First Choice Moving and Storage

Reviews

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1. M

   Mark

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   18 Feb 2016Paid $1,800

   Up charged me the day of my move - destroyed many prized possessions.

   Got a quote over the phone from First Choice. Sold my house and had to be out the next day after the move. First Choice Movers got there, looked in my door and told me the price would be double that quoted to me. They knew I had to be out the next day. I called the office and had to settle for a price $500 over what they quoted me. I bought into them because they stated they had climate controlled storage. I had several really expensive good guitars and they said they could store them just fine. I instructed the movers that the guitars had to go into storage first because the weather was over 100 degrees. When they delivered my stuff my most expensive guitar's neck was warped. My best hollow body was cracked and separated right up the center..destroyed. Before this, these high end guitars were perfect like new. A multitude of items were missing. Most things were damaged with dents scratches, and splits from heat exposure. They used tape on everything. The glue on the tape had melted and flowed a gooey mess over everything. Obviously my goods where not in a climate controlled environment. This was the worst nightmare that could happen.

2. J

   Julie

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   15 Nov 2014Paid $1,150

   Used and Stolen Items.

   I must start by saying the movers at the near and far ends were AWESOME!! They were all professional, courteous and kind.   They picked up my things in Denver in Dec 2013 to move into storage until Sept 2014, when I contacted them with my delivery address. The entire time my things were in storage, I had repeated experiences of Mara Reyes' incompetence. Just when I thought she couldn't be less competent, she would surprise me again with that [EDIT] monthly bill. EVERY SINGLE MONTH, she would send my bill around the 30th, due on the 1st, inclusive of a $10 late fee. I called and gently explained that it was impossible to incur a late fee since I hadn't been previously billed. EVERY SINGLE MONTH, she apologized and promised to fix it and that it wouldn't happen again. EVERY SINGLE MONTH, a late fee appeared on my bill. EVERY SINGLE MONTH I relived this same exercise with the ever-incompetent Maria Reyes.   That was my sampling of the frustration that was to accompany my final delivery. All this time I'm thinking my things are safe in their professional climate-controlled storage facility. When I called to schedule final delivery, I was blown-off, and experienced my first real twinge of anxiety - I seriously began to wonder if my things had been sold on ebay or craigslist months prior, as I continued to faithfully pay my monthly storage fee. After daily persistence spanning nearly 2 weeks, I finally got a delivery time-frame out of the ever-incompetent Maria Reyes. Actual delivery was a day later than what she told me, but I was overjoyed when I saw the truck pull up! Fully half of my joy was in believing that I'd never again have to deal with the ever-incompetent Maria Reyes.    I probably wouldn't be writing this review except for what I later discovered.. as I said at the start, the movers themselves were fantastic! And I'm grateful for being the Type A person I am. I made my own inventory list before loading the truck in Dec. Because of my list, I was able to quickly determine I was missing two very integral items: the LEGS and BASE to my pub table (the chairs and table top strangely made it), and a custom-cut glass shelf that goes to my antique vanity. So I have a table I can't use, and an antique with diminished value, thanks to the ever-incompetent Maria Reyes and her cronies. What's with hoarding the table legs - I read this also happened to another reviewer - seriously!!   I blasted an email to every person I'd ever spoken with or emailed there plus Customer Service, and was lucky enough to hear back from "Elena" who sounded sincerely empathetic. Although I believe she tried her best to locate my missing items, I'm certain now that I'll never see them again. But THAT'S not even the most disturbing part. Are you ready? Here it comes..   I KNOW for a FACT that some of my things were USED!! First, the obvious - my vacuum cleaner. The brush was LOADED with hair - and it wasn't mine! Being Type A, I would NEVER ship my vacuum cleaner in such condition. Further, the poor motor sounds like it's been beat to hell. Whoever used it must have been vacuuming an entire motel every day for the entire time it was in "storage"   Next is the stool that goes with my vanity.. the seat cushion was down to one little screw keeping it attached to the base. When the movers collected it in Dec, it was firmly intact. It has a cloth cover and I shudder to think of whose bare buns graced its surface for roughly 270 days. Needless to say I have a recovering project in progress..   Last thing: instead of cardboard boxes, I packed most of my things in large "rubbermaid" bins, and taped the lids down. The tape was broken on almost every one of those bins. Normally I would chalk that up to movers grabbing them where they're taped and it naturally breaking there. But given this experience, I am convinced that someone(s) [I know that's not really a work but you get the idea] anyway, someone(s) went looking through AT LEAST SOME of my bins to see what household additions they might find.   I have no idea what else was taken, and it sickens me to know there are people out there who think this is OK. I'm talking to you Maria Reyes.   But hey, I'm healthy, I'm happy, and I believe in karma :-)  .

3. K

   Kc

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   24 Jun 2014Paid $2,647

   Horrendous, unethical and no conscience.

   Truck arrived late on scheduled pick up date with no communication made to notify me. Once the truck arrived, then had to wait for helpers to arrive since first crew bailed out last minute. Significant damages to my home were caused by the careless methods used by lumpers. The foreman then took no responsibility for the damages and accepted no responsibility for the cost of the repairs.  The cost of my initial estimate more than doubled once the truck arrived and I was told if I did not agree and sign the paperwork nothing would be moved onto the truck. The delivery of my items far exceeded what the contract time frame stated. No communication was made during that time to keep me updated. Messages left went unanswered.  An unauthorized $600.00 charge was made to my credit card following other charges. The office staff was not helpful in resolving this to have it removed. I had to call my credit card company to dispute the charge to have it removed.  I got less than 24 hrs notice that my belongings were going to be delivered while I was out of town and then told if I could not get back in time my things would be put in storage and I would be charged a storage fee and a re-delivery fee. Upon delivery of my belongings many valuable items were missing, stolen and completely damaged. The moving company accepts no blame for the items that are unaccounted for and did not make it off the truck.

4. G

   G. R.

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   10 Feb 2014Paid $3,000

   Cannot say strongly enough:DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

   The absolute worst moving experience ever.  We have mover across the country several times and have me peer had a complaint.  In the past we used the big national moving companies.  This time trying to keep costs down we used this one.  They were impossible to deal with.  We waited for our belongings long long, long after the due date. Our things were picked up mid-July and were finally delivered  late September. The managers were worse to deal with than the people who answered the phones.  The driver showed up at our house when we were out of town, said since he couldn't get in he was going to put our things in storage and would not tell us where he deposited them because we said we did not owe them any more money since they were so long after the guaranteed delivery date.  BTW, we told them we would be out of town at the time they finally decided they wanted to deliver our things. We flew across the country twice to meet them and they cancelled the delivery date both times. I can not say strongly enough DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.  I have never reviewed a company before but this company is so egregious I thought it was worth taking the time to write about them. .

5. P

   Penny

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   3 Oct 2013Paid $3,200

   Do Not Use This Company.

   DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!   1st Choice Moving & Storage was booked for me through Moving APT.  Moving APT guaranteed a price of $1700, however, on moving day, when 1st Choice Moving & Storage got there, I received a call (as I live out-of-state) that they needed another $1500 before they would do anything.  I was stuck and had to pay as I had to be out that day!   1st Choice Moving and Storage moved my belongings into storage - however MUCH OF MY STUFF WAS NOT RETURNED!!  Pieces and things were missing!  And many of the ITEMS THAT WERE RETURNED WERE RUINED!     This is the worst experience I have ever had with a company.   DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!

6. N

   Norm B.

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   12 Aug 2013Paid $1,500

   My Last Choice Mover.

   We were assured delivery would take 7 days. In fact it took 21 days. The foreman at pick up was quite rude and jacked up the price by $500. because of a few extra boxes. I got the feeling that this was quite a common practice and a scam often pulled. When delivery was finally made many items were broken and the driver informed me that my road bicycle was stolen on route. After full payment this company wanted nothing to do with me. E-mails  and phone calls are never returned. Please make this your last choice if you're considering a move.

7. M

   Monique Z.

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   6 Aug 2013Paid $6,700

   Worst company.

   The guys came a day early to get our stuff so I thought great I will get my stuff so we rushed to Oregon.Our cost went up double he said summer rates which I should of been locked in to summer rates because I reserved this company a couple months in advance .. to find out they take it to the warehouse and unload it and reload it so of course your items are getting thrown around more than once. Then it took 18 days to get our stuff I called everyday and got a different story. We had to sleep on the floor and buy things to make it until this truck came. The worst part my mom is paralyzed and some of her stuff was on that truck. When the driver finally arrived and unloaded many things where broken my mom dresser mirror from 1956, a cabinet because they can't pack the truck right putting heavy items on shelves, and many family heirlooms were broken. So now I do a claim and I am sure we are out that money. With all of this I would of been better getting 2 UHauls, and some friends. The driver was nice and felt bad the things were broken he said they should of packed the truck better. Since I called USA moving and than it is First Choice and than it was NW Relocation. This was the worst experience I have had I always moved myself and nothing broke in the 2 different times we moved. Here are just some picture not all I think in all there are over 29 items broken.

8. M

   Margaret R.

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   18 Jul 2013Paid $8,000

   Entire shipment pilfered, damaged.

   No matter what, DO NOT LET THE DRIVER LEAVE WITHOUT INITIALING THE WAYBILL FOR ALL ITEMS DAMAGED OR MISSING!! sounds sniplet - for a few items - but when the entire load has been compromised, the driver will be in a hurry and tell you to make a list, take photos and file with the insurance company.  WRONG!!,.  i FILED A POLICE REPORT WITHIN HOURS OF THE DELIVERY, SENT OVER 200 PHOTOS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, MOVING COMPANY, DOT, ICC, ATTY GENERAL OF ARIZONA (WHERE THE COMPANY IS OWNED) and got only acknowledgement but no serious effort to compensate,  Eventually, the credit card company I had used told me that none of that made any difference..the waybill must be acknowledged for each item at the time of delivery by both the driver and the patron.  Interesting that my driver, Eugene, said "I'm sure you don't want to sign off on these papers that your shipment was received ok."  I said, nope, I;m not signing anything, I'm calling the police.  Eugene said my stuff was damaged when it was transferred from another storage facility owned by the moving company to his truck.  Now, I don't believe him.  I was totally duped. The shipment was delayed for months and kept in storage (in the Texas heat) until they found someone to drive it to my new location.  The details are complicated but I was misled, overcharged, and NOBODY in government cares.  My attorney said that I could file a suit but that a judgement against an Arizona company in Indiana wouldn't net me any compensation. Just don't let your driver leave - if it takes days - before everything missing or damaged has been acknowledge on paper by him!!

9. A

   Anthony B.

   Source: MoveAdvisor

   18 Feb 2013Paid $1,000

   Overall smooth move.

   I used first choice and had a positive experience. I got a estimate over the phone and I really didn't want to do any packing so I let them handle all that stuff. they showed up on time and made it a overall a smooth move. They were professional and I would use them again.

10. J

    John H.

    Source: MoveAdvisor

    16 Feb 2013Paid $3,000

    Very poor service ..they should close down.

    I am so angry ..  moved from LA. Miami on Dec.,2012    !st Choice Moving & Storage gave me very poor service .. They came to my home for an estimate.. Once I received and scheduled a date for the  move . I asked them to add the cost of them packing which they did and I agreed to the price.   On the day of the move they brought their crew to package my very beautiful furniture, they claimed after they were finished and took my staff  away that a mistake happened in the costing of the job even if I had an official quote and a signed agreement. I was blackmailed into price increase which I agreed upon simply out of  fear that they have total control over my expensive furniture..   I received my furniture in Miami and what I found when they opened the truck was totally devastating.. You have no idea how destroyed they furniture are, chandlers were broken, leather chairs legs were broken , tables that were just tapped together, Paintings had arm chairs  through them , missing art painting , dining leather chairs  torn ..  an a lot more    I have called them emailed them and, tried to speak to the owner no responses     I  am attaching photos from the move so they can speak for themselves..   They are very poor and unprofessional company ..I hired a lawyer to  address the matter with US Department of Transportation and other transportation authorities ..     I do not want money I want to make sure those guys  stop from operating as carriers and, make sure they do not treat customers like they treated me                john h.  .