Midwestern Van Lines

FIRSTLY, I AM A REAL CUSTOMER!! Read and TAKE Heed of our experience!! Midwestern Van Lines is a cheaper moving option, however you get what you pay for. When you are given a 7-21 business day window (weekends do NOT count) for household delivery, plan for 25 business days for delivery. The customer service will then tell you they have 30 business days to deliver but it is not written in the contract. While awaiting your delivery date please don't call the 1-800-519-1130 option 1, 2, 3, or 4 and expect a answer. The phone goes to straight voicemail and NO ONE returns your call!! We called everyday, 2-3 times per days for 10 days until a live customer service person answered the phone. BEWARE: There is an alleged driver shortage that will extend your delivery date. MOST IMPORTANT** Have cash or post office money order ONLY for final payment or the driver WILL NOT unload your furniture. Lastly, they DO NOT assemble beds even though the company tell you will. If you can handle this nonsense they Midwestern Van Lines will for you, good luck and be strong!

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3378

If I could rate this company negative stars, I would. Only consider hiring this moving company if you 1) Don’t care how much money you spend, 2) don’t care when you receive your belongings, or 3) are OK with being manipulated and lied to.

Randy, the senior moving consultant who initially sold me on using the company, gave a great seller’s schpiel about how reliable and reputable Midwestern is. I felt at ease and was even informed that if I had my belongings picked up one week before the first available delivery date, that they would absolutely be able to deliver my belongings on that first available delivery date. After paying the deposit, Randy was impossible to get a hold of..a.k.a. I never spoke to or received an email response from him ever again. His voicemail even has some BS about how he is usually at his desk but is helping other valued customers just like you, but he will call you back as soon as possible (or never..eye roll).

Fast forward to the date of pickup. (Of course) My initial $2,400 quote more than doubled to over $5,200 after the movers did a visual estimate of all of my belongings. And like other customers, felt trapped because I was days away from moving and had already put down the deposit..so I reluctantly paid, but thought, “Whatever, as long as the job gets done” (not knowing then that the job would get done not when I was promised, but up to 6 weeks thereafter). I have no egregious complaints about the movers, although they were a bit rude and condescending.

Two weeks later (which is far better than the other reviews I’ve read in which customers are still without their things one month later..I anticipate that I will be one of these customers in just a few weeks), they are still awaiting a driver to be assigned to my truck and they have no way of knowing when that will be. Except that it will be within 30 BUSINESS days. I’m counting down the days until this nightmare is over. I’m sleeping on pillows and with blankets on the wood floor of my new apartment and have spent hundreds of dollars on basic necessities that are in my moving truck, but that I will likely not receive for another month.

I initially chose this company because they offered the lowest price. I soon learned that this was an obvious scam and that some people will say and do anything to make a sale. I feel sad and disappointed, as well as angry, that I put my trust in this company. Please do not make the same mistake. For those that have had positive experiences with Midwestern, those individuals are extremely lucky. So unless you’re feeling particularly lucky, stay away from Midwestern Van Lines. In addition, do NOT leave a message because you will not receive a response. Every day I call and continue to hang up and redial (about 10-15 times per day) until a representative actually picks up so I can find out the status of my delivery. It has been the same every single day, which is that a driver has not yet been assigned to my truck, but I will continue to call daily until my belongings arrive..wish me luck!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5236

I am in Loveland CO and hired them to move my daughter to Virginia. I spent over two hours on the phone with Simon Victorino going over the details of the move, and was crystal clear that our move date had to be within 7/26-7/28th as my daughter is closing on her new house on 7/30 and its a 3 day drive to Virginia. He assured me that by 7/23 we would have our exact move date. I paid him $972 deposit of the $2300 contract. Well, at 4:30pm on the 23rd, I still had not heard from anyone at Midwestern so I called Simon. He had the "quality assurance" rep call me and started going over what we were moving and wanted to go over the packing list again. I told Chris, the quality assurance guy, that we had already done this, and we were very detailed so we just need to know when the moving date is. Chris said "listen, you don't have to be an a**hole, there's more people than just your daughter involved here!!" I said to Chris, excuse me? Don't you dare call me that! I reiterated that we were supposed to have our moving date solidified by end of business the 23rd, and that's now. So when is our move date? Chris then told me that dispatch would be in touch with me in 24-48 hrs to schedule the move. I told Chris, once again, that the date of the move was supposed to be given to me no later than this very day we were speaking. Chris then said, and I quote, "Listen you F*G*OTT, you will get a call from dispatch when they call!" I told him I am done and hung up. I called Simon and told him what happened and that I want to speak to a manager, and he kept repeating that he will make a note and someone will be in touch and hung up. I immediately emailed Simon that I will not be discriminated against and I am terminating the contract and I want my money back. He called me back only to smugly tell me it is not refundable and hung up. I have since filed a BBB complaint, and filing complaints with DORA, ACLU and am filing a small claims lawsuit. If there are others that have been screwed by this company email me anytime and lets join forces to get our money back and stop them from defrauding others. precision80537@gmail.com.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $972

My original quote indicated that the cost for the shipment, including all fees, would be $5,967.21. This included packing, pickup, temporary storage, and delivery. This cost was determined by the carrier's estimation software, where I went through my house and which items were to be packed/shipped

After my belongings were packed in the truck, the courier rushed me through the paperwork before I could provide informed consent. I was shocked that the amount I was to be charged was $11,146. Furthermore, I noticed that the courier had filled out certain parts of the form that it was designated that I (the customer) would provide. On the Valuation Addendum on the paperwork, I was presented with two options for "the carrier's liability for loss or damage to your household goods." The first option was Full (Replacement) Value Protection, and the courier indicated that it would cost $20,000 just for the insurance coverage, so I declined. The second option was for Minimal Protection at 60 Cents Per Pound, which I chose. This section indicates that I should have been provided a copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" brochure as well as the "Dispute Settlement & Arbitration" brochure providing information, and I did not. Lacking this vital information, I was at a disadvantage in appropriately documenting my lost/damaged/destroyed belongings in precisely the way that was required in order to file a claim for damage.

I paid for the courier to pack the items, and under the General Agreement Clause it indicates that the courier is responsible for the condition of the contents of cartons packed by the company. However, on the "Bill of Lading Contract," it says that "All damages and missing items must be noted on the inventory logs," meaning that I would have had to evaluate every single item. As soon as the items were off the truck (many items left in driveway), the courier indicated that per the contract, I was to sign the paperwork IMMEDIATELY, and that I could go back and add items that were lost/damaged in shipment and storage when I filed my claim AFTER I signed. Despite my objections and inability to find the clause in the contract which showed this, they went from urging me to complete the paperwork to relentlessly berating me to sign the form. They pressured me into signing the contract before I could make any reasonable assessment of the condition of my belongings (or even which items were missing), therefore relinquishing any claims for items which were not listed as damaged as the courier was bringing the items in. As an additional note, nowhere in any agreement is there a provision for the courier forgetting to list an item on the inventory log and subsequently becomes lost, which happened in my case.

I meticulously evaluated and cataloged all of the lost/damage/destroyed items. This detailed list included repair quotes, a multitude of pictures, original receipts, replacement receipts, and weights. Precisely 5,232 pounds of my items were lost/damaged/destroyed. Per the contract, the compensation for this should have been $3,139.20 at 60 cents per pound. After submitting my claim, the settlement offer that I received was $78, based on only 130 pounds.

I feel as though MidWestern Van Lines took advantage of me, and pressured me to make decisions without informed consent which unilaterally worked in their favor. Most of the phone numbers which they originally provided me were disconnected, and I have found it precisely impossible to reach anybody which could even provide me information. The representatives which I have spoken to, both at Midwestern Van Lines as well as MovingClaims.net, have provided me with conflicting or even incorrect information, leading to confusion and uncertainty which, once again, tilts the scales in their favor. This entire ordeal has left me emotionally drained, brought me to the brink of bankruptcy, and a severe diminishment of faith in humanity as a whole.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $11146

Original quote increased by $2000 after my things were loaded onto truck. Their reason was that I had more things than an average 2BR house. My belongings were 1 couch, 1 mattress/box, 1 table, 1 rug, 2 dressers, 1 TV, the rest cardboard boxes (~20 small/medium). I find it hard to believe this is less than the average 2 BR House - certainly does not warrant $2000 additional cost.

Workers were unprofessional, inappropriate, fighting/yelling with each other, & strangely were on the phone with their families on speaker phone the ENTIRE time. Their record keeping was basically nonexistent so throughout this madness I was double checking the box count and items loaded. They were 4 hours late on arrival and took 4-5 hours to pack everything up. On their way out they harassed me/demanded a tip - I felt obliged given they had all of my belongings hostage for the next 30 days.

Orchestrating delivery was unpleasant to say the least. Move in was scheduled for 6/1 (as that is when my new lease began). I received multiple calls and confirmations that my things would be delivered 5/28 or 5/29 and I MUST be there or I would incur a *delivery fee*. It was impossible for me to be there as I was not currently in the state I was moving to, nor did my lease start then - this was extremely stressfully as again I was told my things must be unloaded then. After speaking with ~10 people, exchanging 50+ calls/texts with "managers", the move-in was eventually changed to 6/2 (still incorrect and inconvenient but doable considering).

Upon delivery, the workers (different this time and much friendlier and professional) acknowledged the poor record keeping and that that was common. They unloaded what they had and there were 9 boxes entirely missing and several boxes were completely destroyed/falling apart leading to multiple plates, dishes, glasses being broken. I have never received my 9 missing boxes (nor have I heard from anyone from the company directly). Filing a claim is an absurd process that uses a 3rd party and contains hundreds of forms/steps. I completed all of these steps and after 9 months, my claim was determined to be settled for $100 - which to this day I have not received.

Avoid this company at all costs. For the amount of money I ended up paying I could have purchased new items. If you must use a moving company, avoid avoid avoid. Scam company from start to end. There's a reason their quote is appealing - SCAM.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4900

This company gives an underestimate for an initial quote then charged you much more. The movers who don't speak English then hurry you to sign more papers which state you have $15000 of insurance, but they pay at a rate of $1 for every pound the damaged items weigh. The move took over 30 business days as they said the stuff was being stored at some sure which was neither the move origin or destination. When it arrived, my $1500 tv was smashed, a leg of my entertainment center was ripped off, and every corner of the bedroom set was nicked or dinged to some degree. Filling for insurance was a hassle, and then reading the fine print showed that if they pay or an insurance policy and you move within 12 months, your stuff becomes theirs and they can come check your home whenever. This company already has multiple complaints work the BBB. Do not use this company, and spread the word! Worst experience I've ever had with any type of company.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3000

This company should not be in business. Many of our items, most of which are antiques have been badly damaged. It has taken just short of 7 weeks to receive our entire load. For some reason, it came in 2 shipments. We have been sleeping on a mattress on the floor for the entire 7 weeks. Today the second and final shipment came, and now we are missing some items, including part of an antique marble top dresser. Unbelievable! Oh, and this company won't return phone calls, and their customer service is beyond bad. Avoid this company! Avoid this company! PERIOD.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $12000

Read your contract with them - they tell you "yes we can do that in time" and they don't - don't believe them. They take your items/furniture and keep it hostage for over 30 days. We have tried calling customers service and nothing changes they tell us our items/furniture will be picked up then three days later it was not and still nothing. They picked up our items/furniture in March then dropped it off in a storage unit somewhere we don't know..and still nothing from them on when we will get our items/furniture. We have received NOTHING from customers service on when we are going to receive our items/furniture. Don't use them Don't trust them - they will over charge you once they get there to pick up your items - famous words - "you have more than what you told us" then it is more money. This has been the WORST experience we have ever gone thru.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4000