Allstate Relocation Systems Globus Moving & Storage Complete Fraud Van Nuys, California

Moved to Clovis, CA 4 months ago as a temporary relocation.  The company we used contracts with a very reputable relocation company.  On my return trip to MO we were responsible for the move so we began searching around for moving companies.  We had a small list of questions that we asked each of the approximate 10 companies.  1. Do you unload the truck and reload onto another truck?  2.  Estimated time to complete the move?  Allstate Relocation Systems stated that they did not unload and reload and that the move should be completed in about 3-5 days.  Our truck going to CA weighed 8,100 lbs.  Allstate informed us that it would be closer to 9,000 lbs.  I did not understand the discrepancy but budgeted for 9,000 lbs anyway.  We decided to hire what seemed to be a professional and friendly company.  Approximately 7 days after the departure we decided to check the status and were told that the truck was delayed on another job and was still in CA.  After many unreturned calls we finally demanded a refund and an estimated arrival time.  The agent once again stated that she would check with her manager and driver and call us back.  The call never came and we were forced to call Allstate again.  We were told that the truck actually weighed over 12,000 lbs.  We asked how can this be we sold a sofa sleeper, refrigerator and a big screen tv.  We then explained that we moved to CA three short months ago and the truck weighed 8100 lbs.  They asked us to forward the documents from our previous moving company which we happily did.  When we received the return phone call they decided to offer to beat the previous companies bill by 10% which was $2000.00 over our original bid.  We were then told because of the dispute they were forced to halt the driver.  We were provided with three options.  1. They would put our belongings in storage and we could hire an attorney.  Pay the offered discount off of our previous moving bill.  3.  Pay for the 12,000 lbs.  After consulting with an attorney they instructed us to try to negotiate with the company and pay for the additional weight.  We were advised that a lawsuit would be far more expensive than paying the bill.  The company had leverage (our belongings.)  We were successful in getting Allstate to lower the bill.  However, this was still $800.00 over our original quote of 9,000 lbs.  When the movers finally arrived nearly 2 weeks after the departure we remained very professional.  We figured that it was not the drivers fault the company was dishonest and preyed on hardworking individuals.  I offered to put all items back together and even tipped the drivers.  We are now unpacked.  Unfortunately, many boxes were crushed and items destroyed.  This is the reason we did not want for the truck to be unloaded and reloaded on to another truck.  Additionally, our children's PS3 and multiple games are nowhere to be found.  I guess this is partially my fault for labeling the outside of the boxes with the contents for easier unloading.  Please take a few things from this post.  Get everything in writing, follow the truck to a weigh station before they unload and reload onto another truck with other customers belongings, do not write prized possessions on the outside of the box, this is an invitation for mysteriously missing possessions.  Also, make sure to check the better business bureau.  This company has a D rating even though they state it is an A or B.  Put very little validity in consumer reviews.  Companies hire individuals to post on different forums.  If you research this you will see that the same individuals are reviewing multiple companies under the same user name.  Simple enough to check if you have the time.  My wife and two young children were held hostage by this company, this is a common practice of moving companies.  We needed our belongings so we were forced to come up with the additional money.  Fortunately, for us our family was willing to help us out.  The driver himself informed me "If you do not hit the scale right you will get an incorrect reading."  Makes since if you don't step on the bathroom scale right you can get an inaccurate reading.  Please, Please, Please do not use this company.  Let my experience be a warning to you.