Avoid CAL STATE MOVING - stay away from them!

[jayreilly]

Just got screwed out of about $3000 from these guys. Raised the estimate about $4000 on materials...even when I told them I did not want them to use materials and I did not sign the materials cost document...

saty away from Cal State Moving

[consumer advocate]

Jay,

Sorry about what happened to you. Thanks for the heads-up on this company. You are helping prevent this from happening to others. Do you have a DOT number and an address for them? This helps us keep the companies straight as many of them have similar names. Also, if you haven't done so already, you might want to file a complaint with this website.(click on the icon at top left) We keep tabs on the number of complaints a company gets and it helps us decide whether they get added to the blacklist.

[Nancy]

Are they in California? Where was your move to and from? You may have some recourse and protection with California consumer protection laws. Depending on your type of move, so let me know.

[Christopher]

Nancy:

What recourse? I was just taken by this company as well, unfortunately, I didn't see this posting in time? I did a local move in California. Any recourse suggestions would be appreciated.

[Nancy]

ALL movers in the state of California are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. They can step in and force this company to refund your monies for illegitimate charges. You have EXCELLENT protections since this was an in state move in California. There are many caveats they must adhere to, such as giving you an Important Information Booklet, a Guaranteed Not to Exceed price, an Agreement for service clearly stating their rates.

I strongly suggest you get in touch with the PUC, 800-649-7570 or http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/forms/complaint.htm.

Was this in the city of L.A.? You can also pursue with the LA City Attorney, 213-485-4515.

Do they have a PUC permit?

[Diane]

This company uses different addresses but this is one of them:

Cal State Moving and Storage
5424 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Unit 376
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Phone numbers: 818-757-0770, 818-481-3293, 818-881-6106, 1-866-732-3272
Principal: Ezer Orly
USDOT No. 1256872
MC No. 492360
PUC CAL-T 189908
Website: www.calstatemoving.com

It advertises on www.vanlines.com and its legal name is Fat Cat Enterprises, Inc. According to safersys.org, it has been licensed to do interstate moves only since July 2004.

There are complaints about it on the RipoffReport (interstate move - http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff117883.htm) and San Diego Craigslist (the person was scammed out of $4000 on a local move - http://sandiego.craigslist.org/lbs/50276460.html). In fact, I think the Craigslist posting may have been by the person who started this thread.

AVOID this company.

[mjjeung74]

I too will never use CAL State Moving let alone refer them to anyone EVER.
After the sales representative told me that they were not blacklisted by movingscam.com and they are member of the BBB, agreed to have them move my things. What a momentous mistake. Mover were supposed to arrive between 9-11. I called several times, but each time I was promised they would arrive at 3, 4, 5 and finally they said they would call me. The sales representative "Rolan" told me that due to a misunderstanding, the movers went to another address. Later after speaking with the manager, he blantantly admitted that he sent the mover to the other address, because they were paying more that I was, giving them priortiy over me. The movers arrived at 11p.m. Fine, they arrived, but in the middle of the move the truck they had was full and had to come back later to finish the move. I left the keys with the movers to come back later, but received a promise that they would arrive at 12 noon the next day. The next day 12 came and went, another espisode of numerous phone calls and complaints ensued, but to no avail. Finally they arrived at 5:30p.m. but before unloading they said that the move from the house and truck as over 100ft and required an additional cost. Reluctantly, I agreed. Paid in cash. After unloading, I discovered that there was significant damage to the bed and the clothes dresser. I doubt that I will be compensated for the damages.
I would not be as angry as a I am now, but their lack of responsibility and unapologetic attitude infuriates me.

I WILL NEVER USE CAL STATE MOVING AGAIN
AT ALL COSTS AVOID THEM
I WILL TRY OTHER AVENUES FOR RESOLUTION.
FILING COMPLAINTS TOTHE BBB AND OTHER AGENCIES MIGHT HELP

[MusicMom]

Have you called the CPUC yet?

[mjjeung74]

I plan on contacting them on Monday. To add to the problems I have experienced with Cal State Moving there is a lamp missing, damage to my sofa and mattress (soaked bed mattress). I plan to pursue this matter with the utmost scrutiny and tenacity. If there are other sites I can utilize so as to warn other potential victims, that information would be greatly appreciated.

[MusicMom]

www.badbusinessbureau.com (the Rip-Off Report)
www.thecomplaintstation.com (this site is on and off, technical problems)
www.thesqueakywheel.com
www.complaints.com
www.consumeraffairs.com
www.badmovers.org

and, last but not least, here.

[FraudWatch]

Hi,

Can you tell me who your point of contact was for this move? Any names would help.

Thanks,

FraudWatch

[MusicMom]

The latest comment in this thread is 5 1/2 years old and it's doubtless the person you're talking to would answer you.

Can you please send me a PM? I'm interested in your investigation.

[lwg808]

I wish I'd found this website before my move.

I, too, won't ever use this company ever again. I've moved many times with professional movers (from Hawaii to Washington state, among them). This was by far the worst.

They packed using some of my own boxes and still charged me for moving supplies!

They lost some of my items and delivered a box of someone else's things to me. I told them about the other person's things and they said they'd stop by to pick it up but never did, even though I called about it a couple of times.

They damaged and broke some very expensive furniture and left a broken piece of one piece of furniture in my front yard, then hid the broken furniture behind boxes so I wouldn't see it.

When they arrived at my new place, they opened the first compartment and it was filled with things that weren't mine--that was an absolute scare and unfortunately, indicator of things to come.

Finally, they offered a settlement to my claim which amounted to only a couple hundred dollars--that wouldn't even pay for the new ladder I had to buy because they failed to deliver it. I think they probably kept my ladder for their own use.

I should also mention that the difference between quotes was about $3500, but that was AFTER I objected and negotiated it down.