Releigh homeowner in "he said, she said" dispute with moving company
Published on June 1, 2009
COMPLAINT: Jane Dittmer, Raleigh, N.C.
"Flat Rate Movers & Storage Inc. was hired by the attorney handling a family member's estate to pack, store for two months and deliver the load of furniture from New York City to Raleigh. The contents consisted of antique furniture, collectibles and personal effects from a family estate that I'd inherited from a deceased family member.
"At the time of delivery, I noticed that a number of the antiques, tables and chairs had been damaged. I brought this to the movers' attention and they assured me that I had insurance on the contents, and all I had to do was get a written estimate on the damages and the office would send me a check.
"I checked everything over, and one of the movers even took pictures of some of the damages, noting my concerns for their records. I later realized there was an antique side table, one of a set of two, that was missing from the move.
"I called Flat Rate Movers in Rockville, Md., and spoke with Moshe Alush, who was in charge. I told him what I had found so far and that I would send a detailed list to him after I was through unpacking.
"I typed a letter, made copies of the estimates, and requested a check be sent to us ASAP and mailed everything to Moshe with a certified return receipt requested, just in case. After two weeks, I called Moshe, who claimed he never received the letter.
"I knew that wasn't true because I had a signature card saying otherwise. He insisted he didn't know what happened to the letter and to send him the copies again. The damages and the frustration of trying to get resolution to the problems that Flat Rate Movers created, what ever the costs were, are far too much."
DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want the $690 they owe me for damages and loss."
STATUS: Penalty box