1st Choice Moving and Storage

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY, they are FRAUDULENT and I am REPORTING THEM TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. Please do the same as they should not be in business as they blatantly lie. They lied about the shipping quote, the shipping delivery time and they are still lieing about when and where the items that are being shipped from Colorado to NY will arrive. The company should be called LAST CHOICE MOVING. Like all the previous reviews they gave a shipping quote and after packing everything charged 150% more than the quote. They then said the goods would be delivered in as short as 7 days, but wouldn’t be suprised if they were delivered in 3 days. When I continue to call to find out where our things are they don’t answer the phone. I have to call about 5 times in a row until someone picks up. When they do, they put you on hold and then come back telling you they are sorry they can’t connect you with the Manager named, Guy and there is no one above Guy other than the owner who they say will not call you back. They are frauds. Complete frauds.

NEVER USE THIS COMPANY. They lie to you when you first get an estimate. You cannot believe anything that they say. This is what happened: I initially received an estimate of about $ 1350. I added a motorcycle to be shipped and was told it would be $ 200 more. I specifically asked about other charges like for fuel or the packing of the truck (since I was going to pack all of my things). I was specifically told that there would be no additional charges by the rep named Anna. I also asked when my stuff would get to my new home. I was assured that it usually took 11 – 14 days but that given that my pick up date was 11 days before I wanted everything at my new place there would be no problem getting it there on that day or very shortly after. On moving day the driver did not call. He was supposed to call the day before to set up a time. I had to call the company. I got through after NINE (9!!) calls and Anna the rep tracked my driver down. I decided to move a few extra things and had no problem paying $ 300 extra for a large chair and a few other things. The problem came when I received a charge for the tape that the movers used to wrap my things. This amounted to over $ 100 more. I arrived in my new home and heard nothing from the company. Each time I called I got voicemail and NEVER did anyone call me back. Finally, several days after getting to my new place I called again. After calling many times I got through and learned that my things had been shipped from Denver and would be in New York (my new home) in 3 – 7 days. Well…7 days later I call back, another 9 or 10 times before I get an answer and after several messages. Turns out my things are still in Colorado! Ooops! They were mistaken when they had told me that my things had ALREADY been shipped. I was told that they were still within contract (which absolves them of… well, any real responsibility for when things get in. Yes, I should have read through the contract more carefully. My problem was that I believed what I was being told. That being said, my things have still not left Colorado and they don’t know when they will. Also, if I wanted to remove my things from their possession I would get no refund because despite the fact that they do not know when it will be shipped out east, the space is reserved and I would have to pay regardless. That and they have 30 BUSINESS days to get it to me past the drop off date… so maybe I’ll get it in a few weeks? Until then I start my new job with 2 business casual outfits and without my stethoscope or scrubs (I’m a medical resident). Moral of the story:
NEVER BELIEVE A WORD THIS COMPANY SAYS

I would not recommend this company. The Sales person Philip, stated that my furniture would be stored in a Air flow storage unit. The person who came in to pack my items, stated my items would sit in a Warehouse. The second issue, is when Philip gave me a quote, included free packing, the guy, that came in to pack my stuff, requoted me, and added $ 900.00 more to my quote. I had no choice, but to use them as I was moving the next day. I tried calling Philip to discuss this additional fee, Philip stopped answering his phone. No one at 1^st choice answers the phone. The contract states, 7 to 21 one days of delivery, it took over a two months for someone to acutally call me back, when requesting my items through the Dispatcher voice mail. The young kid on ext. 1, kept giving me the run around and the hire people who cannot speak english. I finally got my items delivered on September 3, i do not know if all items /​boxes where tampered with… I would be careful using this company. They have zero customer service. And what ever happened to Philip??? It doesn’t pay to use a small companys.

Don’t use this company — EVER! Until they have your confirmation they are reasonable, quoting low prices, etc., but once they show up they start the games. Re-​quoting and hiding behind DOT guidelines for legitimacy, holding your property ransom until you bow to their blackmail tactics. Complete con artists with no regard for your rights. Just don’t believe a word they say. it’ll be part of a ruse to get you entrapped. You think you’re saving, you think the quote is now firm. it’s not firm from their side until they have extorted everything out of you. Awful business ethics.

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 waned the 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!