Moving Services ripoff, extortion and delaying and possibly withholding cargo N. Miami Florida

I hired Moving services to ship my belongings from LA to England, UK. All of this was done via internet and phone which in hind site was stupid. I sent them an itemized list of inventory and they picked up on March 15th, 2004. I was told prior to pick up that it would cost $1850 plus packing. On pick up, I realized I had alot more stuff to ship then anticipated so I knew I'd be paying alot more. Everything seemed fine up till then. I sent the money via electronic transfer. A week later I still hadn't heard anything more so I called. They then told me that it would cost another $1500. WOW!! Okay, being stupid and naive I thought 'alot of money but they know what their talking about'. So, I sent another electronic transfer. Another couple of weeks and I was leaving for England. So, I called to make sure everything was in order and they didn't need anything else from me. I was told everything was fine and it would be shipped any day.

I arrived in England April 6th. On the 14th, I got a letter from the bank saying the company tried to collet funds twice. Once for the second amount due to the fact it was never collected when instructed. Though, when I called prior to leaving the country, all payment was settled. The second amount of funds they tried to collect was the 1850 from the first payment.

I called the company and spoke to Theo ( who by the way, is now on temporary leave), who told me they havent received any money from me.Then I started speaking to Chris Walker. He said their bank never received it though, my bank said it was paid. The second amount never was received which I take responsibiltiy for as I closed the account before I'd realized it had gone out. So I told them to just tell me how much I owed and I'd settle up with them. They insisted that I needed to pay the whole amount plus storage fees. Which had now accrued to an additional 300. I argued with them and finally after their bank spoke to my bank. They told me my remaining balance was 1894. Thats $394 more than the original balance. So that was paid May 8th received and everything.

Since then Chris Walker now avoids my calls. So, I started to speak to Tracy, the receptionist who seemed to tell me alot more that Chris Walker could. But she always had some kind of excuse for the delay. Now,I speak to a woman named Taylor as well as the receptionist who knows all.

I was then told it would be shipped within the next week. that was 8weeks ago. They're excuses have been 'its on a vessel but we don't have details' or the latest is 'its at the port waiting for a vessel going to europe'.

I'm now taking legal action and have a legal advisor drawing up paperwork demanding refunds and the release of our cargo.

The problem is that the longer it takes the more money I lose. My equipment for my job is on that shipment and I've had to rent.

I'm really sick over this and would like to sort this out ASAP.

Karin
Northampton
United Kingdom

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