[KiwiHopeful]

Originally Posted by MotherBear

This is a very good point, Kokopeli. I've heard of people having their shipment held to ransom because they refused to pay some of the moving companies in NZ extra money they weren't entitled to. It's a great scam they've got going and one I can't fathom out why something's not being done about it. People are coerced into handing over hundreds of dollars to retrieve their belongings.

Sadly, the same thing happens here in the US, too. The moving company shows up, unloads some stuff, then the 'manager' shows up and says "There's a problem." It's usually to the tune of $1000 or so ... just enough to make it worthwhile for the scammer, and little enough that most people just pay it. That's why it's important not to use "Joe's Moving" but to instead go with a reputable company.

(I won't say which one my mom works for, since the point isn't to plug her company. I'll just say it is one of the major national carriers.)