NETTLETON, Miss. (WTVA) -- Larry and Linda Knaak face a harsh reality-one that becomes even more difficult to deal with as the days pass.
"They seem cold and heartless. This time of year that's just wrong," Larry Knaak said.
What went very wrong began before the move.
The couple searched for a mover online settling with the best deal-in this case with Nationwide Top Movers.
Knaak says the company cashed their check without delivering their belongings. Now, Nationwide Top Movers has filed bankruptcy.
"We've already paid in advance for the move. We gave them $7,445 and our stuff is still in a warehouse in California," Knaak added.
Getting their money back is not likely to happen according to Tupelo attorney Jason Shelton.
"Once a company files bankruptcy, the court prohibits individuals from filing any type of lawsuit against them to collect their money. You have to file a claim in bankruptcy court and essentially get in line with the other people who the company owes money to," Shelton said.
They have an approaching deadline to pick up their stuff which will be at the couple's expense. That would require a trip to California and thousands more to pay another company.
They would learn this after repeated attempts to call the company without success. Bad news would come in an email.
"We brought with us two suitcases of clothes and two laptop computers because they were convenient for keeping in communication with everybody and four pets-all of our pets," Knaak added.
Their pets are all they have left now. Lost are wedding pictures, photos of his son who passed away and a lifetime of memories.
Life as they know it is in government housing with her mother.
"We don't have any insurance anymore because he doesn't have a job and we get slapped with this. It's like you're violated. I don't know how else to explain it. I feel totally violated and it's something I can never get back," Linda Knaak said.
A company spokesperson identifying themselves as Robert Fales posted a message on the company's website expressing regret and concern for all customers affected.
They say everything is being done to reunite customers with their belongings.
WTVA has placed a call to the company.
We continue to wait for a comment.
