American Home Movers

Hired for $29K moving from AZ to MA. I never imagined how many high dollar items were unaccounted for. Upon a tardy delivery and $2.5K cash, I was made to assist ONE elderly man (the driver) to unload the semi full of items. Inadequately sourced with employee's, overcharging, loosing family heirlooms, significant damaged on delivery, this company needs to shut down. Investigations will unveil deplorable practices by practiced thieves. DO NOT HIRE THIS COMPANY or you'll regret it. I spent hours putting together a CSI claim received a denial of service.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $29189

Based on my experience I will not recommend American Home Movers or their services to anyone.

- Very unprofessional
- Items missing/stolen
- Extortion

Short Story

This company was continually late, overcharged us, lost our items, and then offered us a pittance in remuneration in exchange for what equated to a gag order in the form of a liability waiver, clearing them of any wrongdoing and forbidding us from writing about our experience anywhere or reporting them to any government/regulatory agency.

Long Story

I contracted the company to move us from CA to NC in May of 2017 for an August move. While setting appointments and arranging the move, they were very attentive and communicated regularly. This all stopped on the day they were scheduled to arrive.

American Home Movers had not arrived at the scheduled pickup time between 8am to 10am, despite us confirming days before. Dispatch had no idea where the movers were when we called to ask about it. The dispatcher said she would call the drivers to find out their location. We had to call after an hour of waiting with no update. The dispatcher acted as if we never spoke and said the movers would arrive between 5pm and 7pm. Thanks for letting us know. The movers showed up at noon.

The price was increased by $115.88 on the spot for no definitive reason. We had even removed items we deemed unnecessary prior to the deadline. We had fewer items/cubic feet than the minimum price point, so we were prepared to pay their minimum. However, after having already paid our initial deposit, it being the day of the move, and we scheduled to depart the following morning, what could we do but cough up the dough?

We packed everything ourselves and had it all waiting by the front door for a quick and easy job. The movers loaded our items on the truck in under 30 minutes. We were prepared to meet our items two days after our arrival in NC, but that would not be the case.

A dispatcher called us as we were driving across the country to say they wanted to drop off the items on a day earlier than that which was scheduled, because it was more convenient for them. Give me a break. Otherwise, we would have had to wait to receive our goods a month later when another driver could make the trip out to NC. I guess you’ve got me by the short and curlies. just come on over whenever.

The driver showed up a two days after the original drop-off time. After all was unloaded we noticed many of the cardboard boxes had arrived significantly beaten up. Many crumpled as if stored under heavy weight and others with large holes/tears in the sides and/or corners.

Two items in particular went missing, a pair of computer monitors used in my home workstation. These had been packed in their original box and labeled, but did not arrive with all our other items. Kind of suspicious, right? Come to find out they were on the inventory sheet that left the warehouse, which can only mean they went missing between NV and NC.

When I brought this up with the company they said these things happen and that it’s possible the box was dropped off at another person’s house, as each truck carries multiple deliveries. What? So, call the people you delivered to, to ask if you left someone else’s property with them! Sorry, we need to wait until the truck is done with deliveries to make sure it’s not still in another client’s load.

We had to initiate contact every time to receive an update and we were told every time that they had nothing new to report. Each time we called, the lady we spoke with promised she would call us with an update. That never happened. Each time we called back, she told us that she needed to speak with the warehouse manager and that she would get back to us. She never once called back. Fast forward a month later and no monitors, no word on whether or not they were dropped off elsewhere, or simply fell off the truck.

The next exchange eventually rolls around to don’t pack your valuables. I have to ask, isn’t anything I choose to take with me across the country of value to me? What’s the difference if it’s worth $10 or $1000? You present yourselves as some kind of professional moving service.

The ordeal ends with someone on the phone saying look, we’ll give you $150 “On good faith”, which is better than the $0.60 per square foot you are entitled to, but you can’t say anything about this to anyone, not the BBB, not Yelp, not anywhere in print or online. Fat chance.

It’s this company’s sole job to get everything you pay for from point A to point B, anything they lose as a result of negligence, theft, or sheer incompetence should be replaced at their expense. You might want to reconsider calling yourselves American Home Movers if you’re not cut out for the job.

Bottom line, forget American Home Losers and go with a real service.

Move size: Studio Service cost: $1615

I moved from Las Vegas NV to Orange County CA. I had to leave my stuff in storage for 4 1/2 months because I was traveling before moving to CA. American Home Movers and Moshe, my contact person were wonderful to do business with. The 4 movers arrived on time and took about 4 hours to pack up the house. My belongings were protected and packed in a professional manner. All the workers were very polite and professional. They kept my stuff in storage in Las Vegas and when I was ready for delivery I called Moshe and he arranged for delivery within a week of my request. All my items were returned to me and nothing was damaged. I would use American Home Movers again (but I am hoping I don't have to move again any time soon). Thank you for a job well done!

Service cost: $1800

Bunch of my valuables we either damaged or broken they doubled the price than what we originally agreed upon and during the pick up they suddenly added extra fees and during delivery I had more fees added for every seven steps up the stairs when the contract said per flight and I come to find out by bed frame is missing my wooden rails the foot board is missing and damaged a leg the dropped my dresser on the stairs they tore everything apart and did not do what they promised and put it all back together on delivery the also damaged broke the pegs my sectional attachments that hold my sectional together I would have never booked these guys but a broker acted like they were an actual mover booked these guys so do your self a favor don't book with these clowns(U. S. Standard van lines American home movers the packers and American home movers shippers) pay some your money and pay more and get a real professional company to move you that handles all 3 phases of the move don't do what I did to move across country with these 3 clowns

Move size: Studio Service cost: $7900

Stolen item, surprise fees with movers asking for bribes to overlook surprise fees, deceptive advertising/claims.
According to other moving companies I've used, what American Home Movers did was a "scam". 
Things went fairly well during the quote process, however the problems arise during and pickup and dropoff.
Pickup and delivery, despite what American Home Movers tells you, are separate operations/companies. 
Pickup showed up about 2 hours early, which was really inconvenient because I was at work. Pickup then tells me that.. SURPRISE!! THIS WAS MISQUOTED! Travis, the representative that scheduled the move told me that if the truck was more than 100 feet away from my apartment they would need to charge a "long-carry" fee (understandable). What he failed to mention, or the movers completely lied about, was that they count every floor they go up on an elevator as 75 feet. Going up one floor on an elevator = carrying my items 75 feet.
The movers then told me that they would overlook this added on long-carry fee if I gave them whatever cash I had on me "off-the-record". In other words, a bribe/shakedown.
They have you pay in 2 parts, half for pickup, the other half for delivery.  They claim to accept credit cards so long as you give them a few days notice. I should mention that from the second the estimate was approved I notified American Home Movers that I would be paying both parts with a credit card. I paid my initial deposit/pickup fee with a credit card, however after pickup and during transit more shadiness ensued. I called American Home Movers 2 days after pickup (day 2 of a 10 day move) to notify them once more that I would be paying with a card so that they'd have plenty of notice and there wouldn't be any more surprises. The representative then tells me:
"UH, YEAH YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO CALL DISPATCH ABOUT THAT". In other words, we got your money, we're done with you, you need to talk to a separate company and work it out with them.
I call dispatch right after but get sent to voicemail. I leave a message notifying them of the payment method and asking for a return phone call. In hindsight, this may have been a mistake because the foreman now knows he's not getting cash and pretends he wasn't notified. I finally get a call on the 9th day telling me they are coming the next day. ONCE AGAIN I tell them that I'm paying with a card and the foreman tells me the following (in broken English):
"Uh NO NO NO NO NO YOU CAN'T PAY WITH CARD ONLY CASH OR MONEY ORDER". Needless to say, since they had all of my stuff, I felt like they had me over a barrel and I had no choice but to give them what they wanted (in other words, extortion).
Delivery shows up the next day and my stuff gets delivered. They either lost or stole my dolly/hand-truck and laughed about it. They tell me I should never move a dolly or a ladder because they will keep it. They made no effort what so ever to find my item or remedy the situation, they just thought it was funny. The dolly isn't a big deal itself, but its the principle and poor service that really bothers me. .

Service cost: $1500

Not a pleasant experience with AHM.  Would not go with a shipping company ever again.  I will do the hard work, even if it costs more at the end of the day.  This is your money - read on and see if it's worth the cost.
You see at American Home Movers, there are a few things you should know up front - it would have been nice to know beforehand:
- Not all terms and conditions are available for review until after they show up to move you.  Buyer beware.
- Quotes are done over the phone.  They will take an inventory that is largely flawed.  After all, it is only an estimate, but they assured me - "We just want to ballpark your estimate so that there are no surprises when we get there.  It might be a little more, maybe a little less."
- American Home Movers will hire a group of individuals to rent a truck 20" to 30" and load it.  After that it will go to a warehouse.  Within 5-7 business days, they will pile its contents into a larger semi and then ship that semi to as many places as possible.  You are under their clock, not the other way around.  We lived in our cross-country apartment for a week before we had a bed to sleep on.
- You pay for a flat rate square footage total until the truck is loaded.  The square footage is a rough estimate that they "attempt" to correlate to weight.   That's when they tell you what it will actually cost.  In our case, it rose by 50% - our $2,000 estimate turned into a horrific $3,000 estimate.  And now what will you do when everything is loaded?  "No.  Unload it."  That's what I should have said, but alas, I had a job to be at in Michigan.
- The movers (once they get there - in both pickup and delivery, they were two hours later than our quoted time) are very professional and will work their butts off, but be wary of the company they serve.  They are overbooked and underpaid.  Tip them and don't kill the messenger.
- The time to deliver your stuff is anywhere between 1-14 BUSINESS days (longer for a coast-to-coast move).  In my particular case, business day 12 was when we got our stuff.
- Inventory tracking is lax, at best.  They will label items with colored numbers, but the list will be as descriptive as "Box" - so if something has a list of items contained, it matters not.  Some stuff (as expected) was broken when it arrived - some of that was our fault, but I thought they would have ensured the safety of some of that stuff since they charged us for it.
- Two boxes are still missing.  One of which is an easily labelled PS3 - a mistake on my part - I should have put my expensive systems in larger boxes.  We don't know how the process is going to go, but after a week, I can assure you it's not pretty - in our particular case - to get reimbursed for such lost items.
- We had one of our intermediary movers call and say that out of 160 items, "missing only 2 is pretty good," and to "not worry about it.'  "I distinctly remember your PS3.  It was on the truck."  He insinuated that we had gotten away pretty clean.
- Shipping the car was both a nightmare and a breeze at the same time.  We were originally quoted $875.  We were charged a $75 booking fee by BOTH American Home Movers and the company they sold our business to - totaling $950.  After fighting with representatives who kept insisting on us having a Plan B for pickup times, we had to bring the car to my sister's house who helped remedy the move.  When I called American Home Movers, they were disgusted and said no company should tell us to have a Plan B.  I asked if AHM had (since they were the ones who originally booked the shipping order for the car) any alternatives, they were quick to say "We'll call you back."  Needless to say, they didn't.
If I had to do it all over again, I would not go for cheaper options - and American Home Movers has some of the most attractive quotes out there.  But if you are going to spend this much money on a move to a different state, go with an assured brand.  Trust us.

Service cost: $2900

I have moved across the country several times now.  This company has added unnecessary stress to my move.  The movers jacked up the bill by putting our smaller boxes into theirs, and used 18 ($6) rolls of tape on a house that was 95% boxed up when they arrived. My est was 1500 it got pushed up to 2300 that day. We have yet to receive our house and can not get an answer from then on when to expect delivery.  At this time it has been 22 days.   The "delivery manager" is rude and the 2 times we were actually able to track him down on the phone he was angry with us for wanting to know where our stuff was!  Tells us it takes time to  schedule this stuff, it's been 3 weeks! If it takes that much time to figure it out he shouldn't be in that position. I would NOT recommend this company!   .

Service cost: $2400

This is the worst moving company around.  I have moved across the country a few times now.  This is the first time that my experience has led me to write a review of this caliber.  The sales man that came to my home to bid the move was great, or so I thought.  I received 3 bids and went with the bid in the middle .  As soon as the movers showed up at my home (two hours late) they started complaining about how the move was under bid.  The head manager started talking with me about how the man, Moeshe, who came out and bid the job under bid it.  That in order for us tomove forward we wouod have to come to an agreement on a new move rate.  The rate given to me was apparently $1200 off!  Are you kidding me.  Here I am packed up ready to move accross the country and they show up late I have to move and now they tellme that I owe and additional $1200 or tey won't move me!  So that aside because I had to be out that day (something that they knew) we cam to terms.  As the days go by I get to the destination and my furniture did not.  I called to find out how things were moving along and I am told that my belongings have yet leave its orgination!  I shook some heads via the phone and long story short, my belongings arrive.  When I get my stuff, all of my boxes marked fragile were on the bottom of the truck.  THe movers at the original pack must have broken my dinning room chair because when I received my chair it was bungy tied back together. I called customer service and all they say is oh don't worry you can file a claim.  Really, a claim to replace something that should have never happened, something that is not replacable. Compasion is lost on this company.  THey are terrible! Run fast and far.  Don't fall for the sales pitch like I did.  As for their claim for damages they told me to file..I have filed the claim 8 times and they conviently don't receive it.  Please learn from my mistake and stay away from this company!!  .

Service cost: $7000

We were pleased with American Home Movers.  They were at our house when they said they would be, both for pick-up in rural Kansas and delivery in San Antonio.  They could have arrived a day early to load, but we were not ready.  There was a leak in the back of the truck and torrential rains did leave some items wet.  The driver made sure we went through everything r he left and gave us instructions about filing a claim if necessary.  So far damage less than $100.  Had good, efficient helpers at both ends of the move that made loading and unloading go quickly and smoothly.  Cost was more than estimate, but we had underestimated # of boxes we would have. I would rather pay a little more for good and timely service.  .

Service cost: $8000

I researched many moving companies and chose American Home Movers based on very few negative reviews.  I spoke with Allie and she walked me through each step and answered my questions honestly.  Allie called the day before our pickup to confirm the time with me.  The day of pickup, Moshe arrived with his crew of 4 and they went right to work.  All of the men were professional and courteous.  They wrapped our furniture carefully and handled our boxes with care.  Moshe gave us his cell number to contact him in tracking our order.  Moshe explained it could take 7 to 10 days to reach our destination, mainly because of uncertain weather.  Eight days later, we received a call from Moshe that our order would be delivered the next day.  The driver called us to confirm a time and then called us the next day, asking if they could come earlier than the time he gave us.  Within two hours, all of our furniture was placed where we wanted it and our boxes were all stacked for us.  I was very pleased with the price, communication, and overall professionalism of this company.

Service cost: $2135