SIGNATURE VAN LINES FURNITURE HELD HOSTAGE RIPOFF MT. POCONO Pennsylvania

Signature Van Lines took my belongings 7/31/05, and I have not seen them since this date. I was quoted $1,200.00 as an estimate to move, $160.00 security deposit and $289.00 per month for storage. First truck arrived (very late)packed up and then demanded $2,000.00. I questioned the employees, they stated they were told by their boss (Carleen) to collect $2,000.00. In a disparate situation (new people moving in the next day) I paid the amount they requested. The next day arriving approximately 9 hours late, they filled the truck again. Assuming the $2,000 was covering the entire cost, the employees then approached me (after loading) stating Carleen demanded another $2,000.00. Disputing this amount with the employees (who were a very nice group) they informed me of Signature's bad business practices, shady dealings and low-bidding to obtain your business and then do as they did to me jacking the price up knowing they already are holding your belongings and placing you in a disparate situation when those who purchased your home were moving in the next morning. The employees called Carleen stating how upset I was over the amount. She started screaming at me and threatened "to come up and get me". I paid the money, again disparate.

I began hearing more stories of the company's bad business practices, reports to the Attorney General's office possible pending federal charges against the two woman. I called and spoke with Carleen (the nastiest person I think I had every spoke with) stating my concerns. She stated that everyone was racist against her there were no problems and all were lies. I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I had asked her for a bill for the storage fee she said she would send it. I had called three times asking for an invoice for storage, she then said to let it go at the end and she will bill me for all. That was OK In October I began to make arrangements to have my things delivered. Talking with Carleen our conversation then escalated into a heated argument. She wanted another $2,706.00 in cash before entering my home. I told her I would pay her this amount to retrieve my belongings, but I would not pay her until the job was complete. I stated I wanted to make sure my things were intact and all there as a disturbed customer had set a fire to the back of the building, I was told by the Attorney General's office that they were not insured nor were then licensed to operate in the state of Pennsylvania. She would not agree to accept payment after the job was complete which lead me to believe they were up to something. While arguing with her, she threatened to sell all my belongings for non payment of storage fee, she refused to deliver my things and she also refused to let me obtain another mover to retrieve my things from their storage facility.

My daughter went to their facility to try to talk to them. They assaulted her. She called 911. The police arrived. In a struggle with Carleen and her partner Shelly, they broke the officer's leg in two places, now needing surgery. They were placed under arrest, but let out on bail a few days later. In the meantime, I found out they had claimed bankruptcy. As such, all things in the building are held until a court determines what belongs to who. Not even allowed in the building to see if my things are intact or even still there. So, I had to retain a bankruptcy lawyer for my protection.

In the meantime, their criminal attorney from Kingston, PA I believe his name is Attorney Fannick, telephoned me wanting my fax number to fax over an invoice to retain my belongings. First of all, I already paid a total of $4,000.00 to move, a trip of about 20 minutes from my home, and they were now asking for $6,550.00 to retrieve my belongings. Attached to this invoice was two contracts. One contract I had signed in the amount of $1,937.00, I did not receive a copy of this as the employee stated he needed to add the weight for storage and this would be given back to me. With this being such a crazy day, I forgot to ask him for a copy. There was a second contract attached which I had never seen for a total of $8,660.00. First of all, I would have NEVER agreed to pay this amount, and the signature on the contract was not mine. Also there was a section written by someone where I was not holding Signature responsible for any damages to my things. This was also forged. There were different charges on the contract one charge was for $1,586.00 for 3,000 pounds to go to Florida, why when I was moving locally????

As of now I have made a move to my new home. I have nothing left. I had to go to the expense of buying all necessities and taking donations from friends and now adding on attorney fees.

I ASK WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE NOT IN JAIL. How could this happen to people and nothing seem to be done. Why do they seem to be treated as victims. Here now they are claiming bankruptcy not only cheating the pubic but now they choose not to pay their debts.

The material things in storage are not important to me as those things can always be replaced. In storage, I have the memories of my parents life, who are no longer living, all pictures of my kids, just your life's history. This is what is important.

Has anyone had any luck retrieving their belongings? Dose anyone still have their things in their storage facility?

Elaine
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.