America First Moving

The movers were absolutely fantastic, making my transition from Tampa to Naples smooth and effortless. From the start, their efficiency and professionalism were evident. They arrived on time, carefully assessed everything that needed to be moved, and worked together seamlessly to ensure that each item was packed and loaded with care. Throughout the entire process, they remained polite, courteous, and incredibly attentive to my needs, which made the experience stress-free. I was amazed by how quickly they worked without sacrificing the safety or security of my belongings. Not only did they complete the move ahead of schedule, but everything arrived in perfect condition. It’s clear that this team is highly skilled and truly values their customers. I couldn’t have asked for a better moving experience!

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $950

My experience with America First Moving proved to be a stressful, costly, and infuriating fiasco.

On July 3, I was contacted by a representative from America First Moving, a moving broker based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in response to my online bid for movers to transport the contents of my one-bedroom apartment from New York City to Lake Worth, Florida. I advised the representative (Kassandra) that my move included personal items packaged in shipping containers, and did not include any furniture other than a small wooden chest. Kassandra quoted a cost of $1855.01. I immediately paid $661.91 by credit card, and was advised by America First to pay the remaining $1193.10 to the mover in cash. Pickup was scheduled for August 8. I signed the contract, which provided for a move of up to 300 cubic feet of items.

On August 7, an America First representative named Eric contacted me to conduct a verbal 'walk through' of my items. Prior to the call, I dutifully measured all of the containers, and advised Eric the contents measured 240 cubic feet, well below the 300 cubic feet provided for in the contract. Despite this, Eric demanded that I pay another $595.71 on my credit card - even though he couldn't observe the items - disingenuously claiming that since some of the items were not perfectly square, that there would be 'dead space' in the moving van, requiring the extra fee. I reluctantly submitted to this extortion, because the move was scheduled for the next day.

On August 8, the movers arrived hours after the agreed-upon time. My heart sank when I looked out of my apartment and saw a rental truck: only at that point did I realize that America First aren't movers, but are instead moving brokers, sub-contracting the move to others. Had the above reps from America First had the integrity to tell me this, I would not have patronized America First. When Sam (the driver) arrived into my apartment, he took one cursory glance at the items, and within seconds - and without any explanation - demanded a further $620.00 in cash, in addition to my paying the existing charge of $1193.10. I was forced to submit a second time to America First's extortion.

On August 9, I reached out to an America First representative named Danielle to complain about being charged the extra $595.71 and $620.00. She advised she would escalate the matter to management, but I never heard back from anyone at America First.

My items arrived into Lake Worth on August 24 on a large tractor-trailer laden with the contents from other people's moves. The driver (Ahmed) was alone, and thus forced to move the items himself. Ahmed called me the next day advising that he had mistakenly not delivered four of my boxes. I received them on August 26.

On August 28, I conducted an exhaustive inventory of the delivered items and discovered that one of my containers was missing. I immediately reached out to Kassandra, Ahmed, and America First's dispatch, but received no response or resolution to my being overcharged, or to my request for a search of my missing container, which was clearly marked with my address and identified as 'box 46'. Given that my items were placed in a large tractor trailer with no obvious separation from other people's belongings, I'm not surprised one of my containers went missing.

I successfully disputed the August 7 charge of $595.71 with my credit card issuer, and will be filing a complaint with the FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. I would like America First to refund the $620 wrongly charged by the driver. I would also like America First to make an effort to locate my missing container or to compensate me for the contents therein.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3000

America First Moving Services has nonexistent professionalism or reliability. Beware of unexpected price increases after they load your belongings onto the truck. Additionally, they and their subsidiaries (AMB Moving and Storage Inc. and Sorto Express Transportation Inc.) will hold your belongings hostage, with little to no support from anyone in resolving these issues. Only "give us what we want, how we want it."

The company outsources its moves to third-party contractors, who in turn hire day laborers from in front of Home Depot, making it difficult to track shipments or hold anyone accountable. I’ve been waiting months for my belongings; I’m being pressured into paying additional fees before they’ll deliver my belongings. This is a scam company; they will lie and agree to any request to get your business, then bait and switch and provide nothing promised in the contract or via phone. I never authorized them to place my belongings in storage; they’re holding my items hostage and charging me storage fees for it.

They took what they wanted out of my storage and left the rest, saying the whole truck wasn’t allocated to me. I’m still paying for a $500-a-month storage unit and have to hire another moving company and fly back to Las Vegas. They tried to overcharge me at pickup after my belongings had been loaded onto the truck. They forged a document; this is identity theft.

Forget about those professional movers they raved about; they hire day laborers from in front of Home Depot. There are no professional movers. Only God knows who they have handling your belongings and in your home.

Most of all, America First Moving has a pattern of deceptive pricing, poor communication, and lack of accountability, leading to a highly frustrating experience. If you bring up their dishonesty, they’ll deflect and only talk about extorting money from you. They or their subsidiaries won’t give me the correct billing. America First Moving Services didn’t provide any of what I contracted them to do. I had to involve the bank, and they returned the deposit that is allocated for them, only to add it back to the balance. A refund is just that, a refund. If they thought they deserved the money, they would have fought it at the bank, like every other legitimate business, not refunded and added it back to the bill.

This is the worst company I’ve ever had to deal with. If you're considering them as a moving company, it may be best to explore other options with better reputations.

Warning: Avoid them at all costs!!! Save yourself time, money, and your sanity.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $10882

STAY AWAY!!!!! Worst experience ever, worst company. Started off being lied to. Was charged 95.00 more because of a flight of stairs which they was told from the start. My belongings was picked up Jan 24, here it is Feb. 24 and everything I own is not here. Has cost me over 500 to replace dishes and pans and other stuff needed for everyday use. Every time I called was told it will be here next week . Was told in the beginning that it would take 4 to 10 days for the truck to get to me. I had tried canceling for medical reason which I was told I could do before signing a contract, yes I could cancel but at the cost of 750.00 . So instead of going needed treatments to fix my broken wrist I rushed up to Fl because I was told if I wasn’t here when driver came an additional charge would be made. I couldn’t afford the price to begin with . It was Jan. 24 they picked up everything I owed and here it is Feb. 24 and still being told it will be here next week. This is a Horrible Company, should not be allowed to stay in business. I wish I would have read reviews before hiring, if there was any good ones they had to be written by someone within the Company. I am hoping that after talking with management I will be compensated for the money I had to spend to buy things I shouldn’t of had to because I had plenty in the truck. This experience has been really stressful. There are things in truck that can’t be replaced. My birds have suffered because their cages are in truck so the past month they been living in small travel cages. They try and get you to sign a contract with about 6 things stated of course it’s after they started loading . One of the things was you would not complain, give bad reviews, or turn in to the BBB. And the other you wouldn’t cancel payment. I refused to sign ! I was already in the process of leaving bad reviews , and complaints because of the lies I was told. . Horrible Company! Beware! If you do chose to use they don’t mention it but it’s deep within the contract about buying extra protection is case of loss. The way it is without is their insurance will only give you 10,000 for losses.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $1770