Gold Standard Relocation (GSR) Direct Movers (DM) -- Bait and Switch Tactics by GSR, a FL Moving Broker, and "Extortion" by the NJ Mover (Horrible Ratings with Whom We Had No Say in Hiring) Sarasota Florida

Unfortunately, Ripoff Report will not allow the removal of my complaint from this forum, so hopefully, stating that Gold Standard Relocation and I came to an agreeable resolution and we both consider this situation resolved will meet the intent of the agreement between us.

I have been pleasantly surprised at Gold Standard Relocation's attempts to come to a satisfactory resolution, and honestly can say, thank you.

I've submitted formal complaints with the BBB, FTC, DOT, and the Florida Attorney General's Office, where it's been assigned to two different agencies for further investigation.  The FL AG's Office stated that the moving broker industry in Florida is a major problem; one that's being investigated and will hopefully be cleaned up in the near future.  The moving industry in FL has been a problem for more than 40 years, but there isn't anything the FL AG office can do to stop moving brokers or movers from transacting business.  On average, the AG in FL does manage to indict a moving company in FL (about one per year) for pulling a hostage load, but not a moving broker.  There are hundreds of movers and brokers in FL.

However, you cannot possibly claim a bait and switch.  From their website:  Please note that a properly licensed interstate broker, such as Gold Standard Relocation LLC, is not a motor carrier and will not transport an individual shipper’s household goods, but will coordinate and arrange for the transportation of household goods by an FMCSA authorized motor carrier, whose charges will be determined by it’s published tariff.  It doesn't get more clear than that.  If you thought they were a mover, then that's your own fault.  They are under no obligation to provide you the name of the company who will move you.  Which again - is why you don't need a broker.

The Federal DOT who would have jurisdiction over the industry has exactly 3 (yes, exactly THREE) employees dedicated to overseeing interstate moving for the entire country.  Don't expect much help from them either.

Consumers do not require the services of a moving broker in order to move.  What consumers should do is:

1.   Do your research on the internet on interstate moving itself, but stay off the internet to find a mover.  The internet is full of scam movers.  Go find a hardcopy of the yellow pages with movers in your local area.  Legit movers like United, Mayflower, Bekins, Atlas, Allied, North American and a couple of others will generally do a good job for you.
2.   Find a mover local to you.  If you are in New Mexico, for example, you don't need a mover in Florida to do your move.  There is a mover in New Mexico who can competently do your move.
3.   Invite 2 or 3 movers to come to your house to perform a survey of what needs to be moved.  They will provide a binding NTE estimate to you.

Bottom line:  Moving is not inexpensive and choosing a mover off of the internet will generally result in a move that will cost you far more in the long run than if you had simply decided to pay a legit mover to perform your move.  Internet movers convince you without much assistance, that moving is affordable.  It isn't.  There is nothing automated about moving, no 2 moves are the same, and it's incredibly labor intensive.