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Am I in a hostage situation? And if I am, what do I do to resolve it?
The thought of a hostage situation can be frightening for anyone looking to move.
You could be in a hostage situation if you paid the movers in full to deliver your belongings,
yet they demand an additional payment than what was agreed upon in the contract and listed
in the estimate before they begin delivery. Keep in mind; there are certain fees that
are normal and honest such as fuel surcharges, convenience fees, fees due to unforeseen circumstances
at delivery or any additional labor costs. However, these fees need to be communicated
to you. Please refer to the glossary on our website for a detailed description of the
charges, and appropriate regulations. By law, your carrier must give up possession
of your belongings at the final destination only when payment for the transportation service
is made in full. If you had a binding estimate, 100% of the
charges need to be paid before delivery can occur.
If you had a nonbinding estimate no more than 110% of the charges need to be paid before
delivery can occur. If the carrier makes a partial delivery, a
prorated percentage of charges must be paid before delivery can occur.
Moving companies will usually use the fear of losing your belongings to persuade you
to pay for it. If you find yourself in this situation there are several steps you need
to take to resolve the situation. First, call and notify your local authorities.
Second, if the companies make criminal threats, notify the Office of the Inspector General
hotline via 1-800-424-9071. Most importantly, if you used a moving broker,
make sure to call them immediately and let them know of your situation. A reputable broker
should help you get in touch with the right people, and can also act as a liaison between
you and the moving company. Remember: Education, communication and remaining
calm are key ingredients to resolving any dispute.
Use this guide as a first step to determine whether you are facing a potential hostage
situation and what can be done to resolve it effectively.