Northern Moving Systems

I've moved 29 times. Never had a TERRIBLE moving experience until I utilized Northern Moving Systems. Any person looking to move can do what this company supposedly does MUCH better and MUCH cheaper on their own. There is no reason to utilize this company or any like it. This is NOT a full service moving company. It is a broker. They only provide quotes, pick a subcontractor that they apparently have no real relationship with or quality control over, then supposedly "manage" your move. Northern is only as good as the subcontractor they provide. The one for my job- Forward Van Lines- was terrible. Northern Moving Systems staff were NOT readily available to manage the problems that resulted. I was not informed at booking that a subcontractor would even be used, let alone provided with Forward Van Line's information so that I could check their reviews and service record. If you use this company, you are literally giving money away to a middleman for no reason. If your move happens to go well with them, it will be because the dice rolled in your favor and they happened to pick a decent subcontractor. Below is information I provided in reporting Northern Moving Systems to the Better Business Bureau and Department of Transportation. In summary, I wasn't provided or left with copies of ANY documents required by law, specifying my rights and responsibilities OR details of my estimate & contract. I didn't receive the quality or services that I contracted for at all, let alone in the agreed timeframe. I was yelled & cursed at by "customer service" in a blatant attempt to swindle me for more cash. Their inventory claimed that I had ELEVEN nightstands; I had one bedroom and didn't move any nightstands. 1 tower of plastic drawers was recorded as FIVE separate pieces of furniture. If you'd like further details, please keep reading. Contracted with Northern Moving Systems (Rob) for full-service interstate move utilizing FT professional movers for $2739 on 6-27-20, with arrival at origin btwn 3-5pm. I asked if truck/workers would be Northern or someone else. Rob said "Northern." I stated that I would NOT book for an AM arrival, as I was flying in after midnight. Was specific in giving inventory to Rob. He told me wrapping of glass, except wall mirrors was included. The written contract- before it was taken from my house- confirmed this. On 6-26-20, Amber called and gave arrival of 9-11am. Said it never could've been 3-5pm. Subcontractor- Forward Van Lines arrived 6-27 @~noon. Men were not FT movers. 1 was a laid-off chef, 1 had no experience. Their boss, Al, was on phone and worst customer service person I've dealt with. Refused to abide by contract, increased fuel/taxes for glass by ~$450. Stated "I don't care what's in the contract, that's not how this works." Refused to give final price until "After everything is on the truck and then we'll see." Rob from Northern Moving Systems had promised during booking that he'd be available for any issues; he did not answer phone or return calls. The ONLY time I was able to speak with him was during booking. After furniture loaded, told I had "extra" items by Chelli at Northern Moving Systems. It's illegal to charge more than 10% above quote or to amend quote after furniture loaded. Chelli at Northern eventually told me it'd be a $2800 increase to move my goods. When I told Al I'd be filing a complaint, he yelled & cursed at me, then said "I'm cancelling your job!" I said, "Fine, do that." Told men to offload truck, as Al cancelled the job. Al clearly cancelled the job as an intimidation tactic. He expected me to panic and agree to pay whatever price I had to for my furniture to be moved- not actually take him seriously and have the truck offloaded- as evidenced by Al trying to hold my furniture hostage. He called the foreman several times and instructed him NOT to offload, telling him that he was going to talk to me one more time. When the foreman realized that Al still hadn't contacted me over an hour later- He took my side, and offloaded the truck. Told me "Something like this happens almost every job- most people end up paying" & "This is partly because you're a woman." One guy took ALL paperwork, including my personal notes when I was outside- without my knowledge or consent. Northern disabled link to digital contract. I have no access to the contract or estimate other than a job reference number and my personal notes when booking the job. If Northern Moving Systems and Forward Van Lines had nothing to hide, why did they take and hide the evidence? I have no problem paying for what I actually have. If I had forgotten to tell Rob about furniture pieces or glass pieces, that would be on me. But, I didn't. I strongly believe Rob at Northern Moving Systems intentionally left items off my inventory to give an unlawful lowball quote. Then told me "If your items don't increase, your price won't increase." Knowing full well that both would. The truck was offloaded at 7pm Saturday night, when I HAD to be out Sunday. I had to scramble to find/rent a U-Haul and more movers to load it last minute, & drive goods 3 days from Florida to Michigan myself. Then hire more movers to unload it. It was a nightmare. I only had 3 extra pieces that I didn't tell Rob at Northern Moving Systems about during booking- 1 wicker hamper, the plastic drawers, and a tray table that folds flat. I watched the first truck be loaded & offloaded, then the U-Haul be loaded by a different crew. The 2nd crew used FAR less space. My belongings did not take up 200+ extra cubic feet as Al at Forward Van Lines and Chelli at Northern Moving Systems claimed. This was a classic moving scam that preys on the "desperation" of clients. Northern misrepresented itself in contracting with me and the level of service they could provide; I wouldn't have booked Forward Van Lines and suffered great personal hardship due to Northern Moving Systems total failure on my behalf.