Beware of Brightside Moving Group – Total Scam! (1/5 Stars!)I hired Brightside Moving Group, LLC (US DOT: 4139079) for an interstate move from Kennewick, WA to Colorado City, TX in November 2025. My rep, Shawn McNulty, gave a binding estimate (Ref: M2163678, dated 11/10/2025) for $3,505.08 based on 596 cu ft at $4.00/cu ft, including loading/unloading and basic valuation. Shawn explicitly promised packing was included free for large items like TVs, computers, and more, including all packing materials. The estimate said the price was binding per FMCSA rules (49 CFR § 375.403) and wouldn't change without added items. I paid a $1,235.08 deposit via credit card.At pickup on 11/13/2025, the carrier (dispatched by Brightside) loaded everything first, then claimed inflated volume (no proof) and demanded ~$8,500 total (up from $3,505). They refused to unload without signing revised papers. Shawn and Brightside were completely unresponsive – no intervention. Under duress (facing abandoned property and lost deposit), I paid the extra $7,265. This violated FMCSA pre-loading reaffirmation rules.Delivery on 11/28/2025 was delayed beyond promises. The driver demanded $250 cash immediately or threatened to withhold items and add storage fees – pure extortion, against FMCSA delivery rules (100% of binding estimate max).Unloading was a nightmare: Driver knocked boxes from 20+ ft with a stick, causing crashes; dropped furniture repeatedly (e.g., chairs off dolly 3x); damages included shattered monitors, broken mini fridge/lamp, crushed/water-damaged boxes – clearly from no proper packing as promised. He got aggressive when my daughter recorded (legal in TX), confronted her, threatened to abandon heavy items by the highway, screamed profanities ("f*** you" repeatedly, "F*** Texas"), and falsely accused racism/gun threats (none happened). We called the Sheriff's Department – deputies intervened to make him finish and leave, but items were left roadside.No signed delivery forms – I have unsigned copies from carrier rep Anna, but never saw/signed them post-delivery.Contacted Shawn McNulty, Brightside, and carrier (Anna) via email/phone about overcharges/damages – total ghosting, no responses.This is classic bait-and-switch: Lowball estimate with false promises like free packing, load first, extort more, damage goods, ignore claims. Matches their BBB pattern (154 complaints/3 yrs, not accredited). Disputed charges with my bank, but fighting it months later.Avoid Brightside and Shawn McNulty at all costs – they're fraudulent brokers ruining lives. Use reputable movers with real reviews. Total cost: $8,500+ plus damages/stress. Police report filed; complaints with BBB, CFPB, FMCSA pending.
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