Alliance Moving & Storage LLC

I did not know that Alliance Moving & Storage was a middleman during the time of booking. They do not make that very obvious on their website. In looking closer at the contract that I signed and in the fine print online, they do specify what they do, but as a first timer moving across country on my own I did not know. I learned my lesson in trying to save a couple bucks and the stress was not worth it.

Their motto is "Moving can be stressful. We can help" but this company was the source of all of my moving stress. When speaking with my moving coordinator Frank Jackson (who never emailed/called me back after getting my money) I told him that I'd like my things picked up Friday, 9/25. He said that Alliance gives a moving window of two days and that typically they arrive on the second day. Great, a window of 9/24 - 9/25 it is. Frank said I would get a call the Monday of that week to confirm which date the movers come. No call, so when reaching out to customer service I'm told they come on Thursday 9/24. Sounds good.

That Tuesday, I do my quality assurance call with Thomas Hoffman. Thomas has been responsive and helpful throughout this ordeal and I have no negative feelings towards him. As it turns out, with some extra boxes and my specialty bed disassembly my quote went from ~$2,800 to ~$3,900. I didn't even blink at the change because this is still a very affordable rate for almost 3,000 miles.

Wednesday morning rolls around and as I am preparing to finish my last 5% of packing (while WFH), the moving company calls saying they're coming today. So much for a 24 hour notice! I asked what he meant since this is a day earlier than the first day of my moving window and that I was not ready. He basically said that I just have to deal with it and pack while the movers start loading the truck. This really screwed my plans because I had intended to bring my cat to a friend's house and also had a therapy appointment on Wednesday which I had to cancel and pay out of pocket for. My cat got to stay in the bathroom for five hours while the guys worked and I lost $100 for a call with my therapist that I could not have. Plus the last-minute hysterics of throwing things into boxes hastily because I did not have time to adequately organize before they showed up. I had not had a panic attack in about a year, but Alliance welcomed that feeling back to me this week.

The worst part is the inconsistencies and miscommunications between broker and vendor. I signed a contract with Alliance saying that wrapping of furniture is free of charge, yet the vendor tried to charge me for that. When I pushed back, he helped me out because I had been nice to them. Alliance also told me I pay half at pick-up, half at delivery. The vendor wanted a 75% payment on pick-up. The vendor also tried to charge me for the elevator service (I'm on the 5th floor so we used the elevator to pack my things) and I just kind of stared at him. What? What I've found is that Alliance makes generalizations about what is included, but the vendor will try to charge you for extra things the day of.

Oh, that's not all! The Alliance booking system somehow became compromised, so not only were viruses sent out to clients via the clickable estimate they sent out, but the vendor did not have my updated inventory list. Customer service is kind but clueless, because when I called to discuss their system being compromised/whether the moving company has my updated inventory list + record of estimate, they said not to worry and that had all been sent to them. This, like many other promises Alliance made, was not accurate.

I work as an Executive Assistant and have to be an organized person. I had spreadsheets, calendar invites, and comprehensive plans for this move. I did everything right, but it still wasn't enough and I have Alliance to thank for that. Save yourself the headache and book through a legit moving company.

Move size: Studio Service cost: $4230

I wish to file a complaint against Seven Stars Movers of Garland TX that you contracted for my recent move.

The Owner and driver (Arvie) leased a 26 ft truck for our move, which from my research has a maximum storage capacity of a little over 1800 cubic ft.

When he conducted his on site estimate, he calculated an additional 1254 cubic ft., to the original estimate of 1371, for a total of 2625 cubic ft. The total estimate was over the storage capacity of the truck!

At the time, I didn’t realize the truck capacity, but still argued his figures. This individual became rude and abrasive and threatening to stop the move, and was wanting a cash form of payment within 2 hrs or he will stop loading.

I was aware of the payment requirements from conversations with Sam Roth at Alliance. Arvie continued to threaten to stop the move, I told him that he had backed me into a corner, and I obviously needed to continue the move process.

This individual was the most un-professional person that I have ever had to deal with.

I worked with Ciara at Customer Service and argued with her about the same, and she said she trusted his judgment. Again, at the time did not realize the storage capacity until later.

So I made a $10,000 wire payment, the ORIGINAL TOTAL ESTIMATE was $5181.

Upon delivery it was demanded that I pay the drivers the remaining balance in cash. In my opinion, that was not acceptable, and I chose again to wire directly to Alliance. The wire transfer was submitted about an hour prior to the arrival of the truck. Upon arrival, the wire was still in Pending Status, and I provided a copy of the wire to Ciara at Customer Service. Arvie called my wife and began yelling and berating her, about payment! I was working with my bank to expedite the wire, even though I provided a copy to everyone. According to Alliance, they needed the transfer to be received. After a couple of hours, finally got the wire processed and by that time both Alliance and Seven Stars Movers are demanding Extra Time payment for the drivers because they had to sit for a period of time, all of this was out my control and no one was willing to be flexible.

Needless to say, I have made multiple attempts to contact Customer Service at Alliance with no results. Long wait periods, unanswered messages etc.

This has been the most stressful, exasperating experience for both my wife and myself.

I will hope and pray that Alliance take action on this company’s actions, not to say, some needed improvement in the Customer Service area.

At this time, Im requesting a refund of the overages, based on the full use of a 26ft. truck with a maximum capacity of approx.. 1800 cubic ft., which at this time has gone unanswered by Alliance.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $16500

They broker the move. Our price almost doubled from the original quote. They didn't show up the day of the move after forcing us to pay deposit. The company they brokered it to was also shady. They hold your cargo hostage. After they have your stuff the price continued to escalate until delivery. At delivery they showed up two days late with stuff missing. I have called Alliance, wrote emails, and now contacting the BBB. They never call us back or return our emails. We have been trying to file an insurance claim and now we have to go to court. Do Not Use Them!

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $17000

I booked my move with Alliance Moving and Storage and was given every assurance that they would be with me “every step of the way,” in my move and that I was receiving a good quote and they would not nickel and dime me. The customer sales rep even said “I have daughters - this is what I would recommend for them.” And so I placed my trust in this company thinking that they would make the stressful experience of moving less challenging, especially in the midst of the pandemic. The reality of my experience was the exact opposite - it was emotionally and financially traumatic.

They severely underestimated the space that my goods took up so that when the company they hired for my move arrived, I was immediately notified that my cost would be significantly higher than what I was quoted, and that there were a number of added expenses (read the fine print VERY carefully - a binding estimate does not include a number of added costs that you cannot dispute when the movers arrive to pickup your goods,) and ultimately, once the new company arrived for pickup, I was forced to sign a new agreement and Alliance was basically off the hook for the rest of the move.

My goods were estimated to arrive on August 3rd and didn’t arrive until October 4th. When I attempted to get updates on my delivery date I repeatedly received conflicting information from representatives at Alliance, including being told that my goods would be loaded on a truck on a certain date and then the next day calling to confirm that they’d been loaded only to be told that they weren’t. This happened many times, and I was also told, on many occasions, that I would receive a return call with an update and never did. This is not an exaggeration - I have documented evidence of my experience both in recorded phone calls and emails.

In the end, the promise that Alliance would be with me every step of the way was a total lie. Moving is incredibly stressful during regular times, and during a pandemic it is even more stressful. I hired Alliance thinking I would be reducing the amount of turmoil I’d experience during my move, and as a result of my experience with Alliance Moving and Storage I will never trust a moving company with my belongings again. I’d rather know where my stuff is at all times and coordinate the details, truck rentals, labor, etc. myself. I would have saved a whole lot of money and turmoil.

I would not recommend using this company by any means, but if you are considering it I would definitely urge you to look them up and do thorough research:

Federal Motor Trade Carrier Safety Administration: (42 complaints this year at the time this review was written)

Https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/hhg/SearchDetails.asp?ads=&id=30463694&id2=32385759&f=search%3D3%26CNS%3D1%26CN%3Dalliance%26DOT%3D%26MC%3D%26Submit%3DSearch

Their BBB Profile (grade D+)

Https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/deerfield-beach/profile/moving-companies/alliance-moving-and-storage-llc-0633-90552819

Move Rescue: (lots of good info here for before during and after your move)

Https://www.moverescue.com/

And this article from the BBB about avoiding moving scams:

Https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/22678-moving-scams-cause-financial-and-emotional-nightmares-bbb-study-finds.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2400

I hired this company to do my move from Saint Peter, MN to New London, CT. Everything was fine with the booking process. They told me my pick-up date would be Either September 10th or September 11th and I would get a call to confirm closer to the date. On September 9th, I got a call confirming my pick-up date for September 11th and the representative on the phone informed me I would get a call the following day confirming my pick-up time.

By 4 p.m. the following day, I had not received a call. I called and talked with Nicole who told me she would have an answer and would call me back in an hour and a half. She never called back, so I called and received the after-hours line which is basically useless. This began nearly two days of me calling the company, sitting on hold, and never getting an answer. My "confirmed" pick-up date came and went. It was my last day at work, and I was supposed to be able to enjoy saying goodbye to my colleagues but was unable to because of the lack of communication.

On Sunday, September 13th, my belongings were finally collected by D&F Pack and Go. That went smoothly other than the fact that it was two days past my confirmed pick up date. I just kept wondering "what if I wasn't able to stay in my apartment past the 11th? I would have had no where to go." I gave them a drop off date in New London, CT of no earlier than September 18th.

Knowing my belongings wouldn't be there right away, I called on September 19th just to get a status update. The individual I talked with was not able to give me any information. I then proceeded to call back each day asking for an update and I was told repeatedly that "we can't get in touch with the guy, but don't worry, your stuff is fine." On Saturday, September 26th, I sat on hold with the company for five hours and left repeated voicemails. Not a single person answered the phone or returned my voicemails.

I spent the next 2-3 weeks calling daily to ask for updates and was told repeatedly that my delivery would be on a specific date, only to have that date come and go with no communication from D&F or Alliance and no sign of my belongings. Often times when I called, I was told by the representative who took my calls that they would call me back within a certain time frame, and they rarely did. I asked for the contact information for D&F so I could contact them directly and they also were unresponsive and unhelpful. Eventually, I was able to contact the owner of the company who was helpful or about a day and instructed his employee Vicky to provide me with a $500 refund. I received an email from Vicky stating that I would be provided a refund on October 11th and I have not received it yet as of November 10th.

Finally, on October 23rd (after I had been in my new location nearly five weeks without clothes, cooking supplies, or any of my other sentimental items), my items were delivered. Nearly every single one of my 30 boxes was damaged, crushed, or set on a side it shouldn't have been. Some of my items were damaged causing me to have to repair them. One of the workers from D&F dropped my box of cups and dishes (labeled 'Fragile') onto the floor in my apartment right in front of me. The two men who delivered my items demanded I pay them $300 more than I was quoted for because there were stairs included, when I specifically informed the person who confirmed my estimate about the stairs when I booked the job in March. They also gave me two boxes of stuff that were not mine, which I luckily noticed before they left.

I have called Alliance multiple times this week asking for an update on the status of my refund and have gotten no response. This horrible customer service cost me almost $4,500, and a lot of time and energy I will never get back. And that doesn't include the money I spent on clothes, dishes, and cooking supplies to get me through 5 weeks without my belongings.

DO NOT HIRE THIS COMPANY. This was the single worst customer service experience I have ever had.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4400

It's been two months and I haven't received my things. I was initially told "10 business days" and when my things didn't arrive, I called and was told my things would now arrive in "30 business days." As I type this review, my stuff is sitting in an "Able and Storage" unit in Arkansas.

Instead of being put on hold for hours and being hung up on, I would hope to speak to a real professional instead of getting the run around.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2000

Do not use this company. They take your money, sell your job to a 3rd party that is noncredited, they didnt know where my goods were, lost my goods for over a week, then when delivered lost over $1000s of dollars of wine I collected all over the world. No mgr would call, apoligize, or make the situation right. Between cost of move $5k, over50bottles of wine, and then 10days sitting in an empty house where i had to buy a bed to sleep, food, etc... im over $10k in the hole, lost memories, and horrific service. No one has tried to make it right and i followed up via phone/email weekly for 2 months to give them a chance. Dont take the bait, run from this company!! There are much better companies out there than this one.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4225

I used this company to get my mother moved after the unexpected death of her husband from Las Vegas to California on Sept 16 2020. They directed me to another company that is absolutely the WORST. I don't believe they vet the companies that they use. It has been almost 2 months and my mother still does NOT have her belongings!!! WTAF!!! I cannot believe they put people thru this kind of bad behavior. I have emailed and called to no avail! I would never use this company ever!!! My mother is so hurt. 74 yrs old and her husband dead without her belongings! UNBELIEVEABLE

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3676

Moved from IL to VA and used this company. Ended up choosing Alliance because of their good "reviews" even though they were a little more expensive because we wanted to avoid a bad experience. Right off the back, I ran into payment issues with them saying I didn't pay and I had clear proof that I in fact did. When trying to call customer service, I waited on hold for over a half of an hour before opting to leave a message just to never get a callback. Then I was charged an additional $618 for them to include our couch, floor lamp, and nightstands which I clearly informed them of needing to be included in my initial price. I was told it would take 2-3 days to have our household goods delivered, which was yet another lie. It ended up taking a week to receive our goods with a bonus of two boxes missing (just so happened to be two boxes with expensive items in them). Throughout this experience I have tried emailing multiple times, calling customer service, and calling my sales representative all to never received any responses from anyone. Would give negative stars if possible.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3500

This was the worst experience of my life. Alliance Moving uses the worst moving companies in the united states and the employees are liars. I've put my number on the web because I was looking to move my stuff from San Francisco to Denver. After a couple of days I've got a phone called from the Sales Representative ROGER STEIN , telling me that they were a moving company (which is illegal to hide that they are a BROKERAGE company ) and they had a truck going the same way from San Francisco to Denver on the day the I needed. Everything was just a big lie. Roger gave me a quote of $3200 and later raised it to $4200 when I added more stuff. He promised me that everything would get to Denver in 2-3 days, that they would have not sit boxes on top of my motorcycle, that FULL PROTECTION INSURANCE was INCLUDED in the price and that I would not pay for the movers to do stairs. All of these above where all lies. I've got in to the biggest rip off of my life and I feel devastated. Alliance sold the contract to a company called PRIME RELOCATION. The day of the moving they raised the original quote by $2200 and raised again before getting to Denver by $1200 for shuttle service which I didn't need because they could easily park the 18 wheelers in the moving dot of my complex and they didn't want to hear it about it, if I didn't pay they wouldn't deliver my stuff. The movers were not wearing masks when they came and came without gloves (literally spitting on their hands to pick up the boxes and furnitures), dropped several boxes on the way to the truck and laughing about it. They sat many boxes on the motorcycles which got damaged in different parts, broke so many things including pieces of furniture and losing a bed frame. This was a nightmare. ALLIANCE MOVING AND STORAGE makes it look so easy and beautiful when they tell you all those lies on the phone but they work with the worst and lowest rated companies in the USA. If I knew they were a brokerage company and not a moving company I would never go with them. It's not right to not tell your customers who you really are and that you DON'T HAVE any trucks. Plus low balling quotes is against the law as well. I've been charged at the end for 1200 cubic feet when I didn't even occupied half of a Enterprise 26 foot truck.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $7600

DO NOT use this company. We chose Alliance Moving & Storage (there are several with similar names but this is the one - https://www.alliancemoving.co/ located in Deerfield Beach, FL) for our recent move from San Francisco to Seattle. I spoke with Johnathan Steele. He promised us our move was direct (no warehouse stop) and that he was putting us on a truck that was going from San Jose to Seattle the same weekend, so our stuff would arrive in Seattle in 1-2 days MAX. He also said he padded our estimate by 11% (he claims it's his way of ensuring we don't get hit with surprise overage charges) and that our stuff would likely be under and we'd pay less. He promised that the movers would load our belongings and measure the total cubic footage and adjust the price back down then. When the movers came, they did NOT measure anything - I asked them and they said they don't do that, and that I had to pay what was estimated. They also said there was no direct shipment for our belongings, they were taking it to a warehouse and would wait til the next truck heading north. They told us 3-7 days. It's now been 3 weeks and 4 days since our pickup and we STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR STUFF. We only packed for 1-2 days since that's what we were promised and have spent hundreds of dollars the past month to take care of ourselves without our belongings. We also had all of our Christmas presents in the truck so we couldn't give those to loved ones on the holiday, and we'll now have to ship those to family instead. I've tried calling Johnathan and Alliance's customer service several times. Johnathan has ignored my emails and screened my calls. My last call he picked up and hung up. I was on hold with customer service for 2 hrs one day and then it just cut me off. I've only been able to reach two humans so far: Crystal - she was very nice but ultimately did not help me. I also spoke to another guy in customer service who said he couldn't do anything because they "were just the broker". As I said before, DO NOT use this company. They lie and promise all sorts of things to get you to use them.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3134

This company completely lied to me to get my business. They said what they needed to on the phone in order for me to sign with them. The sales guy (Roger) made up a whole story about a move that would be in the area I needed a day before, later to find out he was just a broker and passed my move to a moving company in which the moving company had no idea about his story he told. Now they won’t return calls and just lied to me and took my money. I am now stuck without my furniture for at least 2 weeks thanks to their lies. Please don’t use this company.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1500

Worst company ever! Borderline scammers. Justin was the worst. We were quoted 1100 cubic feet and quoted 6100 for the move. The movers showed up and stated we actually needed 2500 cubic feet and the total move would cost 18000! We could not afford it at that point so we just asked for a refund of our 2000 dollar deposit. 4 weeks later no one in customer service was helpful, was hung up on, promised a call back that never happened. I mean so unprofessional. They concluded that we refused their service because we could not afford to pay 18K and that the deposit is non refundable! As a military member trying to pcs in a short amount of time, I would not recommend this company.

Only reason for the one star was Kevin in customer service who actually took the time to explain the errors made. Still didn't get the refund but he helped us realize we can do better than Alliance.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6100