Allways Moving and Storage

So to be clear, the people at Allways  were polite and responsive. The problem was that they sub-contracted to a company called Uber-movers and they were a catastrophe. But, ultimately, I have to blame Allways because they are responsible for the partners they chose. The problems began with the pick-up date. We were called and told they would come on a Tuesday between 9-11am.  Thus we arranged our schedules and promptly at around 9:30 we got a phone call telling us that they were not going to come until the next day.  There was no real explanation and there was no apology for the inconvenience. When the movers finally showed up the next day, they came with a requirement for a different payment amount than agreed to on our contract and refused to proceed with the move.  We were eventually able to clarify after signficant back and forth with Allways and Uber.  We were, of course in the right since we had a contract. The movers did an adequate job picking the stuff up but they brought a truck that was too small for the esimated load (which they had made) so needed to make the 90 minute drive to unload and then come back. Having already delayed our plans for a day, we needed to leave and so I had to ask my father to accompany the final part of the move.  Thus, he had to wait until nearly midnight to finish the whole process. Due to the lack of trust based on being given the wrong date and the wrong cost, I insisted to the woman (Manisha) at Uber that the drivers take a picture (knowing they had photo-capable phones) of the final load to ensure that we were charged properly.   She was unhelpful and ludicrously claimed that I was insulting her.  After further insistence she eventually talked to her manager and agreed to my request.  This was uneeded stress to say the least.  We were then given a 14 day window by Uber although we were had a 10 day delivery window in our contract.   Once again, these two companies were not communicating.  In order to move into our new house we needed a parking permit for the truck and required 2-3 days advance notice to ensure this was possible.  Although we requested this several times we were not given it and had to scramble to ask neighbors to move their cars to make room. Once again, a serious lack of professionalism that made me think these guys had never moved a house before. The crew that did the move in did not cause any serious damage, but were in such a hurry that they placed a large number of clearly marked boxes upside down and balanced several items on others in a manner that, when shifted in the process of unpacking caused signficant breakage.  There were several damaged items including the glass in a cabinet, and to some of our plates and glasses. The worst broken item was our slate quoit board which I had just purchased.  They also seem to have taken our hammer and our monkey wrench although this may have been inadvertant.  Was there a major catastrophe?  No.  Could a mild amount more of professionalism have changed this process from one that I consider a real pain to one that I feel was generally worth the money - absolutely.   The shame here is that the problems seem extremely solvable with a little better training, communication and managment.  I find it hard to blame the lower level people here. I think it is a testament to a lacking on the part of the senior management that leads me to recommend you find someone other than Allways.  If I ever move again, I certainly will not be giving them my business.

Service cost: $8000

We checked reviews and after a lot of research, thought we could trust Allways moving and storage.  Boy was I wrong.  The experience has been a nightmare (overcharged $1000, moving came late, 6-7 calls and emails are going unanswered).  I emailed them with a list of all my items, they sent me a guaranteed quote $2400 for a move cross country, in a guaranteed 5 days.  On the day of the move, they show up and based on a quick look, they say it's now going to be, $3400.  We had a few extra boxes, but nothing that would necessitate a 42% increase in price!   When we were negotiating, I told them to give me their best quote since I was collecting competing quotes.  We really feel taken advantage of, a classic bait and switch.  They gave us a quote to win the business (which was actually inline with other quotes) and then jacked up the price when we were at their mercy. They claim we had a couch that was not on the original list, but it clearly was in my email.  Their classifications make it very difficult to see if what they put down matches my original list.  (i.e. my single seat couch gets classifed as overstuffed chair).  After threatening to cancel, they reduced the quote by $200 and said that when it got to the warehouse, they would work w/ me to see if they could bring down the price.  After the pick up, i've called and emailed many times and they have yet to call me back to negotiate further.  They called my dad (who doesn't speak english well) to tell him it should arrive today, 4 days late.  Soo far it's been a horrible experience as nothing that was supposed to be guaranteed has been.  Definitely would not recommend them or use them again.

Service cost: $3400

Decided to go with this company because they had great rating online.  But it was a mistake.  Long story short: 1. Quoted $1500, asked $2120.83 when they showed up.  Actually I had less items than those in the quote because I sold a lot before picking up.  I did have like 3~4 more medium boxes but they were only willing to ADD more boxes to existing quote, while refused to remove those items that were not there anymore.  They caculate price by cubic ft and the 3~4 more boxes use LESS space than those items in quote.  Anyway they did ask for MORE when loaded items use LESS space.  I think unless you can make a 100% accurate inventory list (which is impossible for most people), you will get the quoted price.  2. Planed to move on 07/02 or 07/03 (they asked for a 2-day window).  On 06/29, they called me, asking to move on 06/30.  What the XXX?  I hadn't finished packing everything, and they wanted to do it the next day.  Reason was that the original contractor couldn't make it so they switched to another one.  I told them that I'm upset as I cannot make it either.  They keep saying that 07/02~07/03 were not possible anyway, finally I ended up with 07/01 - I had to change my plan.  3. Before making deposit, they told me that the estimated delivery time is ACCURATE.  They kept saying that they are not like other companies - what delivery day I see on the quote will be the ACCURATE day.  I trusted them, but it was totally lie.  After I made deposit, they started to say that the delivery time is just an estimate as shown on quote.  Yes I did see that, and I understand - but why did YOU told me that you were NOT like other companies and the estimate on your quote is the ACCURATE day?  4. When they delivered my stuff, one desk was damaged, one lamp table was damaged, and one computer screen is missing.  It was not easy to check everything at that time because I was at work and only my wife & two little kids were at home, so my wife signed the delivery paperwork without discovering one damage and the lost computer screen (PS3 3D bundle w/ 3D glasses, $500 value).  I don't know what happened to the computer screen, maybe somebody is playing games on it and having fun now.  5. I'd like to say that the rep (Talya) was nice and helpful.  She did her best to help with my move and I really appreciate that.  I understand that those moving companies are like brokers and they cannot always control everything.  I'm not quite satisfied with the service I got, and I'm really upset about the lies, damages & loss.

Service cost: $2121

This in early June when I was looking for a moving company to move me from Houston Tx, to Tiffin Ia.  I had looked at several companies, but I chose your's because of the follow up Mike had given me.  He answered my questions, and let me know "warning signs" of bad moving companies.  Since this was my first move, I appreciated this.  We then set up a pick up time between June 16-17.  I received a call on June 16th letting me know it would be the morning of June 17th between 8-12pm.  At noon, I still hadn't heard anything, and was told the pick up was moved back to between 3-7pm.  At 6pm I received a call stating that they would be there around 9pm.  At 9pm I was told it would be closer to 10pm.  
When the pick up movers finally got there, I was then told that the delivery was going to be more than what I was quoted.  When I had spoke to Mike, he said if a company asks for more money at pick up, that they are shaddy, and shouldn't be trusted.  I decided to not have them pick up the items that night since it was already past 10pm, and I was a single female, and didn't feel comfortable.  I also wanted to check with Mike, because I was getting conflicting information.
After speaking with Mike, we got things straightened out, and I was told they would pick up my items the next day (Tuesday 19th), when I didn't hear anything I called, and they said it would be Wednesday am.  Once again, by noon I hadn't heard anything so I called, they then told me that they would pick it up at a time that didn't work for me, so we set it for Thursday 20th.  I was reassured several times that my items would still get there on my scheduled days which were the 26-27th.
I then call on the 24th to let them know that I could take delivery as early as the 25th.  At that point I was informed that my items had not even been scheduled yet to be loaded on a truck and to call back the next day.  When I called the next day, I was given the same story, that nothing had been scheduled.  
I was told that I would get calls back from several people, and no one ever called me back.  Finally on Friday the 28th I spoke with Katie.  She informed me that she was a manager, and that my items would be loaded on July 1st or 2nd, and then it would be a few more days for delivery.  (I have her emails if you would like them).   After the weekend when my delivery never came, I called and found out that the truck had broken down in Dallas.  It is very frustrating that no one called me to let me know this, since I was expecting my delivery.  I spoke to several people trying to figure out where my items were.  When I spoke to Ryan S. (he said he is one of the customer service supervisors)  He was extremely rude, and told me that my items were still in Houston.  When I spoke to Katie or other agents, they told me my items were on their way and had left Houston.  I also spoke to a Martin who was supposed to call me back, and never did.  Basically every time I called, I was given a different story, and told different things about where my items were.  I explained this confusion to everyone I spoke with, and they said they would call me back once they knew for sure where my items were, I never received a single call back.
Then on July 9th I finally got a call back from phone #818-725-1225, the gentleman told me he was the dispatcher supervisor.  He was extremely rude, and yelled at me several times.  When I finally got to talk and ask where my items were, he told me the truck was still broken (at this point the truck had been broken for a week) but promised that my deliver would go out Friday as they had a new truck coming.  When I called Sunday 14th (the office is closed on sat) I was told that my items still hadn't left Dallas, that they should load Sunday or Monday.  When I called Monday for an update, I was told the truck should leave Tuesday or Wednesday.  When the truck finally left, I was then given the phone number of 347-640-0175, for the driver.  When I spoke to him, he told me that my delivery should get there possibly Sunday, but most likely Monday.  When I called Monday, I was told that my delivery would be Tuesday 16th between 3-5pm.  The driver also called Tom Lampe (who is listed as the alternate person on my contract) and told him that the delivery would be Tuesday 16th between 12-5pm.  I called the driver at 3,4 &4:30 on Tuesday to get an update.  He told me that the soonest he could get there was between 11:30pm-12am or Wednesday.  When I told him that I didn't appreciate that he didn't call, he yelled at me, swore at me and hung up on me.
I then called 866-445-7768, and that is when I spoke to Joe, he understood my frustration, but wasn't able to help so he transferred me to customer service. 
I then spoke to Ryan S (rude again this time) who told me my delivery would be in the next few days.  When I explained to him that I can't keep missing work, he said the driver will call 24 hours before delivery.  I then explained that the driver did call 24 hours before, but then couldn't deliver, he said "what would you like me to do", I then asked for a refund, and he said that he doesn't handle that, but after my delivery I can file a claim to get a refund.
Tom Lampe also called the driver back, and said that he can be there for delivery Wednesday 17th at 7am.  The driver said that Tom would need to call him an hour before, and would let him know then if he could deliver it.
 
This is why I am so frustrated.  Katie said she would get back to me early the week of the 7th after the holiday, and never did.  I sent her several emails, and no response.  Martin said he would call me back and never has.  I have emailed Mike several times after the pick up, and he won't respond.  Every time I get transferred to Ryan S, who is very rude and extremely unprofessional.  .

Service cost: $1081

Im so dissapointed that we chose to use this company, and that we still have to deal with them for delivery. To be begin with they called many times to say they were on the way and finally showed up a day later at 7 pm. When they arrived they immediately got to work, and when I informed them we had bought tape for them, the man said his tape was better and that it would not be that much extra. (We had packed all the boxes outselves, they only needed tape to secure our glass tables, and furniture.) So he continued working away, in the end he charged us $250 extra dollars for the tape. Also when I did a walk thru of our house, not everything was put on the truck, and when I told him there was a bookcase left he ignored me, and its still sitting here. Futhermore they left their tape rolls, moving ties, and trash scattered throughout my home. So now I have to clean up after them. Lastly the estimited price was $1000 under the price the mover requested and when I asked him why such a large differece, he told me if I don't like the price, he "could take all of my [EDIT] out of his truck, and put it on the curb for me to deal with" needless to say we wont ever use this company again, and I hope for the future they hire more professional, respecful workers.

Service cost: $3500

I hired these movers because they quoted me a rate $1000 less than PODS and Pack Rat. I needed people to help me move so I thought it was a good deal. They didn't wrap the few pieces of furniture and manhandled the boxes. The delivery driver called late Sunday night when I was told he'd be here days earlier and would call 24 hours in advance. He said he was arriving at 2pm Monday. I told him I would be at work and he hadn't called soon enough. I said I could get home by 4 and he finally agreed. I rushed home only to have him show up at 8pm. Then he said I had to pay extra for the delivery or he would just leave my things on the lawn. I couldn't get a hold of anyone else so I ended up paying. The boxes looked like they had been run through a drier they were so beat up. Many of my things were broken even though I'd users about 500ft of bubble wrap and small boxes. Some of the boxes had been opened and there were some missing. I had been the last stop for the delivery driver so the truck was empty when he left. I contacted the movers about the missing boxes and they just said they'd get back to me. I've called multiple times but never been able to get my missing items. On top of that almost 3 months after the move they called and left threatening messages that if I didn't pay for the move they wouldn't deliver my things. I called the person back and said I had the cancelled check showing I paid and my things had been delivered months ago. She said she must have the wrong invoice number and hung up.

Service cost: $2300

These guys pickup my household stuff on the date they agreed and taken 60% amount. Till then there are no updates, I’m still keep on calling, sending multiple emails with no response. Initially they agreed to deliver on 26th or 27th Sep after that no response to my calls, every time it’s going to voice mail. I have no idea if this company is closed? Will I really get my household items?. I suggest please never and ever go with this cheaters. There 5 star rating is fake, please don’t get in to their trap.
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Service cost: $1500

This is a unreliable rude fraudelant company!  The reviews are right on the money they will rope you in on low costs and fast delivery dates and after this the anxiety and lies start!! They picked up my belongs on september 3 with the delivery date of september 9.  I have been calling this company EVERY day with no return calls and when I dobin fact get in touch with Ben , Malli, Michael and some other woman they will not devulge her name they tell me nothing but lies. Today is October 6. And I taljrd to them this morning and they can't tell me where my belongs are.  I have hired an attorney and will be suing them I realize this will take time and money which I have but st this point I assume my belongs have been stolen. I have asked time and time again to speak to a supervisor which is allways conveniently out. please do not use this horrible company if you can call it a company!! I am writing this so fiture clients will not have to suffer time and money!! The better business bureau company gives them an F rating. .

Service cost: $1198

Always movers do not tell the truth, do not return phone calls, break many if your items, lose your boxes, raise their price and make you work to get your items on the trucks which place your items in a big mess!! I would never recommend this company to my worst enemy. I rate them at a level below anything that exists. They of course called the day of and arrived 5 hours late and did not leave until 2 am! Read the contract! If the salesman tells you lies and its not on the contract IT will not happen. It will not get there when you need it but way after!! You can call all you want but they will not care. Good luck if you decide to take this on. I move a lot and this has been the worst experience ever for me and my family.

Service cost: $3000