Atlantic Relocation Systems

WARNING - NEVER do business with this company! They deserve only the worst possible negative rating. I could write a book about my nightmare experience with Atlantic Relocation Systems (“Atlantic”) and what a huge mistake it was to use them for the overseas shipment of my household goods. Given the space limitations for this review, I’ll provide only a very brief overview of the bait-and-switch tactics Atlantic used on me. It all began with their salesman - Andy Orlin. He came to my storage unit in Georgia where all the items for overseas shipment were located and visible for his inspection. He made a persuasive sales pitch about Atlantic’s alleged great shipping business connections and his personal expertise. Much of what he said turned about to be demonstrably false. But by the time I was able to discover Orlin’s many misrepresentations, it was too late to use another shipper as Atlantic had my belongings in their possession. For example, his “expert” estimate and initial contract price for the complete process was 15% lower than the actual amount I was ultimately billed. He also misrepresented the size of the shipping container that Atlantic would use (he said 20' but they apparently used a 40') which lead to me giving away many valuable items and furnishings I would have otherwise kept and included in the shipment. Another huge misrepresentation - Orlin’s promised delivery date was off by almost 4 months! But once they have your belongings, there’s no turning back - you’re stuck with being another victim of Atlantic’s deceptive business practices. Very soon after Atlantic took my items, Orlin began a series of excuses about delayed delivery (all due he said to Covid and other transportation issues despite his original assurances that delivery would be completed in approx. 4 weeks and be unaffected by Covid). Orlin also began sending me a number of “updates” in attempt to justify the delays and insisting that I would have to pay even more money, despite my having paid 100% of Atlantic’s total price up front as they required. Remember, the price I’d already paid had increased 15% over Orlin’s false “estimate” and Atlantic’s initial contract. When I challenged Orlin’s assertions that I would have to pay Atlantic even more money, Atlantic unilaterally and without any prior notice or authorization charged my credit card (using the card number I provided to pay the entire contract cost up front) an additional approximate 6.5% over the escalated price I’d already paid. After my detailed objections to Atlantic’s improper use of my credit card and my threat to sue them on a variety of counts, Atlantic refunded the illegitimate credit card charge. Incredibly, I then received a money demand from Atlantic’s delivery subcontractor in the country of final destination (an outfit named Trallero - whom I’d never heard of and with whom I had no contract). Trallero insisted that I pay them directly (per instructions from Orlin) despite Atlantic’s written contract that it’s charges included door-to-door delivery. Orlin then directed Trallero to stop the delivery of my property until I paid Trallero directly for the fees apparently owed to it by Atlantic. As would be expected, I immediately notified Orlin that Atlantic must pay all fees to Trallero as I had no obligation to pay, and no contractual relationship with, any of Atlantic’s subcontractors. Orlin’s response was like that of a guilty child - he blocked any further communications from me. As a result, I then had to correspond only with Atlantic’s attorneys. I informed them that I was ready to file a multi-count lawsuit to hold Atlantic fully liable for the breach of its contractual obligations, its bad faith conduct and fraudulent business practices, and the recovery of all fees and costs incurred by me in enforcing their obligations. Following the attorneys brief and legally unpersuasive attempt to justify Atlantic’s actions, the attorneys quickly reversed their position and agreed to reimburse me for the full amount ($1820) I’d been coerced to pay Trallero (per the instructions of Orlin) to have my belongings finally delivered. During that process, Atlantic’s attorneys also attempted to include “confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions” in a release agreement to prevent me from publicly exposing Atlantic’s inexcusable conduct. But I refused to keep Atlantic’s malfeasance a secret and Atlantic’s attorneys again backed down. Atlantic then paid me and I remain free to inform the world about Atlantic’s deceitful business practices. The final sad chapter of my experience with Atlantic was filing a claim for damaged and missing items. The insurance carrier finally responded and paid me $8,705 to settle my claim. Many of those still missing items are forever irreplaceable. What happened? Did Atlantic intentionally destroy some of my belongings or just inexplicably lose them? Unbelievable!

I challenge Atlantic to attempt to disprove any part of what I’ve said.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $11759

Quick to show up and estimate. However it was done poorly. Day of the pack and load they showed up with a truck entirely too small, at our inconvenience we had to return the next day so they could finish. We stored our items for 3 months. When they arrived to unload the driver and crew complained all day how heavy our items were. We paid for unpack but they refused. They threw boxes into rooms, putting heavy boxes on fragile items (boxes were marked as such). We're just finishing unpacking our things and my heart is broken at the disregard for things we clearly said needed care. My fault for trusting them with things of value? Maybe but I can only do so much with it and they guaranteed our things would be safe. We paid $13K and feel like we got totally screwed. They didn't treat our things with care, blatant disregard for our property. I would tell friends, family and strangers to stay away. These guys are terrible.

Service cost: $13000

Atlantic Relocation's Andy Orlin didn't know international import law, resulting in my goods being held over 30 days. Addressing this with him, he said it was my fault and I should have known Dutch import law. I told him this was ridiculous. At that point, Orlin took the issue personally and threatened to not deliver my goods at all. He made good with this threat, and delayed delivery further. Addressing this with his boss, Mark McReynolds, I was promised an explanation for delay—which never appeared. Once payment was complete, my emails have not been returned.  .

Service cost: $12

The people who packed our belongings were very unprofessional.  Heavy things were just thrown on top of more delicate items. Items were not wrapped properly.  It was difficult to find pieces for furniture pieces that were disassembled.  None of it was labeled or even attempted to keep together. Many pieces were broken or missing.  The front of our High Efficiency Washer was dented. Our leather couch was scratched because they tried to force it through a doorway rather than remove the door.  Our son's expensive watch was stolen.  A dresser leg was broken.  Then when our belongings finally got delivered about a week after we requested delivery, the truck driver parked on a slight incline and because he had not secured the boxes that were piled to the top of the truck, a whole row of boxes fell and many more things were broken.  He only brought two guys to unpack the truck and it took a really long time. Additionally, the guys were waiting for about 2 hours before the truck driver even showed up.  They were not too happy about also putting together the beds and we ended up having to fix it after they left because they didn't do it right.  Overall, by far the worst experience we have ever had and was expensive!

Service cost: $13000

Our move from Alpharetta Ga. to Estepona Spain.
Last Oct./Nov. we contracted with Andy Olin of Atlantic Relocation Systems of Atlanta for our move to Spain. First I must say the packers did an excellent job with items received about three months later with minor damage to two items and one broken item = that's the good news.
We shipped a 40' container of household goods and a car. We were given a one hour notice that the car would be picked up and unfortunately due to lack of notice the tank was full causing increased cost to us of over $200 and the forwarder $1,000 AND missing the scheduled ship forcing a reschedule of several weeks.
Further, there are MANY MISSING items to include a computer (with private files and contacts), tools, kitchen items, special vitamins, several original oil paintings and personal items.
When I contacted Andy he claimed there "were no boxes in the warehouse" and indicated it was probably the fault of DeHaan Movers of Malaga (rated 4.5 out of 5 stars). When I contacted DeHaan they said the delivery men had worked with them for years without problems of "missing items" and the container was not opened by customs and remained sealed while in port.
The container was sealed originally at my home when loaded BUT was opened in Atlantic's warehouse to load the car and it sat there until it was re-scheduled to the next ship - Andy never mentioned the security measures that were taken, if any, saying there was a "bulkhead" between the car and boxes..
As near as we can account there are six boxes "missing".
This is certainly what I did not expect from an Atlas agent and am VERY upset with the financial loss as well as the security risks involved with data and paper files and albums of family and travel photos which can NEVER be replaced. I am also VERY UPSET with the "brush-off" reply that there are no boxes in the warehouse. There are only two possibilities: 1. THEFT and 2. Delivery to the WRONG ADDRESS. I don't think either was given ANY consideration.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $12000

The crew that performed my recent relocation through Atlantic were great individuals and very respectful of my belongings. Nothing was broken but I only had a 100 mile move. However, the drastically overused products like boxes and paper which ended up adding to my already pricey estimate. 3/5.

When I escalated my concern for an additional $300 in charges I spoke to the initial salesman who was understanding. He escalated my complaint to the VP and General Manager who reviewed my inventory list. I told him of my concerns of repacking boxes and unpacking and repacking of items for which he lowered extra charges by $200 after numerous back and forth emails. 1/5.

I will not be utilizing Atlantic Relocation Systems in the future and feel that the pity excess charges could have been ignored by the GM. Because of this I will be looking elsewhere for my future relocation needs.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2500

-0 stars! Atlantic Relocation Systems (ARS) is the worst ever! We moved goods/furniture into the “climate controlled” storage facility while we relocated temporarily. When the household goods were delivered to the home, it had MOLD all over everything! The untrained movers and management staff allowed the goods to be moved into the home which infected the home with mold! This then made the house unlivable. ARS was so incompetent. Not only did the goods have mold, some were damaged and some were lost in their secure facility. It took a year to settle the damages. DO NOT USE THESE MOVERS

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $5800