RELO Roundtable…a gathering place

As part of an ongoing investigation, the staff at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation recently invited representatives of the International Association of Movers (IAM) to join them to answer questions regarding their official inquiry. 

IAM is a global association of movers and forwarders based in the shadows of Capitol Hill. The industry trade group consists over 2,000 moving and storage companies from more than 170 countries and territories.

The meeting occurred just days before the January 27, 2011 deadline set for several household goods movers and brokers to comply with a written request to provide the Senate committee with information pertinent to their probe into activities involving unscrupulous "rogue" operators.

In mid-December 2011, Chairman Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller (D-WV), announced that the committee had undertaken "an investigation into the practice of moving companies holding household goods 'hostage' to extract additional money from individuals and families mid-way through their moves." The in-depth investigation is to discern how widespread the problem is and what can be done to protect consumers.

IAM Program Manager Brian Limperopulos was joined in the meeting by a special government affairs team from PACE LLP – managing partner, James Wise, and his associate, Bryan Vickers

PACE is a well-established government consulting firm whose partners have a wealth of both personal and professional relationships with White House personnel, Federal agency officials, chairmen of major Congressional committees, members of Congress and their staff, corporate sector executives and related press corps.

During the January 18, 2011 meeting, the industry group shared the details how the practices of rogue operators and shady brokers differ from those of reputable movers, and explained how unscrupulous operators are successful in scamming customers.

On December 19th, letters requesting specific, detailed information regarding each company's sales and marketing programs, operational enforcement and compliance to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations explanation were sent to the owners and principles of Best Price Moving and Storage, Inc. (USDOT# 693651 ; MC# 321559), Nationwide Relocation Services (MC# 381766), Budget Van Lines (MC# 512534), and Able Moving, Inc (USDOT# 1418141; MC# 536623).

Included in the letter that the Senate committee sent to Nationwide Relocation Services, CEO Aldo DiSorbo was asked to explain his relationship, or the companies' relationship, with the following companies or entities and provide a copy of the contract if a contractual relationship exists.  (see Correction below)

American Van Lines

Company owners only have until January 27, 2012 to comply with the Congressional committee request for information and documents.

It shouldn't be too hard to get accurate updates on the status of the committee's investigation now that several industry groups have become involved in the Senate's discovery process.

Related Articles:

Senate investigates household goods carriers and move brokers – RELO Roundtable

Rockefeller Investigates Consumer Complaints of Moving Companies Holding Furniture & Possessions Hostage - Senate Press Office

Feds crack down on more rogue movers and brokers – RELO Roundtable

Correction: Senate relies on industry pros to rout out rogue movers – RELO Roundtable

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

  is a mutually supportive but commercially neutral learning environment that deals with the trials and tribulations of movin’.

Have questions or need professional assistance with an upcoming moving and storage issue, or help choosing a domestic or international relocation product or service supplier?

FOLLOW US and SUBSCRIBE at: