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Morrison Woman Fights To Get Property Back From Storage Company

DENVER (CBS4) - Debra DeRosa has had most of her possessions in storage for the last 2 1/2 years. In 2009 she sold her condominium and put her furniture, electronics and valuables into vaults with Neighbors Moving & Storage.

Included on the inventory sheets -- a flat-screen TV, an antique hutch, family china and crystal, as well as the family dining room table and chairs.

"I grew up with my grandparents, my great grandparents, my parents ... we'd all sit around the table and it just means a lot. It's irreplaceable," DeRosa told CBS4.

DeRosa estimates the value of her property at $100,000. She has a complete log of what's in storage and she's been careful to pay the bill every month on time.

"Not only did I pay the bills, I called Holly, she was the accountant, and we talked on the phone every month," DeRosa said.

She said never once did the accountant or her statements indicate she owed Neighbors Moving & Storage any additional money. The subject only came up this past October when DeRosa called to get her stuff out of storage.

DeRosa says her accountant told her that she owed another $9,000. DeRosa hired a lawyer to dispute the charge and won. But still she says the company wouldn't schedule a time to deliver her stuff.

The Better Business Bureau, BBB, gives Neighbors Moving & Storage a "D" rating.

"They've been an issue with us for a while," said Dale Mingilton, President & CEO of the BBB.

The BBB says Neighbors Moving & Storage is also Father and Sons Moving and Storage and 67th Avenue Movers. The BBB has taken 116 complaints over 3 years, with more than half resolved with the help of the BBB.

"They weren't disclosing the prices on their contracts. When it was time to deliver they were not delivering as they were supposed to," Mingilton told CBS4.

Months after trying to schedule a delivery of her property, DeRosa turned to the courts. She hired a lawyer and won a court order to get her possessions back. She took it to Neighbors Moving & Storage and in less than 5 minutes they set a deliver date.

4 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Jodi Brooks contacted the company manager William Edwards. He blames the delivery delay on accounting.

"It was just a mistake. The mistake was in the billing for the storage," Edwards said on the phone.

"William, can you assure me you have all of her stuff?" Brooks asked.

"Oh, absolutely. Yeah, it's all here, it's always been here," Edwards replied.

Brooks also spoke with the company's director of operations in Florida. He said the company was acquired 2 years ago and this is the reflection of the prior ownership.

After being put off for months, DeRosa is hopeful.

"I'm one of those really optimistic individuals," DeRosa said.

DeRosa believes her stuff will be delivered in the same condition she left it in 2 1/2 years ago.

- Written for the Web by CBS4 Special Projects Producer Libby Smith

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