STI Moving and Storage

I recently used STI Moving & Storage for a local move and was thoroughly impressed with their service. The 4-man team was not only highly efficient but also completed the move in significantly less time than estimated—finishing in 5 hours instead of the quoted 7. That meant I actually paid LESS than expected—when does that ever happen??? After several moves over the years, this was the first time everything arrived without damage and without any surprise charges. Their pricing was fair, and was able to book them on fairly short notice, and they were on-time - which was critical as we had to schedule a loading dock and freight elevator at our new apartment.

Without a doubt, I’ll be using STI again for any future moves around Chicago!

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1207

STI is a broker.  As a broker they are unreliable.  They would not meet the promised 3 day pick-up window.  I had to find another mover on short notice or alternatively reschedule a flight at my own expense.  While I expect that STI may sometimes identify local movers that provide fine service, customers need to be aware that the contract they sign is with STI who takes no responsibility whatsoever for fulfilling the contract. If they fail, they simply refund the money, and the move is your problem.   My advice is to contract with a local moving company directly. .

Service cost: $1400

TLDR: A sexually transmitted infection would be less painful than my experience with STI. Their employees are neglectful, indignant, threatening, mismanaged & irresponsible. They lied, attempted to intimidate & extort me, verbally abused me & caused damage/loss to my property. They broken 3 federal laws, made me feel so unsafe that I called the police, it was a nightmare.

FULL STORY: Arranged for full service with STI from Chicago to LA. I was employed full time, which is why I sought service from a professional moving company. According to STI's website, their mission is to "deliver dependable, worry-free moving". It goes on to pledge moving services that are "quick, efficient and professional". Unfortunately, their was unsatisfactory due to the lack of organization between employees and horrific customer service.
At the time of confirmation, they advised that delivery would occur within that fourteen day window & they would give me a 24-48 hour notice of the exact time. I was working in Chicago & my office new equipment was part of the shipment. I was to fly out and meet the delivery once they gave 24-48 hour notice so there would be no lapse in my schedule. When it did not arrive within 48 hours of this notice, I called to inquire. I was told it was delayed & would arrive the following week. When the delivery still failed to arrive, I called again & was told it would take another two weeks, longer than the 14 business day window.
No one ever reached out to notify me of a delay. Instead, I had to call every day & every employee seemed to have no means for tracking it. I received different estimated delivery dates that seemed to move back and forth with no rhyme or reason. It's evident that there was a lack of coordination between the dispatchers, trucks & coordinators.
I was concerned that the delivery had been lost or damaged & they were stalling. They did nothing to soothe my anxieties and reassure customer confidence. As a result of STI's failure to stay organized, I missed several weeks of work. My employer grew critical of my relocation efforts as I was forced to relay conflicting information, & as a result of STI's incompetence, I got laid off.
The following month, I received a call on a Friday 5pm confirming that the delivery would arrive between 9-11am the next day. This 16 hour notice also falls short of what might qualify as 24-48 hour notice. The truck still didn't arrive on time. It showed up in the afternoon & the driver said dispatchers had given him the wrong address. All tardiness aside, this is when the real nightmare began. The driver wouldn't give me his name & demanded an additional payment in cash for "added fees" before completing services. I spoke to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration who explained that by law, a moving company cannot demand more than the binding estimate upon delivery. Lawfully, STI could have charged me added fees within 30 days of delivery. Instead, they unlawfully demanded more money in cash & threatened to hold my property hostage if I didn't pay. As I refused to pay more than the binding estimate from the Bill of Lading, the driver raised his voice & threatened to leave with my property. His language was demeaning, his tone disrespectful, he kept gazing at my body & I had to request that he look at my eyes, not my chest. I was home alone & felt unsafe by the two nameless employees, one of whom was the driver, whom seemed fixated on my body & threatening my property. After it escalated, I called the police to ensure my safety & settle the dispute. Then, I began collecting evidence (i.e. - taking pictures of the truck, the license plate, etc..all while they belittled me with undignified laughter). The driver called me a liar & insisted I hadn't actually called the police. I recorded video of the driver refusing to identify himself, threatening my property & refusing to cooperate with the police. It must have dawned on him I was serious because he stopped laughing, told me to put away my camera before climbing back on the truck & driving away with my property.
I then called STI & I spoke to a dispatcher, explaining that two men who refused to identify themselves had demanded more money than I owed. The dispatcher responded by also raising his voice, claiming I had no reason to not trust STI. He called me a "stupid girl" among a slew of other vulgar insults and further remarked, "You don't know how to read". The dispatch employee called me a liar & again I was accused of not calling to police. I refused to let him raise his voice & insult me over the phone, so I attempted to move the conversation to email to have it on record.
I sent 3 emails expressing my grievances. Refusing to correspond in writing, the dispatcher kept calling back repeatedly, yelling with abusive language. According to the FMCSA, if STI wanted to dispute my complaint, they had a responsibility to express this in writing. Instead, they bombarded me with verbal abuse & drove away with my property. This violates the Household Goods Movers Oversight Enforcement & Reform Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-59) section 4210, which makes it unlawful to hold household goods hostage.
At 3:00pm, I received a call from a relocation coordinator who was willing to speak without raising his voice. We discussed the situation, looking over the contract while I expressed distress caused by their employees' disorderly conduct. He agreed to have the truck return to complete the delivery and I was to pay the balance according the binding contract without the "added fees". Following this, he sent an stating in writing that I had refused to pay the balance (false).
When the truck returned, they still refused to give me their names. They also refused to reassemble my property as promised by the full service agreement. Instead, they tried to coerce me into doing it myself. Our disagreement over who was responsible for reassembling these items only served to further catalyze the conflict.
About halfway through the delivery, the police arrived. The driver reached them first & told them that I'd refused to pay for my delivery. Their story didn't fly with the cops, especially when I showed them my deposit receipt & money order for final payment. The police took my side and the driver got mad because I was a woman and he wanted to get his way. He called me a liar & once again, refused to complete the delivery. I got their supervisor on the phone, who spoke with the police before speaking with the driver, instructing him to cooperate. The driver's behavior was so appalling it's no wonder he refused to reveal his identity. Any sense of professionalism and legitimacy I had for was lost.
Much of my property received significant damage since I'd released it into the care of STI, there were even items missing. Their website claims professionalism in moving art, yet original pieces were haphazardly crushed & stuffed into boxes. They weren't packed between cardboard inserts, while one particularly large piece of artwork went missing entirely. Other items had water damage, indicating that they hadn't been stored in a temperature controlled facility. The movers failed to wrap my electronics in thick brown padded paper & the moving boxes themselves were in bad shape. Fragile boxes hadn't been labeled "top load", while boxes labeled "this end up" were unloaded with no regard to this labeling. My glass plated table was only wrapped in one blanket & a large mirror got broken after they hadn't wrapped it in any padding at all. My marble desk was delivered in such terrible condition that it fell apart upon delivery, while delicate musical instruments had been stuffed carelessly into boxes.
Their website claims to "ensure a safe and successful long distance move". Under no circumstances should a successful long distance move make the customer feel unsafe or entail police involvement. The poor execution of this delivery failed to reflect any sense of security or professionalism. The services of STI was beyond unsatisfactory, hardly the "dependable, worry-free moving experience" that is clearly stated as their mission. Their services caused me to experience distress and anxiety as a result of the property damages, neglect, indignity & mismanagement.
In response to my grievance letter, STI offered me a $200 settlement that required my signing a nondisclosure clause. I refused to accept this agreement, how could that small amount possibly compensate for the extent of stress & abuse not to mention lost wages & damage to my property? According to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), STI had broken not 1 but 3 federal laws including extortion as well as holding property hostage. I filed reports with the FMCSA as well as the BBB and Attorney General, all of whom suggested I take STI to small claims since I had documentation.
Of course, ran into a problem filing claim because the courts couldn't locate STI's agent of service! Turns out they weren't authorized to do business, make transactions or operate in the state of California! Digging deeper, we discovered that STI changed the name of their company a few years back, which means it's likely they've faced previous litigation.
When we stood in front of the judge, he ruled that the dispute involved violations of federal law & was thereby out of his jurisdiction, suggesting I take them to federal court. Good luck finding an attorney who's willing to represent a lone consumer against a small sketchy business on a federal level! STI walked away scot free - no accountability. They're free to be negligent & abuse customers while breaking whatever federal laws they please.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2200

I was quoted a flat rate & assured that it would not exceed that rate because it was such a small delivery. I was told I would incur no extra fees because they could do the delivery without a 18 wheeler. After the dates passed by 10 days & they had not contacted me about my delivery I called & was given a new date. On that date the driver called & said he could not deliver to my address because he was in an 18 wheeler. I called company & was then told it would be app. An extra $600 dollars to rent a shuttle & deliver to me. I said no I was assured in my contract that I would be delivered without an 18 wheeler. Andrew & his partner in crime became extremely rude & very intimidating & kept saying so what you are refusing your delivery you don't want your things? I think they prey on people after they get their things because it that point its no option but to pay them. All the boxes were smashed up like they had taken a serious beating!

Service cost: $809

I used Able Auto Transport (by recommendation from Tom at STI) for my car. I gave Able and the contracted company a super review. They deserved it.>I'm saying this because people think only the bad reviews make it online.
I'll try to be fair in my review, though my overall is I would look harder.
To gain my business they threw in boxes (no mention of the size beforehand), and some other stuff. Great on Toms part. Thank you Tom. He explained the benefit of having one company book and do the move. Perhaps this hold true.
But once I signed, the courtesy stopped. Tom just sells, someone else holds the reins and those persons are very unpleasant, not courteous and seriously nickle and diming. I guess they would be since they discount the hell out of it to make the sale. So any add-ons is the business model.
They wanted to charge $50 or something to shrink wrap 2 boxes, that I was concerned about, after it had been picked up. I didn't pay. They didn't care if it broke and told me they would actually charge me a 'repack' fee if it fell apart in transit since they didn't pack it or provide the box.
They didn't notice I didn't include noted items during pick-up, but decided to ad-hoc their calculations on my extras.
My limit was not stated clearly, so on the day of move, the things you naturally forget become the BIGGEST DEAL in the world. Even if they amount in actuality to 10cuft. Their "estimation software" was clearly built to OVER Estimate. They did discount my extras in the end. But made a big deal about being fair to the true sizes even tough some of them were stated on the boxes and I had a measure tape. Essentially made it look like a discount, but better communication of where I was with regards to my limit and more transparent calculation would have saved all the arguing.
Day of the drop-off, o man.. Ok, so I didn't realize I needed to pay up front. They also grossly over estimated the extra fee of truck-to-door charges, so all in all I was shocked at the added amounts. But when I expressed this, the delivery manager snatched the contract, refused to show me the fine print, and said "You'll see your stuff in 1 month, I'm taking it back to Chicago". I threatened to call the cops. He didn't care. He commanded his nice staff to move the few unloaded items back on to the truck. Most unpleasant experience with a business ever. So I was forced to pay, without seeing the fine print although he did agree to reduce the extra. But seriously unpleasant.
Then the move-in went better, because the staff were nice kids.
I think the move broke my couch a little bit, but they packed it well. So I'm not sure what more they could do. Perhaps the couch couldn't take the move. 
The packers put in a lot of effort, but the managers are VERY by the sheet. Zero extra packing help. They did throw in a lot of shrink wrap and taped a lot of what was agreed on. So, I'd say the staff were helpful, but brash.
I heard that people have payed more for other companies and had the same experiences. So, if there's REALLY no one nicer out there, then STI is the way -price wise. But it will be VERY hard to judge other companies since the salesman are usually fantastic, because that's the game.
My advice: Ask about the limit tiers and exactly how your itemized list is being sized in cuft to be in that cuft bracket.Overestimate your stuff by a LOT and communicate that to the sales guy - so you don't end up getting the crap show when they yank out the contract on the day-of. ..Or yank it away in my case.Hopefully if you don't end up shipping that much, they'll refund the difference - and you'll have an itemized list so you can make your own calculations and not be forced to follow the scribbles on the contract.

Service cost: $1100

After originally receiving quote for $1200, pickup was scheduled and did occur on time in Michigan. While there were additional items, it should not have been an additional $1800. We were never provided a certified scale report or accurate cubic foot allocation. We were told the items would arrive within 3-5 days but did not arrive for 13 days. No one at the company cared to discuss the situation, and I was hung up on twice. When the items arrived, a few items were missing, and several items were damaged. Pieces of furniture were damaged, wet, and a mattress was soaking wet. The driver said, "they gave me this piece of junk trailer with a leak"! Upon receipt of items, no report was left indicating damage. I took photos, but had no support from the office. My mother disputed the charge with the credit cart company (the estimated damage amount only). STI initiated collection efforts and we are still not resolved. They told us we could not file a damage claim unless we paid the entire amount first. Very unprofessional and uncaring group. I should have read more reviews before contracting with them. In fact, we did not sign a receipt or a contract, so we will see how it is resolved.

Service cost: $3000

Do not use Sasha Transport! First I would like to say that I was moving a small 2 bedroom house from Michigan to North Carolina. I got rid of most of my things and did not have a lot to move. We were given a quote of 1251 for the entire move. I already packed everything that could be packed so they only needed to load the big items and what I already packed. Pick up was suppose to be on December 27 and they did not show up until December 28 at 1100 a.m. After the movers had everything on the truck we had signed papers and gave our deposit for half down. I had a few more items that was not included in the online quote. They told us that we could have the truck priced by square footage or by weight. As I stated before I did not have a lot to move and knew it would not weigh much so we wanted to go by weight because it would be cheaper. We told them to weight the truck and that's what we would pay. The company also told us that to move to North Carolina it would be delivered in 1-10 days. The truck did not show up until 15 days later and they wanted us to pay an additional 1251 more then the deposit we already paid and then they would weigh the truck and refund us any money due. The whole quote was for 1251 and they wanted us to pay that plus our deposit. When they came to deliver the items the movers were awful. They were suppose to put back together everything they moved and hook up everything they moved. When they left I went upstairs to notice that the washer never got hooked up or our son's bed never got put back together. I went to put my son's bed back together to find out the the long screws and the things the screws go into (sorry, but I am not sure what they are called) were missing. I immediately called Steve and told him because I did not want the truck to go back with the screws on it. He said he would give the driver a call and call me back. I waited all day and the next morning before I called again because he never called me back. He told me that he did not forget about me and his driver is aware of it and they would probable have to fed ex them back to me. I asked him if he knew how long that would be because in the mean time my son doesn't have a bed and all he said was sorry he didn't. He told me that he would call me back as soon as he heard something. It has been about 2 weeks and I have heard nothing from them. Also, the majority of my stuff was delivered with several scratches and my wood computer desk's back leg had half of it missing. The movers were very reckless with my items and were they placed things. They had placed scratches in the walls of a newly painted bedroom when they moved furniture in there. I later came to see that my push lawnmower was missing the push in bar that makes the lawnmower run. They bent the handle bars down to make more room in the truck and it either broke off in the truck or they took it off and I never received it back. I had a book case that was broken when they dropped it off.This company has been awful to deal with. There service is unprofessional and the quality of service is awful. I would not wish there services for anyone.

Service cost: $1028

This moving company was absolutely terrible! We hired STI for a move from Michigan to Massachusetts. After taking three weeks to deliver, they had smashed up our belongings..filing cabinets, bookshelves, framed art that they packed, a desk. They severely dented our deep freezer and scratched up our leather chair. We had some plastic bins that were completely shattered, as was the base of a floor lamp, rendering the lamp useless. Some of the boxes that we packed very well with ample packing materials were smashed, and the contents shattered. We had a family heirloom toybox that they scratched and dented as well. The list goes on. When we pointed out some of the damage upon delivery, the movers acknowledged the damage and listed it on the inventory sheet and told us to contact Anthem Claim Management for reimbursement. We recently got a letter from Anthem stating that no reimbursement was recommended, primarily because we signed the inventory list upon delivery which stated in the illegible writing of the movers that the goods were received in good condition. This is despite the fact that we noted numerous damages on the inventory list prior to signing. We wonder whether or not Anthem Claim Management is an unbiased third party; it is unlikely. Under no circumstances would we ever recommend STI or Anthem. We do recommend choosing a reputable moving company so that you do not end up in our situation.

Service cost: $4000

I want everyone out there to know, DO NOT use Sasha Transport (STI) in the Chicago area. They are liars and engaged in bait-and-switch tactics to sucker money out of me.

I found them on a website which allowed me to compare prices from six different moving companies. Of these, Sasha Transport (STI Movers) offered me a flat rate to move my 1 bedroom apartment. I signed the paperwork which included an estimate of $262.50. "Max" told me it was called an "estimate" because they were leaving room for use of incidentals such as furniture wrapping, tape, etc..

However they ultimately charged me about $400. When I called to find out why I had been overcharged, they had the nerve to claim that they had never promised me a flat rate. I spoke to "Max" who had the nerve to claim he never told me such a thing. When I referred back to the paperwork I had signed which stated that my rate was $262.50, they pointed out that the paperwork also stated elsewhere that their standard rate was an hourly rate of $105. "Max" also told me that I would not be charged anything additional for the driver's travel time, but travel time was included in the calculation of my hours.

I feel that they used deceptive practices to get me to sign paperwork that appeared to promise a flat rate with some "estimated" incidentals charges on top of that; but since that paperwork also contained a statement of their usual hourly rate, I had no legal ground to get them to honor their stated flat rate. This is classic bait-and-switch. They promise one thing, but write their paperwork in such a way that it creates a loophole so they can claim that they never promised what they told you, and charge you more.

Don't use them!

Service cost: $400

PLEASE Do not use this company. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I recently moved from Michigan to Florida. So far so good. When they finally delivered my shipment, it was descovered that they badly damaged my desk; the delivery men clearly acknowledged they damaged the desk it once they unwrapped the desk from its padded tarp and noted that they damaged the desk in the remarks section of the inventory log sheet; also noted that I tool pictures.  I filled a claim as directed the very next day. And the claim came back 2 months later for $42.00 for damages. They state in the claim letter that I did not describe the damages in the proper space on the inventory log sheet (which there is no room the write anything in since they write in those spaces) and then signing the sheet indicates their liability is limited to the terms and condition of the bill of landing. Even though we noted the damage in the remark section of the inventory log sheet. Sasha Transport should want to do right by their customers but apparently they don't. I am in the process of filing an arbitration but for those of you looking to move, I warn you about this company.

Service cost: $1439