Never use Horizon Van Lines

[lisacarrick]

I had a horrid experience moving with this company from Southern California to Florida in April/May of this year (2004). To summarize, they held our items hostage while they increased the price of the move immediately after packing us, they broke items as a result of the worst packing job possible, and our items arrived 3 weeks after they were promised. The job was completely subcontracted to so many other companies it was pitiful. The representives at Horizon are con artists and are shameless. I had 3 kids, one a newborn at the time, and we were forced to live in a hotel with all of them and a dog while I waited for my items to mysteriously arrive. I filed a complaint with BBB and they did nothing but mail the complaint to them. They were of no help and presently it is an unresolved issue with them. I will tell everyone I can about my terrible experience. DO NOT USE HORIZON VAN LINES. Lisa

[Nancy]

Did you pursue this with any authorities in California? The CA Attorney General has jurisdiction over moves to or from California. You should also contact the LA City Attorney's office, they have prosecuted some movers recently and they may get involved.

Horizon is getting a lot more active lately, I have been hearing various complaints on them.

[Michael]

Nancy,

Is this Horizon of United or a whole different company?

[MusicMom]

Lisa, is this the company you dealt with?

If they moved you in April and May, then it was completely illegal. They only got their license on June 2nd, 2004. You definitly need to contact the California PUC, like Nancy suggested.

Can you give some more details about your move? What was the quote vs. final price, anything missing, how long the move took, etc?

[MusicMom]

BTW, Horizon's original address was a self-storage in Reseda, CA (same one that United Movers "lived" in). Now they are in an office building near the corner of Victory and Woodman Ave.

[Nancy]

Michael, It's a totally different Horizon that the one that is a United agent. I believe they are in Arizona? But the Horizon in California fits all the hallmarks of a scammer and are NOT affiliated with any van line.

[lisacarrick]

YES! It is the same one you listed. They packed us on April 27 & 28 and then we received our things on May 29. That was 10 days after we agreed. After A LOT of calling and getting every excuse they could think of. Now that I am reading some other stories mine was not that long! However I had to stay in a hotel for 10 days of unexpected hotel charges and hardship to my 3 kids (my youngest is a baby, 9 mos. now) and dog. Do you think too much time has passed to pursue it?

As far as the details: We were given an estimate for $9040 and actually paid $10,854. Plus, hotel expenses of $650 for 10 days that they were late. A difference of $1,814 on the cost of the move, and hotel is $650 equals to $2464 I think I am entitled to. That is a minimum of what I think I should get back. I had broken items, furniture scratched (not minor incidental scratches) and a video camera lost or stolen--which I never claimed because I truly felt lucky to simply have my items back in my possession and believe nothing would be done about my claim anyway.

I am shocked to find out they just got a license?? What does that mean for me legally? They are (were in April 2004) selling themselves as fully licensed and registered with BBB with no complaints with a sales guy named Ron representing them as something they are not. He is sly and this company is slime. The company folder he gave me with their info inside has a photo of a huge Horizon Moving Truck on the cover! This is the very first lie!

How can I proceed? Thanks so much for the info. I swore while this was going on I would pursue them to the fullest on this. Thank you for all of your help! Lisa

[MusicMom]

Reputable companies may offer a delay of service calim and reimbirse hotel fees, but no such luck with Horizon. You could try to get that money back in civil court, but IF you win, the costs could cancel out the winnings.

You should call 1-888-DOT-SAFT to file an official complaint. Note to them that Horizon was unlicensed when they moved you. Also tell the DOT if Horizon did not give you a "Your Rights and Responsibilites When you Move" booklet (they're required to by law).

Then file a complaint at the BBB, telling them that Horizon implied they were members, if that was indeed what you understood him to be saying by "registered with the BBB".

You should also file a police report for the stolen camera. Find the serial numbers, if you have them written down anywhere.

[lisacarrick]

Thanks musicmom. Yes, they are in fact members of the BBB and I have submitted a complaint. Right now it stands that it is unresolved. They offered me $100! What a joke. I also think that the BBB should NOT have allowed them to register with them if they were not licensed. It was surely unethical at the least, and misleading to consumers looking to check the company out. Beware of the BBB-I have lost respect for them. They have done nothing to mediate this dispute--they only forwarded my complaint to them and then their reply to me. They are a lot of talk with no action.

I will file a complaint at USDOT. Thanks for the number. Perhaps they will get fined or something for moving me while they were not licensed but portrayed themselves to me. I will look more into my paperwork for that info.

Thanks, Lisa

[Diane]

The BBB seems to let unlicensed companies be members. Recently I uncovered another case while researching something else.

ABBA Moving LLC of Pikesville, MD (MC #442346) is completely unlicensed and yet is a BBB member and has a "satisfactory" rating with the BBB. It even has a referral button on the BBB website for people to press to get quotes from the company, as if the BBB endorses it. - http://www.baltimore.bbb.org/nis/newsea ... 0022011602

[Nancy]

Lisa, you should also pursue with the L.A. City Attorney and CA Attorney General..

[MusicMom]

You should write a letter to that branch of the BBB. At elast get it out in the open that they let in a company that was operating illegally, and how badly that reflects on the BBB's standards.

(yes, I'm laughing as I write this, but they won't be)

[THoffman]

NEVER USE THIS COMPANY OR LEADERSHIP LOGISTICS !!!

They will steal your items and money!!