Amy of Corpus Christi, TX, reports:
On 2/19/00, Dicount Movers came to my home in Austin, TX and packed up all my belongings to be stored at their storage facility. My things were in their care until July 1, 2000 when I had all my belongings moved to my new address in Corpus Christi, TX.

Upon unpacking my belongings I noticed that my cookware (Calphalon set w/ gourmet sautee pan) was missing. Two large green plastic containers were missing, baskets and antique glassware was also missing. Also, my silver was packed underneath cleaning supplies and the silver was eaten through.

We have been calling and leaving messages since the day of the move. Upon getting through to a girl named Brandy, we were told that we have to talk to a man named Scott. He has not returned one phone call or responded in any way.

My family and I have had to make many long distance phone calls. My cookware was a brand new wedding gift and cost $500 plus tax. My silverware was a brand new wedding gift. It was $30 a place setting with a quantity of eight place settings. My antique glassware were approximately $15-$20 a glass and five were missing. The other misc. things were probably valued at about $75 dollars.

I also had to pay $929.00,(in addition to the $1180.00 I had already paid them to pack, move and store my things) for them to move my things from their storage facility to my new apartment. I only have a small one bedrooms worth of stuff. I felt like I was exploited since they already had my things and new that I was at their mercy to move them. I have been terribly inconvenienced by not having anything to cook with, which forces me to spend money to eat out. It has also been extremely irritating to have to call these people all the time in hopes of some sort of response.

The telephone is not the way to settle this. Amy is lucky. Since the move was in-state, she can sue the movers iin Small Claims Court. She should first send a certified, return receipt requested letter setting forth the damages and asking for reimbursement with 30 days. Once that time passes, the next should be the courthouse.