Budget Van Lines

Moving a lifetime worth of stuff is no easy task, the stress and anxiety alone can be daunting. Dan, Tamara, Ron & John were awesome in coordinating my move from Nebraska to Arizona. All items arrived safely and in good condition.
I was very pleased with the customer service and thought the representatives did a great job in keeping me informed as to where my furnishings were and updating me on delivery schedules, etc.
I wish to thank each member of Budget Van Lines customer service team for simplifying the process, maintaining good communication, providing awesome customer service all while making this move an economically feasible venture that didn’t kill my bank account. I would without a doubt recommend Budget to anyone needing to move.  .

Service cost: $2057

I spoke several times to Damon to set up my move then with Ryan from the time it was scheduled until after my items arrived. Ryan was very helpful and courteous. I enjoyed working with him and he was very prompt in providing all the information I needed, including the information in order to file a damage claim!
The only disappointment we felt was the change in the cost of the original quote. It increased over $1,100. This was due in part to an unexplained bulky item charge placed by the carrier and not by Budget as well as the weight of my shipment.
As I have completed this form and noted the request to spell check my entry by using the ABC button below, I might suggest that your website designer do the same as button is spelled with 2 t's.
Thank you!

Service cost: $2900

Although I had some difficult times with my move with Budget Van Lines, I want to point out that the customer service was exceptional. There are bound to be problems with any move, especially one that includes delivery to a state almost 1,000 miles away (as in my case -- CT to GA). However, it was the constant communication and attention I received from the Budget Van Lines rep assigned to my move (Gwen) that made all the difference for me.
 
The fact that Budget Van Lines was willing to not only listen to my complaints but also follow up on them and even hold the moving company accountable (while following up with them as well) made this experience a lot better for me given the obstacles and complications I encountered.
 
Moving, like life, is messy and sometimes unforeseen things happen. When that occurred in my situation, Budget Van Lines listened to my complaints and took action to make sure I was as satisfied with the results as possible. They delivered on their customer service promises and I would recommend using them for your move.
 
Most moving experiences probably go off without a hitch, but it's good to know that if things do go wrong, you won't just be treated like a number by this company and they will work hard to make sure you are satisfied as a customer.  .

Service cost: $2655

My experience with this company was awful.  I contacted this company to know their rates which was followed by several clalls until confirmation of the inventory list. At the time of e-signature to confirm the inventory list (on Friday, 20Sep2013), I was still packing (selling out my furniture) to relocate to CA from NJ. I gave Damon A. (my agent) the max list of items I could include (estimated to 3100 lbs). I had informed Damon that the list is not final and will be downsizing the list and was willing to sign only if I still had a chance to make some changes. He asked me not to worry and promised that the Quality Assurance team personnel will contact me on Monday to finalize the list. I went ahead e-signed, and sold all of my furniture except mattress. After e-sign, I received billing transaction email but no follow-up calls until the final day of my move (final day of the three days proposed).   After the bill on my credit card, I had to call and confirm the 3 day window for pick-up. In between the bill and pick-up I did speak with customer representative (CR), Greg O., of BV regarding the inventory list. The CR asked me not to worry and confirmed that the moving company would give me a different estimate based on the household items (different from BV) on the day of the move, and that if the weight of my household items to be moved is less than the estimate provided by the moving company then they would give me up to 15% discount on the charges of the estimated weight.   On the final day of my move, CR called to inform that the promised moving would not be able to pick my stuff on that day but the next day. I had to explain about an early flight to CA the next day to convince them. After several conversations they confirmed that a truck from Preferred Relocation (the moving company) would be arriving to pick my stuff. It was a stressful moment (pain in the butt). Although I was promised a different estimate by the moving company, “Preferred Relocation” guy (Eddie) refused to give me a different weight estimate. I could not argue as it was the last minute for me to move out of the apartment and a flight early next day.  The actual weight came out to be 2100 pounds, a difference of thousand pounds between the actual and estimated weights (by professional movers).  I was charged 72 cents for a pound. You can estimate my loss.  .

Service cost: $2800

My daughter needed to get out of her apartment in Denver but did not have a new apartment in Atlanta for 6 weeks.  Budget helped us navigate this situation, storing her things for the period in between and then delivering them to Atlanta once she had a place there.  We were very impressed with the sales and customer service staff who were responsive to all our emails and phone calls.  They also pro-actively followed up with us at each step of the move.  At the end of the move out, storage, and move it, the only thing broken or damaged was one glass. We would definitley use this company again.

Service cost: $2000

Do not use these movers!  They subcontract with any local cheap mover of their choice.  Most of my items that they packed were damaged, some beyond repair.  The biggest problem was all the "missing" items as they call it.  Some boxes were missing but the ones that did make it had been opened and anything they wanted taken out of them to the tune of over $1,700.  Nothing I can do about it!  It's your word against their's.  MOVERS BEWARE!  READ THE FINE PRINT AND GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR A MOVING COMPANY!!  All they reimburse you for your damaged itmes is .60 per pound.  Go see what your big screen TV is worth then!   Julie Boget Pissed from PA.

Service cost: $2596

MOVER BEWARE!!
EXTREMELY dissatisfied. DON'T use Budget!!

We regret having used Budget Van Lines, will never use them again, will not refer them and have made sure those we know (particularly those moving) are aware of our horrific experience with Budget. We knew Budget was a booking company. We based our decision to contract with them based on the information provided us. Had we received the services promised and our move had been handled as contracted (in compliance with laws and regulations), we would have felt we paid an acceptable amount. However, that wasn't the case!

Our bad experience started from the second Budget's Representative answered our initial telephone call, everything he told us was lies. This is not just 'our' side of the events. Budget records every call, after listening to our conversations, this Representative was given time off without pay, confirming Budget knew we were lied to from the start. There were many issues between our first phone call until delivery, all compounded by the 9 months following. Some of the biggest issues/lies: 1) A compartmentalized moving semi would pick up our belongings and Harley Davidson, meaning our possessions would be separated from the next customer's belongings. We, also, paid for an additional compartment for the Harley. 2) The moving Company would arrive on a specific day with an am or pm arrival time, calling an hour before arriving. 3) We would be provided weight slips before and after our possessions were loaded, to compare the estimated weight we paid for and the actual weight of our possessions, resulting in a credit or debit.

Budget contracted Platinum Van Lines for our move; we had no say in who they chose. The driver arrived 10 hours late, with a single compartment Enterprise Leasing truck with no ramp; and never called in advance. We initiated all the calls with Budget, Platinum and the driver for those 10 hours, being told lie after lie about where they were, why they were late, when they would arrive. Because it was a single compartment truck, our Harley had to be protected by our mattresses, which were tied around it (staining and ripping the mattresses). Though Budget was well aware of the Harley being shipped and the need for a ramp to drive it onto the expected semi, there was only a back lift on the truck. The difficulty of loading it rest on my boyfriend, with the 2 movers hanging onto him and the Harley, so neither fell off!!

No weight slips were provided at the time of pickup or delivery. Yet, the driver still insisted we owed $400 at the time of delivery, even though he had no weight slips to prove we were over the weight we paid for in advance. There was no other reason to charge us. However, you pay or you don't get your possessions. At the time of pick up, we signed numerous documents, including insurance forms. Yet, when we attempted to apply for reimbursement on the our damaged items and a lost container, we were informed by 2 separate insurance carriers that they had dropped Platinum. Platinum Van Lines had no insurance while transporting our belongings! Not providing weight slips and not carrying insurance is a violation of the DOT/FMCSA, both were notified in writing of the violations, along with the AMSA.

Just 24 hours after pick up, Budget called us and acknowledged all the lies told us initially. After delivery, Budget spent 9 months stringing us along and putting us through our paces, completing forms, answering emails and forwarding numerous pictures, acting like they were going to help. We believed they were going to step up and do the right thing. Then, 9 months later, it was "so sad," "too bad!" We did everything we could before and after the delivery to assure a smooth move and follow up for compensation. We acted in good faith for 9 months, doing everything asked of us.

In the end, Budget offered us $150, their booking fee, which was supposed to justify our mistreatment and cover the cost for the damage to our furniture (which we didn't claim) and $600+ of missing items. But there was a 'catch.' In order to receive the $150, we first had to sign legal documents, agreeing to never discuss this transaction or speak negatively of Budget in any public forum. We refused.

Platinum went out of business; we had no recourse with them. We contracted with Budget; they contracted with Platinum. It was Budget's responsibility to make sure they used a reputable firm that abided by the laws and regulations.

I wish I had enough time and energy to write everything we went through. Just writing this has made me angry, again!! SO, pass the word and stay clear of Budget Van Lines or you'll be the next person writing on Yelp to warn others!!

Service cost: $1280

We obtained Budget Van Lines to broker a move from PA to CO. There were issues with the moving company (which Budget has now terminated their contract with that leased company due to the significant issues). During the entire process of the move, Donald Battles- Manager of Customer Service in the CA office of Budget Van Lines- was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! He stayed late, came in early, communicated through both emails and phone, and ALWAYS kept his promise as to when he would have an answer. While the move itself was stressful due to the other company's lack of customer service, Donald Battles and Budget Van Lines did everything they could to resolve the issue and obtain compensation. This is SO appreciated!

Service cost: $3300

The good - My carrier, Sky Van Lines, was very professional and did a great job preparing my goods for moving, and loading them into the truck. (I haven't gotten delivery yet so can't comment on that part.)

The bad - almost nothing went as the Budget person (who was very nice) had told me it would. When I reserved, about 5 days before the start of the 3-day window he said I had to have, he told me I would hear the next day which day the movers would come. I heard nothing. So, two days later, I called and was informed that I would only get 24 hours' notice! This made my schedule-juggling very difficult. If I had known from the outset that I would only get 24 hours' notice, I might not have chosen Budget.

Then I was waiting all day Friday, figuring that if the movers were going to come on Sat. (day 1 of my 3-day pickup window), they would call on Friday to give me the 24 hours' notice. No call. By the end of the day I figured, "OK, then it'll be Sunday or Monday." Then at 7:30 pm I got a call from the drivers asking me if they could come in an hour!! (I said No - there was no way I could be ready then, and that day wasn't even in my 3-day window!) They then said they would come Sat afternoon - so, I got less than 24 hours' notice.

Then when they came, the "shuttle truck" they brought, while still smaller than an 18-wheeler, was much too large for my road. The Budget rep had told me I wouldn't be charged for a shuttle, but I was. Then the movers told me they couldn't take things in contractor bags, everything had to be in boxes - "Weren't you told?" No, I hadn't been. My Budget rep had told me I could select what insurance I wanted on the day of the move - yet, all the carriers offered me was the standard 60 cents a pound. And worst of all, my Budget rep had told me I would be charged by the actual weight of my items (and told me this was a better way to go), but the movers told me that with the smaller truck, I would be charged for the cubic feet, not by weight. I protested, and they said "OK, we'll do it by weight" - but then rather than weighing the truck, they simply used a conversion formula (1 cubic foot - 7 pounds) and "charged me by weight" that way (which of course was not by weight at all.)

To their credit, when I complained, Budget said they would refund me the shuttle charge, and would make sure the truck actually gets weighed. Waiting to see if that will happen. Overall, this was not the worst moving experience, since the movers themselves (Sky Van Lines) really were good. But the problem was definitely with Budget as middleman.

Service cost: $2200

I used Budget Van Lines to move my things from Atlanta, GA to Oakland, California. Budget Van Lines is a moving broker which means that they contract the work and don't have any control over the company that they use. This was quite evident because I called Budget many times about the problems I had with the moving company and they were not able to get in touch with the company nor were they able to help me. Using Budget was a waste of time and unnecessary the next time I will use an actual moving company that doesn't contract to other companies. Budget Van Lines contracted the job to Promovers, Inc and they further contracted the job to another company. From the very beginning I felt like I was being hustled by Promovers, Inc. My items were picked up on 1/20/2017 and delivered on 2/11/2017. During pickup the mover was trying to collect more money from my sister, after several attempts to get more money my sister told him if the price is going to be more, he could stop and we would cancel the service. He called his boss and they agreed with the original price (or so I thought). After they packed my stuff and started the moving process I had to call several times to get a timeline of when my stuff would arrive in Oakland. I was never able to get a timeline but was just told it could take up to 21 days, I later found out that it was 21 business days. It took the entire time for the move. After hearing nothing about a drop off date, Thursday, 2/9/2017 I finally received a call from, Alek, the delivery driver saying he would deliver my items after 11am the next day, Friday 2/10/2017. He also said that I owed $710.00. I told him that I did not owe $710.00 I owed $535.00 because my total price was $1610.00 and it was split into 3 payments. Alek became very rude and said "If you don't have the money you will not get your stuff." He and I went back and forth for a few seconds about the correct price and then I told him let's just agree to disagree and that I will call Budget Van Lines to sort it out. I immediately called BVL relating the problem to them. The Customer Service representative placed me on hold to call Promovers, Inc. but she did not get in touch with anyone so she sent them an email and told me that either she will or the moving company will call to see why the price had increased. No one called me back so I called BVL back on 2/10/17 Friday morning about 7am PST; I wanted to have everything fixed before the driver arrived. I went back and forth with BVL and Promovers trying to find out why the price had increased and no one had told me. After several conversations I was finally told that I took up more cubic feet in the truck and I had more things than I had told them. So the company had increased the price without ever informing me. I stayed home all day Friday waiting on Alek to deliver my furniture. I didn't hear from him and decided to call him at 3pm PST. He told me that he was on his way to Fresno CA and asked what's the latest he can come to drop off my furniture since he and I had been in conflict with each other. I told him he could come to deliver my furniture until about 10-11pm . He told me to call him back around 8-9 pm to see where he was. When I called him back at 8 pm, he told me he was not going to make it and he would deliver to me in the morning between 9-11 am. I told him that was not going to work because I had to work from 7am-7:30pm the next day and that I'd already taken off to be at home all day Friday to wait for him. I also reminded him that he said he had to give me a 24 hour notice before delivery and that telling me at 8 pm that you'd deliver the next morning between 9-11 is not a 24 hour notice. He told that I had better have someone at the house for the delivery or he would put my stuff in storage and I'd have to pay extra money. The next day my sister called to speak with Alek about the delivery time. He was very rude with her and told her that he is not a cable man and that I needed to be there when he gets there and that the only way he would wait for me is if I paid him $1,000. After several attempts to call Promovers, Inc. and getting no answer, my sister was able to get the personal cell number of the operations manager and called and left a message. After calling a second time several hours later and leaving another message the operations manager finally called her back. The operations manager told her that they had contracted the job to another company and that the driver did not work for them so basically they had no control over the driver. The operations manager was finally able to reach an agreement with the driver on a delivery between 6-6:30pm. I had one of my friends meet the delivery driver at my apartment since I didn't get off until 7:30 pm(nursing). The driver called and changed the delivery time to 7-7:30 but arrived at 7:45 and sent me a text saying "step out." I told him my friend was there but he said he would not move anything off the truck until he had his money first. I arrived at my apartment about 10-15 minutes after he did. I was very skeptical about paying for services beforehand but the operation manager told me to just pay him because he will not use him again. Side note: the driver was not only rude but constantly lied to the operations manager. He told him that he arrived at my apartment at 6:30pm but I had a text to prove him wrong. The driver came into my apartment 2 times asking where I wanted my things. I paid him and he started staging things in the lobby. I was waiting in my apartment for him to begin moving my furniture in but realized that it was taking him a long time to come. I decided to go out to see what was going on. The driver had just put everything in the lobby of my apartment and told me that I was going to have to move my things into my apartment myself because from the street to the lobby was 75 feet and that's as far as he had to go although my apartment is on the first floor and very close to the lobby. He said if he went further he'd charge me an additional $140. I asked him why didn't he say something before and why did he come into my apartment 2 times to find out where to put my furniture if he knew he wasn't going to move the furniture in. I also asked him why he hadn't told me that he was only going to put the furniture into the lobby and not move it into my apartment. He didn't have an answer. He was very angry and rude and this was just his way of getting back at me. I had to move the furniture into my apartment myself. Basically I paid for a service that I did not receive. In the end my advice to you is do not use a moving broker like Budget Van Lines, do not use Promovers, Inc., make sure that you have a company come out, look at what you have to move and give you a firm price based on that in a contract, and read all of the details in the contract. This has been a very costly and inconvenient lesson that I've had to learn.

Service cost: $1750

BUDGET VAN LINES (aka Twin Movers/Condor) underbid my move to get me signed up. After that the price went up. The company they subcontracted with came with two movers. Both spoke Spanish 98% of the time so I didn't know what was going on during packing. It took them 18 hours (ONE DAY) to complete. I felt sorry for the movers since I believed them to be abused (until many items came up missing after delivery). I'm sure crew rest policies were violated. The movers packed two rifles for me. Never asked me about serial numbers. When I approached them about it they said we don't need the numbers. I'm sure this violates state firearm transportation laws. I am in the process of filling a claim. During delivery their truck broke down (according to them). I'm sure this time they went though my items picking out what they wanted). MANY items are missing as I unpack my boxes. The company they subcontracted with was called "Twin Movers". Since my move they now call themselves "Condor Movers". STAY CLEAR OF THEM! I'm still not sure off all the items missing but the list keeps growing. I would like to file an official complaint with someone who can actually track these criminals down but have no idea where to start. BUDGET Van Lines did not vet "Twin Movers/Condor Movers properly. I would walk away (run) from any deal with these guys. Wish someone had posted a this info before I contacted with them. To their credit Budget Van Lines did discontinue their contract with this contractor. BUYER BEWARE!! If anyone has any idea how to go after these guys I would very much like to hear from you. In the mean time I will hit these jokers on every media outlet I can. I feel totally violated as they took some very personal items. Hope this helps you in your future move. Again, any ideas how legally go after these guys I would appreciate your information.

Service cost: $4000

Budget Van Lines was very quick to take my $$ and make promises..they assigned my move to American Power..he showed up 28 hours after he promised..knocked power lines down leading to my home..arrived with two NON speaking/NON reading helpers..DOUBLED the quote that Budget had given me..said there were TOO MANY boxes..I am 81 years old and I used SMALL boxes so I could lift them..and yes there were a lot BUT it took FOUR of my small boxes to equal ONE average mid-size box.so in reality there was NOT more than discussed with Budget Van Lines.
Because he was SO late he raced thru the house like a maniac shouting about volume and weight (which there was NO WAY of establishing since my load was dumped in with several others)..items that were to be left in Illinois ended up in Florida and other items are missing in action..at the receiving end they arrived at 8PM..a broken lamp..another CRUSHED box marked FRAGILE/DO NOT CRUSH held another SMASHED lamp that I have had for 40 years..of course, if you can't speak English you probably can't read it either..the whole move was a DISASTER..calls to Budget Van Lines asking for claim forms are dumped into VM which is NOT asnswered..calls and texts to American Power are ignored..my advice..DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER USING THESE PEOPLE..

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $4000

Please do not use this company. Budget Van Lines (BVL). BVL subcontracted the move to PUMA. From the quoted price by BVL it went up $1200.00. I felt violated. I wish I had seen all the many reviews on this company prior. If you haven't already do your self a favor and get out while you can. Take a small lost and bail. they will get you. We were charged $550.00 additional from the est. quote by BVL. at pick-up, after they had our house hold items on the truck. This was for extra items and fuel. (Which they hadn't even left the driveway.) So, if you have a vase, shoe rack or picture these are extra items. Also an additional $550.00 would be due at delivery. BVL did nothing to assist with this subcontractor taking us for a ride.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1200

Budget is a moving broker. They sent American Power Moving as our carrier. The carrier was horrible. Didn't pick up in time, never answered the phone and had our stuff for a month. We called Budget almost every day. They couldn't do anything to help us. They would call the carrier but he would just lie and tell them couple more days. I asked 4 different times to speak with a supervisor. I always got an excuse and was told someone would call me back. That never happened!! Terrible customer service. Once they get their money they can't help you anymore. They said all their carriers are 5 stars and all are licensed and insured. Well my carrier didn't even have their own trucks they came in rented U Haul! I could have done that!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2000

I've never had such an awful experience. As a broker, Budget Van Lines used Metro Relocations (formerly Pro Movers) as the carrier. When my things were to be delivered, the driver called me and let me know he would be there on Sunday (the next day.) I waited there on Sunday from 10 until 4:30, when he had arrived in town. He had gotten stuck on a narrow street in town and called me, insisting that I walk over to him (several blocks away). Moving is already a stressful situation, and he was barking at me over the phone, seemingly angry when I did not understand his directions. While I understand being stuck is frustrating, the way that he made me feel like it was my fault was unacceptable. I was moving to a new place where I didn't know anyone and I do not know what I should have done differently to avoid this experience. I thought that a moving company knew how to handle issues like this. I had ran out of the house with nothing hoping I could help him, and ended up standing next to the truck for an hour while he asked me to ask strangers if they had access to a pickup truck. After all this, he told me that if I found someone with a truck, he would only be willing to load the things into the truck but I would be on my own to take them into my apartment. I hired this company because I do not have the ability to move heavy furniture by myself. I was hoping for a smooth, easy experience and this was hellish. I just agreed to pay the 300 extra dollars because I wanted to be done with all of this, but I really wish that there was a way this could have been avoided, because I feel ripped off. I had to miss a day of work on Monday to deal with this and I wish I would have been given more notice to do that.

On Monday, the movers broke through a wall on a stair landing 4 steps below the apartment door. The broken wall crack is over 36" in length and breaks through the sheet rock into the spacing between the studs. I politely pointed it out and asked if it had just happened, and the movers insisted that they had not touched the wall. When my landlord noticed the damage, he politely asked if there was someone he could call to discuss the issue. At this point the driver got very rude and aggressive, insisting they had done nothing, angrily yelling at him to "prove it" and making me very uncomfortable with the way he was treating us. My landlord asked him if he could provide him with the number of his supervisor, which made the driver angrier still and he said "like h*ll I'm giving you that!" and basically said that we'd have no luck blaming this on him. I tried to contact the company to report the damage and I was completely ignored. They stopped picking up my phone calls and I had to give up eventually.

The damage was my main problem with the experience, but there were several other things that made me uncomfortable. The driver purposefully tried to intimidate me. He refused to leave until I had signed the form and wrote that I had "checked and received all my property." I did not want to sign anything at that point and just wanted him to leave as he was sort of scaring me with his behavior and I am a young woman living alone. I felt pressured to do as he asked just so he would leave.

When he asked me to check my belongings, I tried to take the inventory list and the receipt upstairs with me and look them over. He insisted that I leave the receipt with him, which made me uncomfortable - I should be able to look something over by myself before signing it.

After my landlord brought up the damage, he got angry and said that he was done. We weren't sure if they were actually done or if he was just angry and wanted to leave, so my landlord asked to check the truck just to make sure anything wasn't left behind. He was very aggressive and refused, saying "you're not touching my truck" and did not allow us to see it. Later, I asked again, and he allowed me to see and it was empty, but I just did not understand why it had to be like that.

He refused to provide me with a copy of the receipt with the updated charges. He allowed me to take a photo of it, but I really would have preferred to get a copy of the receipt as this was an extremely large cash only payment and I wanted to see if I could get anything reimbursed by my employer.

This experience has left me broke and basically just broken down. I'm so saddened it's had to be like this and I would encourage anyone else to stay as far away as possible from Budget Van Lines and the companies they contracted (Pro Movers, Metro Relocations and Dumbo Moving).

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3000

I filed a complaint against the BBB AND SUGGESTED Everyone should. The reason for such horrible service and missed dates is because this broker takes your money but doesn't actually schedule the carrier until last minute, if at all. The managers lie and they don't give you proper information. Manager Dolores made threats of withholding my stuff until I make additional payments, was told by another employee there wasn't a manager above him (when she called me 2 days later), expected me to forward her emails of our communication, and purposely held my stuff to incur additional charges from the carrier.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $1500

I would never use this company again. What the sales person told me for the cost of the move was not true. Even on their invoice it says "total cost" and then there is a broker fee below it that is not included in the cost. Additionally, Mitch, the sales guy, told me everything was included in the move. When the carrier, Southwest Van lines (I suggest going straight to them) came out and loaded everything they tried to add all kinds of additional charges. The driver was professional and did not charge me. However, when I tried to get a hold of Mitch at Budget again, no response. I called the customer service manager Donald Battles. He was polite and promised a call back from Mitch's manager. No such luck. I have left several messages for Donald for the last few weeks and not return call from him either. This company is a total bait and switch company. Don't fall for their pricing, it won't work out for you.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $4700