Would NOT Recommend!
Tammy Z
Submitted this review about
Reliable Van and Storage
Review made Live: 2/13/2012 3:43:00 PM
I could not recommend Reliable Van to anyone under any circumstances. I have had reason to use movers 12 times in the last 17 years so I know what should happen and how long it should take to happen. All of my moves have been 850-1100sf apartments/homes. Nothing fancy.
My experience started with a 75 minute phone call with George to get an estimate. At first, I was impressed by the thoroughness of the call. However, in retrospect, it didn’t matter what I said on that call because they were going to overcharge me anyway (I’ll get to that.) I was informed of the many items that Reliable refuses to move unless you pay them to put your items in THEIR special (aka expensive) box (lamps, art, tvs, anything glass, etc.) Some of this was reasonable but other items (like my cheap lamps) they wouldn’t even move with a signed waiver. I was offered wardrobe boxes during this call as well. I informed George that I did not need any. He said that he’d include them in my estimate but wouldn’t charge me if I didn’t use them. I DIDN’T USE THEM AND I WAS CHARGED. Anyway, my initial quote was for $1150.
Once the movers arrived they were taking their time doing absolutely every bit of the move. It was painfully slow. My husband and I documented (yes, we took pictures) the three movers taking smoke breaks, leaving our truck open and unattended, leaving our stuff out in various hallways unattended. . . and that was if we could even find them. They disappeared on us 3 different times.
The movers tried to tell us that they couldn’t move some smaller items unless we used their (pricey) boxes (air purifier, fan, etc.) We ended up taking two FULL car loads to our new home and unloading ourselves because they refused to take so much stuff.
When we left point A the lead mover informed me that they have the right to an hour for lunch. I had previously been told 30 minutes plus travel time but whatever. Over TWO HOURS after leaving Point A they showed up at Point B. No explanation was provided as to why they took an hour and 45 minutes for lunch (+travel time.)
Once the move was completed they began putting our bed back together. It took an additional 90 minutes to put our bed back together. I have no idea why it took 3 men with power tools that long to put a bed back together.
All in all the movers were with us for 11 hours minus their 2 hour lunch. There was no reason in the world it should have taken 9 hours for our move. The original estimate (which I was told was “worst case scenario”) was for 6 hours/$1150. They wanted me to pay an additional $400 for their inefficiency.
Of course, they wanted to charge us for all the extra hours. I called and complained after the fact to my move coordinator (Barb.) She was kind enough on the phone, apologized and told me she would look into it. However, I never heard from her again.
I was not charged for the extra hours because I called to complain. But, I WAS charged for wardrobe boxes I never used. Those charges were not reversed.
Again, let me say, I have moved many times. I have it down to a science. I know how to pack so nothing breaks. . . I know what is easiest for movers . . . and I like to make the whole process as simple and painless as possible. I have never once complained about movers. . as a matter of fact, I usually am the person who calls after the fact to let management know what a great job the movers did. I would strongly discourage anyone from working with Reliable for personal moves.
