Moving is a stressful process, and it's important to work with people you can trust. My career has resulted in 4 interstate moves in the past 10 years. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere for moving assistance.
Short version: The movers and driver were rude, smoked cigarettes inside the truck around our belongings and stunk up our house, showed up late, forced us to physically help with the move, and broke our furniture. Complaints were ignored and our damage claim was denied. We spent over $7000.
We contracted through North American Van Lines via Mid-Michigan Moving and Storage (3000 Sanders Road, Lansing). There is no accountability due to tiers of subcontractors, but I figured this page was the best place to start. Here are some of the highlights from the first and last time I trusted this company, during spring 2019.
- The two guys sent to pack the day before didn't even make it halfway through the house, leaving us guessing if the move would happen on time. Instead of packing, they made jokes with each other about our belongings while I did half the packing myself.
- Almost all of the employees smoke cigarettes, which left the house smelling like smoke. Plus, we are just thrilled to have cigarette tar on all of our things.
- On move-out day, a group of four guys took frequent smoke breaks inside the truck around our belongings, and the driver became argumentative when I approached him about cigarette smoke sensitivity. Direct quote: "it's MY TRUCK!"
- We were hit with last-minute demands like "drain all the gas and oil from this lawnmower" when we were told we could drive it onto the truck. Reasonable request, if given with any notice at all, but it wasn't.
- The driver wouldn't take our (empty) 55-gallon glass aquarium without making us sign a waiver, even though the aquarium was extensively discussed when we received the quote following a full home walkthrough.
- There are too many middle managers and little accountability. Any complaints are deflected until you reach someone who shuts you down.
- On delivery day, we were told the driver would arrive between 8-10am (6 days after pickup for an 800 mile move). The driver had issues locating unloading labor and, after phone calls with 4 different people with everyone blaming everyone else, the truck arrived at 1:30pm, without labor. Unloaders finally arrived at 3:30pm and scrambled to throw most of our boxes into the garage and basement. Our furniture was not reassembled.
- Our driver deceived us by repeatedly telling us there was a 90 day risk-free claim window and not allowing us time to review the contract fine print (being so late and rushed). During those first days, as we assembled our house, I assembled a list of missing and damaged furniture and garage equipment. My claim was denied by the adjuster because I didn't immediately report damages on delivery. It would have been impossible to assess the status of 200+ boxes and my unassembled furniture.
I hope you have a better moving experience. If you value your belongings and your sanity, look elsewhere. Good luck. read more