My wife received an estimate from Midlandvanlines for our move from Kansas, KS to Nashville, TN. James Lista was our contact person and asked for detailed information about our moving items over the phone. My wife provided a comprehensive list. After confirming the details, James called my wife around 9:00 pm on November 25, 2024, informing her that we needed to pay a deposit of $3,065 to reserve a truck. He emphasized the urgency due to the end-of-year and Christmas season, prompting my wife to immediately pay the deposit by photo check.During the estimation process, James focused solely on the detailed item list and quantities. He sent us a document for signature, which we reviewed without noticing the total estimated volume of 1,127 CuFT. Trusting the moving company's experience, we assumed this volume was accurate and signed the document.On December 7, 2024, just five days before our pick-up date, Gary Parker, who claimed to be James Lista’s boss, called to discuss the inventory list. He stated that the estimated volume of our moving items was significantly lower than normal for our 5,000 sqft house and asked us to pay almost three times the contract amount. Despite our assertion that the volume was calculated by James Lista, Gary repeatedly pointed out that we had signed off on the 1,127 CuFT estimate.Feeling upset, we requested a refund, but Gary insisted that refunds could only be issued if we cancelled the move seven days before the pick-up date. Since he had called us just five days prior, cancelling was not an option, which made it seem like a planned fraud. Unable to reach James Lista, we contacted Midlandvanlines' customer service. Gary called us back, stating that contacting customer service was pointless as he was the sole decision-maker in the company.On moving day, December 12, 2024, the moving truck arrived at 1:00 pm. The movers checked all our items against the list and demanded we pay three times the original contract amount, threatening to leave if we didn't comply. This turned our moving day into a nightmare.My wife and I felt this was a pre-planned fraud. We suspect that James Lista might not be a real person and that Gary Parker could be acting both roles. Their business model seems to involve: 1) proposing a low price with a virtual name, 2) getting the shipper to sign the contract and to pay the deposit, 3) contacting the shipper after the cancel grace period to demand a higher price, and 4) keeping the deposit without providing moving services if the shipper doesn’t agree to pay more.We WILL take LEGAL ACTION to recover the deposit, and any financial losses incurred if refunding and proper compensation is not made shortly.
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