Expert Relocation Systems

Unsatisfactory and overpriced.

Had to do a last minute move on labour day and these guys were available.  I had to change the original date of the move due to our new apartment not being ready when we hoped.  Thankfully, when I called to modify the date, they were able to move it to Labour day.  I told them to aim for 9 AM, as I figured between the packing time and transit time, that I could book the moving elevator and they'd be able to finish the job (as it was booked for the rest of that afternoon).  Unfortunately, I was later told that the soonest they could come was 1 (from a long move the day before).  I sympathize, but this made things much more stressful and difficult on my end, since I could not guarantee getting a dedicated elevator for our move.  I pushed for them to come at least at 12 and decided we'd get everything ready as much as we could for them, by moving all our boxes to the loading dock (in an effort to save time). I had to push for a written confirmation of this move which eventually came.  If I recall, the estimate was about 450-500 for two movers and a 18 ft. cube van.  Call confirming the move came around 12 on labour day.  I suggested they come as soon as they could but they came at 1.  I was immediately put off because there was no sense of urgency with the movers, who were being paid by the hour.  This was unacceptable and this is the main reason why I cannot recommend this moving company to anyone.  If you are getting paid by the hour, one must make the effort, if at least cosmetic, to appear like you respect the customer's time and money. As the majority of our stuff was in boxes, in a loading dock right next to the truck when they arrived, it took an hour and a half to load it up.  It was a hot and humid, but overcast that day. After paying a deposit, I was told they'd fuel up and then proceed towards our new apartment.  I reiterated that I could not guarantee a freight elevator and was forewarned that moving up the stairs might cost extra.  Funny thing was that in the written assessment they sent, this was ticked off as a "free service".  I mentioned this and they went on the defense, but we both agreed to play things by ear.  We left immediately after and arrived at least 30 mins ahead of them.  That's a long time to get gas..thankfully, as fate would have it, we were next in queue for the freight elevator, so they were able to move their stuff in basically as soon as they arrived.  I was told that it would cost $563 until 6 PM.  They would not proceed with work until they were paid, much to my frustration (when being paid by the hour).  Again, they were sluggish to some extent and I had to physically help to move stuff as fast as I could as I realized the more I did, the more they could do.  They did focus on the difficult items (a couch, dresser, kitchen table) first but 6 PM came around and there was still lots to move so I paid an extra 80 for an hours worth of work to finish up (which they finished in about 30-40 mins). Overall, most of our things were not damaged, although at least one item (a kitchen glass cabinet) that has minor paint scratches.  Not impressed, but not worth fighting about as everything else was otherwise okay.  I had used another moving company before and was surprised because that company put carpetting and insulation around our cabinet, unlike this company (which did some of this afterwards when on the truck).  They didn't bang anything when moving out of our first apartment, but it does make you wonder. The movers were friendly and were also concerned with the safety of my objects (as other folks were moving in at the same time).  I appreciated this attention to detail. I have done a consolidated move from Ottawa to Brampton which cost about $875 if I recall.  This cost $563 for a much shorter move with much less work on the movers part.  That they did not have to pack any boxes, all of which were ready to go at the loading dock when they came, and they had physical assistance from myself upon arrival frustrates me.  I felt this was very overpriced, especially given the lack of working on the clock.. Pros - friendly, will get the job done, concerned with safety of objects Cons - did not wrap key items immediately prior to moving, minor damage to some objects, slow on the job, lack of effort to compromise to customer's needs, overpriced.  I will definitely not use this company again.