Leader Relocations

We relocated from Dubai to Spain using Leader Relocations (Dubai), with delivery handled in Europe by Schmidt Global (Netherlands). This experience has been one of the most stressful and disappointing services we have ever paid for.

Everything was agreed in writing, including full door-to-door service and insurance coverage. The packing team in Dubai was the only positive part of this entire process.

After packing, everything went wrong.

Our shipment was delayed by over two months beyond the agreed delivery date. We were later told this was because we had not booked a full container and needed to wait until it was filled — something that was never communicated or agreed beforehand.

When Schmidt Global contacted us saying our belongings had arrived in Europe, they demanded additional payment for storage and a larger shared truck, even though the delay was not caused by us. We were effectively told that if we did not pay, we would not receive our belongings. With two children, school already started, and winter approaching, we had no choice.

Even after paying, delivery was further delayed for weeks while they waited to combine shipments with other customers.

Upon delivery, we discovered damaged items and a missing box, which we immediately reported. At that point, both companies began passing responsibility to each other:

• Schmidt Global claimed they were “only the delivery partner”

• Leader Relocations claimed responsibility only after weeks of chasing

Eventually, Leader Relocations admitted that although we paid for insurance, they never completed the insurance paperwork, and therefore refused compensation. Their only offer was to refund the insurance fee — after our belongings were damaged and one box completely missing.

Since then, our emails have been ignored and the case has been effectively closed.

This was not just poor service — it was lack of accountability, poor communication, unexpected costs, and complete disregard for customers once payment was made.

If you are relocating internationally, especially with a family, think very carefully before trusting these companies.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: 8825AED

Leader Relocations was a go between company to move my things from Dubai to the USA.

They are refusing to release my items for shipment to my home within the USA because they are having financial issues with the original company I booked with.

I paid up front for door-to-door service, so this issue with another relocation company is not my problem. To hold my items from being shipped because they cannot sort their own internal issues is not my problem.

So, my things are sitting in a warehouse in the USA now, collecting storage fees (which THEY will be responsible for paying for)

In fact, this is unethical and illegal. I will be filing a police report if they do not release my items soon.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $2500

We were contracted with this company to ship our goods from Dubai to Ottawa.

There was a massive delay of 3 months before we received our shipment. During this period there was no communication from the company with a reason for the delay or any response as to when it will be arriving.

Their partner company in Canada placed a financial hold on our shipment as Leaders Relocation did not pay them for their services resulting in our goods being delivered 3 weeks late.

Their team was unresponsive and provided very unprofessional communication and denied any fault.

We received the shipment with missing items and found out that during the move the company decided to repack our items without our consent to save space after we had already paid for the initially quoted volume of 35 CBM. Their Canadian partners only received 28 CBM.

This resulted in our items being repacked with improper care and handling, leading them to incur massive damage, with most of the furniture scratched and several broken. They have not issued an apology and refuse to provide any form of compensation for the damages. Please save your time, effort and money and contract another company.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: 21000AED

I would not recommend this company. The initial contact with them in the UAE was good and the packing up of the house went well. However all our belongings had to be repacked in Oman and when unpacking at final destination it was a disaster. Items appeared to have been thrown into boxes with no consideration of keeping to the packing procedure followed during the initial packing. As a result items were broken or damaged. Clothes which had been placed in hanging boxes were just dumped into normal boxes (suits were crumpled and unwearable). Posters were crushed (these may be low value but have sentimental value to the children). Boxes of documents were placed inside upside down with no lid. Items from inside the house were placed in boxes with garden items. These are just examples. We had to pay a significant amount of money in addition to the original quotation for this second packing which was conducted in the most unprofessional and negligent manner. A full report was sent to the company with images and we are still waiting three months later for an apology or even just an acknowledgement.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: €12000

Awful. When getting the quote, the communication is amazing. Once they have all your possessions and your payment, things change.

Don't answer emails, and when they do they ignore your questions. Charge you extra port fees because they made mistakes with the paperwork which caused delays, and because they have all your possessions, you have no other choice but to pay.

This was extremely stressful for my wife and I. Once they have your belongings, they hold you to ransom. They can demand any extra charges they want and you have no recourse. We were hit with 3500 Euros in extra charges.

I would not recommend this company even if they were the last one on Earth.

I would not at all be surprised if the Google 5 star reviews are fake/ paid for.

I would happily make public the 107 emails which clearly show these shipping agents to be completely incompetent, and consistently ignoring communication. Some questions emailed repeatedly regarding the delivery time, date and location went without answer until less than 24 hours before the shipment was finally delivered.

I am actually considering publishing all the details of our experience in a blog and spending money on a google advertising campaign to make sure it's at the top of every google search for "International move dubai". They really upset us that much and we really feel that badly wronged by them. They might be able to ignore all our emails and phonecalls, but they won't be able to ignore that.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $8000

My worst nightmare. Staff refused to give me CEOs details to lodge a complaint . Leader Passed my goods to third party without telling me that they do not ship personally to Kuwait and the agent threatened me not to ship goods from Dubai if I did not go and do Kuwaiti Customs paperwork myself. This paperwork was covered in my contract with Leader and their Dubai salesman promised me a quality of the move and it’s becoming my worst nightmare with my goods in limbo somewhere in the UAE Saudi for 2 weeks and they are supposed to be delivered on 29 October 2018 in kuwait, and today as at 28 October 2018, no one has contacted me. I have never had such a bad experience with any move around the world and this is my 14th global move in 30 years. My move to Mongolia was less painful!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2400

They gave a good sales pitch but did not deliver on what they committed. I shipped a few household items from Dubai to India by Air Cargo. I was told the consignment will reach me in 7-10 working days. In good faith I gave them the job. I had to keep calling them / sending them emails to find out the whereabouts of my consignment from the 15th day. They gave one excuse after another. Then they asked me to follow up with their Indian agents who were to deliver. (I was doing their job). The Indian agents were rude and arrogant who kept committing and failing on their delivery schedule. Finally the consignment arrived after repeated follow ups on the 23rd day. The delivery man was unprofessional. I would surely not trust them again. However the packing and pick up service was pretty good.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $570

If you are moving internationally, be really careful about using them. They sell you, demand 100% payment, and then you are on your own. This includes on the receiving side when the local agent charges you additional fees after the shipment is delayed. And the most disappointing part is that Leaders Relocation is not even willing to engage in a discussion about the issues. You are on your own..don't let them suggest otherwise. I am happy to be contacted by prospective clients to give our views.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6000

Just wanted to warn those approaching relocation companies that I had a disastrous experience with Leader Relocations. They gave me the lowest quote at the time and seemed professional enough. I was moving for good to Lisbon from Dubai at the time and took with me only my cherished possessions but no furniture. Half my stuff arrived smashed to pieces and mainly the kitchen stuff that they packed and I paid them for that packing! The stuff I packed mostly made it because I packed them in hard plastic boxes. Out of 10 plastic boxes only 4 survived. The rest were smashed too! I don't want to make this post too long but thought I should warn everyone. I have pictures of all my stuff, how they arrived, how they didn't even have fragile stickers on the breakable items that they packed and all the email communication! I'm happy to share details or photos with anyone who wants to. Mind you, I contacted them so they bear responsibility for their poor handling but they weren't interested to cooperate. Please stay away if you value the stuff you're moving!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1750

From an initial quote of 4500 aed we agreed to an additional fee totalising 6'470 aed due to handling additional stuff , the company sent us the last day an invoice of 16'151 aed. With a letter stating that due to company policy if I did not pay all the money would be retained on the workers salaries. In addition to poor organisation in obtaining moving permits, they also damaged the ceiling of the building where we moved out. They treat their workers in a very poor way, no water supplied just as an example.

This was truly a horrific experience that ended up by me calling the Police to solve the issue as the movers would not leave my home if I did not pay them.

We decided to report the company to authorities.

PVD.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: 6470AED

I have used the company to relocate From Dubai to Austria, at the beginning I was dealing with Avegale, we have agreed to have some container (not grouping) to ensure I receive on time and avoid last minute size / capacity challenge or additional costs. Agreed on the price and delivery date in Austria, the move is mid June I should receive 15th August, as we did not rent a house yet in Austria. I made sure all written to avoid surprises. This was 2 months before the move date. My big surprise few days before the move date, they came back to me asking for storage fee!! I had an email sent to them clearly state the dates etc.. and agreed with Avegale!! Tried to call him and never picked up!! When he picked up he said you either pay or I will cancel the transaction!! Shocking!! I was surprise and refused at the beginning as this has been all agreed by email!! But I was really worried as we have booked to leave and don’t have time to change company! So I have paid!! I have agreed although not happy about it but had no choice.. 1 day before the move so too late to go for another company!! in Austria I have received the shipment 2 weeks late!! They have send in from Dubai 19th July!! Why did they charge me for one month storage if it’s delivered and set to sail late!! Moreover, agreed as per quotation that custom clearance included unless special inspection required by customs, when receiving the shipment they have asked for 260 Euro custom clearance!! They have their partner not to deliver unless I pay!! They give cheap quote and rip you off later!!

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: 20000AED

Dubai to Melbourne, Australia.

Please contact me for more details if you need to. Seek alternative companies. The short of it:

Removalists:

-Not on time and had to rearrange my schedule three times to accommodate them

-Good and efficient at packing items. Items arrived without damage

Administrative staff:

-Terrible communication between me and the removalists

-Lack of information from them lead me to having my items uninsured until I chased it up

-Items kept in Abu Dhabi for a whole month before being shipped, 4 weeks past the date promised

- Chinese shipping company used, tracking website not in English, a nightmare to use

-Unprofessional admin lady on the phone. I had to do the chasing to find out about my items, no feedback or updates on shipping.

-Admin continuously added fees to the quote once my items were on the ship, costing more than 500 DHS extra to original price.

Move size: Studio Service cost: 7000AED

The guys who loaded our personal items were fine. Professional and efficient. Unfortunately, the sales and shipping department were not. The final cost was 50% more than we had been told and the delivery was double the time they had claimed it would be. Their reason, in part, was it was difficult to find a shipping company who ships to Istanbul, a city of 15m people and one of the major shipping ports in the world. Sales lied about insurance and hidden costs and then shipping department spent months saying sorry...again and again and again.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5500

AVOID absolutely this company if you want to receive on time and in good quality your goods. The movers were nice, but all the project management was a real disaster. The only thing on time in this project were my money transfers!

- Shipment expected in March, received mid June.

- Several pieces broken.

- No apology, no commercial gesture.

- When they have your furniture: YOU ARE TRAPPED! They ask for more money and charge you.

Good reviews are probably from "friends/families and employees".

SAVE YOUR TIME/ MONEY & FURNITURE… find another company.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: 10000AED