Moving Company Under Fire Might Be Reopening Under Different Name

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By By Connie Thompson

Summary

Owners of Nationwide Moving, under federal investigation, might be restarting as Northstar Van Lines.

Story Published: May 29, 2003 at 3:35 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:03 AM PDT

Moving Company Under Fire Might Be Reopening Under Different Name
WOODINVILLE - A local moving company under federal investigation for alleged deceptive practices might be about to open again using a different name.

The local company is Nationwide Moving Systems in Woodinville. According to the state, Nationwide is not approved to move anybody within this state.

Federal investigators have just ordered Nationwide to stop doing moves between states. Now, new records show the owners of Nationwide have filed an application for a new moving company.

Until recently, Nationwide Moving Systems operated out of a non-descript building in Woodinville.

Jeanette Marshall-Hill hired them in February to move her from Federal Way to Louisiana. Now she's back, to take them to small claims court.

She says Nationwide's crew destroyed her furniture, some of her property is missing, and the movers refused to release her property until she paid double the original quote.

She called Louisiana police.

"I attempted to talk to (Nationwide) four times," she said.

Jeanette's complaints are echoed by other consumers who filed with the State Attorney General. Earlier this month, the state Department of Utilities and Transportation told KOMO 4 News the company was not properly registered to do business inside the state of Washington.

Now, the U.S. Department of Transportation has ordered Nationwide to stop operating altogether because of failure to maintain driver logs, vehicle inspection reports, and comply with other required safety regulations.

A criminal investigation continues with the U.S. Attorney.

Nationwide's owners, Eric and Tanya Deri , have declined repeated requests for interviews or a written response.

Now, state records now Tanya Deri has applied for a new business licenses to operate a new moving company, Northstar Van Lines, at the same location that once housed Nationwide.

"Changing the name doesn't mean you're changing the game you know, and I would hate for somebody to lose out again because they don't know who they're dealing with," Jeanette said.

Late Thursday afternoon, Nationwide owner Tanya Deri phoned to tell KOMO 4 News Nationwide no longer exists except to complete deliveries for previous customers with moves already in progress, and Northstar Van Lines has nothing to do with it.

But, she refused any further comment.

Jeanette Marshall-Hill, meanwhile, says when the post office attempted to deliver her certified small claims notice, workers at Nationwide refused to sign for it.

Also Thursday, another unhappy Nationwide customer, Sabine Aronowsky, now living in California, told KOMO 4 News she's also planning to return to Seattle file for damages in Small Claims court.

Related Stories:

KOMO TV Earlier Story On Nationwide -- www.komotv.com
Seattle Times -- www.seattletimes.com