Craters & Freighters

I have nothing but good things to say about Crater’s and Freighters. I recently purchased a piece of art in Laguna Beach California. The artist contracted with Craters & Freighters to crate it and they did a very good, professional job. The crate was almost 6 feet long and weighed about 100 pounds. After I had uncrated the painting, I was not sure what to do with the empty crate so I called Steve in San Jose. He immediately offered to have someone pick up the crate the next time they were in Redwood City. I was very pleased with this as I did not want to «throw it away» and Steve indicated they would be able to break it down and re-​use it. Thanks again for a great job!

I must have been really mad to leave such review. But that’s no mistake. Oakland and San Jose are very close if you know. It’s called the Bay Area and I was trying to get a quote for the best price from around me. Does not necessarily mean I’m going to ship or do any business from Oakland does it? It’s not like 2 states or countries we are talking about. Obviously I wasn’t even able to ask questions, how will they know what I want or answer my questions?

I called to get an estimate for a couple of crates. Steve suggested that his movers can move all my fragile items and my household items. He mentioned he had openings for next week and not to worry. I asked him for an estimate. He gave me one over the phone and set up an in-​person estimate for me as well.
The person who came over seemed a bit inexperienced (Steve insists that he has 20 years experience). The guy who did the estimate didn’t look over my household items thoroughly. I had to call Steve back and asked him to add the «big plants» and «sofa.» The estimator didn’t discuss how he would wrap my furniture especially the all glass and lacquer pieces. At this point, I was losing faith in what this company can do for me but I thought to give them a chance and see what they would come back with for an estimate. A couple of hours later, he emailed me the estimate which wasn’t broken down to the specifics such as the hours it would take for the move and the cost of the insurance. I was disappointed but I felt I should discuss with Steve. I called the next morning. I told him that there seems to be a huge discrepancy in the estimate. I also shared with him that I questioned the estimate due to the estimator’s experience. Rather than addressing my issues, he felt he had to defend his employee and the higher estimate.
Then Steve, all of a sudden mentioned that he may not have enough movers for next week because they were unable to fit all 4 movers in one truck and that he would need a second truck. All of these things were not mentioned until I questioned the estimate and voiced my concerns. This seems to me like a bait and switch. At this point Steve said that he would have to check his schedule. After the phone call, I politely wrote him back and said that I have decided to stay with the previous mover — Pedro’s Moving. Steve should know that most people with whom I have worked with in the past would be very close to the estimate over the phone as an in-​person estimate. Also the last I checked this is still a soft economy I doubt Steve’s business is booming for him to even try to go back on his word. A lesson for Steve — in business, if you can’t stick to your word then you don’t have much.
I called and talked to Pedro’s Moving and I stated my concerns. I spoke to Jill she addressed my concerns and mentioned that they would make sure that the movers would wrap all of my fragile items in a newspaper wrap, wrap them in blankets, shrink wrap them, wrap them in blankets again and shrink wrap once more. This is what I call customer service and I didn’t get the BS that I got from Steve and his crew — high estimate, distrust and unprofessionalism. On top of that the estimate I received was $ 700 less. I wish Steve success but I don’t recommend his business to any of my colleagues or close friends.

I’ve spent quite a lot of time researching about movers and finally decided on Craters and Freighters as they have good reviews as well as recommended by FedEx. The managers and workers I’ve dealt with
throughout my entire moving are very professional and pleasant. They are flexible in making changes in schedule
and helped to store my furniture for free while I was overseas and couldn’t receive the furniture immediately!
I would recommend you talk to Chris Shiver for Tennessee moving and William Cannon for California moving. Awesome people, good service and great attitude!

We have used Craters and Freighters on a few occasions to ship our large expensive car parts (bumpers, hardtops) and these guys have always worked their magic to make sure the parts get to our buyers safely. There is a cost to type of work and we would not hesitate to recommend these guys for any future work. Each item is securely packed up and they will do whatever needs to be done and we trust them fully. I’ve visited their office in San Jose and they run a very good business which in return makes us look good so that is very important.

We have used Craters & Freighters to crate and ship our sensitive high tech equipment several times, including shipments going overseas. On all occasions they were professionals. We always received great customer service. Steve has been patient and accommodating to our crazy schedule changes. The team anwered all of our questions and reassured us with their knowledge. The shipments arrived in perfect condition.

I used Craters & Freighters in 2006 to transport antique furniture from Minnesota to California. It arrived on time and in great condition at a reasonable price. I would recommend them highly.

I was back in McAlester, Oklahoma and needed to get my father-in-law’s antique dentist cabinet shipped back to my home in Saratoga. At first, the only quote I could get was from a local North American Van Lines, for $ 1,460. I began to try to give the cabinet to a local friend instead. But then I found Craters and Freighters, who came to the storage unit where the cabinet was, picked it up, «palletized» it and protected it, and separately wrapped up all of the original porcelain trays from the drawers, and delivered it to my California home (faster than their estimated time of delivery) for $ 590. Not a scratch. These guys have found a particular niche (small amount of furniture to move, not entire households), and really deliver in terms of service.

We have used this company for over 6 years and they are wonderful!
Often we schedule shipping last minute and have to change plans and they are always willing to help out. Monti and Steve and the staff there always have a great attitude.