for our company's safety programs and the records that they achieve throughout the industry. We are the 3rd largest LTL common carrier and attaining these achievements is only done through hard work and diligence.



I can understand you being upset with losses of your personal property and I do sympathize with you. But all ABF did was move your belongings from Virginia to Florida in a timely manner. The things you wrote about my company were unfounded and unwarranted



Mike Maydon

Operations Supervisor

Pico Rivera

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#3 UPDATE Employee

successful and thousands of people

AUTHOR: Mike - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 07, 2002

Hi



I am a supervisor with ABF. To point out a few problems with your comments. ABF is a common carrier who moves freight. We are not a household moving company. The company started a U-Pack division a couple of years ago. It has been successful and thousands of people have used it to their satisfaction. It costs probably a fifth of what it would cost from a moving company and the service is excellent.



We provide a clean trailer at the customers requested location and they load their own belongings and secure them with a provided bulkhead. Charges are computed by mileage from point of origin to destination and length of feet used in the trailer. Any space left over in the trailer is filled with freight going to that destination. At no time have I ever heard of anyone taking down a bulkhead for any reason. The last thing we would want to do is have to mess around with personal belongings. At no time have I heard household goods were moved for any reason. They are always delivered on the trailer it was loaded into,untouched.



Everything loaded onto these trailers was NOT loaded by an ABF employee but by the individual or their agent they hired. If the goods were not loaded properly,then they could become damaged in transit through no fault of ABF.At the time of securing the move and signing the contract,the individual is made aware of the fact that we ship all "personal effects/household goods at a release value of .10 lb." Our goal is to move freight in a timely manner.



As for "drunks going thru your items", our dockworkers are professional in every manner. They are Teamsters and very proud of the work they do and would never intentionally create any circumstance that would damage anything on the trailer. As for you "hearing ABF drivers are very bad", as an employee I am proud of the fact that we have consistently been awarded national honors for our company's safety programs and the records that they achieve throughout the industry. We are the 3rd largest LTL common carrier and attaining these achievements is only done through hard work and diligence.



I can understand you being upset with losses of your personal property and I do sympathize with you. But all ABF did was move your belongings from Virginia to Florida in a timely manner. The things you wrote about my company were unfounded and unwarranted



Mike Maydon

Operations Supervisor

Pico Rivera

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#2 UPDATE Employee

successful and thousands of people

AUTHOR: Mike - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 07, 2002

Hi



I am a supervisor with ABF. To point out a few problems with your comments. ABF is a common carrier who moves freight. We are not a household moving company. The company started a U-Pack division a couple of years ago. It has been successful and thousands of people have used it to their satisfaction. It costs probably a fifth of what it would cost from a moving company and the service is excellent.



We provide a clean trailer at the customers requested location and they load their own belongings and secure them with a provided bulkhead. Charges are computed by mileage from point of origin to destination and length of feet used in the trailer. Any space left over in the trailer is filled with freight going to that destination. At no time have I ever heard of anyone taking down a bulkhead for any reason. The last thing we would want to do is have to mess around with personal belongings. At no time have I heard household goods were moved for any reason. They are always delivered on the trailer it was loaded into,untouched.



Everything loaded onto these trailers was NOT loaded by an ABF employee but by the individual or their agent they hired. If the goods were not loaded properly,then they could become damaged in transit through no fault of ABF.At the time of securing the move and signing the contract,the individual is made aware of the fact that we ship all "personal effects/household goods at a release value of .10 lb." Our goal is to move freight in a timely manner.



As for "drunks going thru your items", our dockworkers are professional in every manner. They are Teamsters and very proud of the work they do and would never intentionally create any circumstance that would damage anything on the trailer. As for you "hearing ABF drivers are very bad", as an employee I am proud of the fact that we have consistently been awarded national honors for our company's safety programs and the records that they achieve throughout the industry. We are the 3rd largest LTL common carrier and attaining these achievements is only done through hard work and diligence.



I can understand you being upset with losses of your personal property and I do sympathize with you. But all ABF did was move your belongings from Virginia to Florida in a timely manner. The things you wrote about my company were unfounded and unwarranted



Mike Maydon

Operations Supervisor

Pico Rivera

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#1 UPDATE Employee

successful and thousands of people

AUTHOR: Mike - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 07, 2002

Hi



I am a supervisor with ABF. To point out a few problems with your comments. ABF is a common carrier who moves freight. We are not a household moving company. The company started a U-Pack division a couple of years ago. It has been successful and thousands of people have used it to their satisfaction. It costs probably a fifth of what it would cost from a moving company and the service is excellent.



We provide a clean trailer at the customers requested location and they load their own belongings and secure them with a provided bulkhead. Charges are computed by mileage from point of origin to destination and length of feet used in the trailer. Any space left over in the trailer is filled with freight going to that destination. At no time have I ever heard of anyone taking down a bulkhead for any reason. The last thing we would want to do is have to mess around with personal belongings. At no time have I heard household goods were moved for any reason. They are always delivered on the trailer it was loaded into,untouched.



Everything loaded onto these trailers was NOT loaded by an ABF employee but by the individual or their agent they hired. If the goods were not loaded properly,then they could become damaged in transit through no fault of ABF.At the time of securing the move and signing the contract,the individual is made aware of the fact that we ship all "personal effects/household goods at a release value of .10 lb." Our goal is to move freight in a timely manner.



As for "drunks going thru your items", our dockworkers are professional in every manner. They are Teamsters and very proud of the work they do and would never intentionally create any circumstance that would damage anything on the trailer. As for you "hearing ABF drivers are very bad", as an employee I am proud of the fact that we have consistently been awarded national honors for our company's safety programs and the records that they achieve throughout the industry. We are the 3rd largest LTL common carrier and attaining these achievements is only done through hard work and diligence.



I can understand you being upset with losses of your personal property and I do sympathize with you. But all ABF did was move your belongings from Virginia to Florida in a timely manner. The things you wrote about my company were unfounded and unwarranted



Mike Maydon

Operations Supervisor

Pico Rivera

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