Action News TroubleShooters: Dumpster that wouldn't leave

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A consumer really feeling down in the dumps contacted Action News TroubleShooters.

Donna Totora ordered a dumpster from FastDumpster.com.

"We were cleaning out the house. My mom had passed on, my son and his family were moving in," Totora said.

Donna paid Fast Dumpster in full $450 plus a $300 security deposit for delivery and pickup.

Fast Dumpster, a broker based in North Jersey, sub-contracted the job to locally operated American Disposal Systems.

"It was delivered on June 30th and it was supposed to be picked up two weeks later on July 14th," Totora said.

But the pickup didn't happen.

When Donna called Fast Dumpster, she says she was told she didn't have a contract.

"So right then, it was like this red flag, like yes we did," Totora said.

Donna then called the local company, American Disposal Systems. The folks there told her they couldn't pick up the dumpster until they received payment from Fast Dumpster.

So the dumpster sat in Donna's yard for 9 weeks!

The family even took this picture during their reunion.

Finally, Donna called the Action News Troubleshooters. After we called both companies, Donna got the results for which she had been waiting so long.

American Disposal Systems came out and removed the dumpster, it says even before it got ITS payment from Fast Dumpster.

And Fast Dumpster, meantime, returned Donna's security deposit much to her relief.

We were happy to help Donna get out of the dumps.

"I thank you so much. Within a week, I mean within a week, and that's with the Labor Day holiday, I couldn't believe when I got you're call saying you're coming out. I appreciate it," Totora told Action News.

Fast Dumpster's owner, Tom Delio, admits the company still owes American Disposal Systems $12,000 for various jobs.

He says Fast Dumpster's cash flow got "messed up" but he is trying to make good with payments.

Delio also tells me, "Donna's dumpster was overweight by .96 tons" but he "didn't charge her for that." He says "his main goal is making his consumers happy."

Now, here's what you can learn from this. Instead of using an online broker for a job like this, contract directly with a local company with a good reputation.

Now if you have a problem you'd like help with, you can reach me by going to 6abc.com/TroubleShooters. You can also email me at troubleshooters@abc.com.

You can also contact our Call for Action volunteers at 1-866-978-4232.