Couple Claims Moving Company Holding Belongings Hostage Over Price Dispute

A couple planning to move from California to North Carolina has accused their moving company of holding their belongings hostage by doubling the initial agreed-upon price. This issue has persisted for roughly a month, as reported by CBS 8. John Nelson and his wife shared their troubling ordeal, which began at the end of May.

The couple initially entered into a contract with a moving broker for just over $16,000, paying a $7,000 deposit for a full-service move. However, on the moving day, the company allegedly raised the cost to $32,000, citing more belongings than initially estimated.

Price Increase and Additional Fees

Despite agreeing to the increased cost to avoid losing their deposit, Nelson claimed that the company later attempted to impose more fees upon delivery. They reportedly tried to deliver the family’s property on June 3, a week before the couple was able to receive it, leading to charges for an additional redelivery fee.

Allegations of Deception

Nelson expressed his frustration, stating, “They’ve got $30,000 and they’ve got our stuff… and they’re basically holding it for ransom.” The unexpected turn of events left the couple feeling deceived, as they never expected such issues during their move.

Nelson further alleged that the initial delivery attempt was a ploy to pressurize them into paying extra charges. He claimed that the moving truck did not match the vehicle that originally loaded their items, calling it a “staged charade.” He added, “As far as I’m concerned, they’ve got stolen property that’s crossed state lines.”

Legal and Bureau Complaints

In response to the situation, the couple has filed police reports in Oceanside and their new city in North Carolina. They also lodged complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), an organization that assists consumers in resolving company-related disputes.

CBS 8 reported that the broker has faced 280 complaints over the past three years with the BBB. While the broker contested the Nelsons’ claims, it stated that efforts are being made to resolve the issue.