NOR-CAL MOVING SERVICES

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This is an update for Allied. There was damage to my expensive coffee table and end tables, as well as flat screen and fireplace grate, but I was going to let it slide. However, after receiving a letter from them saying they were going to do nothing about the item they lost, I have decided to file a claim for every single thing.

Takeaway: Next time I'll be using NorthStar, who I've heard from 4 different friends does excellent work, damage-free.

Allied national customer service = AWFUL. They truly don't care and just funnel you from person to person.

They were very efficient. The people that actually picked up the material that was to be shipped were very punctual. They got here on time. They got everything taken out, cleaned up and packed securely. They got it delivered way ahead of schedule. I would use them again in the future; in fact, I have plans to use them.

On the whole, there was very little that was broken. (but then, we made sure to transport valuables and delicates ourselves.) they were able to complete the move on time. Overall, I would not use these guys again based on our experience in San Francisco. But if you were moving out from Sacramento, I would consider getting a quote from them as their crew out there is a million times better and more considerate.

The three movers were excellent and went to great lengths to move a refrigerator up a narrow staircase with a tight turn. Please pass this message along to the three movers.

I contacted three companies. Nor-Cal was a tad higher than the others but was able to make the date I needed. I had gotten a good recommendation from a neighbor who had recently been moved by them. Four Nor-Cal movers arrived when they said they would and treated my furniture with care. They did not have to pack or store anything, just move it from one residence to another, so the job was simple and relatively fast (about 5 hours from start to finish).

Our move went very smoothly thanks to the professionalism of the team at Nor-Cal/Allied. Phil Barry, the estimator, even came a second time to itemize our boxes and furniture to provide a new estimate after we got rid of a lot of stuff. The driver, Dave Harris, and his extremely professional and competent packing team in California, increased our confidence that our belongings were in good hands. We were able to be in constant touch with our driver, allowing us to move up our delivery date to avoid a major snow storm that was predicted. The only part that was less than acceptable was the crew in Pittsburgh that unloaded the truck. There was a lot of complaining about all the steps in the house and how heavy everything was. There were a lot of marks left on the walls and rugs. But overall I would rate this moving experience as extremely satisfactory.

My experience with Nor-Cal/Allied was definitely a mixed bag. On the plus side, my belongings were carefully loaded and unloaded with very little damage. Somehow, half the hardware for my bed got lost, but the company was great about sending out a specialist to locate matching hardware and finish assembling my bed. But my overall moving experience turned into the horrendous story that seems to be typical if not unavoidable with this industry. I arranged for my move 6 weeks ahead of time. Everything appeared to be on schedule as of the load date, but then they hit a snag. The company was unable to get a driver to deliver my shipment for weeks! Ultimately, my things arrived two weeks after my requested date and a full week beyond the company's contractual deadline. So I spent two weeks sleeping on a flimsy air mattress with a sleeping bag in an empty home. Despite this major inconvenience, the company refused to offer ANY compensation. I was simply expected to wait until they could find a driver, however long that might take. I hope folks will agree that this is a totally unacceptable way to treat a customer who had already paid for the services in full. Beyond that problem, the company has some serious internal communication problems. For example, when I was packing my belongings, I called the local office to arrange to come by and get some used boxes; the guy on the phone told me he would have people to help me get them until 6:00 that night. I arrived at 4:30 that afternoon, but I was basically given the cold shoulder. One office worker tried to charge me for the boxes (even though used ones are free) and the guys in the warehouse told me I needed to hustle because they were about to go home! Another example: The agent who provided my estimate, who was supposed to be my contact person throughout the move, simply stopped returning my phone calls. After several attempts to get in touch with someone who could help me, I connected with another agent who was very good about keeping me updated and responding to my calls. If everyone at the company had been as courteous, friendly, professional, and sympathetic as that gentleman, my experience would have been much better.

It was excellent. The Nor-Cal folks were three gentlemen. They brought all paper, tape and boxes, and no matter how big, or small, or oddly shaped something was, they packed it well and efficiently. They finished the whole apartment in about 6 - 7 hours. Additionally, not ONE THING was broken on the other end. Allied also did an excellent job. They keep one person (in this case the owner / operator) in the truck at all times with the stuff being packed in. The three men and one women they sent were nice, organized and efficient. They had us fully loaded in about 6 hours, and I received everything on the other side of the country (moving from San Francisco to Virginia) in 5 days. Again, everything was unloaded well and quickly in spite of the rain, they set up the furniture and nothing was damaged.

They moved me exactly as they said they would. They gave me a maximum quote and they stuck to it. They were professional, friendly, and organized. Exactly what I was looking for. The really cool thing about them was in talking to the account manager she told me they would give me free boxes and wrapping paper. They gave me a huge amount and that saved me so much money and made life so much easier. The entire company was great. They were all exceedingly helpful. I would use them again in a heartbeat.

Dwight Dunn came and gave us a detailed estimate/guaranteed highest price quote. He was very thorough. They called to confirm details before the scheduled date and again on day of packing and day of loading. The packers arrived as scheduled and were careful and efficient. The movers hand-carried items from our storage space to the moving truck. Then arrived at our house on schedule. The men were polite, efficient, careful and speedy! They loaded the truck well and gave careful consideration to our "special pieces." The truck arrived as scheduled at the receiving end and not one item was missing. Again the crew was efficient, careful, and listened carefully to our directions. They were very thorough in making sure all of our items had been received. We had no damage to our household goods or either home. I would highly recommend them.

Allied did not let me down. I have no moving horror stories to tell. They did good work and charged me a fair rate for their services. They did not waste time, they were careful with my things, and they were pretty polite. They made my move go as smoothly as possible.