Moving Companies
Gathright Van & StorageFind BBB Accredited Businesses in Moving Companies.
Information and Alerts
Alert Details
This business has 2 alerts.
Investigations
On May 13, 2019, Better Business Bureau Serving Arkansas opened an investigation into the company because of questions regarding the ownership, physical location and issues revealed through its complaint and customer review history. In a letter sent to the company of May 23, 2019, BBB requested information regarding terms & conditions, verification of time in business, office and storage locations and use of subcontractors.
BBB also advised the company of our concerns about the volume and nature of the complaints received. A majority of the complaints pertain to an increase in price just prior to or on the day of the move. According to one consumer, "This company is holding our possessions hostage to extort an additional $1500 above what was agreed upon." Another consumer stated "Before just half of my belongings were loaded, I was told that I have already exceeded the 1600 cubic feet that were allotted to me" and "they could load up the rest of the truck, but only after I agreed to an additional $2000 add on fee." Other complaints against the company allege that items arrived damaged or in some cases, not at all. One consumer stated "In total we estimate around $5 to $6K worth of furniture and owned items that were damaged during the process."
As of July 3, 2019, the company has failed to respond to our inquiry and did not submit the aforementioned information requested nor did they address the complaint issues.
As a result of BBB's investigation, we believe that an outside entity has assumed the identity of Gathright Van and Storage. Our investigation revealed that Gathright Van & Storage Company filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State on January 26, 1949. The current status of this filing is "revoked". BBB initially opened a file on the company in September 1964. The company was accredited with the BBB between 1964 and 1992. On August 6, 2010, Gathright Van and Storage Co. was listed as a "formally doing business as" in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There's been no further activity on this company until April 2019, when BBB received an "updated" Standard Business Questionnaire (SBQ) and its first complaint in 9 years.
The company now reports it's located at 400 W. Capital Ave., Suite 1700 Little Rock, AR 72201, which is a virtual office managed by Regus. Regus confirmed that Gathright Van and Storage began the process to obtain a "mailbox" but as of June 3, 2019 had not completed the process. The company also uses an address of 9450 Maumelle Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72113 on its website http://gathrightco.com/. BBB visited this location and there is no sign of a moving company located at this address.
The company reported a physical location of 13300 Paxton St., Pacoima, CA 91331 and a mailing address of 5151 Norwood Rd. Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247 to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for its Department of Transportation (DOT) license. According to Google Maps, there is a public storage facility located at the Pacoima, CA location and the Dallas, TX location lists three businesses, none of which are Gathright Van and Storage. BBB reached out to the Regional office of the FMCSA seeking information relative to the company's connection to Arkansas. According to an Agent with the FMCSA, Gathright Van and Storage has no connection to Arkansas.
Update - November 25, 2019 the company now provides an address of 2759 Old Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 on its license with the FMCSA for its Department of Transportation (DOT) license. Currently the license shows "No Authority".
BBB does not know where the business is physically located. BBB urges caution when choosing whether or not to do business with a company whose physical location is unknown.
If you're looking to move, BBB suggests customers consider these tips:
Be sure you receive all required documents. Moving companies are required by federal regulations to provide customers with a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet, a copy of FMCSA's Ready to Move brochure, an estimate, order for service, bill of lading and inventory list.
Spot the red flags. There are many red flags that may suggest the moving company you are considering is untrustworthy. Red flags consumers should be aware of include:
o Requests for cash or a large deposit before the move
o The mover does not offer or agree to an onsite inspection of your goods
o The mover's website has no local address, no information on their registration and answers telephone calls with "Movers" or "Moving company" rather than their official company name
o The company arrives in a rental truck rather than a company-owned truck on moving day
o The mover claims you have more stuff than was previously estimated
Verify the mover is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. All interstate household good movers must be registered with the Federal government. Verify the mover you are considering has a U.S. DOT number, sufficient level of insurance and is registered with FMCSA to engage interstate transportation of household goods.
Understand the type of liability/insurance you are agreeing to. If 60 cents per pound is not enough coverage, your mover must offer you the option of Full Value Protection, which will provide you with the replacement value of lost or damaged goods.
Business Alert
In light of a BBB investigation on Gathright Van and Storage, BBB encourages customers who have experienced issues with the business to file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is the arm of the US Department of Transportation that regulates moving companies. Please click the link below for information:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/consumer-protection/household-goods/protect-your-move
Important Information
Products and Services
This company offers moving and storage.
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
Failure to respond to 4 complaints filed against business.
Reason for Rating - Factors Lowered
Failure to have a required competency license.
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