Northern Van Lines

This company was late picking up my furniture in Oregon and we were supposed to have received it in Florida on September 24th, but now it is October 9th and we have yet to see our stuff.  They have claimed it is on the road or it still might be in storage in Oregon.  They can't seem to find it and when pressured all the customer support folks do is blame their dispatch.  They will not call back when they say they will and they ignore voice messages.  They don't seem to care about their customers.  I am convinced that when their lips are moving they are lying.  I will update this if I ever get my furniture, but if you are considering a move, don't use these folks.  Their customer support guy "Brad" even told me he wouldn't use his company after the issues we've had with them.  I am about ready to file a theft report.

Service cost: $11496

BEWARE!! I received an initial quote of $1500 for a one room apartment. The movers showed up 2 hours late (after I called several times) and started to increase the price to $2600 based on a new ‘weight’ estimate and after they INSISTED on wrapping my sofa and dining chairs for an additional $200. After several delivery delays and numerous excuses, Northern Van Lines (USDOT-1147457 MC-418133 CID#; 4051123) delivered my furniture 2 weeks later than the 3 to 5 day promise date.  ALL of my living room, bedroom and dining room furniture was damaged beyond repair.  Included in the extensive damage to all of my furniture, are several large pieces of furniture and small boxed items that are missing.    In addition to my missing items, other boxed items that belong to other customers have surfaced in this mess. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!

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Update on 5/10/12
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(2/20/2012) I received an initial quote of $1500 for a one room apartment. (2/27/2012)The movers showed up 2 hours late (after I called several times) and started to increase the price to $2600 based on a new 'weight' estimate and after they INSISTED on wrapping my sofa and dining chairs for an additional $200. After several delivery delays and numerous excuses, Northern Van Lines (USDOT-1147457 MC-418133 CID#; 4051123) delivered my furniture 2 weeks later than the 3 to 5 day promise date. (3/11/2012) ALL of my living room, bedroom and dining room furniture was damaged beyond repair. Included in the extensive damage to all of my furniture, are several large pieces of furniture and small boxed items that are missing(dvd player, stereo system, bed frame, bookcase and media counsel). In addition to my missing items, other boxed items that belong to other customers have surfaced in this mess. I found the owner of the belongings and return them personally. (05/09/2012): Still have not received an apology nor any money from Northern Van Lines. My claim is still "in process" nearly two months after I filed. I have no dining room chairs to sit on, my bed frame, bookcase & media counsel are still missing. Amy (Northern Van Lines rep) calls and offers me a refund of $500 (out of the $2700 moving cost) to remove my negative comments. They should offer the $500 refund for my troubles!

Service cost: $2700

My experience began with northern van lines rep, Chris.  He gave me a quote, was patient and professional when I called him several times to change the amount of boxes I was moving and requoted me the estimate, explaining that it might change up or down once the actual weight was determined. Chris sent me a group of "Ninja" movers with team lead, Tim.  My family and I were delighted they were so friendly, professional and hardworking.  They moved like a smooth well-oiled "Ninja" machine from beginning to end.  They first came to our home to pick up the first batch of things, and took great pains to be sure they didn't track mud into our house -- welcome to Oregon it was raining!  Then they followed me to our storage building to pick up the other half.  In both instances, they wrapped everything in blankets and taped up so tightly, nothing would happen to damage anything. I have to admit, I was very nervous first about how to find a good, reputable moving company, then thought how do I trust this person/people when I truly don't know anything except what's written about them and if they would honor what they told me, would my things even arrive?? Would they tell me upon delivery it would be hundreds of dollars more than I knew?? However, again, it was a delightful, yes, delightful experience as much as a move across the country could be!  :)   the quote Chris gave me was right on target!That made my day because I was still worried about that part of the process.Thank you, Chris, Tim and northern van lines for taking such good care of my family!  I will definitely recommend other families to you!   Yours, joy Kovacs.

Service cost: $2000

We contracted Northern Van Lines, based in Eugene, OR for our move from Seattle to Phoenix. Comparing their rate to renting a truck, gas and some help to load and unload, Northern was about the same. My wife and I decided to hire them and be able to drive the 1500 miles in our car separately, taking a little extra time. The problems began upon our arrival in Phoenix, when it turned out that the statements by the loading crew, who were otherwise very nice, prompt and efficient, were wildly inaccurate. They promised delivery the following week, though the contract gives the DOT approved delivery "window" of 21 days. Upon finding out that that wasn't going to happen, and indeed the mover couldn't tell us at all when our possessions would come, we finally asked them ( a customer service rep) to put it at the end of the window, even later than the end would be OK, so our funds would be in place. We had already paid 2 deposits at this point. The Friday before the week we had arranged for delivery, we got a call from the driver ( a different guy on this end) who was ready to deliver! That weekend! After threatening to either deliver, or put our stuff in storage, he agreed to deliver Monday or Tuesday. We got ready for that; then he called to say he was taking a few days for a personal errand and would call us when he got back. Repeated calls to the company at this point were not returned. He showed up Thursday morning. After questioning the Western Union money orders we were requested to pay with, he asked for and extra $118 (destination fee and carton for our mattress) and $175 for a "long carry fee". I should mention at this point our contract listed a balance owed of $692.50. We didn't have the extra funds, because we weren't expecting them, and finally persuaded the driver to leave our goods on the curb outside the entrance to our apartment complex. We then moved them, with the very good help of our neighbors, into our apartment and an onsite storage unit. Throughout this process, the communication with this carrier has been very intermittent to poor, and we repeatedly asked about the fees in order to prepare for this (what was for us) expensive move. The carrier, their reps, the driver and the dispatcher consistently displayed an attitude of take it or leave it, and I have rarely spent so much and received so little in the way of service. Especially at delivery, the company took the attitude that we were out to cheat them! As I write this my wife and are pretty wiped out from today and the only positive is that our stuff is finally in our apartment. I will be going through out things carefully for any damage. M. Hart


This is a follow up to the review I wrote shortly after the movers arrived. After trying to hold us up for additional fees of $300, and threatening us with placing our goods in storage (the contract, it turns out, says we get 30 days of free storage) we had the mover deposit our goods on the sidewalk outside our apartment complex and we finished the move!
After 2 weeks of trying to get someone on the phone, I gave up and am sending a detailed letter of my complaints, including some damaged items I have discovered upon unpacking, to the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Arizona Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, and the American Moving and Storage Association.
This particular Northern Van Lines is based in Eugene, OR and I recommend you choose someone else.

Service cost: $1800

Original quote was 2500, now it is 4800 for the same service. The second they get your stuff picked up they will not return your calls and know that you have to pay the ridiculous price to get your things back. They will say that they will include a shuttle truck, then another person will charge you for it. They will say you only pay per pound for what is moved and refund the difference if it is less but they won't. Ignore the fake posted reviews that are positive. Do they really look like real people? The negative reviews are the real ones. They WILL hose you. It is not worth the risk.

Service cost: $4800

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER ! Liars and Absolutely unethical company ! You are better off going to another company even if they charge you a thousand dollars more, because with Northern Van Lines, you will end up paying at least that much after they give you their "estimate" and do all the smooth talking. Once the sales person gets your deposit, you are on your own. Chris, my point of contact offered me free storage for 30 days. ( I have proof of the offer ). But then, after all my things were on their truck, they charged me $250 for storage ! The driver will not deliver your stuff until you pay whatever ridiculous amount they demand, and the different departments (dispatch, customer service etc.) will just bounce you around. Once they have your deposit, they will not return your calls or respond to your emails. All our furniture was broken beyond repair and eventually this move has cost us way more than what we would have had to pay through any other company. Another word of warning. They will mark all your costly items "PBO ( Packed by owner )" in your inventory sheet. This means that they are not liable for any damage to those items ! They packed our LCD TV, but marked it "PBO" on the inventory sheet ! Absolutely unethical and disgusting customer service. I read the mixed reviews on other websites about this company and was stupid enough to believe Chris - a real smooth talking salesman, but don't believe a word he says. In hindsight, I now believe that the reviews in yelp are a 100% TRUE. This is the worst moving company ever.

Service cost: $4300

Started out fine with a good quote and friendly experience recieving quote.  Once the down payment was paid everything was CRAP.  Communication was terrible, not returning calls. Came three days late to pick up stuff.  I am still waiting for my stuff to be delivered they are now 5 days late and no one can tell me when it will arrive or where it is.  The sales guy over my account will not return phone calls.  This has been a terrible experience and I am still waiting for my stuff to be delivered.  Plus they are wanting to charge me over $1000 over what I was quoted.  I will not be paying anything else to them.   GO WITH SOMEONE ELSE!!

Service cost: $2800

I made a deposit with this company to move our things from UT to TX, after I was stupid enough to fall for their cries of "prices could go up due to fuel costs, lock in your quote now!".  I regret this wholly.  We ended up changing our mind and using a rental truck for our move instead, so we could tow our second car.  It has been more than 6 weeks and we have not gotten our deposit back because this company is dishonest, and will steal your money and never return calls. Julian, the representative I spoke with, was very kind & helpful at first, and sounded very knowledgeable.  He verbally told me that if I didn't sign the contract, I could get my deposit back if we changed our mind.  When I called to let him know we had to cancel, he said it was no problem, we'd get refund in 7-10 business days.  2 weeks, no refund. I called again, he apologized and said it looked like the cancellation didn't go through (hmmm that must've been why on the day of our move, a guy called at 10:30 pm asking when they should come the next day..when we had already packed up & were on our way! Good thing we didn't use them, or we would'nt have moved on time!).  Julian said in 7-10 business days, our credit card would be refunded.  2 more weeks, no refund, and since that time till now no on at Northen Van Lines has returned my calls.  I have called Julian and the main line that is on their website, but only get answering machine.  Has anyone else reached a person at their main number?  I am wondering if this is a real company at all, or did I fall for a scam?   To add to the lies, Julian told me they were BBB rated A , and emails from him show the BBB logo & that rating, but when you look them up they have not rating on BBB!!  I really wish I hadn't' been in a rush to get this move organized, and had looked into them more before even making a deposit.

Service cost: $1640

My specific experience with this mover has been hell. The original quote for my move was $1380. After several no-show dates for them to pick up my move, they arrived 6 days late on 12 June. Once they arrived, the drivers claimed that my belongings were at least 500 lbs. heavier than estimated; they refused to show me the actual weight / scale of my total move. So they increased my price to $1650, OK. I used none of their storage services or packing materials. It is now 05 July. The only answered call / returned call I have received from them was from Shelly on 29 June. She told me that she had great news, "The movers will be at your home in 2 days, the drivers will call you 24-48 hours before they arrive. Be sure to have your balance ready in cash or certified check." It is now 6 days later and I have not received a call from Northern Van Lines or their drivers, and they do not answer the phone or return my voicemails. If they ever deliver, I will follow up on this post by sharing the date on which they arrive and the condition in which my belongings arrive.
This company screens their calls ("..we are experiencing unusually high call volumes, please leave a message..") and does not return messages.
Emails go unanswered.
I should not have let this company take my belongings after they failed to show up until 6 days after the scheduled pick-up date. Alas, at that point I was already invested in a $521 deposit, which I knew I would lose if I canceled. I wish I had canceled, eaten the 500 bucks, and either sold all my stuff or rented uhaul.

Service cost: $1650