Ocean Moving & Storage

My name is Cheryl and I recently had a move from ft lauderdale,fl to benton,il and decided to go with ocean moving& storage. The salesman was very helpful when it came to getting my quote and when the movers came they all looked very professional and all in uniform which I liked. I was ready when they came because they let me know ahead of time what I needed to have ready on my part which made it alot less stressful when it was all done I was happy to receive all of my things on time at my new place and the final price I was happy with because I had a few boxes I missed on my list and the price went up from the quote a resonable amount about 25 or 30 dollars. I would recommend them to others looking to move, I was very pleased.

Service cost: $1495

WARNING to potential customers: do your research and at all costs, DO NOT BOOK OCEAN MOVING! They will lie and take advantage of your most vulnerable state during a stressful long distance move. Read reviews elsewhere (BBB, Yelp, etc.) - you'll see negative 1-star reviews (real customers) and positive 5-star reviews (probably employees and paid reviewers). My review is like MANY others and you'll see the similarity - they are repeat BAIT AND SWITCH offenders and are not looking out for their customers. They hide behind their pages and pages of paperwork and fine print despite what the initial salesperson verbally promises to get your business. Ultimately, they promise the world and deliver bad customer service and days of frustration before, during, and after your move.

Price - they said they'd match competitor's price, which they did initially, but increased the final price 2 more times - the typical "Bait-and-Switch". (Final cost was 25% increase from my initial quote, with inconsequential change to inventory)

Customer service - poor response, rude employees, transferred around company and never get the same person, no accountability for what was promised by sales person; ultimately did not make good on their salesperson's promise to provide a comparable price to competitor and hit 3-day target delivery date which was why I hired Ocean Moving & Storage

Pickup - driver arrived 2 1/2 hours late, inefficient, spent 2 hours on paperwork (which was not accurate to begin with), charged for additional inventory despite inventory being reduced

Delivery - driver arrived late, unprepared, lazy, flippant, and scratched my floors

Care of furnishings - boxes arrived smashed, furniture damaged (claim in process which takes 60 days to remedy).

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3300

Our daughter was moving to NY from FL and we had made arrangements in detail what items needed to be moved to NY and which items to storage. Upon arrival of the movers who showed up 4 hours late after only calling us 1.5 hr after agreed time to tell us they had to unload a truck and than would come by..the movers walked in and without looking immediately came with their scam that we had more items and the person in charge started to order the property to be video taped. We learned the additional items that were actually less items as we had moved stuff out to our home, so less item to move. The movers wanted $ 1300 more and when I showed the list the man in charge became very obnoxious and my husband started to tape the movers as they without our approval taped us and the furniture.
We were told the walk from the truck was longer and there for $ 75 per trip to the truck would also be added. After all men walked out after telling my husband I was an F..B.tch the men came back over an hour later and than stating they agreed to the price as their boss ordered them to conduct the move. We have all proof on video tape and we have paperwork showing all items that needed to be moved and we had made arrangements with plymouth Van Line broker for some items to go to storage and that was of course an additional charge. The only positive thing was the manager or boss on the other side of the line for Ocean who in the end made arrangements so the move went through but even in NY the same scam was tried with later arrival and trying to get more money for having to walk further. My daughter had made arrangements for parking in front of the building but movers came 1.5 hr late and the spot was taken. Even though she was the first move that day to unload they workers showed up so much later with no notice.
Later the man became more friendly but clearly this is how they work. Try to scam you in paying more. The furniture arrived fast in NY but an almost brand new executive desk never came off the tuck as it fell in hundreds of pieces due to moving it on it side. Picture frames were also broken. Worst company we ever dealt with and we can't recommend them. If this is how they scam innocent people who can't stand up for themselves than better stay away as this is not how moving should be handled. We went through Plymouth Van Lines as a broker and will not use them in the future as they never even returned our call nor email. Stay away from these companies!

Service cost: $3400

If I could give a 0 I WOULD! They lost a whole suitcase and box winter clothing including sentimental items that you can't buy again. The movers who setup the furniture put my kids beds together wrong and they fell apart luckily they weren't hurt because they would have a lawsuit on their axx. We had to put the beds together again and realized they didn't have the bottom slat which is the foundation to sturdy the top slats and screws were missing. We had to buy more screws. We also had screws missing for our dining room bench and the movers said we lost them when we never took them out the box they initially came in. All they were worried about was a tip and getting wet by the rain that was coming. Then, they were late they didn't come on the date we were told. Luckily, I hadn't started working yet. They make you want to go through the hassle of moving yourself. They were careless and charged all that money to only end with these results and missing things.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3600

I cannot condone the use of Cross Country Moving. Everything started out wonderfully with a seemingly awesome sales team member, Nick, calling me and introducing me to the company and making grand promises – price wasn’t too bad either. However, I was only moving about 500 miles and only packing a 1 bedroom apartment so wasn’t likely to be expensive no matter what. I decided to hire Cross Country with a guaranteed delivery date of Monday after pick up on a Saturday. This timeframe was communicated MULTIPLE TIMES. The disappointment starts the second the movers arrived. The actual movers were hard working, young guys who were very easy to work with. The issue was with my inventory list. I meticulously listed the items I had as well as their sizes to most accurately reflect the space needed on the truck, I did this with both Nick and went back and fourth with another Cross Country employee, Frank, to ensure I had given the absolute best estimate. Once even telling Frank I had to add/redact a few items and he said “that’s not enough to make a difference, no worries”. Well apparently it was because the day of the move, the price was hiked up and apparently now my items were taking up much more space.
The brunt of my concern is blatant lie I was told about my delivery timeframe. BEWARE! They will over promise and under-deliver just to get your business!! I was told my items would arrive Monday as this was such a short distance. I was verbally promised this MULTIPLE TIMES. However, my items never arrived on Monday and I received no communications (probably the scariest part because this is everything I own). So I called and not a single employee could tell me where my items were but that they would be delivered Wednesday or Thursday. Well on Wednesday after no communications I called and they said Thursday or Friday but still no one could tell me where my items were at the time. We can track millions of deliveries a day but no one at this company could tell me what warehouse or truck my items were in? RIDICULOUS. So in this meantime, I had to buy items I did not anticipate needing because my belongings should have been here. Used PTO on Monday for my anticipated delivery then had to take another day of PTO for the actual delivery. This is not easy or convenient which is the whole reason to hire movers in the first place.
Unfortunately it doesn’t stop there. When my items did arrive I was charged an additional $300 for stairs! The elevator had stopped working the day they got there which I understand is not the movers faults but had they gotten there on Monday or ANY day prior – the elevator was functioning and this cost would not have been incurred. You’d think they would understand but no one was available to speak with about this, so DO NOT rely on the 24 hour customer service line they brag about. As my furniture was carried in I noticed several of my items had been damaged. Any dresser/chest of drawers/night stand had tears on the corners, by couch had been ripped and several glasses/frames were broken even though the box was labeled fragile and professionally wrapped.
If you are looking for a safe and convenient moving service, THIS IS NOT IT!! Please contact me directly if you would like a better explanation because I cannot stress this enough!

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2100

I’m starting with this, THEY RUINED AND DISRESPECTED MY LATE HUSBANDS FOLDED FLAG THAT WE WERE GIVEN AT HIS FUNERAL.

On Friday July 5th, three men showed up to my house 4 hours late, admitting it was because they were drunk and hungover. They also went back to the truck and smoked weed multiple times. They were hired to pack and load for a cross country move. A job they said would take 3-4 hours went all the way until midnight.

The packing is absolutely laughable. They literally THREW things into boxes. There was not a single ounce of care put into the packing job. Almost everything is broken. I have so many electronics missing.

I wish I could add pictures. This was absolutely horrible. And now I have to explain to my daughter why daddy’s flag is ruined.

I haven’t submitted my claim yet with the company, but that’ll be coming very very very soon.

-Ashton Burleson.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $8800

This company was brokered out to me by PeaPack and Moving (I placed a separate 0 star rating for them here too). I paid for an early bird pickup at 6 am, and then they didn't arrive til 10am that day, which caused endless complications for my following 14 hours drive to my new place. They completely neglected one box that had red FRAGILE stickers ALL over it and broke everything inside. Looked like the box was kicked at full power it was so awful. They broke MANY of my things and took an entire month to deliver my stuff. Not ONE person from this company (nor PeaPack) told me it could take 3-4 weeks until the truck was completely packed and I was handed the paperwork to sign, and I read it myself in the paperwork. I was only told by one person at PeaPack that it would take 4 DAYS. So I had 6 days of belongings that I brought with me in my car. I don't even know how much money I had to spend to re-buy stuff I already had while I waited a month for everything to come. The claims department is completely impossible to get through with all of the tiny things you have to abide by and provide in order for them to reimburse you anything. Of course it's that difficult on purpose so that people don't finish submitting their claims. Sheri was the customer service lady and she was very rude and unprofessional to me, even when I was being patient and kind.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2800

Ocean Moving and Storage masquerades as a legitimate businesses. Customer service reps are rude, lousy, lying employees. That forge signatures on contracts. Below is a article that defines the owner Itai Carmels reputation. Google his name there are a lot!

South Florida Moving Company and Owner Assessed $275,000 for Deceptive Practices U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued a final judgement as to liability and order of stipulated permanent injunction against Itai Carmel and his company, Ocean Moving & Storage Corp (Ocean Moving). The judgment ordered Carmel and Ocean Moving to pay $175,000 in civil penalties and restitution, as well as $100,000 in legal fees and costs.

DOT-OIG and the Consumer Protection Division of the Florida Attorney General’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the Federal civil filing.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5500

HONESTLY THEY DONT EVEN DESERVE A STAR.
I was quoted on 3/2/13 $1140 with a deposit of $430 dollars. Was told half of remaining balance due on pick up and other half due on delivery. Well the start was the pick up drivers were LATE. Also they NEVER called us we had to call and see when they were coming. The driver called 2 hours before coming. As soon as they walked in I could tell it was going to be problems. They were looking for ANYTHING to make extra money. In my original quote I was told $1140 for a couch, recliner, 1 dresser, king bed and boxspring set. And 25 boxes. Well lets get started  we had all the big items as stated in quote but we ONLY had 20 boxes. NOTHING extra actually less. SO they said it would be a little more our price went up to $1300. What could we do it was less than 24 hours and we were moving across country NO OTHER OPTIONS> The guy were so slow they keep sitting around and talking. IT took them over 2 hours to move those little things. Then the hassle of our stuff NOT leaving florida. FInally it did we were told it would be here between Friday and Sunday. WHERE we talked with the office staff NUMEROUS times letting them know we needed atleast 24 hours in advance so we could get a moving permit in our building. Oh how nice they were. Til it was brought up about how we have been bs'd around the whole time about our things and the office staff is so rude we were called liers and everything else.  Spoke with the driver 48 hours ahead of time because we had to call supervisor no one called us yet again. We were told Sunday evening we simply requested morning. We were told it was no issue. Saturday at 9:20pm we were called by someone else who was with the driver to get our exact address since our info was in the truck. I gave it to him he said ok im going to google map your address and call you back in 15 minutes. Well right then I knew it was going to be an issue. I recieved a call back at 11 pm tell me they could not bring my things that I needed to go rent a uhual in the morning and they would then move my things OH I would have to pay them a small fee. I conversation turned ugly.  I called back in the morning to not having my call answered when he did he once again lied said he would call back in 30 minutes 3 hours went by and I had to call him back. I told him if I am going to rent a uhual im not paying for them to move my things we would. However he could get his own truck and move our things. Everytime I would say we wanted our things moved by them we didn't want to do it ourselves he would rang in price fee from $350-$500 dollars. HOWEVER I did read my contract that it was a $1 per cubic feet for shuttle service. We had 216 cubic feet but there was a $300 min. so I knew that's all I would have to pay. So finally after a million excuses we argeed to monday and he got a local company to move our things in. So instead of $1140 we ended up paying $1600.   The sad thing is the local moving company was great in and out with 30 minutes to 45 minutes. I would reuse them.  BUT OCEAN MOVERS I WOULD NEVER USE THEM OR EVER RECOMMEND THEM TO MY WORST ENEMY THEY ARE HORRIBLE AND WILL FIND ANYWAY TO CHARGE EXTRA MONEY.

Service cost: $1600

I was treated decently when making my first call to ocean moving! Then the rest went downhill! They came to load their preliminary truck. But once it was loaded they wanted $150 more dollars before the truck would leave! I argued with them, but to no avail! I agreed to pay the additional funds upon delivery..In cash (which they demanded)!! It was explained to me that this was not the truck that would deliver my things! There would be another unload, and reload onto a different truck for the long distance move! This really bothered me because it facilitated a bigger chance of things being damaged..And they were! The delivery guys arrived while I was at the bank withdrawing the money to give them cash as stated earlier! When I left they had not arrived yet, but when I got back they were there standing at their truck (with my wife next to them)..They had refused to start unloading without receiving the cash first!! After the unload, I phoned the original sales person, and asked why I was charged additional money, and what would they do to solve the damage issue! He promised to call me back after he investigated the issues! Our things were delivered on may 29th, and today is June 20th..They have yet to return my phone call, and probably will not after such a long time! I feel that they lied to me just to get the sale, and then the hell with my complaint issues! I feel that they are a dishonest company with dishonest employees, and represent the lowest of integrity among their competitors! I would never hire them again, and I sincerely urge the readers of this review to go elsewhere with your moving needs!!

Service cost: $1000

My fiancé and I had to move from MA to NC on a pretty short timeframe (under a month) and the fact that this moving company was willing and came to the table with a fair quote had us excitedly working with this company *more on that to come.

We had a young lady who helped us through the process named Maya, who for as much as we could tell was completely competence and honest; she played a huge roll is every issue we ran into and whole heartedly apologized and tried to help fix issues.

We had a itemized list of our belongings that we went room to room collecting while on the phone with Maya to get our initial quote of $975 (their minimum) We had already packed all our things into boxes and broke down any large furniture just to streamline the process. Yay!

The following day I got in touch with Maya to put a deposit down 10% of the total quote (we had an elevator so it increased $75.) I faxed over my charge authorization and they contacted me they next day.

They had issues with my card being repeatedly declined. After an afternoon playing phone tag and re-submitting my card numbers, calling my bank (who reported no flags or declined notices) submitting my back-up credit card, again being "declined." I told Maya that if they couldn't figure this out I would have to immediately end our relationship and I would hurry for another moving company(we were now at the 1 1/2 week mark from our move) she put me in direct contact with the manager--apparently accounting had some issue that they couldn't figure out; the manager was able to run my first card with no problems immediately.

This all took Approximately 2 weeks to finally nail down which ended just under week before the actual pickup. Super stressful.

The pick up was a nightmare--they were schedule to pick up between 12-3pm; no show and no call, at 4pm I called them and was told they were just finishing up and would be there in just over an hour..two hours went by (it was dinner time I figured maybe they needed to stop for food, no problem) I ended up calling them again at 7:30pm, after a run around of customer service calling dispatch, dispatch calling the driver, management calling everyone, and finally the customer whose house they were running late at finally calling dispatch (the moving crew had shut off their cell phone) I was told they would be there by 9pm. They showed up moments before 9pm; almost on time..6 hours late on the long side of the schedule,9 hours late had I expected punctuality.

The crew was made up of 3 gentlemen who were very open about their limited if not un-dedicated employment to Ocean Moving and Storage. The lead/driver had 3 weeks with the company was the only one actually employed by Ocean and the other two were "sub-contracted" one had done another job with the driver Alan and the other guy had only done this day with them.

They came upstairs with me to "measure" the walk form the truck to my apartment and needed to use the restrooms, charge their phones, have something to drink (all of which I understand.) Moments later Alan and myself started to go over the paperwork--almost immediately Alan said that the estimate was all wrong and the "idiots" who have it to me knew nothing of how much room it would take in the truck (mind you again I already have everything broken down, boxes, taped, bound and ready to go) and the cost began to rise..double to start with purely in the space requires on the truck, not to mention the "measurements."

Then came the fun stuff--Alan starts to "negotiate" by explaining how much work him a his guys did and that any surcharges go straight to the company and they are none of it--at this point I'm still going along, not happy yet don't have much choice. Alan breaks down the invoice with all "surcharges" to just under $3000..again mind you this was from a quote if $975. Promptly following this "explanation" I express my disdain for these practices (very nicely as I'm about to give most of my belongings to these guys) and Alan "cuts me a deal" and he will settle under the table for $200 to keep "everything except the truck spacing needs off the invoice" thus " saving me money." I paid it, not much choice at 10pm the night before moving 800 miles south.

They were done by 1am--made a mess, scratched floors, and dinged walls. None of which was honored by claims due to my not taking pictures ahead of time (shame on me expecting professional service.)

The delivery was much smoother though it was very late--I reached out to Maya again after I knew my possessions were no where near the staging warehouse that Alan was taking my things. I expressed my concerns and explained my experience with the moving crew who took my belongings; many heartfelt sounding apologies were made and I was sent the contact info for claims and the dispatch managers.

I was able to talk to the next moving crew who would be delivering my things to NC--biggest issue being that they would be delivering with a 53' tractor trailer..after being picked up by a 20' moving truck. This was an issue that hasn't even been mentioned whereas my apartments while spacious could not accommodate a vehicle that large to the front door; Ocean didn't even blink they said it would be no problem, they will send a shuttle with another surcharge of $150.

This was the breaking point for me where I threw the fact that I'm a customer who heavily relies on review websites based on services provided and that I would be reporting a claim to the BBB.

Here and only here did management of this company start moving in ways that were a good experience--they officially sub-contracted the deliver movers (two young men from Moldova; who I helped to unload the delivery just to expedite the process and apologetically make up for my inability to tip after the extortion upon the pickup.) On top of not using their actual Ocean staff they offered to pick up any surcharges that would be incurred by having to park the 53' trailer so far away from the entrance; long carry was the term used, other side of the building. The surcharge would have been the equivalent of almost another $1000 dollars(based on $75 every 50ft, let me tell you 50ft is a lot shorter than we all realize without measuring.)

These guys were courteous, efficient and happy to unload the truck--shame is they didn't work for any company affiliated that I could tell their boss how awesome they were.

There were some damaged goods, dings in all the wooden furniture and a large gouge in my dining room table that was the worst of it. I mentioned it, but didn't deem the headache with going through the claims too was to be worth it.

All and all it was a terrible experience and while I did in the end have my things moved from MA to NC I will never use this company nor steer anyone towards them.
Good luck.

Service cost: $2172

Ocean moving and storage were a nightmare, avoid like the plague! They caused me so much unnecessary stress in the MONTH they took to arrive with our belongings. They tried to rip us off by trying to charge SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS on weight, but I insisted on a cat scale weigh-in when the movers turned up, before and after unloading, and only ended up paying three thousand dollars. I suppose being honest is bad for business, huh Ocean? Well, this review isn't going to do you any favors either. Everything was piled high to the truck ceiling, with no regard to what was labelled 'fragile'. Some stuff was DAMAGED, other stuff DESTROYED. I only got lumped with Ocean due to an Orion Van Lines broker hiring them for the job. Never again!

Service cost: $3000

I haven't really given this much thought in a while but I promised "sal" I would be sure to talk to everyone I could about Ocean moving and storage. I wrote a letter earlier today to be disseminated to the Florida and Massachusetts Attorneys General, Better Business Bureau in both states as well my former congressman and my current one requesting a congressional inquiry into the way that these folks do business. My furniture (which the movers claimed would not fit in 350 square feet because it was "bulky") is currently sitting in a 10x10 storage cubicle (unless my math is way off that would be 100 square feet) back in Jacksonville Florida. I waited all day for the movers after being told I was "first pick up" only to have them finally show at almost ten PM. Four strapping black men who could obviously have loaded my bedroom set and living room set in about a half an hour if they hadn't tried to double the price on me. And then had the temerity to tell me "at least I'm honest I could have just loaded your furniture on the truck and changed the price afterward" REALLY!! Is that typical of movers these days!! a further caveat on the price was "well it's the end of the month you'll never get anyone else now" (sounds like extortion) The next day I rented a van and moved all my furniture BY MYSELF to a 10x10 storage cubicle. I told them right up front that if the price changed by a dollar we were done. Avoid these people like the plague this is obviously how they do business regularly.

Service cost: $1039

Ocean Moving and Storage is your basic two faced moving company. They fly around you like vultures and put up a front to get your business then treat you like crap if they don't get their way. From my experience with Regie, the second I informed him that I went with another moving company I was hung up on. In a way this made me even more glad I didn't go with them. Class act all the way Ocean moving.  This only confirms their poor reviews online from other customers. If their sales rep has no respect for their customers how do you think the actual movers will be? Seriously..?
Do yourself a favor and stay away from companies like this. There are A LOT better alternatives out there.

Service cost: $1500

Awesome and worry free service.  My things were in a storage unit and being transported to a storage unit in Texas.  Because I wasn't able to be there to officiate the move, I had to do all my communication thru phone and email.  Everything worked perfect from the storage unit taking care of cutting the locks to the moving company loading everything without us being there.  Very professional, friendly and kept in communication through out the trip.  Arrival was on time.  So pleased and if I move long distance again, this is who I will use.  Love you guys!  Thanks!!
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Service cost: $2100

We moved from Florida to Arizona March 2012.  It's taken me this long to calm down about it to review it.  The original quote was for $1500.  When they came to load up the truck, they packed and wrapped things they didn't have to and even charged us per roll of packing tape.  By the time they arrived in Arizona, a week late, we were already over them.  The driver refused to bring the truck into the complex to unload.  They, instead, took the truck to a Uhaul place, rented a smaller truck and loaded our belongings on to it and delivered it to us that way.  They charged us $800 to do that!  CASH ONLY!  It was a Sunday and no banks were open.  We did withdraw half of that and they reluctantly charged the other half on our credit card.  These guys are scam artists.  They hold your cargo for ransom.  I wish I would have read the reviews before I picked them out.  It's ok though, we sent the IRS an I9 form for the CASH ONLY they took from us.  At least they had to claim it.  DON'T USE THIS COMPANY!!

Service cost: $7500

I'll first say, I was pretty disappointed in my experience. To be fair, they did take into consideration protecting some of my items like my TV and my canvas bags. The disappointment lies in other things. 1) The crews failed to call me on pick up AND delivery that they had to push back the times they could be there. On pick up, I had to call the company and they told me that they were going to be there in the afternoon instead of the morning which they had failed to tell me, which meant I waited all morning for nothing when I could've been out doing other things. 2) They were completely careless with my other items. It seemed like once they took my boxes, they were just dropping them and throwing them around instead of setting them down gently. Neither crew had a hand truck which was completely shocking to me because I figure that a hand truck would be a pretty basic and essential piece of equipment to have when you're a moving company. Needless to say, some of my items were damaged. I know it depends on how well you pack things, but if items are handled carelessly enough, things will get damaged no matter how well you pack them. They did deliver my items fairly quickly, but overall, I found the experience very disappointing. I would recommend anyone to continue to shop around and find someone else.

Service cost: $1500

What a wonderful experience, from start to finish.  Roman was really thorough when talking to me about my move.  I requested full packing service for my 2 bedroom home and everything was packed very well.  The crew was very courteous and careful with my things and they handled my piano very carefully. Priceless!! 
I had things in basements and garage and the guys made sure nothing was left behind. 
Roman also helped me with my car, which arrived in two days! 
I would certainly recommend Ocean Moving and Storage to my friends!

Service cost: $1925

I just wanted to give a shout out to Ocean Moving and Storage! I just recently moved from Hollywood, FL to Alexandria VA in early April. I relocated back to VA for work. I was contacted by a sales rep named Sal, who was amazing! I felt comfortable and confident I was in good hands. The truck showed up on time, the movers were very polite and took quality care of my things. They made sure everything was properly wrapped and secured in the truck. I highly recommend this company. They took care of all the logistics. I am very pleased with this company and will be using them in the event of a future move.

Service cost: $1728