Orange Company Van Lines

Unprofessional/scammers500.

I was a retired teacher looking for a mover to move to Alabama.  I saved for a year to prepare for this move and had no extra money.  I thought I was researching movers by reading reviews on websites, but I had no idea I should research other sites such as Yelp, etc.  The review looked good, the price was reasonable, and so I booked during the winter in order to get reduced rates for a summer move.  I listed every item, every box on my inventory and paid my deposit.  Before the movers came, customer service called and gave me the ways to pay the 60% I had to pay at pick up.  She then told me if there was more inventory, and there wasn't, that there could be extra charges.  I informed her that I did not have extra things and could not pay extra.  She said tell the guy that, and if he says there is more, have him leave some behind.  Sure enough, the guy, he said his name was Chan, told me I owed more.  A lot more!  I told him I couldn't do that.  He said let us get it on the truck and see how much it is.  Meanwhile, he rushed me thru signing a paper that listed the payments I had already made, while he rushed the movers to pack the truck.  At the end, he told me the price, which was almost double, and I freaked out.  I cried and he called his boss, and started talking to him in another language, middle eastern or Hebrew, and I could tell by his gestures and tone of voice he was not doing me any favors.  I asked him to speak English and he said NO!  He gave me the phone to talk to his boss who did take a little off, not much.  While I am on hold, he asked me to sign the inventory.  I told him I would sign the inventory but was not going to sign anything that said I owed that much.  He handed me a copy of everything and left with my stuff while I was still on the phone.  When I looked at it later, he had filled in the amounts on the first page I had signed making it look like I agreed to those amounts.  Now they have my stuff.  But the story doesn't end there.  I call daily for updates.  At first I thought the customer service people were trying to help, but so much has happened I don't know what to believe.  For several days my information was not on the computer after the pickup.  They couldn't tell me why, saying he might not have access to a computer?? The pickup was in Houston, and my stuff went to their Houston office, I think.  No access to computer for days?? I think that is a crock!  Then finally, it was in the computer but not getting assigned to a driver.  My ETA changed from 0-7 days, to 14 days, and now to 21 business days.  Excuses, busy season, short on drivers, on and on.  Then on Thursday, the update said that my belongings were loaded on a truck, a driver had been assigned and would call me 24 hours before delivery.  Remember this is for a move less than 500 miles.  Friday the update said the same.  Monday the same.  Then today I am told, No it is not on a truck and no driver has been assigned.  So lies were told for days.  But they say not lies, just schedule changes and they are still within 21 days.  I don't have any recourse.  I asked if I could cancel the move and get a uhaul to get my stuff from their warehouse and bring it here on my own.  Yes if I pay for whole move cost plus 500 extra.  Unscrupulous company.  Now I am praying I actually get my belongings.  I am scared!! I am upset!! And from yelp reviews, etc.  I now know this is standard practice for this company.