Mega is one of the worst but the problem is industry-wide!

Your probably watch the same commercials as I do where the giant of the Household Goods Moving Industry, North American Van Lines
assures you that when your goods are in their hands you can rest easy.

DON'T BELIEVE IT! THEY ARE JUST AS RUTHLESS AS ALL THE REST!

Check out this excerpt from the Consumers Affairs website:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/moving_companies.htm

"It's hard to think of anything less pleasant than moving. Moving companies large and small tend to be pretty rough around the edges -- and the situation has gotten much worse since Congress brilliantly eliminated the Interstate Commerce Commission, which formerly regulated interstate movers.

A General Accounting Office report recently found the problem is growing more severe but stopped short of recommending that the states be given more authority to protect consumers, and elements in Congress are working overtime to make things worse."

The Government Accountability Office report studied the effectiveness of the the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act–A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the Department of Transportation.

SAFETEA-LU, enacted in 2005, put in place more stringent licensing requirements for interstate movers and increased state authority. However, states are still not given authority to regulate interstate household goods movers and there is no indication that any state has taken advantage of the limited authority the act provides, according to the GAO.

Meanwhile, although the FMCSA has increased its efforts, the agency is precluded from resolving individual complaints and has no authority to force moving companies to do anything after the move has begun.

As a result, consumers who move from one state to another are still being ripped off.
Many times, moving companies will quote one price and then double or even triple it after crossing a state line.

If the individual refuses to meet the mover’s demands, the company often takes the possessions “hostage” until the increased rate is paid, according to the report.

Although this appears highly illegal, there are in fact few protections for consumers once they cross a state line. ConsumerAffairs.com has received almost 400 complaints about moving companies.

"I was given a quote over the Internet for moving my belongings from Jeffersonville, Ind. to San Rafael, Calif.," wrote Karen of Jeffersonville. "My card was charged $1,400 for a deposit. Then charged another $1,400 when my stuff reached California. But Upfront Movers demanded another $3,500 in cash. Only cash."

"I was told not to call the police. If they didn't get my money they would put my stuff in storage and charge me storage. It's been a few years and it still bothers me to that a move that was suppose to cost maybe a few thousand dollars cost $6,000.00," Karen wrote.

After studying federal complaint and enforcement data and interviewing federal and state officials, the GAO concluded the Department of Transportation needs to develop a strategy with performance goals and measures for its oversight and enforcement of the industry and take additional actions. The Department has agreed to consider the recommendations.

End of quotes and excerpts................................

The brutal truth of the matter is that there is no way to avoid having your life torn apart other than renting a U Haul and rallying relatives and friends to help you move.

The so called consumer advocacy groups, BBB, ASMA, DOT etc etc etc are all "shills" for the moving companies, or "Enablers"

DOT issues meaningless (except for over the road safety rules) licenses to little thugs like Mega
Moving and Storage and big giants like North American Van lines with equal ease and lack of true policing.

Take it from your blogger,me, who is still healing from the shock and outrage of this trauma; if you go to BBB, DOT, ASMA or your local police you will come away with the same sickening,frustrated,helpless feelings I experienced.

The keyword they all use is "ARBITRATION"

These schmuck outfits will shout to high heaven that they are in your corner and that they are dedicated to protecting the public from those savage moving companies lurking in the hedges waiting to attack you.

Read this quote from the CEO of ASMA on their website (How could you not feel she is not ready to go to war for you with North American or Mega?)

" Welcome to the American Moving and Storage Association, the national trade association for the professional moving industry. Based in the Washington, D.C., area, AMSA’s mission is to represent the interest of the domestic and international moving and storage industry and to help the customers it serves.

The moving industry is unique because we are the freight haulers who move people. In the midst of life-changing transitions, we are responsible for transporting and caring for the precious possessions of millions of families, including those who serve our nation’s military, along with fine art and the priceless collections of public institutions, and the high technology equipment that keeps the economy running, and in some cases, saves lives.

AMSA represents more than 3,500 members, including interstate moving and storage companies, local movers, international movers plus industry suppliers and state association members. AMSA’s chief goals include strong support for effective government regulations and policies that protect consumers while allowing members to provide quality service at compensatory prices, and ensuring that consumers understand the value of professional moving and storage services.

Now reread this sentence in the opening paragraph:

"AMSA’s mission is to represent the interest of the domestic and international moving and storage industry and to help the customers it serves."

They represent the "interest" of the movers.

Wake up readers, these advocacy groups are paid by their members and they are representing them. Their members are moving companies. I.e. they represent the perps, the criminals.
The only thing they offer the victims is "ARBITRATION"

So that poor lady I featured in yesterdays blog who is waiting for her parents to arrive in Tampa from Illinois, but is afraid to tell them their personal and household goods are being held hostage by Mega Moving is offered "after the fact" arbitration . They cannot arrest these domestic terrorists and liberate the hostages (if your a victim those personal goods are just as important to you as real human hostages) Her father's lifetime collection of baseball cards is on Mega's truck. Can the CEO of ASMA get her dad's collection for him? No way. But you have to hand it to her,she doesn't even pretend she can. But she will offer this pregnant woman and her in transit parents arbitration a few months after they get btheir goods........ IF they get their goods.

Guess what North American Van Lines and the gang of thieves at Mega have in common folks?

They both are members of BBB and ASMA.

So when you cynics wonder why your beloved blogger chose an outfit like Mega and not an outfit like North American Van Lines here is why?

I was screwed by Mega to the tune of $1037.00 and one month of hostage taking.
If I had chosen North American I would have been out anywhere from $3000.00 to $6000.00 and I might still not have my belongings back.