LEESBURG, Fla., – A Central Florida couple said movers threatened to hold their belongings “hostage” if they did not pay extra. Gail and Clarence Hairston told News 6 their move from Ocala to Leesburg cost them $3,600 more than they were quoted.
“I was in tears,” Gail Hairston said.
The Hairstons hired Todays Move Movers to help them move in April 2024. The initial quote they said they received and agreed upon was a little more than $1,100. The couple paid an initial $300 cash deposit, then paid another $600 deposit before the move. Then, on moving day, the couple said they were told to pay thousands more or their belongings would be locked up in storage.
[VIDEO BELOW: How to protect yourself during a move]
“I said that’s holding our furniture hostage. He says, ‘You can call it what you want, we won’t bring your furniture until this is paid,’” Clarence Hairston recalled.
“We had to get $3,622.56 cash. In 30 minutes,” Gail Hairston explained, “It was a gut punch.”
The couple’s daughter sent them the money through a cash app, but once their items were unloaded at their new home, the Hairstons said they found their furniture scratched, a table leg broken and their dishes shattered.
Todays Move Movers is part of Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC. According to the Florida Division of Corporations, its address was listed as an office building along Silver Star Road in Orlando. When News 6 went inside to speak with someone, the office was vacant. According to an administrative complaint from the state, it appeared a state investigator found the same scene when he went to hand-deliver documents in July 2025.
News 6 called the number listed for Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC. The man who answered the phone said the company was shut down, refused to say who he was, then hung up.
State Investigation
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services told News 6 it has received 193 complaints about Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries.
[You can read through the full complaint below]
The administrative complaint from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC violated the following Florida statutes:
Section 507.03(2), F.S., by failing to prominently display a certificate evidencing proof of registration issued by the Department in the mover’s or broker’s primary place of business.
Section 507.03(5)(a), F.S., by failing to include the following language in each of its contracts, “the phrase ‘NAME OF FIRM) is registered with the State of Florida as a Mover or Moving Broker. Registration No._.’”
Section 507.03(7), F.S., by failing to first notify, in writing, the Department before any changes of its location(s).
Section 507.03(10), F.S., by failing to provide evidence of current and valid insurance or alternative coverages to the Department, when Respondent’s (Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC) liability insurance expired on June 21, 2023, and continued operating under an expired certificate of insurance
Section 507.04(2), F.S., by failing to maintain adequate insurance coverage as required
Section 507.05, F.S., by failing to provide an estimate and a contract prepared by a registered mover; and by failing to have the shipper, the mover, and if applicable, the moving broker properly sign or electronically acknowledge Respondent’s contracts.
Section 507.05(5), F.S., by failing to provide a contract and estimate to a prospective shipper in writing, which is signed and dated by the shipper and the mover; and by failing to provide a contract which includes an itemized breakdown and description and total of all costs and services for loading, transportation or shipment, unloading, and accessorial services to be provided during a household move or storage of household goods.
Section 507.05(6)(a)-(c), F.S., by failing to accept at least two of the three forms of payment outlined in the Statute, which must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the shipper on the binding estimate and the contract for services.
Section 507.06(1), F.S., by refusing to place the goods inside a shipper’s dwelling; and for refusing to unload children’s belongings.
Section 507.06(2), F.S., by refusing to relinquish household goods to a shipper based on the mover’s refusal to accept an acceptable form of payment.
Section 507.07(3)(a), F.S., by misrepresenting or deceptively representing the contract for services, bill of lading, or inventory of household goods for the move estimated.
Sections 507.07(3)(b), F.S., by misrepresenting or deceptively representing the timeframe or schedule for delivery or storage of household goods estimated.
Section 507.07(3)(c), F.S., by misrepresenting or deceptively representing the price, size, nature, extent, qualities or characteristics of accessorial or moving services offered.
Section 507.07(3)(d), F.S., by misrepresenting or deceptively representing the nature or extent of other goods, services or amenities offered.
Section 507.07(3)(e), F.S., by mispresenting or deceptively representing a shipper’s rights, privileges, or benefits.
Section 507.07(4), F.S., by failing to honor and comply with all provisions of the contract for services or bill of lading regarding the purchaser’s rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.
Section 507.07(5), F.S., by withholding delivery of household goods or in an way hold goods in storage against the expressed wishes of the shipper if payment has been made as delineated in the estimate or contract for services.
Section 507.07(6)(a), F.S., by including in a contract(s) any provision purporting to waive or limit any right or benefit provide to shippers under Chapter 507.
Section 507.07(6)(b), F.S., by seeking or soliciting a waiver or acceptance of limitation from a shipper concerning rights or benefits provided under Chapter 507.
Section 507.07(6)(d), F.S., by committing any other act of fraud, misrepresentation, or failure to disclose a material fact.
According to the administrative complaint, Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC is banned from moving any household goods in Florida. The state also denied the company from renewing its license.
Protecting Yourself Before and During a Move
If you are moving in the state of Florida and find yourself in a similar situation to the Hairstons, you are advised to contact law enforcement.
“There are laws that protect you as a consumer,” said Holly Salmons, CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Central Florida.
Before you hire a moving company, Salmons recommends getting multiple estimates.
“In doing that, you will start to kind of see what should be the industry norm, what kind of price tag am I looking at,” said Salmons.
Salmons urges consumers to ask for and verify a company’s licensing information. If you do not feel comfortable doing that, the Better Business Bureau can help.
She also advises looking at a company’s reviews and keep an eye out for red flags, “If you were asked or expected to estimate the move yourself, how they expect you to pay. Are they asking you to pay a large deposit upfront? Are they wanting you to send that to them through a payment app or paying cash?”
Lastly, make sure you know whether you have hired a mover or a moving broker.
“A broker is going to kind of bring in your job, almost from a sales lead perspective. You will have no say in who the mover is that comes to your home to complete the job,” said Salmons.
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