1st Choice Moving & Storage

This moving company STEAL customer’s stuff! I want to rate 0 star if there is an option.
No picking up the phone call, only give promising words without any real action. This is the most horrible moving experience I have ever had in my life.
I moved from Chicago to California. I have waited a month for the «I will call you back in 5 minutes», «The driver is calling you in 20 minutes», «We are delivering your stuff in this week». When finally my stuff got delivered, there are a lot of damage, but it is reasonable since it is inter state move.
HOWEVER, I had a 90% brand new 48 inch Samsung TV, in the original sealed box. When I opened it, I found a old crappy 21 inch LG monitor in it.
The agency kept saying «we will investigate the missing item for you» But this is not a missing, this is STEAL. I hold my review for a while cause I wanted to give them a chance to prove they are really investigating it and gonna take responsibility of my loss. But they can not be reached since then. NO PICKING UP THE PHONE AGAIN, just like when I was waiting for schedule my delivery.
1^st USA Moving & Storage are same company as USA Moving and Storage, you will reach same people if calling. STAY AWAY from these two companies.

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 damn monthly bill. EVERY SINGLE MONTH, she would send my bill around the 30^th, due on the 1^st, 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 :-)

If I could give zero stars I would. This has been the worst nightmare move of my life. I moved from the east coast to phoenix for work.
The story of my move goes like this– I booked with one company paid them, then another company shows up on moving day (I had to leave that date bc my lease was up) they said I had more stuff and that the move was going to be more expensive cubic foot wise. I had no choice but to pay them, or leave my precious belongings
Fast forward 1.5 months later, 3 weeks after my designated delivery time. and my things finally show up via a rental Ryder tracker trailer, some driver who barely spoke English and 3 arizona moving guys. So apparently 1^st choice was going to be my movers for the last leg of the journey. They proceed to tell me that I would need to pay more bc they need a smaller truck to unload. I said no and drama ensued. They finally agreed to come back with my things in 2 hrs tops via smaller truck, but did not return until 12 hours later in the evening. No one called to give me notice or say they were running late, I had to find the company phone number and call myself.
As my things were unloaded everything was smashed and damaged. It looked like the played baseball with my stuff before delivering it– probably bc I refused to be ripped off. Then the moving guy tells me that he delivered the legs to my $ 1000 table to another address and gave me his word that he would personally deliver it himself the following day. Mind u I’m writing this a week later. I continued to call the company to find out the status of the dining room table legs only to be told by the boss that it was «his day off and that he will check when he has time»…no apologies or phone calls updating me. I have to keep calling them myself.
So no legs to table, broken smashed up things, awful customer service and out of money… Will go to court next week for cost of new table wish me luck
Avoid avoid avoid– i can only hope that my life here will only get better from this

I signed a contract with this company to move my household belongings from Denver, CO to Newport News, VA. The contract stated that they would deliver within 21 business days of the agreed upon earliest delivery date. On the back of the contract there was conflicting information stating that they had 30 business days to deliver. Regardless, the items have yet to be delivered to me and it is past the 30 business days. During the duration of the move the company refused to call me back and rarely answered my calls until I started calling multiple times a day, every day. The consistently lied to me and changed my delivery date weekly; when the items would not arrive I never received any communication as to why. When my items finally arrived on the east coast they placed them in storage and could not give me any reason other than «we just couldn’t get them to your house.» The manager (Guy) tried to blame me for not answering my phone on the day they could deliver; in reality they had never called and there was no message (as can easily be seen by my cell phone records). The dispatcher, Jesus, blatantly lied to me by telling me that the storage facility was going to deliver my items. When I spoke to the storage facility they informed me that they never said this and Guy (the manager of 1^st Choice) actually told them to hold my items indefinitely. Guy assured me, again, that my items would be picked up in 3 – 5 days and brought to me — but I have been told this countless other times. When I asked for a full or partial refund he refused to give me either and told me I could submit a claim after I made the full payment and «possibly» receive 10 – 15 dollars for everyday it was late. He did not seem to understand the fact that the contract was breached and did not care the he was being reported/​and that I am taking him to small claims court. On the BBB website it can be seen that they have over 100 unresolved complaints regarding the same issue… I wish I had checked with them before moving.

I contracted with 1^st Choice for my move to Seattle last year. Upon delivery in Seattle, I found that someone had opened the boxes and stolen all my jewelry. I followed the Claims & Arbitration process required, but I was not reimbursed for all of my jewelry. Why? Because I did not open all the boxes at the time they were delivered. Who does that?! And why am I writing now… a year later? Because I still go to my jewelry box for that perfect piece, only to remember that it’s gone.

HORRIBLE!!! NO JOKE! 92 complaints from the BBBin 3 years… It has taken them 4 weeks to deliver my Mother’s furniture from Tucson to Illinois. We were told that 1. The truck had a mechanical error and then told that there was «incliment weather» my mother was called on three different occasions saying that the furniture would be there in 2 – 3 days. All customer service wants to do is pass the buck. When I called to complain the customer service person, Maria was tripping over her words and was completely unhelpful. STAY AWAY!

Moving sucks. and using a HORRIBLE moving company doesn’t help!
AVOID, AVOID, AVOID. They were 12 hours late, RUDE, and my stuff was broken.

The suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked.
In 2007 I moved from Chandler to Gilbert, which is only about 11 miles. Still somehow these assoles managed to steal my framed artwork, including a treasured family art print that I inherited from my grandfather. There is NFW they unloaded the truck at my new house and didn’t see my stack of artwork still sitting in the back of that truck. Those sneaky fuckers just chose to drive off with my art.
I didn’t notice right away because I was swimming in a sea boxes and furniture, so I discovered the prints were missing a couple of days after my move. I freaked the hell out and called their office and told the manager I got on the phone that I was calling the police and filing a report. I think I scared them out pretty good because I had an insurance settlement check within days of my call for a tiny fraction of what my art was worth.
Obviously there was NFW I was gonna get my stuff back. Either the three movers that came that day all had new art on the walls of their apartments (although I doubt any of them knew who Wassily Kandinsky is, let alone how to pronounce his name) or they were just laying low with my stuff until they could sell it on eBay. The fuckers…
I guess a tiny insurance check is better than nothing though, after reading these other reviews I actually consider myself lucky that I ONLY had to deal with stolen artwork and a lost print that I received from my beloved grandfather. Holy bad reviews, Batman! 0_​o
What a bunch of theiving bastards…

I gave this company 1 star only because I couldn’t give it 0. This is the worst company I have ever dealt with. My stuff was picked up on time however it was almost 2 weeks late arriving at my final location. It took them over 4 weeks to deliver
Many items were damaged and almost all the boxes were crushed.
A box labeled «medicine cabinet «was torn open and rummaged through as if a drug addict was looking for a bottle of pills.
AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS

I would avoid this company and recommend not using them. Here is a summary of my experience with them.
Over the phone estimate: Sales guy seemed friendly and was very calming. But it was all down hill from here.
Pick-​up: They came four hours early. So having planned to box up a whole bunch of stuff in the morning, I was caught off guard. Then the delivery guy said it would cost me each time they packed a box for me. So my wife and I scrambled to pack boxes while they were moving other stuff. Really stressful. I will give credit to the mover who did my pick-​up. We made friends with him and he packed all my stuff really well. Used a ton of blankets and lots of tape and really did a good job packing the furniture. It is because of him that I give one star.
During the Move: After being assured that delivery would be 7 to 14 days, after a week I tried calling the company. However, I couldn’t get a hold of them. First time I called they said they would check status and call me back. Never called back. Second time my wife called and it was the same thing, they never called back. Third time the clueless girl put me on hold and left me there until I was dropped. At this point I was fuming and scenarios where they just stole my stuff and sold it were playing out in my head. Finally I got a hold of the girl again and got her to tell me my stuff hadn’t left the pick-​up. This was two weeks later. She said my stuff would make it there in another week.
Pre-​Delivery Discussions with Driver: This was just a horrible experience. The driver called me and told me that in order to deliver to my location it would be a four hundred dollar shuttle fee. He wouldn’t drive into my city. The asshole sales guy failed to mention this to me… probably on purpose. I called the driver and asked why they didn’t mention this to me even though they knew I was moving to this city. He didn’t care and just said «my truck isn’t going into the city.» Then he gave me two options «One — I drive the stuff to you for $ 400 or option two you can have me drop your stuff off at a storage site, rent a Uhaul and get it.» I said «Well with option two, will you still help me move items into my house or re-​assemble anything?» He responded «No, but you can hire two Mexican’s at Homedepot.» I was shocked that the guy said this. Then he continued «see with Option two you will save $ 200 because you can rent the truck for a $ 100 and the Mexicans for $ 100, this is what I’m going to do anyway.» WOW. THANKS DRIVER. Sounds like a win win for you. Why would I want to rent a truck to get my stuff? That’s why I hired this craptastic company. Can you believe he basically told me he is going to pick up two day laborers at Homedepot? I can’t even believe the dude said that to me. I gave him some crap, but I mean they have all your stuff so there’s not much you can do.
Delivery: The driver shows up at 9pm with two guys that I really doubt work at «First Choice.» The driver grabbed my money and I didn’t see him again. I don’t even know where he went. I think he went to another location or a bar. I seriously didn’t see him again. So here I am with two dudes and just telling them what to do. But they were good about it thankfully. I helped them move a lot of the items actually. It was so late that if I wanted this thing done I knew I just had to roll up my sleeves.
Damaged/​Lost Items: I could hardly believe it, but everything made it. And it looks pretty good. Just a few casualties. I would give them a star for this, but I think it was only because we were lucky to get on the good side of the packer at our pick-​up.
Overall: I wouldn’t recommend this company to anyone.
**Update — I just stumbled on this article about the company. Scary!

Please, especially if you are doing a long-​distance move – DO NOT USE!
This company did not honor their word to me on delivery time frame; when I complained to the office they delayed even further; when the delivery did arrive it was over a two-​night time period ridiculously late at night; and items were lost and broken. (I gave them one star because it cannot be left blank).
I booked our move with this company because they told me they could provide me with the 5 – 7 day delivery time frame I requested. That should have been May 29 – 31, 2010. Though I was assured via email on 5÷26÷10 that we were «still on track for the 5 – 7 day delivery period, though it would be closer to 7 days», the truck actually arrived on June 12 at 10:30pm (staying until 3:30am!), and also on June 13, arriving around 8pm and finishing around 11pm or so. There were only 2 delivery people, and my husband and I had to help them move everything in the pouring rain. The second night, they actually hired street people to help as well (I use the term «hire» loosely, because what they actually did is promise the street people one price and gave them less money). Hiring these street people was the best thing that could happen for us, though – since they were far better movers than the 1^st Choice employees! 1^st Choice chipped and cracked furniture and other items, breaking the legs off of one cabinet. We also received one leg from our 3-​legged end table; the rest of the end table did not arrive. They also lost a speaker. Because of the delay in delivery, my husband had to reschedule a job interview. We then had to buy him clothes and shoes to interview in, as well as food for those two weeks we had not planned for (since we had no cookware). Since they had our computer, we could not do work for our clients that was due. We had to sleep on the floor for two weeks, which aggravated some health issues .
Additionally, after agreeing on a FINAL PRICE ahead of time, each new First Choice Employee told us there were going to be higher costs. When the movers/​packers came, they told us that we had been underestimated (even though an employee had come to do an in-​person walkthrough, in order to give us a quote). I pushed back saying the sales person and I had an agreement, and we didn’t have any more money. The same thing happened when the delivery came; the truck driver told us there would be more costs. I told him that we did not have any more money besides the cashier’s check for the remainder. I can see from the reviews online that this is their regular M.O. Please, the only way this experience can have any value is if it prevents someone else from this horror. I wish I would have looked at reviews before I used them – it seems my experience is extremely common.

I agree with Diana. I am currently dealing with the exact same BS with this company. I am in the midst of a move from CO to CA. Took me 2 days to drive, 16 or so hours. It has now been 14 days and no furniture. I’ve been told now 3 different times my stuff was leaving tomorrow. When I booked, I was told over and over how many trips they take from CO to CA and that this would be fast. Their Dispatch dept is full of morons and I will never use this company again. First Choice Moving will forever be my LAST choice. Stay away!

DO NOT use this company. I am certain that you will regret it! I am fairly easy to please and laid back but they really are a bad company.
I hired 1^st Choice Moving and Storage to move me from Tempe, AZ. to Dallas, TX. They gave me a great price and I was excited to have one thing less to have to deal with. I had very little money and picked them because they were supposedly the most economical. From the moment they showed up I knew it was going to be bad. The original quote was 980.00, then it moved to 1249.30, and then on day of move it became 2082.00. I was closing escrow the next day and had no way of finding new movers so I had no choice but to give them the money. The only reason I hired movers was because I have (had) a very beautiful copenhagen entertainment center and I did not want to damage it. They insisted that it needed to be taken apart even though I told them that the top was glued down and it would rip. The foreman preoccupied me with paperwork and took it outside and took it apart. They ripped it apart. They also took the stereos and electronic equipment out while I was signing papers and someone stole my ipod but I was distracted and did not notice till after they had left. I had hoped that it was in the stereo box that they packed but only the case was. They also broke an antique entryway table, taped the rusty legs of my outside patio furniture to my brand new Electra Beach Cruiser and scratched it up. To top it all off they had assured me that their moves are done in 5 – 10 business days. I was fine with that because I still had to drive to Dallas. Well they ended up taking an entire month. They picked up May 12, 2010 and delivered June 12, 2010. This has created a hassle. I had no mattress or clothing for a month other than a couple of road trip friendly yoga pants and dresses. In addition on both ends the movers were horribly rude. It felt very much like they had a problem with women and did not feel the need to listen to them.
This company has not only caused me financial hardship by (over) doubling their price but they broke the one and only thing I needed them to move. My Copenhagen entertainment center was beautiful. They did not wrap it, it is scratched throughout. I am guessing they did not wrap it because they had already broken it in my front yard while I was doing paperwork inside the house. They refuse to fix it because it is partially particle board. I understand that BUT they were told not to take it apart! I told him in no uncertain terms that the move was off if that was to happen. I told him repeatedly that the top was glued on and not meant to be taken apart. Because they did not listen it was destroyed. They also lost the hardware for the entertainment center. In addition they lost the key to get into the entertainment center drawer and I am now unable to get into the drawer. The only answer I have gotten is, «I don’t know I wasn’t there for pickup, it’s not my problem».
Between the lateness, breakage, theft, price adjustments, bullying I implore you not to use this company.

Gabi K must have work for this company because there is NO WAY she used the same company to give them a good review. 1^st off the guy that took my order was really helpful. You are made to believe this is a really great company. It’s a lie. Bait and switch! 2^nd they told me they were coming at a certain time and they were early. Hours early. Then when they were packing up some of my stuff they just threw it in boxes and didn’t really seem to care but since they were early and I was rushed I could barely do anything about it. Then their paperwork said they would be here in 7 to 14 business days. It took them over 21 business to get here and they NEVER called me once to let me know when they were coming. We had to call them over and over and that barely got us anywhere. Then when they finally did show up all my stuff was scratched and dented. Totally ruined! And when I told the movers that brought it they just laughed and thought it was a big joke!
There is stuff missing and I even found some other people stuff mixed with mine which means they went thru my stuff. VERY Violating!!! Their paper work said my things would be wrapped in moving blankets and it wasn’t. These people are criminals hiding behind a moving company. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!! They stole from me and they will steal from you too. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!! I would hate for anyone to go thru what me and many others have gone thru.

Janine is correct in her assessment of this company… DO NOT USE FOR LONG DISTANCE MOVES. First on the day of the move, they sent 2 guys to handle the move of my company’s office and my personal belongings. I had specifically told them that I had a marble table top that needed to be crated, which to them meant packing in blankets and cardboard. The real infuriating part came with the delivery. Everything was in shambles and either broken or badly damaged. Furthermore, ½ of the items were not delivered for the office. They had left those items behind at the warehouse. I’m not sure why they use an inventory list because they don’t consult it at all. Further, I had 2 printers damaged and instead of apologizing and helping us through the claims process, there response is to send the insurance certificate and for us to deal with it. They’re supposed to deliver my personal belongings this week and can only expect the state that they’ll be in. Terrible, terrible service! Do not use.

Moving sucks!
No matter how near or far you’re going, no matter how much stuff you have, I cannot imagine that moving is ever fun… and I have the mentality that it’s much better to hire a moving company than to attempt to take the challenge on by yourself or with friends… So, enter Eyal (sometimes referred to as ‘Al’) at 1^st Choice Moving & Storage. I could tell I was in good hands from the first phone call. He had me at ‘hello’!
I called and told Eyal about how much I had to move and my ideal moving date. He set up a time that was convenient for me to have someone come over to give me an estimate. The guy showed up on time and Eyal called to confirm. Once that was over, I felt my quote was pretty reasonable, and trusted 1^st Choice with the move…
On moving day, the crew of 3 people showed up promptly and did a fantastic job! They wrapped and padded all of the furniture so as not to damage it. They were friendly, reliable, hard working, and trustworthy. My move took around 4 hours total — and I had 2 stops since some of my stuff went to my boyfriend’s (where I now live) and the rest went to a storage location. The guys were awesome and didn’t complain once. I mention that because I was not the most organized and I am sure that was kind of frustrating for them.
I hope I don’t have to move again for a long, long time… but if I do, I will not hesitate to call 1^st Choice Moving & Storage again — I recommend that you do too, and ask for ‘Al’!