Unified Moving Services

Unified Moving Services, LLC Review

RUN AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!! Don't be fooled by the so-called "Veteran Owned Company" line... there is absolutely NO honor or integrity with this company- perhaps we should have asked exactly WHO was a Veteran and IF they were actually discharged with an Honorable Discharge or not? They are a TOTAL disgrace to Honorable Veterans. My husband and I are BOTH USAF Veterans and we are completely disappointed with this company.

Baskar Vaiyapuri and Ovid Sekhar are the owners. Marc Zammichieli is the manager. This review is for the Unified Moving Services in Hyattsville. Don't let them tell you these bad reviews are for another company.

Where to start??? Marc is a smooth talking operator, both before the move and after, but despite all his smooth talk, nothing EVER gets resolved. We received a quote - with someone showing up and doing a household walk-through so that it was as accurate a quote as possible. Then, on moving day, the crew showed up and instantly began saying there was "way more than we planned on" and "this is going to cost a lot more because of...." and the complaints and excuses started. They sent out a "Manager" who was rude and condescending and he declared that the move couldn't possibly be done without another $2,500.00 charge!! The move is held up until you agree to pay additional money.

Meanwhile, the "packers" and "movers" were not experienced packers and movers and failed to pack our items correctly or pad our furniture correctly. As a result, we ended up with approximately $3-5,000.00 worth of damage to our household goods. We have a file with pictures of all the damage to back up this claim. China, Plates, Dishes, Collectibles, Desks, Bar Stools, Tables, Lamps, Pictures.... you name it, it was damaged. Many items were one of a kind items we got as we travelled the world in the military.

They damaged our brand new house's walls, floors and door frames. When we summarized and itemized the damage done, complete with pictures, we got the ultimate runaround. Marc seemed sympathetic and then ultimately stopped taking our calls... our emails and forms that we submitted for insurance purposes was constantly rejected and we were told we needed ridiculous items of information in order to process the claim... like "how much does each individual item weigh" "how much was the original price" "how much is the current price" "what year was the item purchased" (keep in mind many items were 20+ years old and had been bought around the world and couldn't be priced currently because the items were no longer available!!!) - you name it and they were asking us to provide unreasonable amounts of information for each and every item (including quotes from a company to have the walls, door frames, floors, etc... fixed) before they would even consider the insurance claim.

Needless to say, we were unable to provide every little detail that they demanded and, therefore, our insurance claim was deemed invalid and we were never compensated one dime for all the thousands of dollars of damage to our house and personal items.

Total scam. Total Disappointment. RUN AWAY!!!! Do NOT use this company. If at all possible, I would give absolutely "Negative Stars" or "No Stars" for this review. Unfortunately, you have to give at least "One" Star or you can't submit your review.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5000

My move was an instate, local move. A pretty easy one as moves go - all items were pre-packed in a storage locker. The movers needed to unpack the storage locker, load the truck, drive to the destination, unload all the item except 2 into a garage - no unpacking, no stairs. There were two items I needed brought into the house and up to the second story (queen bed and a treadmill). The movers were very careless with my belongings - broke several items. And in bringing two items into the home, they damage every wall up the stairs, the custom woodwork, broke two hanging ceiling lights, and damaged 3 more walls on the second floor as they put the items into the bedroom. Horrible is an understatement! They have refused to pay any damages to the home claiming that they are not responsible for damages they cause to the home. I would not recommend this company to anyone and would suggest you find someone else, a professional moving company that will stand behind their services and right their wrongs.

Service cost: $682

I moved with them sometime back and the service was not so great. However, I called them again for my move to FL and I got the best service ever by a moving company. The estimate was very accurate. There sales manager was very knowledgable about providing estimates to their crew, which was very professional. They delivered as promised and I would definitely recommend them.

One thing I came to know during my conversation with them is that the ownership has changed and the new owners are seriously looking at providing good service and building satisfied customer base. That's how you do business.

Service cost: $10300

Here I am on the 23rd of February, with no confirmation that my things are showing up. Mind you, I left California on the 9th with the expectation they would at least make it to Spokane Washington by the 16th, with multiple departments saying it is an average of 2 - 4 days for that length.

But let’s rewind so you can all have an accurate picture of my journey with Unified Van Lines. Prior to our move, I receive a few estimates from competing companies, but United far excess my expectation with a cost of $1900 to get my two bedroom from San Jose to Spokane. However, the individual that sent me the quote just disappeared. With too good of an offer, I called in and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the sales team picked up the phones and help me get started. After going through a secondary quoting process, my total was closer to $2400. Fine. “Let’s lock this thing in”, I said. Little did I know, this was only the start.

On February 8th, I was called by Unified’s quality assurance department to get a final estimate. They said it was because I was closer to my move and now will have a more accurate quote. Something that was never convided would occur by the sales team. We go through the process again, and wouldn’t you know it, it now cost $3000 to get my stuff up there. O, how I wish that were the end.

The 9th, the movers come 4 hours after the window. Before any work starts, I am introduced to a longer contract that has additional fees that could occur. Like stair fees (although this was already discussed during the initial quoting process and built into the quote)). This third party had their own rules. Long story short, I am at $4100 before they leave my home. But before they leave they ask me when I would like my stuff there - to which I reply Friday the 16th would be nice. Considering the new cost - I thought 7 days would be a breeze.

Thoughout the following days, I call to get an update on my stuff. However, unlike there great sales team keen on picking up the phone to find their next victim, customer service and dispatch goes straight to voicemail. I left dozens of messages. If you call sales and ask to be patch through to someone who can help - they say, it’s a total different floor. Here I thought phones did not have to worry about distance, but at Unified, the number of floors severely hampers the phones ability to transfer.. They would put me on hold for 20 minutes and then I would magically be dropped off the line.

Thursday, the 15th, one day before my hope of receiving my stuff. Please remember, I left California on the 9th and arrived in Spokane 2 days later. I finally receive a call back from dispatch saying all your stuff is in a California storage facility because you indicated you could not receive anything before the 16th. WHAT THE F**, I exclaimed!! To add insult to injury, dispatch says the next truck leaves on Monday and not a single say sooner.

This is when I lost it. I begin to go through the stages of grief. Denial and anger come swiftly. I even begin bargaining and saying to give back my stuff and I will pay someone else to bring it up. Nothing works. There is no way to get your stuff out of our storage facility, they say.

It is now Friday, the 23rd. On Monday, dispatch said my possessions would “definantly” be there by Friday. Here I stand in my empty home with zero response to any of my inquiries this week. I call and call and straight to voicemail.

I have this sick feeling that even when they do show up, I will get hit with some stair fees and a storage fee, as they of course need to charge me to hold all my wealthy possesions for now two weeks.

Please, if you are even considering this company, do not do it. Stop, and take the higher quote. This company con’d me. They stole my right to a free market by lying all through the quoting process and only tried to get an accurate quote one day before the mover showed. They will kill you with additional fees at pick up and will not honor any agreement.

Of course, I noticed the contract say they reserve the right to 16 days for this move at the start. But the sales individual said, in his tenure he has never once seen anything close to that length of time for only 900 miles and there is zero chance it takes over 7 days.

These people are crooks. Use anyone else. You have been warned.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4100

Use someone else
I received a few quotes online, then decided to reach on to Unified to get some more information on the quote they sent me. I spoke with Ernie, in regards to getting an estimate done, and getting the move underway. I was asked to select two dates for my pickup. I selected 2/9 and 2/10 as a backup. I was told they rarely miss the first date, but the get the backup just in case. Ernie then sent a contract for me to E-sign. I was told after I signed the contract, the movers would come out on my date, and move my stuff to Virginia that day. In the contract, it lists that this could take UP TO 12 days, but I was assured that was "legal mumbo jumbo in case of a snow storm or hurricane". The day before we are scheduled to move, I get a call that says they need to utilize my backup date. Okay that fine, these things happen, I thought no big deal. I was told the movers will call me the next day and let me know when they are 30 min away. However, the next day there was a phone call at 11:30 to inform me the movers were outside my apartment. The movers show up with an 11ft Enterprise rental truck. This is no where near the proper size needed for a full 2 bedroom move. The movers can barely speak English, and tell me that they will load the truck today, but it will not get there until tomorrow. I was skeptical, but said okay. Later during the move, the movers start pulling out papers and attempting to explain numbers to me, again which is very difficult because they cannot speak English well. They tell me it will be $3200 vs. my previously quoted $1800. At this point, I said okay, whatever just get my stuff moved. Then towards the end of the move, the movers say they are done, but there are 4 large boxes, a painting, and 2 shelves that they had not loaded. The movers tell me they didn't have room for the boxes, but said they could probably "make work" if we tipped them. I give the mover $75 cash, and he loads the boxes. Then the movers tell us that there would not be room for our other furniture, and that it would be better for us to leave it. This was the last day of my apartment lease, and I had no where to store the furniture, so I was forced to abandon it, and leave at the dumpster. That night we drove half way to our destination, and paid for a hotel room. We were told that the movers will be calling us first thing the following morning to schedule a time for us to meet. Well that call never came, so I reached out to Unified to get an update. Of the three numbers I could find online, and listed on the contract, the sales department was the only one that answered the phone. The salesman assured me customer service would call me immediately to get this sorted out. I have yet to receive a call from anyone at the company regarding the matter. I don't know where my stuff is, I don't know when it is being delivered. I now have to deal with the issue of being in a completely empty apartment, while I wait for someone to return my call. Please for your sake, learn from my mistakes and do not use this company.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3200

The moment we decided to hire a mover we were called by a lot of people from many different companies. The only guy that seemed to care or even have knowledge that Alex from Presidential had. He never pressured us or made us feel like we were talking to or dealing with a used car salesman. The 4 guys that packed up all 5 bedrooms and all other rooms were extremely professional and so kind. They day they delivered us it seemed so great to have 4 men insync and no damage happened. We are thrilled and beyond thankful. Thanks team and Alex.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $16485

The very first phone call explained all that we could expect before during and after the move. I was really excited for move day. When the guys showed up (looking professional) might I add, they got the house packed up and ready to move in very little time. The pickup went smooth, they stayed in contact with us and then when delivery day arrived they set up all of our furniture in the rooms that we specified. Nothing was marked up, scratched, or broken. I have to say pricing was fair and the service was outstanding. I am very happy I'll make sure to always tell people about the service.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6345

Several phone calls, several emails and I keep getting the same response. I don't even care about the broken TV or vacuum. They lost a large floor lamp, a huge box with a printer inside, a large box with an electric turkey roaster in it. A lot of other stuff but the kicker is a box of cards from my sons over the last 40 years. And two of those sons have died. How do I get them to look for my stuff? They gave me a box that wasn't mine but they just told me (2 months later) that it needs to go to the Salvation Army! Is that where my stuff went?

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $5000

This company is a nightmare. DO NOT USE!!

I had them pack and move my home from northern Maryland to Southeast Tennessee. The cost was very reasonable and I thought that I had found a good deal. That is until we arrived in TN and began to unload and unpack.

They damaged antiques (which were specifically pointed out and requested extra special care), threw open bottles and boxes of chemicals in with food and toothbrushes and ruined silk pillows and new sheets by using them as packing material. I have photos of more than a dozen boxes that look like someone just raked the items off a counter into the box.

They left everything in every drawer and simply taped the furniture closed. Then they turned the items over and in some cases upside down. I spent a whole day taking the backs off of dressers and night stands to get items out that had dropped while turned over and upside down.

When I contacted Marc, I was given a claim form. These men have cost me over $8000 in damages and the insurance will only reimburse me $175. What a joke!!

When the men were leaving the foreman said "What? No tip?" Knowing that they had destroyed antiques, he still wanted us to tip them. Seriously??

I feel like I paid these men to damage and destroy my property and the so-called insurance won't even make a dent in one item that was ruined.

My 4 year old would have packed as well or maybe even better than these people.

Service cost: $7828

I wanted to give 0 rating. Everything went wrong from start to finish. We requested quote from Melissa, she gave an estimate of $2,500 for everything. I double checked if there will be any change to the quote at the time of final shipping. She said it can't be more than $2,500. Finally they charged $3,500.

Once the booking is done, their job is done. No one will respond to your phone calls / emails. At the time of picked, they loaded everything and said $3800. When I asked why there is such difference even though the inventory is same. They couldn't answer. I just asked them to give the volume for each inventory item but they don't have answer. I called customer care multiple times, they said that I will have to talk to Dispatch team.

Linda is from Dispatch and she is very arrogant. She can't make any changes and they want the money to be paid first before the delivery.

Finally I will have to pay everything to deliver my items. It was very hectic experience and I will never, never, never recommend this company.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3600

I have worked with numerous moving companies in the past. But none of them measured up to the standards of unified moving. This company just blew my mind with their helpful customer service, experienced crew and reasonable prices. It’s a combination that is so rare in the moving business. But somehow they managed to provide amazing services at such low costs even in this economy. To add to their amazing list of achievements, none of my valuables suffered any damage while they helped me move. I take my hats off to these guys.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4988

Moved on Feb. 5th, with a delivery date of March 1. Did not answer calls or emails until reported them to the BBB. Told me they were packing up a van to leave LA on March 22nd. They have gone silent again. Be on the look out for Kyle and Jaden.

Of course, like the other reviews not written by them, they tacked on fees for packing materials and long haul. Quoted $2500, end cost before they have shown up at the delivery address is already at $3500. If they show up, no doubt there will be more surprise fees.

Will be reporting them for stolen identify as they have personal paperwork to the Attorney General and FBI.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3500

My husband passed in 2015 and I wanted my granddaughter in Texas to have the grandfather clock he received in 1997 as a gift for 40 years of service to his company. I contracted with unified and the entire experience was smooth, efficient and the clock arrived early at its destination and in good working order!! The gentlemen who picked up the clock in NC were friendly. They explained with they were going to do and the clock was out of my apartment within an hour. Unified kept me informed during each phase of the move process and the clock arrived in Texas earlier than estimated. My granddaughter had the same level of service excellence on the receiving end of this transaction. The team who showed up at her house was friendly, fast and they had the clock unpacked and in her home within 90 minutes. I could not have been more pleased with how all of this worked out. Thanks, unified for a great moving experience and I'd recommend them to anyone who needs to transport special items across the country!!

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6900

The crew that moved me did their best to stay focused on making the relocation successful. They didn't waste time at any point, and their hard work bore fruits. I was heading to Oregon with my family after a job transfer, and this company seemed the right ones for the job. Good thing I was right. All our belongings were delivered to the destination on time and in full. None was missing. I would recommend the mover to anyone seeking a mover to handle their relocation. You will get value for your money.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2800

We recently used this van line to relocate from Sacramento to Milwaukee. We are satisfied with our overall experience but the part that we are most thankful for is that all of our items were delivered on time and without any damages. Our sales rep Kyle was very helpful and easy to reach on several occasions when we called for assistance. Our moving crew, led by Andre, was fantastic. They took their time to carefully wrap our items with blankets before they began loading the truck. Andre was very specific with how things were loaded and stacked inside the truck and that helped to consolidate the amount of space that we used. Thanks to his expertise with loading/stacking and not wasting space, our final cost was less than our original estimate. Kudos to Unified and we definitely recommend them.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4800

We used Unified van lines in Baltimore. They lied to us from the start. We were quoted 4k. They picked up our furniture promptly, but instead of shipping it they put it in storage for over 2 weeks. Did not return any phone calls until I threatened to turn them over to the Maryland Attorney General's fraud Dept. Then they said they would release it as soon as they received a wire for $6639.19. I had no choice but to send it. It's finally on the way (I think) but I received another bill with the grand total of over$12K. They are a complete scam and If I can prevent anyone else from falling for their lies,I will be happy. I haven't received it yet so I don't know the condition of the furniture Don't use Unified Van Lines.. Please.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $12000

Great movers! First time we caved and got movers and will definitely call Unified again. Though it took twice as long as we expected, it is not from lack of trying. The 3 guys who came seriously hauled butt..we just tons of junk! There was even a small dent in a cheapo Ikea side table, and they discounted our supplies cost a bunch to compensate for it. Pretty sure the discount was more than the table was worth. Even had a follow up call a few weeks after we moved to make sure we hadn't found any other damage or problems now that we were more settled. Honest, reliable, and fast.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3798

My salesman Bill Okeefe was a joy to work with. He went room by room with me asking me questions and making sure I included everything in every room and throughout my house. He was fast and made the process much easier than me sitting down and writing out the inventory.I was moving from New York to Florida and the movers showed up on time,packed everything beautifully and quickly loaded me up and I was done in no time.The truck showed up in Florida three days later no damage and they put everything where I wanted it and put it all back together. The price was what we agreed upon and I couldn't be happier!

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3400

These people are total scammers and took advantage of our elderly neighbors. They do not do a walk through, showed up late to the job with a Penske truck that was too small, had what appeared to me to be day laborers as work crew and their best foreman that they sent - he had worked for the company for 10 days! Another moving company told me they are total scammers, the stuff would never make it, and they change their business name every few years to keep it going. We fired them, cancelled the deposit, marked it as FRAUD, and sent them away. They estimate really low and then keep adding charges on when they show up to the point where it becomes double. If you have anything you want packed, they didn't have any packing materials. Stay far away and choose someone who can come see you and accurately estimate how much stuff you have. These are scammers.

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $7500