Alliance Moving Services Inc

10-11-13 Mark,Per our phone conversation this morning, here are photos of everything that was boxed and unloaded yesterday morning. As you can see, the majority of the boxes are what I had already that they just taped up. There were no wardrobe boxes used as I had requested for items that were on hangers in the closet, they just shoved it all into small boxes still on the hangers!! They neglected to pack 2 other closets of coats and hanging clothing entirely and when we pointed that out to them they acted like we were asking too much and said " oh you want to take that too?" And just shrugged it off. We had to box the items ourselves an bring them to TX. I also had a box of Christmas lights etc I had told them I wanted loaded. After they left, I discovered they had taken all the lights out of the box and hid them behind some empty boxes in the storage shed then hid another box of items amongst the empty boxes an just tossed the original box upside down so we wouldn't notice!!  We paid $6227.75 for a professional move. No boxes were marked with what room or contents even which is why it's all in the garage. And in the last photo there are the 2 drawers that go to the missing bed frame and headboard. Also missing are the 2 dining table leafs that make table bigger, and 2 matching table lamps. All in all I am extremely disappointed in the service we paid for. Would I ever recommend Alliance to anyone..DEFINATELY NOT EVER!!  We feel we were very overcharged for services rendered.As for the missing items, We would like to resolve this ASAP without having to file a claim but WILL file if we get no action, refund or response to correct the situation. My phone # is.. Update- As of today 10-13-13, I have received no callback or email response.

Service cost: $6228

This experience had all the making of being a great experience the quote was great wasn’t too high and I could not wait to move. I was originally told the move would happen on a Sunday mid-afternoon.  I received a call from the driver that he would be there around 10pm, which did not sit well with me.  Then they said it would be closer to midnight, which they said they would come the next day early afternoon instead.  The next day the same thing I was left waiting for a truck that never came.  Around mid afternoon I received a call the driver would be there closer to evening around 6pm.  At about 8pm I get a call from the company again that the driver was held up in a storm and that there was no room on the truck for my things that he could not get there and I would have to be moved the following day.  I expressed my aggravation with this and assured that he would be there early in the morning.  Upon the next day I received a call from the driver letting me know he was an hour away and he would be there by 10am.  About 10:15 am I call him and he tells me he is at a rest stop an hour and a half outside of Boston and he would be there.  I asked what happened and he sighted a mistake in how far out he really was.  Then when it was noon I called again to be ignored.  At this point I began to panic as now it was the third day that I was still waiting and I had to be out of my house.  I called the main company rather irritated at how unprofessional this whole situation had been.  Then to make mattes worse no one answered the phone.  The original sales rep who assured me any trouble call him never returned my call or responded to email or nothing.  I felt as though I had been duped into giving away $150 deposit.  At this point I was considering renting a U-Haul and was pricing out my options when I received a call from the home base.  The dispatcher told me the driver was about 2 1/2 hours away from Boston and as I expressed how poor their customer service was and how terrible this whole experience was the dispatcher hung up on me.  Then he called me back and said do I want to move or not.  At this point I told him he would need to tell me because clearly I already paid, so why would I want to not move its been them and their POOR business practice that has me still waiting.  At this point it was 5 pm and he told me he would refund my deposit but clearly this would not solve my issue so I told him as long as someone comes lets just move.  The driver then called me after to tell me he is on another job at that moment and I would be his next stop.  I told him why would he tell me he was so close and have me thinking I would be gone around 10 am and it was not 5 pm.  He simply blamed the dispatcher but swore to me he would be there.  Fast-forward its 10:30 pm and I get a call they were on their way.  I simply said just get here, and 45 minutes later they arrived.  By 12:30 am my house was packed up in the truck and they told me we would meet in NY.  After that long day I drove the 3 hours to my new home arrived around 3:30am and the movers showed up about 4:05 am.  After that they simply rushed to unload all my things in my living room after hassling me about cash or check neither which the sales rep ever mentioned then after he puts a call in to his "boss" he gets the ok to take my credit card, but only after I electronically signed an email I was sent a minute before.  He actually stood there and told me he had to watch me click the button.  At this point I was tired and spent from the frustration but appreciative to have made the move.  I clicked the email, which amazingly came instantly (but no one there could respond to a phone call).  I gave them each a tip for their work and went to bed.  Needless to say overall it was the absolute worst moving experience I could of paid for and would recommend them to no one.  The movers themselves were nice guys, but for that "great price" I was better off paying double for a company that would have been on time, honored our original agreement and did not arrive at 11:00 pm like this was a normal hour to move.  Alliance Moving Services Inc.  should seriously reconsider customer service and business practice.    .

Service cost: $1556

They say that moving is one of the most stressful this you can do in life and I have to agree. I shopped around and got 3 rates on what it would cost to move me back to Los Angeles CA from Austin TX. Alliance came in at the lowest price. The sales guy was a little pushy, but I'm in sales and it's a tough economy, so I get it and I'm not mad at him. The movers were a little late. But I was suprised at how "clean cut" and "respectful" they were. They hustled the entire time and they didn't take any breaks. They just got it done. They dinged one thing. My kitchen table but It was a small "ding/scratch". Everything showed up on time in LA. Nothing was missing. No real damage except to the table, which was small. My bill was $100 less then the estimate which I appreciated as well. I'd rather have them come in high with the estimate and have it be less then them come in low and try and hit me for more cash later. The whole move was stressful and I was a stress case during it but all things considered these guys were pretty good. I would recommend them in the future. .

Service cost: $3600

I hope this will help anyone who might be considering Alliance.  I give suggestions I hope will help if you are already committed.I open with:  Alliance Moving Services is a scam.   This message is intended to help you navigate them, if you are in their grips.First, how the relationship works:   Alliance Moving Services is a broker.  They own zero trucks.  They are a phone bank with sales people.   When one calls, suggestions of "talking to dispatch" and such are common.  The truth is, there is no dispatch.   They put you on 'hold' and goof off for a few moments, then give you an answer you want to hear.Alliance Moving Services business model works as follows:   a. The customer is sold on a low-price, less-than-load move.b. Alliance 'Re-sells" your move opportunity to the small carriers.  c. Alliance takes their fee (which happens to be your down payment.  They pay themselves first), then hands you off smaller, independent movers.There is NOTHING wrong with this.  Brokers serve the market, as the moving companies tend to not invest marketing and sales capacity.How Alliance operates is fraudulent.   (I do not worry about accusations of  slander.  I have documentation to support my claim.  I intend to pursue it.)Alliance Business Model:1. Sell the opportunity at any cost.  Their bid is intentionally ambiguous.   Objective?  Set the hook.2. Within the seven day window of cancellation, Alliance will ask "Quality Assurance" to call you.  Reason will be found for you to pay more. (Example in a moment.)  "Quality Assurance" is another layer of sales.3. Subsequently, you'll be passed to your local, independent mover.  You will NEVER speak to anyone at Alliance who can add value from that moment forward.  Alliance will extract the maximum from you, then your move is sold to a least-cost independent truck line.EXAMPLE of SCAM:   "Your move is within 2000 lbs.  The price - not to exceed- is $1,500 "and 72 pennies" from 'origin' to 'destination'.   At the time of commitment, I repeatedly asked about "volume".   Trevor, the sales guy, said, "It's all about the weight!  Don't worry about volume.  You have a sofa and a table and a xyz."    Within the 7-day rescind window - no turning back - Alliance will ask a "Quality Assurance" agent to call you.  They will ask, "Please send us the volumes of each article."     Reply: .."Sir, the volumes are much too large.  You owe an additional $349 and 17 pennies."  (note the "pennies."  That's their twitchy parlance.  "xyz dollars and abc pennies."  MANAGING ALLIANCE (or any broker) :#1.   Get a quote and be specific.  Be prepared:  have your weights (estimate) and your volumes in a sheet.   If you are already under contract and not within seven days, you can exit.  Documentation = power over Alliance.#2.   PUT EVERYTHING into writing.    Weights, volumes, price. Schedule.   Verbal communication is not admissible.   Documentation is power.  Alliance will attempt to minimize written communication.#3.   Get the email address of the SALES person.  Once sold, access is restricted to the salesperson; their system contains "blockers" to prevent you from actually speaking with the people who made the initial commitments.#4.   READ and UNDERSTAND the binding contract.  Particular attention:  "Additional Accessorial Services and Fees."  AND #9.  READ IT AND UNDERSTAND IT.#5.   (!) WHEN Alliance calls to ask for more money, say "NO."  Refer them to "item #9 of the binding contract."   Tell them you will work with the moving company directly to settle any discrepancy!Now for the MOVE: My move - to Florida from the Northeast - was fulfilled by a small moving company from NJ.   I paid ~$1500.   The moving company received $895.   Alliance earned $615 for their brokerage services.    When you talk to the moving company, you have entered into a new relationship.  Alliance is out of the picture.   You must remember, small companies MUST fill their truck FULL to make money.   Small businesses cannot not lose money.  This said, I was happy with them.  They were 2 weeks late; but they did deliver.  They were honest and courteous.   My suggestions to YOU:a. Find a local moving company.  Ask them if they deliver to your region.   Get a quote directly.   Avoid brokers.  b. Treat the moving company with respect.  They are small business operators and will respond in-turn.   Alliance is a sleezy broker.   From the body language, the movers do not think much of Alliance either.c. If you use a broker - ANY broker - get everything in writing.   Understand your contract.   Alliance will use ignorance against you.I sincerely hope this helps.    I did get my furnishings to Florida within the quoted budget, as I recognized the Alliance game early.   The moving company, a five-truck outfit out of Northern NJ, worked well.  I wish I approached them directly.

Service cost: $1500

  For starters, the movers, US Home Movers, LLC were supposed to arrive between 9 - 11 am and they did not show up until 2:30 pm with a truck that was too SMALL!  What’s more, they did not have enough blankets or straps or proper moving equipment.  They were two twenty-four year old kids who have no vested interest in the company but are just working to make a quick buck.  In desperation, because my house was sold and needed to be empty by 10:00 am the next day, I let them proceed.  The movers were inexperienced and incapable.  I had to take apart the furniture for them and help them load the truck.  The movers did not get finished until 1:00 AM!  Yet, the movers took their smoke breaks and we fed them dinner.  These kids assured me they knew what they were doing and could handle everything.  I was stupid for believing them!  Don’t make the same mistake I did!  The two guys dead lifted my piano, almost crashing it in the process and they scratched it up.  However, we were assured by Alliance when we hired them that they were capable of moving pianos and had the equipment to do so.  For fear of my piano being destroyed or crushing someone, I had to hire a separate piano company to move my piano off the truck because it was obvious these kids were incapable and unequipped and the moving company offered no reimbursement for the extra $235 I spent.  My dining room table and the leaves were deeply scratched in multiple places and the movers claimed they had never had any damages before.  They even tried to suggest my furniture was scratched prior to the move.  Yet, one of them slipped up and said they loaded the truck wrong and the table and its leaves should have been placed between the mattresses.  I had 5 twin mattresses on the truck!  Needless to say, my furniture is destroyed and I feel completely taken advantage of.  My piano bench and piano is also severely scratched and so is my TV armoire, and a desk is broken.  This company and the movers it sub-contracts is deceptive and unprofessional.  This is the worst experience I have ever had with any business!  It was a complete nightmare and I am still trying to recover from it.  Alliance is just a broker and has no accountability.  Do not use Alliance or trust them!  If you do, you will be sorry.  I know I am. .

Service cost: $5000

All of the reviews on YP looked good.  Initial call to Alliance was good.  I needed the movers to pack and move some items from a house.  I was told that I needed 25 boxes and assured that any boxes not used in move would be credited back to me.  I asked how many people would accompany driver and was told three other men and they would be done in two to three hours.  Deposit can be made on a credit card but balance is split in two and you MUST have cash or a Postal Money order at pick-up and delivery.  Initial driver was nice but only brought one additional helper.  They told me that they were independent movers that were contacted by Alliance.  They packed items that were to be left at the house.  They left three drawers and two cabinets full of things.  They left all of the tape trash and cardboard pieces all over the floor.  On the list of articles, they listed every item as having a chip or scratch to cover their actions.  Before delivery, Alliance called to tell me that the balance was more than original quote.  I argued and even told them that we had not used all of the boxes they have delivered.  I had my money order for the original amount and told them that was all I had. Second driver and yet another man delivered 45 minutes after the time he told me that he would be there.  Items were put in a storage unit.  After walking to unit, driver told me that they charged a "distance" fee if the unit was not at the front.  He then told me that he could waive that if I gave them a tip.  One table was broken  and he told me that there was nothing they could do that I would have to call Alliance directly.  They left all of the trash in the storage building floor and did not re-assemble tables.  When I called Alliance to report boken item, they told me to contact the independent shipper.  I also mentioned that I was to get a refund for the unsured boxes, I was told that independent mover did that.  I told them that they did not and I wanted Alliance to credit my card with that amount.  They were to call me back and I am still waiting.  Very disappointing!  We have moved multiple times with corporate moves and this was the worse experience I have ever had.  .

Service cost: $2600

As far as the pick up process they did show up on time (Unique Movers and Storage).  However, they took over an hour to double check the inventory.  There one one guy who took over an hour just to calculate additional fees.  I always expect additional charges but I thought that the pickup process was much slower than I was used to.  This person also did not know the difference between a remaining balance and a grand total.  When I tried to explain it to him, he basically accused me of asking him to lie for me.  This was a little offensive but I took it gracefully.  On a positive note I was able to get his supervisor to understand this which was good.  The guy later came back and apologized.  However, despite all of this they did a decent job.
 
The delivery process was atrocious from the beginning.  I was called 8 pm the night before (from a northern Los Angeles number) to be told that they would be delivering my things the next morning between 8 and 10 am.  I had a 5:25 flight the next day and I explained this to them.  I feel like I was not given a choice and I had no flexibility.  I would like to have had a choice of days when they could make a delivery based on the availability of both parties.  I work like most people.  What if I had something scheduled the next day.  I only allowed this because I knew I would have to pay $500 if I had to reschedule and $100 dollars for every hour they had to wait for me.  The next day I waited until 10:10 before I called the driver.  It seemed that he had no idea that he was supposed to make a delivery, an obvious lack of communication.  He told me that he would be there in an hour and he showed up 11:40 am which was about an hour and a half later.  I had also told him that I had a 5:25 pm flight.  Up until then I was still somewhat okay with everything.  He then showed up.  I had a money order ready for him.  I figured since I made the last money order out to Unique Movers and Storage that I should do the same thing this time.  But no, I had to run back to the post office and get another money order and write it to the driver.  Apparently he works for a different moving company.  I've never had this happen before.  I'm still fine.  It was a minor inconvenience but I want the driver to be paid appropriately.  However, as the hours went but I realized that these people were moving really slowly.  I saw the driver standing in the moving van texting on his phone which is completely unprofessional.  He clearly had no respect for my time.  I had two bed frames to put together, he could not put one together because the nails were missing.  Maybe the other movers misplaced them, maybe he lost them, who really knows.  He could not put the other one together because of ineptitude.  Of all of the things disassembled for the move only one dresser was reassembled which was basically attaching the mirror to the dresser using a few screws.  It was 4:10 and I had a 5:25 flight to go to my best friends wedding.  I basically told the movers to leave because I just did not have any more time for them. As of this writing I have assemble one of the bed frames by myself and placed a mirror on the other dresser.  I have used Alliance Moving Services once before and things went well but after this experience I will never use them again.  This was an abysmal experience because of a move marred by incompetence and apathy.

Service cost: $2564

I was little worried to do business over the phone but when Michael explained it all to me I felt so comfortable.
 
They picked me up on time as promised and delivered  as promised, 
I am ex-military and have moved 13 times and by far this wa the best move we have ever had.
The driver Adam was very helpfull and helped me do some last minute packing and didn't even charge me!
 
All in all bet service I have had from a mover in a very long time.
 .

Service cost: $4659