Preferred Relocation

Our experience with Preferred Relocation of Hackensack, NJ was stellar. We were in dire straights -- we had been "stood up" by another company at the last minute and we were on a time deadline. Preferred Relocation went above and beyond the "call of duty" for us -- since, try though they might, they couldn't fit us into the schedule at the last minute, they helped us find a solution and we were able to put our things in storage and leave for our destination on time. When the time came for delivery to our destination, Preferred Relocation was timely and kept in touch with us from pick up of our items in storage in one state to delivery and unloading of everything in another state. Our belongings all arrived and all were in tact and in good order.

From the initial phone call to the final delivery, the customer service and follow through was excellent. There were no surprises in the $$ amount quoted. We are forever grateful to Mark and Cal for getting everything set up as well as for the great follow through with Alex and Simona. Sebastian and Antonio were great with the delivery. Preferred Relocation: Top notch professionalism with the human touch.

Service cost: $4200

It has been 90 days since our unfortunate encounter with this company, ( needed time to calm down and also go through all of my boxes to evaluate the total damage) and I am writing simply because I do not want anyone else to experience the wrath of these people. Where do I begin..

We hired this company to move our belongings across the country back in July.. they were supposed to arrive on August 26th.. we were on a tight schedule - the new owners were scheduled to move in on the 31st. We had stipulated this right up front. They then said they would be there on the 27th.. that didn't happen, and so on. They finally show up on the 30th. with 4 guys. The supervisor first of all, complained that we had more than we had stated. (personally they should have done a walk early on). They started loading. My husband went out to get pizza for them around noon. He took the money out of our cash that we had set aside and hidden in a clock on the mantle. When he returned with the pizza, he put the leftover cash back - realized the entire amount had disappeared in that time (over $1,000.00 Money from the sale of a car from the night before)
I immediately told the Supervisor who immediately summoned the three helpers - and found that one of them bailed out 1/ hour earlier, not saying a word. Come to find out, he didn't even know the guy's name or address, just his cell # which of course he didn't answer. When I asked why, he said he had found him through Craigslist!! I was mortified!! These people were in our home handling our personal property!! In the supervisor's defense, he did call the local police, but with not much to go on, a mute point. When I asked how it would be handled, the supervisor said "in all honesty, you are not supposed to leave valuables and money in plain sight!! It wasn't! Well, that was how it started. Couldn't get everything on one truck (had allocated only a 1/2 truck ), another truck came the following day, with only one person to move the rest. He dragged our kitchen table out, and our 62" Flat screen TV by himself, kicking it through the door! My husband wanted to help him but he refused. He also complained throughout the job, about how he wasn't told the size of the job. Overall originally they told us 2 3 weeks maximum. it took over a month!! They had to used two trucks and had moved our furniture twice at least loading and unloading to get in on one We had packed our belongings very well with bubble wrap. Clearly marked what containers should be on top. When received our products many of the plastic tubs were cracked, and crushed badly. The customer service department was horrible, when we were inquiring as to when our furniture was to be delivered, they would lie, then not call back when they didn't show up. Oh and for the $1,000. that was stolen? They jacked the total price up a thousand dollars then knocked off a thousand dollars- AFTER they had already re-negotiated a higher fee for our added boxes! PLEASE! Read reviews on this company If you intend to use them! Especially across country!!

Service cost: $18300

I'm hesitant to post this review because as of yet, the move is not complete.  My first mistake was going through a broker (Moving & Storage Inc.)  Promises, promises! I was told that my daughter's belongings would be picked up on a certain date & delivered on a certain date.  I was also told that given the address the items were being moved to, a shuttle would not be needed.  So, all was well (at first.)  Then the actual mover, Preferred Relocation called me & again, the person I spoke to said it wouldn't be a problem to have her things there by a certain date. Nothing was mentioned about a shuttle either.  So, again, all was well.  The problems began when the truck showed up (they first called & said they would be there a day early..then didn't show up until the next day & didn't call--we had to call them to find out they weren't coming the day they told us.) They did an okay job loading up, but when it came time to sign the paperwork, several problems arose.  The first problem was the driver said I would have to spend an extra fee of $350 because he could not manuever his truck to the address we gave.  This was the same address we gave to the broker in the beginning & the same address we gave to the person that called from Preferred Relocation!!  Now all of a sudden, when everything was already loaded on the truck, they bring up the extra fee!  Next, the drivers tell us that there is NO WAY they can have the things delivered by the date we had given them at first. And, it would probably be a week later! Even though a date was promised verbally by both companies!  They told me that on the agreement, they had to allow extra time because the truck might break down, etc..I understood this, but here was the driver telling me from the get-go, there was no way.  I felt trapped by these people & didn't know what to do, so I allowed them to leave with the belongings. It was too late to call & make any other type of arrangements--they had me over a barrel! When I called to talk to customer service, I got the run-around from both companies--both citing the paperwork with the allowed extra time.  I told them there should be some type of compensation or reduction to my bill since they were not fulfilling the bargain they verbally made..but no one seemed to care.  DO NOT USE THESE COMPANIES ON YOUR NEXT MOVE!! PREFERRED RELOCATION OR MOVING & STORAGE, INC!  Who knows if we'll ever get our things!!   .

Service cost: $2175

Our pre-move contacts with the company were very good and we believed that we were dealing with a solid reputable company.
What we didn't realize is that virtually all of the moving companies hire "temp" personnel to load and unload the trucks and most also contract with truckers for the actual transfer.  The upshot of this is that there are 4 different groups of people involved in a move: The moving company that we contracted with, the crew that loaded the truck, the trucking company, and the crew that unloaded the truck.
Everything seemed to go well during the loading process but when the truck was unloaded 7 days later, there was significant damage and 2 lost items. 
One lost item was the glass top of a living room table that was most likely broken during loading - value: approx. $1100 (from the estimates we have gotten to replace it).  The other item that was lost was a valuable solid bronze sculpture weighing around 100 lbs. and appraised at $18,000.
There were also a dozen or so furniture items that were damaged.  Most are scratches (not minor ones!) and large dents.  A large executive desk had 2 broken panels and a drawer whose bottom was crushed and destroyed.
When we contacted the moving company they were very apologetic and said they would make things right but as time went on, they suddenly became unresponsive and have remained so.
We were encouraged to file a Police report on the missing items which we did.  The initial report was filed at the destination location since that is where the theft was discovered but they quickly decided that the theft probably occurred at the loading end (which we agreed with) and they transferred the case to the city in which the loading occurred.
Speaking with the detective in charge of the case at the loading end, he basically told us that this sort of situation is not unusual during moves and there was very little that could be done about it given that 4 different parties in 4 locations were involved and there is no way of knowing where the theft occurred.
We are now talking with our home owner's insurance company about the loss and it appears that they will cover the losses (at least for the 2 stolen/broken items), minus our $1000 deductable of course.
Overall this move has been very stressful, frustrating, and time consuming.  I hope to never have to go through something like this again.
One other item - The cost of the move increased significantly from the estimate to the actual move.  This is another case of everyone pointing fingers at everyone else.  The items to be moved actually decreased between the time of the estimate and the move when we decided not to move 2 whole rooms of furniture.  The original estimate was made via an in-person visit to our home rather than just an emailed inventory list that many movers use.
 .

Service cost: $12000

First off my move has not been completed yet. I went through MovingAPT and they subcontracted it out to preferred relocation. After placing my down payment with movingAPT, a company calls me and says they are not good but it was too late I would lose my $. So preferred location came to move me. Shannon, from preferred relocation, had a verbal contract that Monday 9/30 would be my delivery time. She must of forgot that she had said that and said no we have, by law 21 BUSINESS days to delivery our stuff. As the movers were there, they continue to add on charges, for more stuff and moving equipment etc. Was charged almost $700 more than quoted. The movers were shady. I should have know when they asked about one of my neighbors. But my hands were tied. I started my job on Monday and didn't have time or extra $ to find another company. So as I sit here in Florida with still NO answers on when my shipment will arrive, I question myself if my stuff isn't truly stolen. Shannon says she is an advocate for me, but yet I haven't heard from her in days and still will not pick up her phone. Josh Grillo her boss will not return any of my calls but did respond to via text message promising my delivery last Wednesday. I have had three different delivery dates and they have all gone and passes with no delivery. Shannon assured me last week that it was enroute to Florida as we spoke that wed but then called me late Friday to tell me it wasn't and she has the key to the lock. Please save yourself the heartache and headache and please go with a great company. Police reports have been filed and the bbb has been contacted. So frustrated at this point. I just hope my stuff arrives and is not stolen or broken.

Service cost: $2700

First off I was given a quote of 1 price and when the 2 young men had packed everything in the truck I was charged double. Over $5000.00. The 2 young men that came to pack was very careful with my item and packed it in the truck nicely. But it was DOWNHILL after that. With the way they packed I figured everyone in the company would be like that. They had to unpack that truck unto another truck to get it to SC. I guess me not being therre to watch  them the next set of guys didn't care what they did to my things. 5 to 6 days later I get a call from the guy deliveriing it. When he got here after 3 or 4 calls later saying he was going to be late. Another truck and car pulls up with the moving truck to unload. I watch as they unloaded my thing just to watch them drop my wood file cabinet, mower and a few other things. So now I have a broken file cabinet, mower, recliner, lamp, and other things and missing a wood book shelf and some other bins and boxes. My grill is bent and twisted. When I called to complain I was told to go to website and download a items list and take pics. I guess from me watching the first 2 guys and the way they were I felt I wouldn't need the more costly insurance. I thought my things were in good hands. Boy was I wrong. They even dropped a small refrigerator I had bought for my dads room and broke it. I was told once I submitted my list there would be NO changing it. So some of the items mentioned was not on their list. I am heartbroken from the way these people operate. Some of these items I had just gotten for christmas. They DON"T CARE for your thing. I submitted my item and they only offered $150.00 after months of waiting and argueing with them that my stuff was worth more and I had watched their guys just drop things and break them.  I couldn't take it anymore and just took the 150. My advice to whomever is reading this. DO NOT HIRE THESE PEOPLE. You will be sorry unless you have the money for the expensive insurance PLEASE Stay Away from this Company. If you are told you have to use them from a secondary Co..tell them hell NO and stop your contract with that CO. PLEASE>>>PLEASE>>> STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY> Preferred Relocation Interstate Moving Company will rip you off and break your things.      .

Service cost: $5000

I am extremely dissatisfied with my service. I have been waiting a week for my belongings. They were supposed to be picked up on Sunday the 5th and they were delayed twice With no communication of what was going on or why my move was being delayed. I even spoke to someone in customer service who covered the phone to put me 'on hold' and proceeded to yell at someone , repeatedly using profanity (the F word specifically)about my situation and me calling to another person on the other end. I don't think he realized that I could hear him. I hung up , so upset and offened. I tried again until I got someone different. Frequent calls/emails to customer service ended with "we will call you back" and no call backs. Picked up tuesday with $100 off service for inconvenience. Then my estimated cost jumped from 1000 to 1700. I stated that I signed an estimate that states I would not pay more than what was listed, Mover tells me I had a sofa that was not listed on the estimate when I told them I had 2 sofas. And this error on my estimate was mistaken. We could not pay the amount and so they said they would wait until Saturday after payday to deliver my things. Saturday came and went, and not even a courtesy call to me on delivery status. I called off work - my brand new job - to be present for my delivery. When I called customer service because the mover would not return my call, she stated I was scheduled for delivery Sunday. She said she would contact my mover and call me back. Never did. I still have not recieved a call from the movers and I'm not sure when I will recieve my things.   .

Service cost: $1400

Allow me to finish. I dealt directly with the owner and we negotiated a solution to the problem. I learned that the owner is very reputable, fair and is concerned about his integrity and reputation. I am happy, he has addressed the issue with his team and I would use Preferred Relocation in Hackensack NJ again.

The front line rep is CAL, he knows his business and will help you until the deal is completed.
Both teams were efficient, detailed and nice. Although an incident occurred, he owner and I worked it out to a win win situation. Our move was hard, fragile, tedious and rightfully expensive. Try doing
that move with friends!! It took 7 days to reach the destination and we were there to receive it. Everything was placed where I wanted it and the team was again efficient and kind. Thank you Preferred Relocation of Hackensack. I will use you again
Patricia Genovese.

Service cost: $7300