A series of unfortunate events!

Ram, a colleague of mine, whose real name shall remain secret, made a 4 month trip to India. Before he left, his friend advised him to move his things to a storage place and save rent for 4 months. Ram thought that it is a good idea and told the apartment staff that he wanted to move out. But according to the lease, he had to give a 60 day notice or pay the equivalent rent. So he paid $1300 and an additional $600 for leaving the place in a mess. He did not have enough time to clean it up or move the furniture since this was a last minute plan.

After Ram left, as promised, his friend moved his things (single bedroom furniture) with the help of some movers ($700) to a storage place that charges $200. But he could not move Ram's car on the same day. So he left the car keys with the apartment staff and told them that another friend of his would come and take the car. Now the apartment staff knew that the car did not belong there. His friend did not show up for the next couple of days and they towed his car away to a far away yard. When his friend came to know about it, he tried to get it back but they would not let anyone other than the owner to retrieve it.



So Ram had to get it himself when he returned. He went multiple times to his old apartment office but after such a long time they had lost the keys. So he had to go to the car dealer to make a new set of keys for $50. He took the new key to the towing yard but the key did not work. So he went back to the dealer again. This time the dealer realized her mistake and made the correct one.The towing place charged $1100 for keeping the car for so long. After getting his car, he went to get his furniture. His friend had put his things in a far away storage even though there were many cheaper places within a mile. He negotiated with some movers to move his stuff for $200. Later, the movers called him from the storage place because his friend had not paid for the storage and the staff over there was furious! So he had to go to the storage place, settle his bill and get the stuff.

Rent for 2 months instead of the notice period - $1300

Cleaning and carpet replacement charges - $600

Movers and storage far away - $900

Towing yard charges - $1100

Duplicate car keys - $100

Hotel for 10 days while you find a new place - $800

Movers to move back your stuff - $200

Friends that help you with free advice and shoddy work - PRICELESS!