Manassas, VA 22110 During a move from one townhouse to another (about seven miles away) on June 26, 2008 by personnel provided by a local Manassas, Virginia moving company (Manassas Transfer Inc.), a number of personal items which I observed at the old house during the loading of the truck by the moving
company personnel turned up missing when an exhaustive inventory was taken beginning immediately after the move.

All of the missing items had been placed (we were told) at the back of the basement during the unload, making it impossible for my wife and myself to find and open the boxes which had contained the items without spending several hours in the process. We were pressured to sign a waiver stating that everything was moved and intact by the three movers (one of whom spoke no English whatsoever) immediately after the last item was placed in the house.

Unfortunately we signed the document. After two days of an exhaustive search for the items listed below we realized that they had not been transferred to the new townhouse during the move and, in fact, we are of the opinion that they were stolen by the movers. After numerous attempts
to contact the company without a response we called the local police to report the theft. We were told by the police that since we had signed the waiver there was nothing that they (the police) could do. An
attorney essentially told us the same thing, except that we could go to small claims court at our own expense.

The missing items do not amount to a great deal of money but like many experiences in life, the
principle in this case means a great deal to us. The list of missing items we sent to the company consisted of the following: One Ryobi 18 amp portable electric drill purchased in 2004 at Home Depot for approximately $103. Approximately thirty DVD films, with a minimum value of $15 apiece. Some of these items were special editions priced at retail for $69. However we only asked for the value of the minimum at $15 X 30 = $450. A door handle on the sliding glass basement door was broken completely off by one of the Manassas Transfer Inc. personnel swinging a desk (also damaging a basement wall). The lock was also broken to the extent that local locksmiths have been unable to fix it. If the lock can be fixed the price quoted thus far has been between $180 and $200. If the lock is unrepairable the cost will probably be considerably more, since the entire glass door, and perhaps the frame, may have to be replaced. The door to one of my wife’s bedroom end tables was completed sheared in half. Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2008. Cost approximately $40. Minimum amount for settlement: $ 793.00. The reason why we are posting this complaint at this relatively late date is because we just received a Christmas card from Manassas Transfer, along with an advertising magnet and ballpoint pen to use to
recommend their services to our friends. This hubris is something that we could not in good conscience ignore.