First Class Relocations Was ripped off, lied to and stolen from Flushing, New York

We were quoted a price, not to exceed $5,005.00, by First Class Relocations. This price was to include all materials, packing, labor, loading the truck, transport, delivery, taxes and all other charges associated with a full relocation of our home in New Jersey to our new home in New Hampshire. After getting the quote, we called back to confirm the accuracy of the contract and the price to ensure the cost would not exceed $5,005.00. During this call, we requested someone come to our home and verify all inventory and information to be absolutely certain that the quote was 100% accurate. First Class Relocations told us that this would be unnecessary and that their numbers would not change, as the contract was written not to exceed.

Packing was supposed to being at 7:00 AM on October 9th, 2011. Three workers arrived at 10:00 AM, but could not being until the foreman, Mike, arrived at 10:30 AM. They began packing at approximately 11:00 AM, after the foreman was provided with a bank certified check for $2,502.50 and all paperwork was signed.

Around 1:30 PM, the foreman had the workers stop and told us the original estimate was incorrect and we were going to exceed the 2,000 cubic feet originally quoted. The estimate was then changed to 3300 cubic feet at a total price of $7,750.00, nearly 55% above the original estimate. At this point, we were required to provide half of the new estimate, less what was already provided.

Final packing and loading was supposed to begin at 9:00 AM, on October 10th. At 10:00 AM, we called the foreman, Mike, to ask where everyone was. We were told that everyone left at 7:00 AM and was stuck in traffic, but would be there soon. He also said that he broken his finger and would not be joining the work crew that day. The packers did not arrive until noon. We asked the workers where they got stuck in traffic for so long and were told that they werent stuck in traffic, but didnt leave until 9:30 AM. They continued to pack the house and load the truck.

At approximately 8:00 PM, the truck was completely full and they had run out of packing materials. 25% of our belongings remain unpacked and scattered in our New Jersey home. We immediately locked up the house and began our six hour drive to New Hampshire with our 3 month old daughter and 5 year old son because we were told that the truck would be at our new residence at 7:00 AM the next morning. We arrived in New Hampshire at 3:00 AM, unpacked our car and got our kids settled and sleeping by 6:00 AM.

After four hours of sleep, at 10:00 AM, we called Mike to ask where the truck was. He stated that the truck had stopped at a weigh station, on route 95, and was being fined for an overweight load. It could not leave until the fine was paid and told us the truck would arrive by noon.

The truck did arrive around noon. Once the drivers got here, we asked about the issue at the weigh station. The driver told us that they did not stop at any weigh stations and did not leave until 4:00 AM.

The driver told us that the truck could not be unloaded until the remaining balance was paid in full. We explained that according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the maximum amount that could be collected on delivery for a binding estimate is the exact estimate. We spoke with Mike, the foreman, over the phone and were told that they would not unload the truck without full payment. Because of our small children and absolute need for many items on the truck we were forced to run to the bank and get a certified check for the remaining balance.

During the unloading of the truck, we discovered that only 25% of the boxes were labeled, many items had been broken due to poor packing and items were missing, including a family heirloom of silver worth of $20,000.

After having been lied to, ripped off and financially devastated by First Class Relocations, we are seeking any possible recourse.