Budget Van Lines

I used Budget Van Lines to move from the East to the West Coast. At no point was it explained to me in my initial call that they were a broker and would be farming my moving out to a different company. When I tried to get more information I was given a phone number with no details. It was also never explained to me until well after what I thought was the delivery date that this was not the date they would deliver but the first day in a 21 business day delivery. Moving forward, any time I had an issue, they fell back on the same canned response of “we have 21 business days to deliver” instead of ever addressing the other issues I was having a problem with, and there were many: No one would return my calls or emails, I wasn’t told who had my things, the lady they assigned to me was rude and hostile every time she did answer the phone, I was lied to about where my things were (they kept saying I had 21 days and my stuff was in a warehouse in New Jersey swearing they had just got off the phone with the movers to confirm even two days AFTER my things were delivered), when a third party I knew nothing about called me about my things Budget promised to find out who they were as I had no idea but never heard ack from them, and they never gave the movers my address after confirming the information was sent over. Since no one would help me or tell me who I should call (the actual movers and who their contact was) I wound up having to shell out an extra $350 for a shuttle truck because I couldn’t procure a temporary parking pass in under 24 hours. If Budget had actually contacted the movers or given me all of their information, I would have been able to save myself the extra fee by getting the pass.

I lodged a complaint with the Better Business Buereau because I could get nowhere with them and their A+ rating of Budget made me trust them. Their response was I had 21 business days from the delivery date etc. etc. and not once did they acknowledge the other complaints especially the flat out lying about contacting the movers and where my things were but they felt that this canned response was all I needed and no refund of that extra fee was due. I no longer have any trust in the BBB’s rating system or complaint process as nothing comes from it so companies are allowed to continue poor business practices with little to no recourse.

This company encourages their employees to pass along incorrect information instead of saying that they are unsure and helping the customer find the answers they need. There is no accountability, integrity, or care given to their business. They claim to only make $147 on brokering the deal with the moving company and then believe their work is done. They no longer care what happens.

If you plan to make a long move, either go directly to a local moving company where you can talk to a person that will care about your experience or rent a pod. Never use a broker, it will just wind up costing you more in the end with weeks of stress and not knowing where your things are.

Move size: Studio Service cost: $2444

PLEASE READ AND CONSIDER IF YOU'RE THINKING OF USING BUDGET VAN LINES: As I was considering a move a few months back, I read all of the negative and positive reviews and felt as though I could safely take a chance on Budget. I was completely wrong, and don't want any of you to make the same mistake.

From sales, to scheduling, to pickup, all was well. After that, there has been nothing but deceit, misinformation & silence. As I write this review, I've been without my belongings for FORTY DAYS, with zero updates of when my items will reach me in Texas. Budget is the broker, and not the mover- which they will continue to remind you again and again. Basically what this means is that they take your money, but ultimately have no purpose in your move. They won't advocate on your behalf, update you on your possessions, tell you the truth, higher quality movers, etc.

I was dazzled by the price, and did not consider the glaring reality of how incredibly costly it is to live in an empty home for 40+ days. Please, move along and look for another MOVER. Don't get a broker and make the same mistake I did.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2500

Before I begin my rant, I would like to give Kudos to Donald Battles at the Las Vegas Office. He did try to go to bat for me. But basically his hands were tied.
DO NOT USE A BROKER FOR YOUR MOVING!! CALL ONE OF THE KNOWN MOVING COMPANIES!! I was lined up with Southwest Van lines for my move from Las Vegas, NV to Palm Desert, CA. I have lost thousands of dollars in personal items and a box also, some of the items were as old as 50 years given to me by my late husband. We were a military family and moved it seemed constantly. But have never been treated so callously, rudely, obnoxiously and uncaring as I was by the company that was selected for me "SOUTHWEST VAN LINES". If I had known at the time I would have not gone with them. I had painted my home 1 month before I moved in. I now need to paint it again and repair the damage that was done with the move. I have thrown away thousand of items that my late husband bought for me from around the world since they were broken or destroyed. The movers did not seem to care about it. They would drop a box that was marked "FRAGILE" and then just shrug their shoulders as if to say "OH WELL". DO NOT USE A BROKER WHO WILL ASIGN A CARRIER THAT USES ANTHEM CLAIME MANAGENT FOR THE INSURANCE CARRIER!!. Check my reviews on Anthem and Southwest Van Lines.
PJ McMillian.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5000

Oh, how I wish I had read all these reviews. The only competent person working for them was the agent who I contracted with. He gave me a very reasonable quote, and he answered all my questions. Except it was all a lie.

However, nothing he said came to pass. The movers they contracted me with were shady and incompetent. My move (from a studio apartment, so not much stuff), quoted at $2200 cost over $4000 when all was said and done. That doesn't take into account my expenses from all the delays. Most of my large items were damaged, so basically, I spent $4000 to move some boxes.

Budget's "customer service" is no help at all. Basically, they enabled the company to take advantage of me.

The whole move was a nightmare.

Learn from my mistake--just use a professional moving company or do it yourself. Or just torch your stuff and start fresh. Any of those are a much better alternative than using this company.

Move size: Studio Service cost: $4000

Completely deceitful, incompetetent and unprofessional. Budget is merely an agent who farms out the work to independent contractors allowing Budget to DISCLAIM responsibiltiy for anything and everything. The movers arrived late, but, more importantly changed the original estimate (provided by Budget over the phone) from $3800 to $7800 (more than double), although the inventory list matched completely (the actual number of boxes and items of furniture etc. was what was stated over the phone; there were no additional items as a basis for any increase, much less more than double).  To top it off, the movers did not have a truck of sufficient size to take all the items and their resolution was to get a second truck and keep 1/2 the load is storage until they could come back and get it. All day efforts with customer service proved worthless with representatives that were impossible to get a hold off and then would read scripted company policies over the phone and provide zero actual assistance. All they want is their deposit, so they kept trying to tell me this was a "cancellation" despite admitting they were unable to provide a satisfactory size truck for the move. The claim is now pending. STRONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND, but, do what you want.  .

Service cost: $7800

Deception is the name of the game.  I was not told the whole truth.  It was a matter of withholding information.  Another moving company tried to convince me not to use this company, but I didn't listen.  Big mistake!! the movers used more tape than can be imagined and put in on the wood finishes!  One box of dishes arrived in tiny pieces.  They took my belongings to Chicago and then put it on another truck.  I'm not sure how many times they were moved.  Yuk! moving Central is still trying to say I owe another $800.  I have a a receipt that says I am paid in full. Do not believe anything they say!!

Service cost: $10000

Warning. They are horrible.  It was a nightmare.  They hired another company to move me.  They sent R&L who loaded it up and then demanded another $900.  They were supposed to store my furniture in AZ but lost it in KS for a month.  Then a 3rd company delivered the furniture.  They tried giving me someone elses vacuum cleaner and lost my tool box. Then charged me more money.  Most of my furniture was busted upon arrival.  At pic-up the driver listed everything as damaged when it was new and listed it as packed by me so as not to be covered by insurance.  I got the SHAFT!

Service cost: $3675

If you don't care what time your furniture get there or what will cost in the end. DO NOT USE BUDGET VAN LINES..
I received a estimate from Alan for $1497.30, movers showed up and said their biinding estimate would be $1998.40 because of weight.  Two days later I get a call that because of weight it will cost $2288.32.  What happened to BINDING Estimate..  They lie.  I needed my son's funniture to be there by the 16th, oh that should not be a problem, OMG.  Today I was told it could be as late as April 5th.  My son will be paying rent for an unlivable apartment.  They will not pay for hotel.
"SERIOUSLY PEOPLE DON'T DO IT!!"  YOU'LL BE SO SORRY.

Service cost: $1497

They follow-up on me repeatedly until they had my money and then I  never heard from them. I contacted them the two days before the scheduled pick-up window and was advised they would pick-up the next day outside the window, Then changed it to the next day (Wed) 1-4 sat in my house and called at 3:45 - was advised by Alex they would be there shortly, 20 minutes later I was advised the van had mechanical problems and it would be Friday no time. I asked to speak to a supervisor and one finally got on (10 minute hold) who said she would get back to me - never did. Next day it should be first thing 8-11 on Friday, at 11 I called Alex who said there was an error and thye would be right there but give them form 12-4, at 4 I called Alex ( really rude person) who said I would get a new time but he did not know it. I held another 14 minutes to get a supervisor who said it would be today but he did not know when. Heck I may never get picked up - lied to 4 times and still sitting waiting for them - UGLY and PAINFULLY not worth the lower price.

Service cost: $1200

Agent Jason told me I would be reimbursed the $300 deposit if I signed the online contract and needed to cancel. I signed it and set up the move but we had to cancel it the same day as plans changed. We were told that the $300 was nonrefundable and we had to email just to cancel-you cannot cancel by phone., but after 2 weeks of non reachable phone calls to them, they said they would refund $150 if I signed another contract to not bad mouth them ever and that includes my future generations!so they stole my $300!  NEVER use this company!!

Service cost: $2000