They Filled the Truck With Others’ Stuff, Then Forced Me to Pay $4,380

They Told Me: ‘Pay More or We Dump It on the Street’

I have moved several times in my life, and I work in the real estate industry, so I am not someone who goes into a move blindly.

I understand how estimates work, what a bill of lading is, and what to expect on moving day.

That is exactly why what happened to me with Dumbo Moving and Storage still shocks me. It was not just a bad experience. It felt like a calculated scam that they run on customers every single day.

My move was supposed to be simple. I was relocating from my one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn to Jersey City on June 28, 2025. I had a video estimate with their sales representative, who walked me through the inventory list. We carefully counted everything, including my sofa, queen bed, desk, dresser, around 25 moving boxes, and some small items.

He assured me very confidently, “Based on your inventory, your binding estimate will be $1,150. This includes labor, transportation, fuel, and basic coverage.”

I remember asking him twice, “This is a binding estimate, right? It will not suddenly change on moving day?”

He replied immediately, “Yes, sir. Unless you add more items, this price will not change.”

I was comfortable because they sent me an agreement confirmation, along with a professional looking moving contract. At that point, I believed I was dealing with a legitimate company.

They charged me a deposit of $250, which I paid using my credit card. That was the first mistake I made.

On moving day, the problems started immediately.

The crew arrived nearly two hours late. When they finally showed up, the first thing I noticed was their attitude. They did not greet me. They barely acknowledged me. One of them simply said, “Where is the stuff?”

They began loading the truck, but they were moving at an incredibly slow pace. After about two hours, I looked inside the truck and noticed something strange. The truck was already almost three quarters full, even though they had not loaded all my belongings yet.

I asked one of the movers, “Why is the truck already this full? I thought this was supposed to be a dedicated move.”

He said, “We have other shipments. That is normal.”

That was when my stomach dropped.

About thirty minutes later, the foreman came to me holding a revised document. He said in a flat tone, “Your inventory is larger than estimated. The new cost is $4,380.”

I thought I misheard him. I said, “That is impossible. I have the binding estimate. You saw everything during the video walkthrough.”

He pointed at a small clause on the paperwork and said, “This is not a binding estimate anymore because of space usage and weight adjustments.”

I told him, “You cannot just change the price by over three thousand dollars after loading my belongings.”

He looked at me with complete indifference and said, “If you do not agree, we will unload your items onto the sidewalk right now.”

I was stunned. All my furniture was already inside their truck. I had no backup plan. It felt like they had intentionally waited until they had total control over my belongings before revealing the real price.

I tried to argue. I showed him the original estimate email. I even called the office while he stood there. The customer service representative said, “Sir, this is standard procedure. Your bill of lading reflects the updated charges.”

There was no negotiation.

I felt trapped. I signed the revised bill of lading because I had no other option.

That was not the end of it.

When they arrived at my new apartment in Jersey City, they refused to start unloading until I paid the remaining balance immediately. They insisted on a cashier’s check or cash only. They would not accept a credit card.

I remember standing there, exhausted and anxious, thinking how quickly this had spiraled out of control. I had no choice but to run to a bank, withdraw the money, and hand it over.

Their behavior during unloading was even worse. They were rude, dismissive, and careless. One of them actually said, “Next time you should hire cheaper movers.”

I was speechless because they were already the ones who had quadrupled the cost.

After everything was finally inside, I sat in my new apartment feeling completely drained and violated. What was supposed to be a routine move had turned into one of the most stressful and humiliating experiences I have ever had.

Later that same day, I attended a graduation event at a local school. I casually mentioned my moving nightmare, and that is when something even more disturbing happened.

Several people immediately responded with comments like, “Did they pull the truck space scam on you?” and “Did they suddenly increase your price after taking your deposit?”

When I said the company name, Dumbo Moving and Storage, multiple people actually groaned in unison. One person even said, “I am so sorry. They did the exact same thing to me.”

That was the moment I realized this was not a misunderstanding or a one-off situation. This felt like a system they use to squeeze money out of customers.

As someone who works in real estate, I can say with complete certainty that I will be warning every single client, colleague, and friend to stay as far away from Dumbo Moving and Storage NYC as possible.

If my experience can prevent even one person from going through the same nightmare, then sharing this story is worth it.

Evidence Provided by the User

Note: No photos or videos were shared by the user. The story above is a real experience shared by the person who went through it and is published to warn others.

Warning to Other Customers

Always be cautious of movers who give low “binding estimates” and then change the price after loading your belongings. This is a common tactic where companies wait until your items are already on the truck.

Before booking, verify the company’s reputation, read the fine print in the bill of lading, and never rely solely on verbal promises. If possible, avoid paying large deposits and be wary of movers who demand last-minute price increases or cash-only payments.