First Priority Van Lines

Called First Priority about an interstate move last year. Spoke to Andrew. He insured us his company had their own trucks and drivers and even told us who he thought the driver would be for our move. They sent us a quote. We checked other local movers but decided to go with FP mainly for price but also they story they fed us. Two days before the move they call to say they underestimated the size of truck and would "have" to charge us $2k more. It took them two months to figure that out ?? We settled for $1,700. Day of pickup no one shows. We call FP they say the truck couldn't get weighed and will be there next day. Next day hey show up with one 28ft truck for a 4 bedroom house. They send for another truck. It's a firm called Safe Load out of New Jersey, not First Priority from FL. They pack like crap. I found empty beer bottle (from my downstairs fridge) in one of the lower bedrooms, hardwood floor scratched. Before they load the second truck they tell me they need $8k more for the other truck. I call First Priority and they basically tell me to negotiate with Safe Load. We "negotiate a lower price but now it's reached the point of what the cost would have been for Mayflower, United or other Big Name carriers. They were supposed to drive direct to SC. They put our stuff in storage for over two week. They kept delaying delivery and the only delivered half. Took two more weeks to get rest and still short 17-20 boxes. EVERYTHING breakable was. Boxes we packed were opened and resealed with different type tape. Tried to claim on Safe Load insurance and their insurance company told me they had cancelled. Reached out to First Priority and they won't return my calls or emails. Don't believe a word they tell you get someone reputable. Go to yelp and see pictures for yourself.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $15000

Signed original contract 6-11-18 by Rep James. James said move would cost $6983.19. He guaranteed me this was max cost and final price may be less. He also said he didn't think a shuttle would be needed since prior move did not require one, but if needed it would be free. On 7-18-18 Rep Tommy called and said I needed a bigger truck and contract was changed and now cost would be $8224. We paid FPVL a deposit of $2,887.47. 

The day we were scheduled to have movers start packing us they didn't show up and FPVL called and said they would be there the following day. The following day, 7-22-18, subcontractor arrived late with less men than we were suppose to have and made us sign a new contract under duress saying they would not pack or move us unless we signed a new contract. We had to be out of our house by the next day and other companies we tried to contact that day of course could not schedule us for weeks and we didn't have time to pack ourselves and move both our vehicles. We were forced to sign a new contract. Sub tried adding an additional $3000 to the move prior to unloading our stuff, making total around $18,700, which we were able to negotiate them out of after a couple of hours. In total we paid $15,221.72.

They also damaged multiple items. They did not properly secure or box our items. ex: flat screen tv wrapped in moving blanket with cardboard taped on either side of screen. ex: kitchen items wrapped in moving blanket and taped instead of boxing with appropriate bubble wrap.

I sent FPVL an email like contract says but no one responded. When I called and asked what else I needed to do or who to contact the rep, Kate Collins, said "call whoever you want." I explained that I had sent the email and had not received a response and again asked if there was more I could do, but she just responded the same.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $15221

They are a rip off. Don't Use, Don't Use, Don’t Use. Save yourself the headache. First Priority said they will handle my move from beginning to end, it's their own people and they aren't a broker. I found out when another company (USA Movers) picked up my furniture, First Priority is a broker and the agent who booked my move, Paul lied to me when he told me I could get a specific delivery date for my furniture which was the reason I picked First Priority. USA Movers said they don’t give specific delivery dates so I called First Priority and guess what, they told me the same thing, no specific delivery date only delivery windows. When I told them that Paul confirmed a specific date for me, I was told, sorry I will need to speak to him about that. No help, no let me see what can be done, nothing. I emailed Paul 3 times and left 3 additional phone message, none were returned. Plus, They low ball the price and then there are additional fees which aren’t explained like, elevator fee, long carry fee, shuttle fee, etc. all of these added an additional $600 to my move. When I called again and asked about these fees, I was told they are pretty standard so I asked why where these discussed and included when the move was quoted? Again, sorry and we will need to speak to him. When I called their customer service ( 5 times which should have been a clue), they are polite but the first comment is "is it in the contract"? Lesson here is to read the entire contract very carefully and when this is the first comment from customer service, the company is shady and doesn’t live up to what they promise. The other thing that should have tipped me off, was you can pay the deposit on a credit card but they want money orders or cash after the deposit. I asked why is it cash or money order and was told many people cancel their payments after the move. Based on my experience, I see why since you don’t get the whole story until they have your stuff. Finally, I paid for the move in full, except the long carry fee which was supposed to be $100 dollars. When the drivers showed up, they wanted an additional $250 saying it was too many steps even though the contract says it's an additional $100 if over 75 feet from the unload point to the door. This is in the contract and still didn’t make any difference. When I called customer service asking to explain the difference and the contract says $100, I was told I can't explain it because I'm not USA Movers. Had to make a deal and pay $150 for the long carry fee to get my stuff from the drivers.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2500

Run as fast as you can and as far away as you can from this company. My husband is former military, and we've moved a lot across country and to several different states and have NEVER dealt with such a lack of courtesy and respect. We were moving one state over, and it was a disaster from start to finish. They didn't come when they said they would, they were hard to get a hold of. They promised me the move for a certain price which was the only reason we used them instead of using PODS and handling it ourselves. But once it was time to deliver my stuff, they upped the price by thousands of dollars without any warning despite storing our stuff for a month and having ample time to at least let me know the price went up. They hold your stuff hostage. They laughed when I called to complain, and they were just horrible. They ruined several pieces of furniture, and several big items were missing. Don't believe them when they talk about filing a claim, they have no insurance. They are crooks and should not be in business. I would post all the proof I have (I recorded telephone conversations and saved texts with the driver and the emails they asked me to send that never got responses) plus photos of the damage they caused. The only reason I am not posting any of that is because we are getting a lawyer and will be getting our money back plus the amount needed to replace the many things they ruined. These people are awful and greedy.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $5000

THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM! They are not even a real moving van company. If they do show up they have called some fly by night “mover” with a truck to move your personal belongings. They will give you a contract price and then call you a few days before your move and jack the price up. When questioned they become belligerent and resort to bullying and name calling. They refused to pickup our belongings and kept our deposit. They use different names but it’s the same email address. A bunch of scam artists! Do NOT call them!

Move size: Studio Service cost: $3618

I swear to God if their was -0 stars, I would give it to them. Guys please read carefully what I am about to write. This company will STEAL your money. They STEAL STEAL STEAL I swear to GOD they will take your money. I talked to them and got a quote that was $1490 for the move. When the driver came first he was very UNPROFESSIONAL, and they will rush you to sign the paperwork without giving you the time to READ. That's how they steal your money by having a lot of hidden fees. When you call customer service, Jane will talk to you. That [EDIT] is so [EDIT] rude I would slap the [EDIT] out of her if she was in front of me. The quote that they gave ($1495) ended up being almost $4000. Well that was my review and I hope it will help you. If you want to get robbed, go deal with them. they will STEAL your money. All of the good reviews are people they pay to write it down. Please do not trust the 5 stars people put.

PS: You should be ashamed of yourself. People work hard to get their money and you work hard to steal from them. But God see y'all and KARMA is a [EDIT]. What you do to people will come back to you.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4000

STOP STOP STOP First Priority Van line is a Broker. They are here to STEAL your money .Please read carefully all reviews before making any deal with them. This is the big mistake I did. Recently I have moved from Florida to Texas and It has been the worst experience I have ever had. It’s still a nightmare to me. First Priority Van Line is not a real moving company it’s a broker .They gave me a quote which was bit higher than other company when I told the same they just blindly decreased the quote by applying n number of discounts. This is the way they catch the fish and I was one of them. They will ask number of shipping items from you and will apply reduced estimate to get business. In the quote most of the component are vague and doesn’t explain what it includes. For me they gave me a quote 1601.62 USD to move one 55”TV,One Dresser, One Sofa, One queen bed with mattress, One Dining table with 4 chair, two coffee tables and 14 L Boxes but finally I end up paying 5600 USD which is more than value of my items. What they did is hired a third party trucker whom they don’t have any control .That guy came with giant truck which was loaded with other shipments. Those types of truck can’t enter in to apartment so they hired a mid-size U-Haul and loaded the item to that. After loading all items to U-Haul that guy start calculating the price which was nowhere near to 1601, he ended up with a estimation 5100. What he did is counted each part of disassemble items like my single queen bed it becomes five pieces. He added price for each stair, mine was first floor and he charged 75$ for stair fee. Then he added packaging cost 700$ but we have already packed all small items into plastic boxes. For packing mirror they took 75$ and 40$ .Neither they told this price before packing nor mentioned in quote. More over they charged shuttle cost 500$ for which I am not at all responsible because they very well know it’s an apartment and those giant truck will not enter into apartment. They gave me all estimates after loading all my stuff to U-Haul. At that point I have already paid advance and I had to leave the apartment very next day, So I couldn’t cancel my shipment. Actual quote was just an eye wash, It doesn’t include packaging, stairs or shuttle cost neither they explicitly mention. I called First Priority Vanline’s customer care and explained my situation they told my estimate increased due to number of items which is due to counting each parts of a single item. When I asked for Stair and Shuttle cost they told they will reimburse stair and shuttle cost which they didn’t. Most of the time a new person will attend your call and you have to explain from beginning, they will tell billing department is evaluating it and finally it will not go though. The driver was so rude and adamant, he didn’t want to hear anything he was just strict to his calculation and he said he don’t know what has been explained by First Priority Van line . I have then clearly told don’t bring such giant truck while delivery and I am not going to pay any shuttle cost again but they intentionally did the same .The driver called me at night just before the day of delivery and asked me another 500$ on top of my balance. He gave me just an hour to decide and told if I wouldn’t pay the shuttle cost I have make my own arrangement to pick my stuff from their truck .I came to a new place and I don’t know anyone here So I didn’t have any other choice than paying another 500$. So this is the way they STEAL your money. Most of the time they will be in hurry so hardly you will get time to read all documents carefully, once you sign them they will threat you based on those documents.
So please stay away from First Priority Van Lines, Florida…
I wish I could rate them -10.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5622

My first review didn't save, so I will shorten it since I believe everyone else here has said it very well- stay clear away from this company. They have first rate liars working their sales desk, will never put the manager on the line, will lie about the entire approach, lock you in a contract, then take the line and stretch it. If the sales person says that they go by weight, he is lying. When he says it is "white glove", he is lying. When he says he can get it there by a certain date, he is lying. When he says that the price won't change but to go down, he is lying. He is aggressive, quick to send you a contract for you to sign over the phone, take his payment (as a broker) and walk away. Once your items are on their truck, you are stuck. They are selling your jobs to the lowest bidder. These are truckers, not movers. My pickup team arrived under the influence of pot and beer. My delivery team failed to do the bare minimum- unpack the items and re-assemble what the pickup team took apart. They damaged my property, disregarded basic communication protocols such as telling the truth and living up to their word, and cheated me by making me pay for more service than I used. If I had any recourse to take back from them what they took from me in terms of stress, ruined holiday plans (family arrived with no furniture or beds), and time I have spent on the phone talking to their incompetent and rude people, I would take that action. Instead, I am leaving this review and hoping that just one person in the future reads this and decides against taking on this burden.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2000

Do not ever use this company they took advantage of my husband who is a veteran who suffers from TBI and PTSD, They intentionally put the wrong dates down on the contract to hold our goods so they would not have to pay any money after the 60 day delivery window. I will give the full account of what happened.

They picked up on September the 9th and wrote October when they were confronted about this they said to bad to my husband who suffers from memory problems that it was our problem and offered to drop 100$ off the payment price when they would have to drop excess of 750$. Although the payment made by check cleared 9/12/18.

They tried to use the excuse that we requested them to hold it for 30 days when told they were wrong is when they said to bad. So not only does this company take advantage of our disabled veterans the booking company out of Florida lies to its patrons as well when 100% guaranteed that it will be traveling VIA boat they do not do this they ship it thru Canada so do not let either company lie to you they also told me it would cost ruffly 3800$ it more than doubled in cost when legally it states it can't go up more than 10%.

My husband had been on the phone several times with this company and they never mentioned the date issue until he got very verbal about it. So in short do not use this company for anything they are crooks and deserve to be out of business for cheating their customers out of money and time.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $9320

First of all all of the ONE STAR REVIEWS are true!! This IS NOT A MOVING COMPANY! THEY ARE A MOVING BROKER! THEY guess what your move will cost by asking how many boxes you think you will pack and how much furniture you have, then they will give you a low ball price! You sign up with them without them ever meeting you in person or going through your home to see your belongings. Then two weeks before your move they will call to confirm your box count then jack up the price! My first estimate was $3289 then it went to $6088! Then they broker out the job to a local mover, in my case Eden's Moving Services in Denver,CO., they in turn told me the total cost would be $7758! They said Because my square footage used was more than the estimate! Eden's took over 21 days to deliver damaged items, some items were lost and never returned. First Priority did absolutely nothing to help me with the mover they assigned!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!! YOU DO NOT NEED TO HIRE A MOVING BROKER! THE LOCAL MOVER WILL ONLY ONLY JACK UP THE PRICE THEN PUT YOUR ITEMS IN STORAGE INDEFINATELY UNTIL A MOVING TRUCK IS HEADED YOUR WAY WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS. YOUR ITEMS WILL BE LOADED AND UNLOADED MAYBE THREE OR FOUR TIMES! STAY CLEAR OF FIRST PRIORITY MOVERS! SCAM ARTISTS !

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $7758