American Way Van Lines(carrier)& Budget Van Lines (broker) Have furniture Hostage in NYC since July 1,2006. They can't seem to get it on a truck to Arizona. Brooklyn New York

I filed a complaint today with the FMCSA as we have been patient long enough. On June 19th a truck that Budget Van Lines sent showed up to move my in-laws who are age 77&83. We were told in writing the earliest date was the 20th. My mother inlaw wasn't ready and asked they come back on the 20th. (In hind site she should have said go ahead and start loading) The driver said he would be in touch. So the next day and for the next 7 days we called every day and were told by Budget Van Lines staff that a truck was on it's way or your the next stop ... blah blah blah for a full week ... meanwhile the utilities have been turned off, we keep holding out in regards to getting a hotel room because every day we think (we are led to believe) that they are coming.

Finally on the night of June 27th which is the last day contractually they can pick up, a driver from American Way pulls up in a 24' rental vehicle, hires two guys off the street to help load and off they go. We are elated as now the in-laws can go to Arizona and wait for the furniture. Over the next 21 business days we are told it's going on the truck this weekend and then we didn't have room it's going on the next one. At one point an American Way guy says we wanted stuff to go into storage....huh !!

Check the contract pal... it says Tampa pickup and Tucson delivery... nothing about storage. So after the 21 days goes past we are told that they must pay $25 day for each day not delivered. We still continue to call and are told again and again it's going on the next truck. This morning we called and again we got the story that a truck was delayed ... blah blah blah ... My father inlaw is totally stressed out about his furniture and personal belongings. He went to the hospital a few weeks ago with chest pain as the Urgent care center thought maybe a heart attack....

So perhaps the government will mail a letter to American Way Van Lines and perhaps we will get the furniture by Labor Day .... If anyone has thoughts about anything that will get them into action I would love to know. I advised Budget Van Lines that I was filing a complaint and they are the secondary company on the complaint. They have been really nice but I think they have their hands tied as American Way has the furniture or they are just very good at lip service ... I don't know .... any thoughts??

Darrell
Catalina, Arizona
U.S.A.