Buyer Beware- Assurance Van Lines, Five Star, B+L Towing
My job at MommyGyver is to review items, products, and services that I think are pertinent to those that read my blog. I also share life hacks and ideas to enrich your lives with your children. Occasionally, I investigate issues that pertain to or affect women. "Life Hack" in my eyes, is finding a way to make your life easier... what would MacGyver do in this situation, or that situation? Sadly though, some issues require a little more chutzpah and tools than just a quick wit and a bent paperclip. The story I'm about to share with you is one of those. I'm writing from my heart on this one because it is involving a personal friend that I met through the fiasco we love to hate- LuLaRoe. She's one of those golden eggs that fell from a rotten, rabid goose that was my LuLaLife. I genuinely feel love for this woman because she is herself, as genuine as a person can get. She's raw and openly emotional, and for the tiny little thing that she is, she's got a heart inside of her that beats and bleeds for her kids and family. And for that alone, she will always have a space at my table, in my home, and if needed- in this blog. Tina's family relocated from North Carolina to New Jersey, and contacted Assurance Van Lines (a brokerage) who then subcontracted Five Star Van Lines (USDOT 2895291) to move the family's belongings to their new home. The family alleges that a delivery date had been set for their belongings to arrive, but when they contacted the van company and the brokerage, their calls were either fielded or not returned. When they finally did get through to someone, they were told the delivery would be made "tomorrow"... for six days in a row. Upon further investigation, Tina states that she was advised that the delivery truck had been involved in a major accident on the expressway. An accident that sent all of her family's belongings- kitchenware, furniture, sentimentals- and all of her three children's toys flying all over the interstate. An accident, she reports, that state police advised her took over 4 hours to clean up. And no one told her. In fact, Tina reports that the delivery vehicle had to be towed from the scene by a company out of New Jersey- B+L Towing. When she contacted B+L, she was told that her belongings would not be released to her because there was a fee of $10,500 plus $100 a day storage fee for the towing of the van. B+L would not allow the family to recover the contents of the van- even though the family had no involvement or knowledge of the crash. I contacted B+L to speak with the owner, Shawn. He was unavailable for comment. The family has tried to file a homeowner's claim with State Farm. They have tried to hold Assurance responsible. They have tried to hold Five Star responsible. They have tried to plead with B+L to allow them to at least take their children's possessions from the truck- and all manner of petition has reportedly fallen on deaf ears. Not one company will take responsibility for the issues that they have caused this family. The family can't, nor do they feel they should be responsible for the tow fee or the storage- but claim that all of their worldly possessions are being held at ransom until they provide B+L payment in full. The family has been living with whatever they brought with them for around a month now, and there is no resolution is sight. A Gofundme has been started to try and raise money for Tina's family to pay this ridiculous ransom. A quick Facebook search for Assurance could not confirm a correct page to view history, however, another woman reports having a horrible experience as well. (Pictured below)
B+L was easy to find on facebook- HERE. And unofficially HERE. The family wants their belongings back. But for Tina, it's not just their "stuff". It's her sons who miss their toys. Her baby daughter's clothing is there. School projects, trinkets and memories from her children, photographs... and she has absolutely no idea what survived, and to what extent the damage goes. As a consumer, I'm appalled. But as a mother, I ache for her. All the baby pictures, the hospital tags from their births... everything we cherish as mothers- just sitting there. Is it getting rained on? Did someone rifle through it all? I would feel violated. If this blog reaches anyone that can help her family, please contact me.