Janice of Conroe TX (12/29/03):
I paid a $500 deposit to relocate my son from Atlanta to NYC. Several days after the promised delivery date, I began to email and call. No replies were received. My son was notified after several weeks that his goods had been completey destroyed in a fire that happened on the van. NMN claimed that they had not been allowed to notify us but that everything had been destroyed. I asked for a police report and a fire report and was told that neither existed. Was informed that claims department (somewhere else) was handling the accident.
The claims office informed my son that he would be paid $.60 per pound for his goods. This would amount to approximately $1500. The relocation was of his apartment in Atlanta, including his clothing, computer, books furniture, collectibles, software, books, and items of sentimental value. He had secured an apartment in NY. I called NMN to request my initial deposit. I have never heard from them.
Several months later, the owner of the trailer called me to notify me that my merchandise was in Ladysmith VA at a Towing company. I was surprised, as I had been informed that the everything was destroyed. He informed me that there had been minor damage to his trailer. Apparently, Access Movers, leased the trailer from a 3d party. When I called the Towing Company I was informed that they needed their space and that I needed to move the merchandise. I asked for some official correspondence and was informed that a certified letter was being sent to me.
According to Bud's Towing, when the certified letter returned to Bud's Towing Company it had been refused at my address. We have no evidence, including no cards, notes, etc. that anything was delivered to our address. My parents and my son were here at the time. I asked Bud's to return the letter to me. She left a message, indicating that the certified letter had returned again. I received the message on Christmas eve and returned the call. She informed me that she was doing her Christmas shopping and would return the call (She said she had the number, as it had appeared on her phone id).
On 12-29, after having not heard from Bud's I called to ask for a number of the nearest UHaul, as the number recorded on internet site (www.va-info.com/ladysmith.htm)on 12/28/03 was not a good number. I called UHaul in Ladysmith and was informed that they had storage but noone was available to move the merchandise. Bud's Towing had informed me that the merchandise had to be off their premises by January 2 or they would not be available to me.
Damage Resulting: My son moved to New York and lived with a friend until he could save funds for an apartment. As soon as he got an apartment, he sent for his items that had been in storage in Atlanta. He has had to replace his winter clothing. Emotionally, everything he owned was in the apartment. He began a career on a job wherte he is "expected" to work 16-18 hours per day. He has slept on an air matress for 6 months. He has had to purchase cups one at a time!
His television and expensive stereo system, a large collection of videos, etc. are gone. Additionally, his collectibles from visits abroad were among the items that have disappeared. He informed me that every letter that he had ever received in his life and all pictures, diplomas, certificates, commendations, etc. were missing.
I sacrificed for the deposit. This has created tremendous hardships on both myself, as I have spent countless hours on my job piecing together and trying to secure feedback from National Moving Network and its affiliates. I am a cancer survivor, have 2 other children in college and have tried to minimize stress in my life. This has not helped. My son had to begin his work at a tremendous disadvantage, having to purchase clothing, even plates.
