Excellent Movers, Disappointing Logistics and Communication…read more
I hired 150 Movers for a one-bedroom apartment move between two high-rise buildings in downtown Houston. While the moving crew was fantastic, the scheduling, communication, and overall management of the move were extremely disappointing.
During my initial booking call with Eddie, I specifically explained that I was moving from a 6th-floor apartment to a 40th-floor apartment and that both buildings required freight elevator reservations. Stairs were not an option. I was given an estimated arrival window of 12-4 PM and reassured that the move before mine was relatively small, so I could reasonably expect the crew earlier in the afternoon.
I scheduled my elevator reservations around those expectations.
At noon, having received no communication, I called and was told I'd hear something within 30-45 minutes. At 1 PM, I called again and received the same response. At 2 PM, I was told the crew would arrive between 3-3:30 PM. Around 2:50 PM, a driver finally called and confirmed a 4 PM arrival. Shortly afterward, dispatch informed me that my original crew was running further behind, with an estimated arrival of 5-6 PM and potentially later.
My biggest concern was that the original crew could arrive more than two hours beyond the latest time in my original four-hour window.
Thankfully, Eddie arranged for an entirely different truck and crew. Three movers arrived around 4:30 PM, and he honored my original two-mover rate. I genuinely appreciated that accommodation.
However, what would have happened if that second crew hadn't been available? I booked a move with an estimated arrival beginning at noon, yet my original crew potentially wouldn't have arrived until after 6 PM.
The replacement crew also arrived without the promised 30-45-minute advance call stated in my booking confirmation. Their first call came when they were already outside asking where to park. Even the crew was under the impression that the office had already notified me.
This was the recurring issue throughout the day: everyone seemed to be operating on assumptions, while I was responsible for chasing updates and coordinating logistics.
Because of the delayed start, I had lost my original freight elevator reservation. Another resident was conducting a scheduled move, and the elevator was unavailable.
My movers spent approximately 90 minutes waiting outside, unable to begin unloading.
This was exactly the situation I had tried to avoid by reserving both elevators and communicating the building requirements before booking.
Once the elevator became available, the crew completed the unloading efficiently. The entire move was billed at 3 hours and 15 minutes for $383.75, despite approximately 90 minutes being spent waiting.
When I discussed this with Eddie, he explained that arrival windows were estimates, the movers were still being paid while waiting, and he had never personally encountered this particular elevator conflict in his 17 years in the industry. I do not know of ANY high rise community that doesn't operate on freight elevator reservations for move in's or move out's.
I understand that moving schedules are unpredictable and employees deserve to be paid. However, an estimated arrival window doesn't eliminate the importance of proactive communication, reasonable expectations, or accounting for restrictions disclosed before booking.
Eddie declined to adjust the bill for the waiting time, instead offering a discount on a future move. While I appreciate the gesture, a discount on a hypothetical future service doesn't address the additional expense incurred during this one.
To management's credit, they did arrange a replacement crew, provide a third mover at no additional charge, and waive the credit card processing fee. Those efforts deserve recognition.
I also want to emphasize that the movers themselves were excellent.
They were professional, courteous, hardworking, and efficient. They loaded and unloaded everything quickly once they had access. I have no complaints about their performance, and they shouldn't be held responsible for scheduling decisions made by management.
I spent the afternoon repeatedly calling for updates, receiving changing arrival estimates, and coordinating two buildings with strict elevator requirements. These were precisely the concerns I had communicated before booking.
If you're moving between houses or buildings without strict elevator reservations, I believe 150 Movers could be a great option. Their moving crew certainly demonstrated that.
However, if you're moving into or out of a high-rise building requiring reserved freight elevators, I would strongly recommend booking the first move of the day and confirming every logistical detail in writing.
The movers earned five stars. Unfortunately, the scheduling, communication, and overall experience did not.
