Customers track missing items to warehouse in New Jersey as complaints against moving company grow
Two customers of Howards Vanlines have come forward to KMBC 9 Investigates with information that may help break open cases of missing or delayed household moving shipments.
They have digitally tracked their shipments to a warehouse in New Jersey.
Howards, a New Jersey-based moving company, now has nearly 100 complaints on file with a U.S. Department of Transportation database, as KMBC 9 Investigates continues to hear from more customers of the company about undelivered goods or getting up-charged by thousands of dollars.
Ryan and Nicole Gillogly say they used the Find My iPhone feature on an old iPhone to track their shipment through Howards Vanlines to a warehouse on Sherwood Lane in Fairfield, New Jersey.
They called the landlord of that warehouse and got connected with someone in connection with a moving business there.
"They really tried giving us the runaround," Nicole Gillogly said. "We had to play hardball with them."
The Gilloglys estimate they got about 70% of their items delivered to their new home in Kentucky after a move from Vermont.
Another woman who asked not to be identified also sent KMBC 9 Investigates a screenshot of the same address on Sherwood Lane in New Jersey where she tracked her shipments.
KMBC first started telling stories about Howards after hearing a tip from Ted and Emily Knox of Independence.
The Knoxes are still trying to find their household goods after they say Howards Vanlines up-charged the couple by $15,000 after loading their items onto a truck.
The Knoxes are working with Independence, Missouri, police. A sergeant with the property crimes unit told KMBC and the Knoxes on Wednesday that he has referred their case to the FBI.
KMBC has tried to reach representatives of Howards multiple times but has not heard back.
U.S. Department of Transportation complaint records against Howards Vanlines show more than 100 complaints against the company already this year.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General offered the following tips when choosing a moving company:
- Contact various reputable, long-standing moving companies to compare estimates and get a foundation of what the legitimate cost of your move will be.
- Ask the moving company if they will be conducting the move or if it is being brokered for fulfillment by another company.
- Keep all records of contracts, proof of payments and communication with the moving company.
- Carefully examine the reviews on various online business rating websites to ensure they contain more than just recent glowing reviews.
- Use online street-view and satellite maps to research the moving company's address to verify that the address is a business and not a residence.
If you have gone through something similar or need help getting your items back, email investigates@kmbc.com.
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