All American Moving & Storage Rip-Off Scam

On 9/21/01 Ron Ullman, Operations Manager of Northern California for All American Moving & Storage (AAMS), came to my residence at 4141 Stevenson #329, Fremont, CA to do an estimate. Mr. Ullman and I sat down and I questioned him regarding the estimate. Mr. Ullman stated that AAMS would handle everything including my auto. I questioned him about the estimate stating I wanted an all inclusive price. I explained the hardship my wife and I had gone through on our move to California to make it clear that I wanted a fixed price to include packing & shipping for everything. Mr. Ullman signed the Estimated Cost of Service and circled the Total Estimated Cost he listed at $3673. On 10/22/01 the movers arrived, I asked the Foreman, Tal, when my Jeep Cherokee was being picked up. He told me that AAMS didn't do that so I informed Tal what Mr. Ullman had told me. Tal called the office and I informed Paula about what Mr. Ullman had told me. AAMS arranged for NanBy Trucking Inc. to pick up the vehicle. On 10/23/01 with all but 5 to 10 items unloaded, the foreman Tal approached me with a bill for $6925 that did not include the auto transport charge of $975. While giving the inventory list Tal dragged his clipboard across the hood of my '01 Jeep Cherokee. I pointed it out and called the AAMS in New York, the man on the phone would not take my complaints. Tal asked for half the bill to be paid before they left. I wrote a check to AAMS for half the original estimate ($1936.50). Since 10/25 I continued to call AAMS, leaving a number of messages never returned. 11/19/01 Operations Manager Sam Eldars in the New York AAMS office said they have my things placed in storage and will not deliver my property unless they are paid the the balance of in cash. The written estimate say the maximum amount is not to exceed the total estimated cost plus 10 percent.