Complaint Review: R1 Moving And Storage All United Van Lines - Santa Clara, California

This report explained in here is about a different company and it has nothing to do with All United Van Lines located in Encino, California. R1 Moving And Storage, All United Van Lines is not affiliated with the moving company located in Encino, California with the same name as All United Van Lines. 

First, this company is riding the name of a reputable, international company, United Van Lines, Inc. Their name is embedded in their name and for a good reason. That's how a disreputable firm feigns credibility. In Household Goods Transportation, there are the Van Lines, usually with interstate authority and local moving and storage companies with local and intrastate authority. They have separate governing regulations. The Van Lines count on local companies to represent their national and in some cases, international presence by becoming an agent to the van line. For the most part, most of the big five Van Lines are reputable and the last time I looked, United was the best. I've worked for all of them except Bekins and in my opinion, the difference between them is minute. They all try to do a good job. Unigroup owns Mayflower Transit Company, as well while North American Van Lines merged with Allied Van Lines some years ago. I'm no longer in Household Goods shipping except for friends and VIPs but I believe that North American has changed its name to STI for their former High Value Products division. In Interstate shipping, you need to pick your agent as well as your van line. All of the Van Lines have rogue agents. Some agents are better than others. For local HHG transportation, in California, you may want to contact the California PUC as part of your selection process to determine whom it is you choose to transport and protect your beloved possessions. Find out which companies have the highest incidence of complaint, damage and dispute of charges. Under the California Public Utilities tariff, Max 4, you are entitled to a binding quote and your carrier is bound by its terms. Therein lies the rub, however. If one quote is low, investigate why it is low. If it seems too good to be true... If their inventory is the same as all the others, you may want to go with it but if the actual count and description of items on the inventory at quote does not match what is actually moved expect your goods to be held hostage until you pony up what is demanded for the difference, in addition to the inventory agreed upon when you sign the agreement. Paying attention to the details will save you the heartburn of paying more than the money you thought you were guaranteed to save. My recommendation is go with the company that is rated highest when you're moving within the state. Also, ask about the difference between Valuation and Insurance. Most companies do not break a lot of stuff but it happens. It's not an affront to you but it can cause hard feelings when trying to settle a claim. You don't get to withhold payment pending a claim. Valuation is the limit of their liability. It has nothing to do with replacement. Full Value Protection should be purchased or you should expect to get $.60 per pound per article. It's fine for an old 300 lb. dresser but it won't do anything for that 50 lb. 42" flat panel, Plasma TV. Better yet, see if you can get it covered on your home owners or renters insurance policy. It costs a lot less. I use the best most professional movers available but whoops happens so that's what I do when I move. Hope this helps. Don't use R-1 or the other several companies (my friend at PUC says they operate as several companies just in the Bay Area) that operate as All United Van Lines. They give the business a bad name.

Immediately after posting my original Ripoff report concerning R1 Moving and Storage, also known as All United Van Lines, the company contacted me and resolved the issue. They agreed to reimburse me for the supplies and time to repair the damaged wall.