Alliance Van Lines

This was my first time reaching out to a moving company to handle the pick-up and delivery of my items, due to the fact I was moving a considerable distance. I was moving from NYC to Miami, FL. The agents assisting me with the initial moving process were nice enough. However, I would like to state, either through my own naiveté or perhaps not fully understanding the process, I was never fully understanding the full scope of the logistics of how this process all works. Firstly, when utilizing a service such as that of Alliance Van Lines, the first thing they will inform you of is that once you begin working with them you will start to receive an ENDLESS amount of calls from other 3rd party vendors who will attempt to confuse you by stating "There's been a cancelation for your moving date in your area", or something of the like, and attempt to steal your business over to them using these sleazy sales tactics. They are relentless and will text/call you at any time and will not stop calling you unless you block them. Secondly, you must understand Alliance Van Lines is a 3rd party vendor themselves and are not the actual moving truck company that will be in charge of moving your items. The best way I can describe what Alliance Van Lines does is search through their database of moving trucks and what their destination dates and cabin availability is to ultimately match you with a truck that would be heading towards your intended destination, while charging you a service fee of course. Mind you, the "deposit fee" that Alliance Van Lines charges you, is in actuality their service fee. This service fee is based off an ESTIMATE (keep this in mind, it will be important later) of the inventory list you provide them with. They will use clever sales tactics in informing you they are providing you with certain "discounts" to lower you cost, which ultimately will not determine the actual amount you will have to pay to the actual moving truck company. These "discounts" can only affect your "deposit fee" (i.e. Alliance Van Line 3rd Party service fee). For example, after I made several calls to Alliance Van Lines agents, working very hard to have a complete and accurate inventory of the items I intended to move, they provided me with a total overall estimate of $2,373.49. I paid an initial "deposit" of $939 to Alliance Van Lines (again that has nothing to do with the amount the trucking company will actually charge) - and they stated from the amount of changes to the inventory, it would be an additional $200 to add to the "deposit", and FURTHER, that I would owe 2 separate payments (one at pick-up, and one at delivery) of $617.25. Not only was this not the case. The moving company informed me that whatever I paid Alliance has nothing to do with them. (The moving truck company was A-Plus Van Lines btw). The actual amount they charged me was $830.38 (for the pick-up) and they even told me the second payment might end up being more. I would let you know but I still have yet to receive my items!! The best part: I had been coordinating with Alliance Van Lines for a month! And they informed me the moving truck was coming Sept 2, 2020. However, that same week leading up to the pick-up date, I was informed it was actually Sep 2nd OR Sep 3rd that the moving truck would be arriving. ALSO - important information I was not given: THE MOVING TRUCK HAD ME SIGN A CONTRACT THAT MY ITEMS COULD ARRIVE ANYTIME BETWEEN 3 - 21 BUSINESS DAYS!! Information I wish I had earlier. I thought my items would have arrived with me much sooner. But it is now Sep. 12 and I continually call the moving company and MY ITEMS HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN LOADED TO THE TRUCK YET! At this point, I would not recommend to anyone to use their services. Had I known all this information, I would've just rented a UHAUL truck or the equivalent and driven it down myself.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2800

Everything went pretty smooth from our first call to the delivery time. The customer service rep called me back with answers to questions I left messages about and I felt they were being honest about their process. We were allowed to switch the date to movers got to our house twice without the price going up. The movers got to us and worked like professionals in getting our stuff out and loaded into the truck. I don’t know what to expect more from movers. I only know to recommend these types of professional and efficient movers!

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4623

I’m writing this review after having the most horrible experience with any company, ever. This is not an exaggeration.

Alliance set me up with a mover and greatly understated the cubic footage of my items, despite having numerous calls with them and doing multiple room-by-room inventory reviews. They took $2k from me essentially to send a mover to my house whom I had to completely renegotiate with. In the end, I paid $4k over my original quote of $8k. Their “sales” team provided a lowball quote to get my business and then absolutely screwed me. I was moving across the country, the move had to take place that day, and they literally told me to “either send the movers home or negotiate the price down, and that at that moment I wouldn’t be getting my deposit back but they would look into it.”

They wouldn’t even put me in touch with a manager and had me submit my complaint to a generic dispatch email. Once I sent the email, they essentially told me to kick rocks and said I wouldn’t be getting a dollar of my deposit back.

Please don’t make the mistake I did. DO NOT do business with Alliance Van Lines, use a carrier.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $12000

During our phone conversation Broker stated my furniture delivery would be scheduled within 2 days. I can accept that things happen and I was patient when two days turned to 10 days. But we are now at 22 days and still no ETA or update

In addition to that- I would like to express my frustration with the up charge I got at the time of pickup. I was very clear with the furniture I had. I accepted the initial increase when we spoke last on the phone and I identified additional boxes to ship. However, I removed any fragile TVs and monitors and moved them myself.

The total estimate was initially $2491.18

Between the initial increase and up charge at pickup this is now $3,210.33.

Furthermore, I was instructed that the driver would take cash or money order. It wasn't until they arrived that they stipulated the money order (from Wells Fargo-Kroger) was not acceptable. This led to yet more chaos.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $33000

AVOID! They are just a broker that will hand you off to another moving company after lying and omitting the values.

I agreed on a price of $2000 and at the spot after they picked my stuff up they increased the price to $3600.

Sales representative Richard Payne flat out lied about rates and never answered any question I had after I signed the contract.

1- Richard Payne told me that the price for extra boxes in my move was going to be calculated by the pound. He showed me in the contract that the price was $0.67 per pound and each box was considered around 21lbs. This would make each extra box cost me about $15. I even simulated another quote with 5 extra boxes and the added price was $60 dollars. On the move day, I had 13 extra boxes, but a lot less furniture that I had already boxed. The movers calculated an added price of $1200 to my move based on a cubic feet measurement.

2- Richard Payne told me that *if the truck could not be parked in front of the building* I would pay $60 long distance haul fee for each 100ft the movers had to carry the boxes. When the movers arrived, they wanted to charge me $400 for long distance haul because they were counting the hallway and the lobby of my building, which are just normal hallway and lobby. So this long distance haul fee is almost guaranteed to be applied to every single move.

3- Richard Payne told me that if I packed my things in boxes I would save $183 and that the wrapping and blanketing of my furniture was already included in the price. The movers said that the $183 paid for blanketing and wrapping my furniture.

Move size: Studio Service cost: $2000

We setup a move with them and gave a deposit on the first call given that we were provided an up front discount for setting up right then. After continuing to comp shop and looking at reviews it became apparent the representative repeatedly lied on the phone (said they had 5 star reviews, were rated well with the bbb, that we were getting a discount because they already had a route going through this area but he wasnt able to say who the route was with or what truck we would be using, his non binding quote amount was half what everyone else was saying it would be based on the adjusted weight, etc) we decided to cancel and request a refund. The gentleman said the refund team needed to call us to process and would in a few days. After a week of not receiving a call, we called back and got an immediate email confirmation saying the refund would be placed afted 5-7 days. We waited another 10 days and no refund and had to call back again to get the refund processed nearly 3 weeks later. I would definitely research other companies and the differences between a binding and non binding agreement and would urge extreme caution in doing business with these people. If their representatives commonly lie this much, i cant imagine there is much chance of not hitting very stressful snags during the course of the actual move. Beware.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3000

I was about to book my moving truck and the guy on the phone called me ridiculous for wanting to move right before Christmas. He also aggressively asked me why I couldn’t make a decision over the phone, when I specifically told him I need to get home and read through the terms and conditions before I make a decision. I was on my way from a meeting and didn’t want to rush a decision over the phone, that’s when he got very rude to me. I was completely offended by his way of speaking to me.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1700

I needed to move from New Jersey to Maryland and was quoted approximately $1700 to move from my 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment. I filled out an inventory two weeks before the move and was told that I could pay with a cashier's check. However, on moving day, I was told that I had to pay cash and that the new moving cost would instead be approximately $2200. I was quite upset with this inconsistency, and to add insult to injury, not all my items were packed into the truck despite the agreed-upon inventory. My things got to Maryland in one piece, but the movers broke the door sign. I have learned my lesson and will never use these movers again. I would also highly discourage others from hiring Allied Van Lines as well.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2200

Moving across the country is tough. I thought I found a great company to work with when I spoke to Lynn. She told me she would be there and I could contact her. Well I tried a few time and she never responded. Only responded when I asked for a quote for my car but thankfully, the car shipping company called 20 minutes later and well I already have my car in Florida.

Lie 1: She told me my items would be placed on a truck route with someone else from North Las Vegas moving to Tarpon Springs, Florida and I should have my items by October 12 or 13, 2021. I was like great. Lets get me on the truck and have my stuff picked up when needed. I just cannot move out on Sunday per the Condo guideline. They scheduled the window for 10/4 or 10/5. Keep in mind my car was picked up on 10/4 and he was going to start the drive on 10/5 and I received my car on 10/9.

Today, October 11, 2021- Sarah from the actual moving company, called me to see when I would want my stuff delivered. I was like tomorrow if that is available per the original conversation with Lynn from Alliance. Oh I am sorry but you items are still in Las Vegas. We have not even scheduled them to ship to Florida yet. She stated she didn't know why Alliance would tell me that because they cannot see the truck routes (Lie 2 by Lynn).

They company has since blocked my phone number/ avoid answering my calls. I was not the nicest person to the customer service rep today after I could tell she was just quoting policy and not listening to me. I wish I had her name to put her on blast too. Just refer to your contact section 8 blah blah blah is what she kept repeating. Asked to speak to a supervisor and well they don't have any of those and I can't talk to anyone.

Now I am sitting in Florida, with no estimated arrival date for my items. I am a very nice person to work with until I am wronged. Lynn is a liar and a good liar. Customer service is a joke with this company. They do not have you back and do not care to help. Also once they items are picked up the contact cannot be viewed any longer so I can't even look at section 8... Avoid using this company to move. At this point I am guessing I will never see my items again since no one can give me any idea when they will ship and well the time frame is almost up and they have blocked me.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6422

Never ever again hiring a moving broker/company. No updates on when a delivery would occur. They "got the sale" by telling me it would be approximately 3-4 days after pickup for my delivery. 9 weeks later I got a partial delivery. Alliance would hardly every answer calls, always sat on hold for >20 minutes. Again I would call every couple of days and get a different answer and different story. Finally another 2 weeks later, got the remainder of my delivery. Boxes beat to hell. Luckily I didn't have much furniture, dings and dents in the few I did. They all contract it out to lowest price driver/delivery person I am sure. Meanwhile delivery people couldn't speak a word of English. Got a "refund" of the extra days, but mind you they ONLY count "business days" because who would need household goods on the weekend?? Save your money and rent a truck. Goodluck

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3654

We moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Las Vegas, NV in December 2020. The movers showed up on promised pick up date, Dec. 16th, 2020. They did rise up the price about $500 more but we were ok with it. We got an apartment in Vegas on Dec. 29th 2020 and called the numbers mover gave to me, no answer, voicemail was full. I kept calling and still not luck. So I called Alliance on Jan. 4th, they told me they are not responsible for it and they have nothing to do with it! The only answer they gave me was “ they will call me once they have any updates. I paid $1462 deposit to them, and that’s the answer all I got. I kept calling the mover and until today as Feb. 4th, 2021, still no sign of my items.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3885

Be warned- These people are crooks. We were moving a 4 bedroom house 800 ish miles away. Their employee gives us a good quote about $300 cheaper than others so we go with them. As we go through the house listing items he tells me only get the big stuff. So that what I do we go through All 4 bedrooms, dining room, kitchen and garage. He tells me not to worry as the amount being specific as the movers will catalogue everything and the actual total will vary based on the weight after picked up. After that they call up to verify and the lady on the phone goes into some more detail so we add a few things and take away a few things and the bill went up $500. Not overly concerned because we did add more than we took away. Both the initial Alliance person and the second person confirmed the pickup of the 16th or the 17th which the movers did meet. Both the Alliance people said the delivery is usually 1-5 days after pickup. I explained we were closing on the new house 3 days after the pickup and was told no problem. Movers show up and are concerned because there is some smaller things that are not on their list and some items that are on the list that aren’t there (we decided to donate them). They total up boxes and items and make a few phone calls and now the bill goes up another $1150. Pissed, but since I have no choice (I have to be out of the house that night) I agree. So we get up to the new house and the 5 day window comes and goes with no contact at all. After 4 attempts at calling the movers they return a call and say it won’t be delivered for 6 more days and there is nothing they can do about it. So I call Alliance since they told me the 5 day drop off window. Where I am promptly told that the contact states the carrier has 10 days to drop it off from the 1st available date. So while 2 different people with Alliance tell me 5 days from the 16th drop off date apparently the fine print says they can take until the 30th. When I mention the amount increase i am told that after that phone call the items are locked so if I remove items I am still paying for them even though I’m not bringing them. This of course contradicts again what I was told by the first and 2nd Alliance people. My inventory of the house may not have been 100 % accurate and I told them that on the phone. I was assured it would be okay and taken care of, I was assured several times that the delivery would be roughly 1-5 days from pickup... Neither were true. Now we are paying about 1500 more than most the other quotes and on top of that we are living on an air mattress for 6 extra days, eating out 3 meals a day for 6 meals and I have to guy buy work clothes because my clothes won’t be here until after i start my new job. So far every employee I have dealt with at Alliance Van Lines are untrustworthy liars. I would not trust them again to move a paper plate.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3519

My initial phone contact was very pleasant, I had a good conversation with Chris H. I told him I wanted to contract with a mover who would come to my house with a truck that would transport me directly to Fl. from IL. He told me that is the only way they operate. They had a truck picking up in Peoria the same day. They would come get my stuff after that and the truck would proceed directly to Fl and unload my furniture in 3-5 days. That was a complete Lie, Alliance are only brokers, they have no trucks. It wasn't till the morning of the move when a rented truck arrives in front of my house that I knew there was a problem. Alliance had sold my move to a company called "Moving Depot". They were picking up my belongings and taking them to a warehouse to unload. They would then accumulate enough moves to fill a large moving truck and then transport my things to Fl. So my greatest fear of having my stuff shuffled on and off trucks multiple times was now a reality after being told by Chris at Alliance that it would not happen. Once the Moving Depot movers arrived I had to contract with them to do the actually move. What a position to be in, I thought I had contracted with Alliance who told me everything I wanted to hear, it was all lies. The price I was quoted $3100 needed to be renegotiated on the morning of the move with a mover I knew nothing about. Talk about being held at gunpoint! The new quote was now $4500. What I am supposed to do on the morning of the move? I found myself being in a position to trust the movers I hadn't selected to move my belongings to Florida from Illinois. Never ever book with Alliance!! They are nothing but scam artists.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4589

Alliance Van Lines does not own any fleet themselves. Instead, they just book for you with another booker. That would be fine, if they took care to book you at trusted professionals. They do not; I was booked with probably the cheapest guys they could find so they maximized their profit. I was stuck with movers walking in without masks in the middle of a pandemic, and then were unable to actually ship my stuff for over a month. The movers just sat on it, and when I called Van Alliance about this, all of a sudden "they were only the booky". Their contract stated they you get a refund if the delay is more than 3 weeks, but they never gave that to me.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4000

Will sweet talk and bring down prices to get a commitment and then become impossible to get in touch with. Sean Johnston was the rep who sold me on being available from start to finish, but I had to email 5 times and call the office 4 times to get back in touch with him. When I had concerns they also wouldn't put him on the phone and said my case had been moved to Customer Service, when Sean said he was the main POC throughout the entire process!

All reviews of them on Google Reviews are fake. You can see all of these people are based in Ft. Lauderdale Florida with only 1 review ever (their HQ) and are fake!

I cancelled within 7 business days of the date I had planned to move and they will not refund me the $800 deposit! A business that cared about their customers would prioritize a good relationship than a quick buck! Look elsewhere!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2500

These guys promise you your stuff will be loaded in a trailer locked and not unlocked until to your location. All lies, I moved from CA to TN and charged $12;000 all they did was hire the cheapest moving company they could find and washed their hands of me, said “not our problem talk to the company that picked up your stuff”. I’ve even filed a police report. This place is a scam. So many precious air looms stolen, everything was either scratched or broken, my stuff was literally thrown in a truck with 2 other peoples when it got to me. I’ve been literally crying for 2 days. Save yourself heartache and contact a mover direct and check references.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $12000

Absolutely terrible experience. This company waited three days before my move to finalize my inventory. This added $1,000 to my original bill which I signed for weeks prior. Because they do not refund security deposits, I had no choice but to move forward and pay whatever extra fees were added. Even after confirming my final inventory, they did not estimate the proper amount of space, adding hundreds of extra fees after my items were loaded on to the truck. The truck did not arrive in the time 3 hour time slot that I reserved. Because the truck was so late I was unable to move on the original move date. Please save yourself the time, money and stress by choosing a different moving company! They do not care about their clients at all.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3000

This broker hired the lowest rated moving company on numerous databases, assuming because it costed the least for them to secure. After my initial payment and approval, they did not return communication with me, ignored my emails and did not return my phone calls. They gave me an estimated move date, I was told they would confirm the week prior to actual move date, and I was only made aware of the actual move date less than 12 hours prior to delivery. I sent them the request for COI a month prior to the move and they sent me the wrong one, listing another person as "additional insured". Moving company charged me $900 more than original estimate from broker, move was delivered 6 weeks after pickup date. Unprofessional, disorganized, and poor communication.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2637

9 days prior to lease agreement ending and 24 hours after their initial pickup window had come and gone I had to call them and ask when they were coming.. I still had hope at this point.

“Sorry due to a mover ahead of you having more boxes we are going to have to find another truck for you” they rescheduled the pickup to the 48 hour window 1 day prior to lease ending and the day of your lease ending without verbally confirming it with me, simply by asking “what day is the last day possible” (I learned that after calling again about an hour before they closed on the day prior to my lease ending!)

Well the window came and went and I never received any updates from the broker or any movers confirming the pickup so I started planning a back up plan. The day of my lease ending I called the company asking what was happening and they said “you can find your own truck to pack and people to drive or you can get a refund after 9pm by calling tomorrow” this was simply unacceptable and at this point I’m hoping they DONT come because I was worried about my items in transit at this point. They literally told me ‘if you want to do our jobs for us we would be okay with that’ - no that’s why I planned this move 4 months prior and paid a deposit at that time!

The customer service was simply unacceptable and in the end the told me to do their job for them and I was forced to cancel my flight and spend the next 48 hours executing a backup plan that cost nearly 1.6x the quoted total (U-haul pods).

I would avoid this broker no matter how great the price is - you may get lucky but the stress was simply not worth the monetary savings or loss of piece of mind. 1 star because I can’t give 0 and I suppose they did refund my deposit (literal bare minimum).

Move size: Studio Service cost: $1575