North Star Van Lines

32 Reviews: Add Review

1. Unethical quoting practices.

   I contacted North Star Movers to get a moving quote. Their employee Lisa told me to walk around my house and tell her what items needed to be moved. This was done very quickly over the phone. She then gave me a quote of $4300 total. The mover Izak showed up on moving day and after inspecting what needed moving concluded that I would have to pay close to $8000 to move me instead of the $4300 quoted to me by Lisa. As it turns out, the list that Lisa made from the phone conversation lacked many of the things I had told her, so her quote actualy reflected a much lower amount of items needed to be move. In addition, Izak says that his helpers get 10% to 15% tips for their help, which would be another $1000 to get me moved. Although the tip was not mandatory, I was informed that this is how they get paid and make their living.
   After a much heated discussion about their totally unethical business practices and my threatening to contact the BBB, they finally agreed to move me for $6300, but Izak still expected me to give his helpers their tip. Since I would lose my $1300 deposit and needed to be moved right away, I finally agreed to the $6300.
   Lisa never once told me that I needed to be sure to include every item because any extra items not on the list would be charged that much more according to the extra space needed to haul it. Lisa also never told me that their helpers work for big tips and that's how they make their living. It was clear from my heated discussions with Izak, that this is how they normally conduct business and he found nothing wrong with it. I never would have used their services had I known how much extra it would cost me because I had gotten quotes that were much less than theirs. This is of course why they use these unethical tactics.
   They also dropped my microwave and dented it in several places and dented and scratched my dryer. So not especially competent either.

2. Go anywhere but here!!

   If I could give them less than one star I would. I contracted with them last June for a move from Phoenix to Oregon. They were very nice on the phone and encouraged me to add more items to take advantage of 5000 pounds of good for a decent price. They also told me that the items would take about a week to get to my new home. I paid a certain % down and was told to pay the driver, in cash, when the items were picked up. Date was set.
   The day before the items were to be picked up, I received a call from the driver that they wanted to pick up items a day early as they had a load going to Oregon soon. Three men arrived in a Ryder van and started the process. As soon as I saw the contract, I asked why it wasn't North Star as that was my contact. They (Executive Moving and Storage) from Las Vegas, said they had the contract to move my stuff. They told me they moved all the stuff on the west coast for North Star. They asked for the cash, had me sign the paperwork, and started loading goods. That was on a Friday. They asked me how soon I could receive my shipment and I told them I would be in Oregon by Sunday night. They told me my shipment would probably be there by Tuesday morning.
   Long story short, 2 weeks of numerous phone calls to North Star and Executive, getting cussed out by the driver who picked up my goods for calling to inquire, no one at Northstar or Executive Van Lines knowing where my household goods were, and finally my things arrived. I had to pay in full (cash) before they would even open the truck. 90% of my shipment was damaged, with boxes crushed that were clearly marked fragile, dishes broken, smashed items, missing tools, book boxes split down the sides, with files and books missing, 3 entire large boxes missing, chest freezer lid crushed, new washer lid sprung so it wouldn't shut, Temperpedic mattress with tires tracks on it, and on and on. For $5000 worth of damaged and missing goods, I got $257 for their neglect. What a scam! Both companies. Please find someone who cares or move yourself.

3. Beware, they kept my deposit with no services rendered.

   I gave them a $1500 deposit and then cancelled with them just "3 hours" later, and they refused to return the deposit. So I disputed the charge with my credit card company. Horrible company, stay away. NO GOODS OR SERVICES WERE RECEIVED, and yet they still think they "deserve" the $1500 deposit. Why?!?!? They're not even a mover, they have nothing to do with moving, all they do is charge you money to find you a mover somewhere else and then you have to pay that mover. No Move happened, all they did is try and keep my deposit for NO WORK PERFORMED!!

4. Terrible experience.

   I contracted with Northstar thinking they would move me but they subcontracted me out to Unique Van Lines. After that they washed their hands of me. I paid extra to have special items packaged and shipped carefully so that they wouldn't be broken; antiques and family heirlooms. This never happened and when I finally got my belongings many things were scratched and an antique mirror was smashed. The moving company they subcontracted has a one-star rating and I was very disappointed to have to deal with such a bad company. I would not use North Star Van Lines LLC again. The only credit I can give is that after about 6 phone calls I did get my money reimbursed for the special packaging which was $30. Thank you Ron.

   

5. Don't use them! Just don't.

   They showed up and changed the price by $1500! I had no choice but to sign off on it because we had to go. On my bill it shows $200 for them packing, umm no they didn't pack anything!! It's been almost 3 weeks and as I am typing this I still do NOT have my things!! We couldn't get a hold of anyone for over a week ( finally heard from them today) and all the things they say we added that made the price go up I left but guess what? Price didn't go down with it. Save yourself a headache and use anyone else.

6. Call the fbi.

   Northstar vanlines thought I was joking. I called my local FBI because they are committing what is called hostage moving practices. They gave me the number to the federal motor safety carrier commission and I have filed a claim. It's a federal offense. The number to file the claim is 1.888.368.7238. I have pictures of the movers, the truck and the licence plate. Call the feds.

7. 100% satisfied.

   100% satisfied. Don't be put off by the minimal web presence - these guys are super reliable, responsive, communicative, transparent, fast, and careful, and they charge a way better rate than anyone else. No hidden/extra costs, no messing around. They were running a few minutes late at the beginning so they threw in a third person even though I was only paying for two. Everything got done on time, without a hitch. Definitely recommend.

8. These guys made our move easy, and stress free!

   These guys made our move easy, and stress free! We used them to move our studio apartment in the city, and they were great! They took care of our stuff, and everything arrived in one piece! We had a few obstacles with our move and they were great about working around them, and making sure our move was as easy as possible! I will use these guys in the future!

9. Beware of The Scam by North Star Van Lines.

   STAY AWAY FROM NORTH STAR VAN LINES!! North Star Van Lines is a fraudulent moving company that gives amazing lip service and produces no results. I was given a window for pick up of Friday through Sunday. The original agreement stated that I would be contacted 24 hours prior to pick up. I never received a phone call from anyone, driver, dispatch, company rep or otherwise until Sunday at 11am. At this point I proceeded with plan B after calling and Emailing on Saturday with no response. The phone system did not work or allow me to leave a message. The company's contact person named Brittany was not able to give any information or convince me into rescheduling the move. Because she, herself did not know anything and was completely useless. After arguing with her for 2 days and refusing to supply a full refund. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I notified my bank that the company was fraudulent and did not make good on its promise. My trust and confidence was won over by the intake person, ( Joe Wilson) and after several attempts of trying to contact him, he has now disappeared into thin air. I am now inconvenienced and had to pay for movers, storage fees, u-haul trucks and airline tickets. The company did not make any attempts to improve or resolve this situation at all. I am extremely pissed off and disappointed with North Star Van Lines . Be aware and do not use this company. I can assure you that you will be disappointed and beyond frustration.

10. Absolutley a SCAM! If the Feds don't know about this scam they need to!

    This company is an absolute SCAM. If I could give ZERO stars I would They tried to tell me my 2 bedroom move would not be more than my estimate cost of $3100. I get a call from a guy name Bruce 2 days before my move and he cons me into spending another 765.32 for items that aren't even a part of my move. Then the movers showed up 3 days after my pick up window, and they looked like they had been using narcotics all day and smelled horrible. I was leery to have them touch my stuff but needed to be out of my apartment in 3 hours due to their tardiness of 2 days late with no logical reason as to why, and offered no compensation. I was supposed to receive weight tickets for the truck prior to loading and the mover said his dog ate them!! So the movers could not validate my weight and then had the audacity to tell me my load was over weight and had to pay another $2500 for them to unload my items. The mover must have xrayed his dogs stomach to see what the initial weight was. For a move that was not supposed to exceed $3100 I paid double for an absolutely horrible service. I have contacted the Attorney General and reported this company.

11. Horrible company, horrible experience.

    Unless you want the stressful experience of moving to be 10 times more stressful than it needs to be, I would strongly recommend avoiding this company. I have had similar experiences to the other people complaining.
    
    This is the third moving company I have used for interstate moves and definitely the worst. An employee named Joe Wilson spoke to me initially and essentially lied through his teeth, telling me that our things would more than likely be delivered within 48 hours, but could take up to seven days. How long did it actually take? Close to a month. They outsource your move to whatever company they can pay the least (something they avoid telling you), and then have nothing to do with you once that company has taken control of your things.
    In add addition, we had 90 extra boxes that were outside the original “estimate” and this cost an additional $2000. They did not update us with this information until 6 days before our move.
    
    Each time I would contact Mr. Wilson asking about our things as well as an itemized list of final charges, he would once again lie saying he would solve the issue and then quickly have his employee Brittanie Silva call me back. Brittanie would then tell me should would look into things and call me back the next day. She never called backed. These exchanges continued for over a week. At one point Brittanie Silva used her children to fain empathy for my family’s situation.
    
    They like to keep throwing the e-signed documentation in your face when you complain, however, their verbal assurance were the complete opposite of what the documentation states. Yes, my fault for trusting them at their word, however nobody should have to deal with this type of thing.
    
    Do your research! Avoid this company and similar “Brokers” and just take the time to find a decent mover.
    
    Important note: take the time, if you have it, to read the positive reviews, especially on google. They are clearly using fake accounts to bolster their ratings. One review, for example, was from a woman who in one of her ratings was a 16 year old girl, while the next she was marrying her fiance and the next she was using North Star Van Lines.

12. We are Very Pleased.

    We recently used North Star Van Lines, for a move. We couldn't have been more pleased with how professional and helpful they were! They went to so far as to put felt tips on our furniture so we wouldn't scuff the floors of our new house AND even fixed/tightened some of the legs of our chairs that had gotten loose over the past year. I've used movers who were cheaper before but you get what you pay for and we are very pleased- highly recommend this company!

13. Moving sux but North Star Van Lines made it easier.

    I can't say enough great things about Puma. They were professional every step of the way finding a great balance between moving fast and doing things carefully. They showed up right on time, moved our large 3 bedroom with one guy packing in the truck and 3 or 4 others (4 for pack and 3 for unpack) moving. Wow, a well-oiled machine. Moving sux but North Star Van Lines made it easier. Thx!

14. Great Experience ☺ ☺.

    This was a great experience. I originally was planning to move on a weekday but got stuck on a jury for jury duty. They were able to schedule me in for Sunday on short notice. North Star Van Lines were great. Very friendly and EFFICIENT. They had such a smooth system going so it eases the stress of moving.
    Thanks guys!

15. From customer service to execution, North Star Van Lines did a truly g.

    From customer service to execution, North Star Van Lines did a truly great job, making a potentially stressful experience totally seemless. They took care of parking permits, packed the kitchen which we hadn't finished packing, in spite of that were faster than their initial estimate, did not damage a thing, and tried to make sure everything was in the right place at our destination.