UPDATE: A St. Augustine family is facing a dire situation as they endure a 19-day delay in receiving their belongings from the moving company 1-800-PACK-RAT. The delay has left them without essential items, including critical medical equipment for their disabled daughter, jeopardizing their well-being.
Authorities report that the Lawhorn family, who recently relocated to St. Augustine, has been sleeping on air mattresses while they wait for their possessions to arrive. “All I want is our stuff,” said family member Lawhorn, expressing frustration over the lack of communication from the moving company. The family had anticipated a smooth transition, but instead, they are grappling with a logistical nightmare.
Weeks after moving, Lawhorn revealed that the delays began due to a postponed home closing, which pushed back the delivery schedule. Compounding the issue, 1-800-PACK-RAT cited a broken forklift at their Jacksonville warehouse as the reason for their inability to retrieve the family’s container. “The response that I got was I could come and bring a ladder and open up my container,” he said, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
The family has been forced to pay out of pocket for items that are essential for their daughter’s care, severely straining their budget. “We’re having to do all the legwork of asking for updates,” Lawhorn explained, revealing the emotional toll this delay has taken on their family.
As they await the delivery of their belongings, the Lawhorn family continues to face mounting stress. They are not alone; many customers have been impacted by similar issues with 1-800-PACK-RAT. News4JAX is actively seeking answers from the company regarding the extent of these delays and the number of customers affected.
This story highlights the urgent and often unseen challenges faced by families during relocations, especially when medical needs are involved. As the Lawhorn family struggles to adapt to their new life in Florida, the need for reliable services in the moving industry becomes alarmingly clear.
Local residents are encouraged to share their experiences with moving companies to shed light on this growing issue. As the situation develops, the Lawhorn family remains hopeful for a swift resolution. Their plea for help serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and reliability in critical times.
Stay tuned for updates as News4JAX monitors this situation and advocates for those affected by similar delays.
