California Couple Faces Moving Company Dispute After Price Hike on Contract

A couple from California encountered a significant issue during their move to North Carolina. They claim the moving company they hired is withholding their belongings and demanding more money. This situation began in late May, and they are still trying to resolve the problem, according to CBS 8.

John Nelson and his wife initially agreed to a contract with a moving broker. The contract stipulated a price just over $16,000 for a full-service move. They paid a $7,000 deposit upfront. However, on the day of the move, the company reportedly increased the cost to $32,000. The company argued that the couple had more items than initially estimated.

Nelson decided to proceed with the move to avoid losing his deposit. But, he later alleged that the company tried to impose additional fees upon delivery.

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According to the couple, the moving company attempted to deliver their belongings on June 3, which was a week earlier than agreed. This mistake allegedly resulted in a redelivery fee, as reported by CBS 8.

Nelson expressed frustration, stating, “They’ve got $30,000 and they’ve got our stuff… and they’re basically holding it for ransom.” He added, “When you move, you expect your belongings to be delivered safely, not held hostage.”

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Nelson suspected the initial delivery attempt might have been staged. He claimed the moving truck seen in the video was different from the one used to load their items. “I think they just pulled up an empty truck to stage a charade,” Nelson said.

Nelson and his wife have filed police reports in both Oceanside and their destination city in North Carolina. Additionally, they sought help from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which handles consumer disputes.

The moving broker disputed the couple’s claims but indicated efforts to find a resolution. Over the last three years, the BBB registered 280 complaints against this broker, as stated by CBS 8.