Active Moving Inc

This company came recommended by my real state agent who used them few times already. The owner of the business stopped by the next day after the initial call and made an onsite inspection of what needed to be done. The move was planned 2 weeks in advance and they brought boxes an packing supplies so we could start packing things. On the day of move our team was really hard working, friendly and polite. The move was finished even earlier than planned. One of my best moving experiences.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1400

Booked a move from Walden NY to Clarksville TN, price quoted was not what the actual price turned out to be. Was quoted a price for 450 cu ft with the understanding when they picked up my stuff the price would be adjusted.

They came to pick up my things and my wife was there to let them take the stuff. They turned around and told here it was 500 cu ft (an additional 50 cu ft). Basically they took advantage of my wife and I had no choice at this point because I was already down in Tennessee. I told the person picking up the load that there was no way it was more than what the estimate was and that I would be measuring the load when it got delivered. When the load got to Tennessee and I measured it it was actually less than 400 cu ft. So instead of getting a reduction on the job like what was told to me it was increased by $400. Again I had to pay the delivery guys or they wouldn't unload my stuff.

I took pictures of how much space the load took up on the truck and had the driver sign the paperwork stating the load was less than 400 cu ft so I could get money back on the move. Well you can imagine the run around I received from the sales person and the owner when I tried to get my money back.

I wouldn't recommend using this company because they try to rip you off and don't honor their word. They will tell you anything to get you to use them and then turn their back when you catch them lying about the actual load. Two weeks later and I still haven't gotten anyone to tell me what they are going to do about over charging me.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $2278

Active Moving has zero honor, zero professionalism, and is the worst kind of deceitful, dishonest operator in this business. I had an awful experience with Active, the worst possible kind and a cautionary tale for other potential customers.

I had looked at previous reviews across the internet. For the handful of bad reviews, I chalked it up on inexperienced movers who prepared poorly. I smugly believed that as an experienced mover (I've moved multiple times long distance - Boston-Miami and Miami-Philly), I was better equipped against any surprises. I was wrong. What others described as bait & switch and extortion pricing was exactly what happened to me also. It was horrible and vile and evil. The absolute WORST moving experience I've ever had, over the 11 moves I've done in the last 20 years.

I scheduled my move 6 weeks ahead of time. It was structured on a volume basis (per cf), and had one 'origin' fee for a shuttle truck pickup. Not a tractor trailor, a 26' truck for pickup. The booker Ivan assured me there were no other fees or surprises. No long carry. No packing fees. Irrelevant, he said. Volume was the only variable. I estimated 530 cf. If there was more, I would pay more on a per-cf basis at the agreed-upon rate of $3.50 per cf. Ivan: "We have our own trucks. Surprises only happen with bookers. We're not a booker."

The day before the move, we had a call to confirm. At that point, I knew I had extra boxes (50-80 cf) and told Ivan as much. Ivan: "No problem. We just apply the rate as agreed of $3.50 per cf."

On the day of the move, Active was scheduled to arrive at 9am. The foreman Vitaly (just him) didn't show up until 10:19am in a small van. No call for a heads-up. No team in sight. I wasn't so much perturbed by the late arrival - but him showing up by himself and his attitude were a hint of trouble ahead.

Vitaly took one look at my apartment, and said he needed to call the office, and disappeared. "Your quote was wrong." He came back, eyeballed the whole thing, and said "750 cf and the total is now $3,500." 75% higher than the estimate. The previous per-cf rate thrown out and ignored. No details of fees, since he threw out a long carry in his grumble. Just a round number of $3,500. "I've been doing this for 20 years. I know." Well, I can measure and count boxes. There was no way I had 750 cf, and what happened to the previous structure of the move estimate? There's a simple workaround - let's just load it and measure. That's what happened with all my other long-distance movers. The trucks are marked to easily measure cf. Vitaly refused to agree to a measurement. Who does that?!? If I'm wrong, fine, I'll pay. But there was no way I was wrong. And he knew it. Even if there was 750 cf, my total would've been $3,000. Vitaly didn't care about any of it. $3,500.

And then "the game" began. Ivan the booker, who was MIA, suddenly re-appeared on the phone and called to say it was out of his hands. Good cop bad cop. "So, that's the deal. Vitaly is on the ground and has final say. Take it or leave it?" I decline because the price jump was so egregious. He calls back 15 minutes later, and offers a $100 discount. What??? I ask again about our previous structure, and tell him Vitaly left already. Ivan: "No. He's nearby. The team is waiting." I decline. Ivan calls me one final time after another another 30 minutes, and offers a discounted total of $3,300. Again, totally ignores the previous per-cf structure and refuses to do a measurement. Some excuse that they have a tractor trailor. (What happened to the 26' truck??) Ivan: "I try to help you out, man." No... you're just being a bad person.

This is Active's game. They quote you something they have zero intention of honoring. And then, on the day of the move, try to extort you. They purposefully play good cop bad cop / cat and mouse. It's just evil and traumatic for a long-distance move. All my asks were reasonable, and they refused. Just shady. Avoid these guys.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3500

My move went incredibly smooth and professional. I’ve received many instructions from the office on how to prepare most of the items for the long distance trip myself and was about 90% ready when the pick up team arrived. The movers took care of everything that needed special attention and they were also very skillful and polite. I met my stuff a week late and all the items were in pristine condition. I am so happy with my choice of the moving company and will continue using their service in the future.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3500