Bush signs bill to guard against crooked movers [Jeb helps consumers]

The Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel ^ | April 20, 2002 | Linda Kleindienst

[summer]

TALLAHASSEE Florida consumers will have new protection from unscrupulous movers under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush on Friday.

Beginning July 1, all movers must register with the state and provide written estimates and contracts that must be signed by the consumer. Movers also will no longer be able to hold household goods hostage for illegally inflated charges.

Bush said the bill would strike a needed balance in the industry.

[summer]

A much needed new law in transient FL!

[summer]

For index.

[massadvj]

Florida consumers will have new protection from unscrupulous movers under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush on Friday...

Florida consumers will face massive increases in moving expenses as the State of Florida erects barriers to entry, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush on Friday. Regulation of the moving industry will keep students and other cheap laborers from competing against the large moving companies and their political clout, no doubt lubricated via donations to the governor.

"We just don't think people are smart enough to make their own decisions about the most mundane details of their lives," Gov. Bush said, "Thanks to this bill and many like it, they'll think they could not survive without the government."

[summer]

Since you don't live in FL, and you basically disagree with anything government does according to your profile page, I realize you have no idea what you are talking about with respect to this problem Gov. Bush has helped to solve.

[secretagent]

Agree. Free enterprise has an answer to this. If people want protection, they can use a third party insurance or escrow company, and other mechanisms. Confine the nightwatchman state to contract enforcement in the courts.

People will still have to sniff around, ask friends for references, and make sure that the moving company has a real attachable bond, and so on.

The legislators don't mention the cost of driving out the low cost movers.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Here's one I can relate to. We've got a couple of your Florida crooked movers in jail right here in my county. They tried to to extort unreasonable charges from a couple in my town and then took off with their furniture when they wouldn't pay more than double the original cost. Our locall police chased them down, arrested them, and they are cooling their heels in the county jail awaiting extradition to a third state where they are charged with assault and battery against a family in the same situation, among other crimes!

Go, Jeb!

[summer]

See post #6.

[afraidfortherepublic]

These movers are part of an unscrupulous criminal ring that uses assault, battery, destruction of personal property, etc. to extort higher fees -- in cash, before the goods are unloaded. I don't think third party insurance will solve this problem.

One family told of watching while the movers broke up their furniture, one piece at a time, while the driving demanded ever escalating payoffs. Another reported their grief when the driver took off in the truck that was loaded with their personal belongings, including pictures and family memontoes. These are not normal business people.

[summer]

BTW, I see you don't live in FL either. Those who live here may know better what goes on with some movers. They belong in jail, and this new law will help.

[summer]

bttt

[afraidfortherepublic]

Click here for one scam

Further information on this ring is Here

[secretagent]

These movers are part of an unscrupulous criminal ring that uses assault, battery, destruction of personal property, etc. to extort higher fees -- in cash, before the goods are unloaded. I don't think third party insurance will solve this problem.

I imagine Florida already has laws against assault, battery, vandalism, and extortion, so I don't see the need for special legislation - use the existing laws.

[secretagent]

see #12

[Hank Rearden]

Big Stupid Government creates another "crisis" for it to "solve" via the new State Board of Flatulence and Mover Supervision.

Wonderful. Ain't Republicans (the "Party of small government") just grand the way they look out for us?

Parasites. BushDoleBushDoleBushDole - same old crap.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[weikel]

Thats my opinion too.

[AppyPappy]

Many of the "low cost" movers were shysters. This scam has been going on for years. It doesn't help that the mafia got into the moving business.

Several TV stations have done hidden-camera exposes on them

[Sungirl]

EXCELLENT! This man has alot of common sense..

[summer]

FYI.

[secretagent]

Sounds like Florida has an enforcement problem using existing laws against fraud, extortion, and theft.

I've helped several people move for money, and I never registered with the state (Washington), never ripped anyone off, and saved the customer lots of money.