Opinion ID: 77601
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Victims' testimony

Text: 9 The jury heard a number of Majesty's customers testify about their experiences in dealing with Malol's various moving companies. Samples are put forth below.
10 Rick Simpson testified that he and his family moved from Indiana to Alabama in August of 2002. After receiving an estimate of $4,800 for the move from another moving company, Simpson contacted one of Malol's companies, U.S. Moving Network. Simpson faxed them the information summarized by the other moving company and information regarding new furniture he had purchased. U.S. Moving Network gave him an estimate of $3,100. Simpson then mailed a deposit check of $2,262. 11 The movers picked up Simpson's furniture on August 28. After surveying his home, the movers claimed Simpson had provided an incorrect estimate of the amount of household goods to be moved. The movers informed him that an additional $1,000 was needed. Because the $4,100 total was still below the original estimate from the other company, and because Simpson's employer was paying for the move, he did not object. Simpson also purchased additional insurance to cover his belongings for the move, raising his coverage from 60 cents to $6.00 per pound. 12 The original scheduled delivery date was September 1. However, on September 1, they did not arrive. Simpson contacted the company and was told the movers would arrive on September 4. When this date arrived, the movers still did not appear. When Simpson called again, he was told the furniture would be delivered on September 8. Simpson explained that his family would be arriving on September 8, and delivery of the furniture on that day was crucial. Once again, the furniture did not arrive. This time Simpson was given a date of September 13. When the furniture did not arrive on this date, Simpson asked to speak with the owner of the company (Malol). Simpson asked Malol where his goods were stored so he could make other arrangements to have them picked up. Malol told Simpson he had to pay the balance before he would tell him where his furniture was being kept. Malol also told Simpson he would get his goods delivered, but he wanted to fax him some documents to sign first. However, he never faxed Simpson any documents. 13 After several more proposed delivery dates passed, Majesty delivered the furniture at 5:00 p.m. on October 1. When Majesty arrived they refused to unload the goods until Simpson paid the balance. After Simpson paid the movers, he and his family noticed that their new bedroom set, including their mattresses, was tied to the outside of the truck. Their lawnmower was tied above other bedroom furniture, and had leaked gas and oil onto it. When the movers opened the truck, it became clear that much of the newly purchased furniture, which the Simpsons had packed with extra padding before the movers picked it up, was out of its packaging and damaged. It also appeared that their boxes had been rifled through, and then retaped. When they opened their boxes, the Simpsons learned that many of their belongings had been stolen, including two leather jackets and an estimated $3,000 in Craftsman tools. They found other boxed items broken, such as wine glasses and vases. 14 The movers blamed the damage on a different mover, and told the Simpsons that if they had insurance, the damage would be covered. Simpson's wife attempted to deal with the company regarding the insurance coverage. Despite repeated requests and 50-60 telephone calls to the company, the company did nothing. 15 Some time later, the movers acknowledged having two boxes in their possession which contained the son's trophies and other personal items of great sentimental value. The movers advised, and Jennifer Vaknin, Malol's secretary, confirmed, that the boxes would be delivered. The Simpsons never received these items. 16 Majesty did not reimburse the Simpsons for their damaged and stolen goods—a loss of approximately $25,000.
17 In 2002, Karl Johnson made arrangements with Majesty to move his furniture and other household goods from Carson City, Nevada to Clearwater, Florida. Majesty quoted Johnson an initial price of $1,395. Majesty was to pick up the goods on August 1, which was the day Johnson's apartment lease terminated. The movers did not appear on that date. Unable to make alternative arrangements with another moving company, Johnson agreed with Majesty's new August 6 pickup date. 18 Majesty's movers arrived on August 6th, but after loading Johnson's belongings, raised the cost to $5,200. Johnson was told that if he did not pay the increased amount the truck would be unloaded. Faced with having his belongings placed in the street or in an apartment he was no longer occupying, Johnson paid the movers. 19 The movers said they would deliver Johnson's goods in Clearwater on August 18, but did not arrive. Several phone calls later, Majesty scheduled Johnson for a September 3 delivery date. On September 3, the movers arrived. After the truck was unloaded, Johnson noticed that his patio furniture and his 300-pound safe were missing. The safe contained an autographed picture of Babe Ruth given to Johnson by his mother, as well as a firearm. Upon inspection, Johnson noticed more items missing. Johnson contacted Majesty to discuss an insurance claim, and was promised the necessary forms. Majesty never sent any forms, nor did Johnson recover any of his missing items.
20 Brian Durkin hired First Class Van Lines to move him from Santa Monica, California to Centerville, Massachusetts. After getting several quotes from other companies, Durkin received a quote of $6,937 from First Class Van Lines. This price included all moving services and insurance. After failing to show up on the agreed upon date, the movers did arrive the next day. The bill of lading Durkin signed was titled with the name Majesty. 21 After the movers loaded his goods and drove away, Durkin received a fax that changed the price of the move to $25,401. The total included a charge of more than $3,000 for boxes and materials, even though Durkin had supplied his own boxes and tape. Over the next month, Durkin called Majesty several times in an attempt to recover his goods. Each time he called Durkin was advised that his goods would be sold at auction if he did not pay the bill. Throughout this time, the cost fluctuated from $25,401 to just over $8,000. After Durkin enlisted outside assistance, the movers delivered Durkin's goods for the original price. 5 However, Durkin noticed many of his goods were damaged. He chose to pursue an insurance claim with his own company rather than Majesty because he knew who [he] was dealing with.
22 Sharon Donaldson contacted Apollo Van Lines about her move from Lake Worth, Florida to Middletown, Connecticut in September of 2000. Apollo gave her an initial estimate of approximately $1,100, after they had gone to her home and inspected her household goods. When Apollo appeared and began loading Donaldson's goods, she was informed that the price would be higher than the original estimate. She was not told how much higher, and she was not concerned since Apollo had told her in previous conversations that the price might vary by $100-$150. Apollo's movers had her sign a blank bill of lading. When they were nearly finished loading the truck, the movers then told Donaldson that the cost would be $2,900. After several phone conversations, the price was lowered to a final figure of $2,500. 23 On October 31, three weeks after the first scheduled delivery date, the movers arrived. Before they would unload any furniture, they demanded to be paid. When Donaldson refused to pay until they started working, the movers got in their truck and drove away. When she called the company, they demanded another $60 redelivery fee. When the truck returned, Donaldson paid the movers and they began unloading the goods. 24 After the goods were unloaded, Donaldson noticed extensive damage to her new mattress and bedroom set, her new office furniture, and china given to her by her grandmother. The total amount of damages exceeded $13,000. When Donaldson called Apollo to file a claim for her losses, Apollo denied having any record that she had been a customer. Apollo also denied that she had been a customer when the Better Business Bureau contacted them on Donaldson's behalf. Eventually, Donaldson contacted Apollo's insurance company directly and was reimbursed for some of her loss.
25 Beverly Feldmann and her husband contacted America's Best Movers to move their furniture from Defiance, Ohio to Prescott, Arizona. The company gave them an initial estimate of $2,785, including a $300 deposit. This estimate included boxes, packing materials, and a month of storage. After the movers loaded the Feldmann's goods and drove away, they raised the cost to $9,200. After failing twice to show up as scheduled, the movers appeared and immediately demanded payment. The Feldmanns paid the inflated bill. 26 As the movers unloaded the furniture, Beverly Feldmann noticed the love seats had ice on them, which began melting on her great room floor. The boxes of goods were wet and contents, such as china and glassware, were falling out of the boxes as the movers unloaded them. Because they had to walk up a hill to deliver the goods, the movers grew frustrated and began throwing the furniture out of the truck, breaking legs on chairs and tables. When Beverly Feldmann threatened to call the police, they taunted her and invited her to do so, claiming the police could do nothing because it was a civil matter. The next morning, Beverly found pieces of her jewelry in the street, smashed by cars and ruined. When she and her husband contacted America's Best Movers to file a claim, they denied any responsibility and advised the Feldmanns to file a claim with their homeowner's insurance company.
27 In August of 2000, the Philbecks contacted Majesty to move from Delray Beach, Florida to Fairfax, Virginia. The original estimate was $2,500. This was based upon an inspection of their apartment. On the day of the pickup, Malol himself came with the movers. Malol had Nicole Philbeck sign a blank bill of lading. When the truck was halfway loaded Malol told Mrs. Philbeck that it was going to cost a couple hundred dollars more due to a mistake in calculating the cubic footage required. After consulting her husband by phone, Mrs. Philbeck decided to let Majesty proceed. When Majesty finished loading the truck, Malol then told Mrs. Philbeck she owed $5,700, more than double the original estimate. In addition, Malol intimidated Mrs. Philbeck into giving him a tip. She ultimately gave Malol $40, $10 per mover. She also paid one half of the inflated price. 28 The Philbecks decided to let Majesty complete the move, planning on paying the remainder with a credit card in the hope they could contest the charge once they had their furniture returned. The movers arrived in Fairfax a day late and immediately demanded payment. The Philbecks paid the bill using their credit card and the goods were unloaded. Many items had been damaged. The Philbecks did not succeed in disputing the credit card charge.
29 Other customers testified to similar stories involving drastic price increases once Malol's movers took possession the goods. In most instances, the movers demanded full payment before they would begin unloading the trucks. Once the movers delivered the goods, items were missing and/or severely damaged. Customers found it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to collect on insurance claims through any of Malol's companies.