DO NOT USE BUDGET VAN LINES!!! - Moving Review

I contacted Budget Van lines to schedule our move from North Dakota to Texas on September 20 and booked our move for October 31st. I was NEVER contacted back by Budget to confirm the move, I made repeated phone calls up until 3 days before my scheduled move date before they actually and finally charged me a deposit, of $248, which I later found out was a "booking fee". and the initial down payment $635. My original and comprehensive estimate was 2791.19. This was conveyed to me by Alan Katz as a BINDING estimate. The carrier, R&S Moving 23985 W 115TH TERRACE OLATHE KS 66061 (913) 461-1129 showed up in an unmarked white truck at 3pm in the afternoon on October 29th. Fair enough!! They proceeded to wrap my furniture and load it on to their truck with another families household move. Halfway thru the move I was told by Anthony that TWO PAGES of my inventory had already vanished in the wind? But to rest assured because every box had a sticker that was attributed and counted for in my move. We fed them dinner gave them sodas and had an overall pleasant experience. They never left my home until 12:30 am that evening. They however, removed the other families mattresses from their truck and drove away from my home with their mattresses strapped to the back of their truck. Our first available delivery date was Nov 3... 5 days after pickup. We left North Dakota in a hurry, hoping not to miss them once we arrived at our new home in TX. Forward to 2 weeks ago..14 calendar days after they picked up our belongings. NO CONTACT from budget or the mover R&S. After MANY phone calls and messages to our sales person, Alan Katz with budget, I finally decided to surf around the phone directory roulette and ended up with Darrell. Darrell tells me that he cant believe I dont have my things yet, but hang on and let me speak with the carrier. I was then informed that "per my contract He has a window of 2-14 BUSINESS DAYS"... and that the company is working to schedule in my move... they do it on a first come first serve basis.? ok so following week.. no follow up as promised by both budget and the carrier R&S I call again... Darrell: "I cant believe you still dont have your things.. let me call the carrier" Ok it will be on tuesday or wednesday. tuesday and wednesday come and go... meanwhile my family and I are SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR... LIVING IN THE SAME WEEKS WORTH OF CLOTHING WE BROUGHT WITH US AND EATING OUT EVERY MEAL.... since every worldly possession is on the truck. Here is where I begin my research. I find to my horror all these reviews, complaints with the BBB, DOT, and Atty General, also You Tube video posts of the unscrupulous moving practices such as dropping couches from truck height, slamming furniture back and forth between trucks,damage, loss and despair of others that have TRUSTED everything they have with Budget Van Lines. Thursday I call again.. Darrell: let me call this guy and see what is up. Ok ms Copeland... Please calm down...(as if i could by this point.. im sobbing, shaking and utterly frustrated) I have him narrowed down to Sunday or Monday trust me! so Sunday comes... no truck another call to budget... they cant get the carrier to answer the phone. Monday.. another call to budget 8:30 am... Darrell... still cant get the carrier to answer his cell. I promise I will call you back. 4:30 pm Monday I finally give in and call Darrell... oh yea... I was going to check on that for you wasnt I. Ok.. the carrier will be there Weds or Friday. (Thursday is Thanksgiving... and instead of enjoying the Holiday with my family in our new home, we will be sitting at a local restaurant.. Today, Tuesday 11/22/11 is the end of their "14 business day window". I get a call today, Darrell... listen Ms Copeland.. I just got of the phone with the Carrier, he is putting a "RUSH" on your deliver and should be there Friday or Saturday." I am beyond angry at this point. 30 mins later the carrier calls me to tell me that he cant understand why I am so upset, that he is only a couple of days late, and that i should BE GRATEFUL!!! That he came to North Dakota to pick up my move!!!! In my opinion, Budget Van lines and R & S Moving have STOLEN my property. I have NOT received my belongings. I have no solid answer, no have I ever about when they will arrive, and the carrier now tells me that my move will be $1600 MORE than the original BINDING estimate. I will be video taping and posting the unloading of my move when and if it arrives on You Tube. I have also created a Facebook page for anyone to post stories, pictures or videos of their experiences. I would also love to hear from ANYONE that may be interested in initiating a class action lawsuit against these FRAUDS. Please feel free to email me your information at budgetripoff@gmail.com. I would LOVE to have a group of people to show this company that we as consumers will NOT STAND FOR these type of business practices!! Thanks for reading. I will also update this post with information about my final deliver when and if it arrives.

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