AAA Vanlines of Miami, Florida- rip-off scam Don't Use them

My harrowing experience with this company took place the week of Aug12-18 when I moved from New Haven, Connecticut to Radford, Virginia. I like to think of myself as a rather savvy consumer and being aware of moving company scams, I did extensive internet research before engaging AAAVanlines of Miami, Florida (DOT#888804, MC#386956). Research and phone calls to the Department of Transportation turned up no red flags on this company. I e-mailed them a list of my household goods and they responded with an estimate of 5,180 pounds for which I would be charged .43 per pound. The dollar estimate was $2230 with no add-ons or extra charges. The driver of the truck was supposed to weigh the truck with and without my belongings to determine the exact weight. I paid a $50 deposit by American Express and booked August 11. When the truck FINALLY showed up at midday on August 12, it was an entirely different company than the one I had booked; instead of AAAVanlines, it was Eilid Moving and Storage or Richmond Hill, New York (MC#384719). The driver had no ticket to show his empty weight and proceeded to try to convince me that my move would be cheaper if computed by cubic foot instead of by pound. He had a fax from AAAVanlines showing the estimate at .43 per pound. He assured me that weight could be verified and that I would get the least expensive rate. When all of my belongings were loaded the driver wrote up a bill for $4700 dollars, more than twice the original estimate. With no other choice, (I had to get out of my apartment and all of my things were on the truck) I asked him to verify the weight, provide proof of weight and to charge me that way. He agreed to do that and I paid him $1100 with the balance to be determined and paid at the destination. When I reached Virginia, the company called and demanded $3500 additional dollars IN CASH for the delivery of my goods and they refused to verify weight. I fought with them for a week in which they made numerous threats to place my things in a warehouse and leave them there for weeks. By Thursday they agreed to provide weight verification and I gave them the go-ahead to deliver. On Saturday the driver showed up with no proof of weight and demanded a balance of $3500 in cash to open the truck and take out my things. He threatened to take the truck back to New York and place my goods in storage unless I paid. I had no choice. To get the money I had to get a cash advance from a credit card at a very high rate of interest. The company I originally hired, AAAVanlines, takes no responsibility. I would like to prevent this from happening to someone else. I have made complaints to several different agencies. If anyone needs information you may e-mail me at kay.edge@yale.edu