**All Star Moving & Storage - Austin TX - movewithallstar.

[Guest]

Has anyone had any experience with "All Star Moving & Storage" in Austin Texas (Roundrock/Georgetown)?

They seem to be a rather small company, but in my few chats with them, seem professional and helpful. Their MC and USDOT #'s are:

USDOT: 1321856
MC: 511454

They are quoting .45 cents per pound from Austin, Texas to San Francisco, Ca. Plus an additional 30 for each tube TV, and 60 for a plasma to box them up. They are also asking for 50% up front, and 50% upon delivery. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Feez

[moverjim]

Doesn't look like a good choice. All Star Licensed only since October 2005 and already with a license revocation in January 2006. Only 2 trucks. You could be waiting some time for your goods to arrive or theywill broker your move to a third party who will more than likely NOT HONOR your current quote.

[consumer advocate]

There are some red flags about this company. First of all, .45 a pound for a long-distance move is suspiciously low. Second, reputable companies do not generally ask for a deposit at all, much less a whopping 50% of what your move is estimated to cost. Did they come and do a visual survey of what is to be moved? You should not accept any estimate given by e-mail or over the phone. They've only had DOT operating authority since February of 2005 and that authority as already been revoked and reinstated once. I would look for another company. Go to this thread and see what companies in your area have been reviewed here:

http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8038

[MusicMom]

I'm not sure about those TV packing prices, but the pros have repeated how tough it is to transport a plazma TV because of thier delicate natur, and they sometimes won't work in the end. How exactly are they going to crate it for you?

[feezlebub]

Actually, based on the comments I've already received, I think I am going to pass on these guys and go with ABF/BE. I was hoping to avoid doing the labor myself due to our time constraints, but I'd rather have the peace of mind. I've lost the original boxes to the plasma, so I purchased a Plasma TV Case from Ebay. Unfortunately, it's 200 bucks, but it looks to be a good quality case that will keep the TV safe. I'll let you guys know how it works out once we're done with the move. Wish me luck! And thanks for the help!

Feez

[consumer advocate]

Glad we were of help. Good luck and do let us know how it turns out!

[Diane]

Ask BE about the plasma TV because I'm sure they have moved them.

In Austin you can use workers from eMove.com or LaborReady.com to help you load, and in San Francisco I strongly recommend workers from either Delancey Street-SF or Moovers, Inc. in Benicia, CA (Bay Area). Each of these two companies has dozens of rave reviews here on separate review threads.
_________________
Diane
Check out domestic companies on this thread. Click here for a detailed, authoritative article on international moving.

[Deirdre S. Martinez]

Mover Jim..

I am an officer with All Star Moving & Storage, Inc out of ROUND ROCK, Texas. There is also a dba of All Star Moving, not an incorporated company, out of AUSTIN.

True, we are a small, family run company but we absolutely never, ever broker out our jobs. If you can come up with an example please let us know because perhaps you are confusing us with another Moving Company.

Prior to February of 2005 we were operating as Mar-Sol Transportation, Inc. (est in 2001) We decided to relocate to Texas and thus changed our name as well as became incorporated in the State of Texas.

To the very best of our knowledge we have never had our authority revoked and reinstated unless it was done when Mar-Sol had to merge with All Star Moving & Storage, Inc. to become a Texas Corporation. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we will definitely look into this as we have no knowledge of any revocation.

Please call and talk to my husband Joe, President of our company, or myself to clear up the accusations you have made. It troubles me that we have lost a customer based on misinformation.

If you are a bona fide "Moving Consultant" please give us a chance to contact you to discuss. Our contact information is on the website www.movewithallstar.com

Best regards, Deirdre Solon-Martinez All Star Moving & Storage, Inc.

[MusicMom]

The revocation of which Jim speaks was for two days this Jan. Click HERE to see for yourself, check "Authority History".

Tell us, would you really send half of your fleet all the way to CA for one person's job? That's not really fiscally responsible, and I don't see how a company could stay in business doing this often, as you advertise being able to do on your website.

[Deirdre S. Martinez]

"Consumer Advocate"

I am an officer with All Star Moving & Storage, Inc. out of Round Rock, TX and I hope you will allow me the opportunity to correct some misinformation you have posted about our company.

Prior to February 2005 we were an incorporated company (Mar-Sol Transportation, Inc) but were doing contract work for a company in California. When we relocated to Texas in 2004 we changed our name and became incorporated in Texas, keeping our same Tax ID#. revocation and reinstatement of our authority; we have absolutely no knowledge of a revocation and reinstatement of our authority transpiring.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, we will be looking into it immediately.

The price per pound we quote is the price that we stick by. You only pay for the actual certified weight. We welcome the opportunity to go and do a "survey" of what is to be moved. This is called a binding estimate; a free in home meeting with the customer. We strive to be as accurate as possible so that there are no added costs or surprises at the time of delivery. Actually, .45 per pound ( based on the distance of the job) is a median price..that price would stay the same NO MATTER WHAT !! All of our customers are more than welcome to come with us to weigh the truck before and after the pickup or delivery.

We never charge a " deposit ". Customer pays half upon pickup and the balance upon delivery.

I do agree that cheapest is not always best. Often moving companies will "low ball" and then tack on extra costs or raise the price per pound after a certain # of pounds at the time of delivery. This is HIGHLY unethical and we simply do not do it.

Please call and talk to my husband Joe, President of our company, or myself to clear up the accusations you have made. Contact info is at www.movewithallstar.com. It troubles me that we have lost a customer based on misinformation.

If you are truly a "consumer advocate" we commend you, however, please review the information we have provided and amend your post accordingly. Are you a private party or do you represent an organization ? If so please provide your website or contact information to discuss.

[Deirdre S. Martinez]

Dear Music Mom..

We go back and forth to to California every week. We stick to the seven western states so that we can honor our promises and commitments to our customers. We have several jobs going to Northern California every week..and we actually have four trucks.

Thank for providing the link for the revocation..this was about the time our name change took place so I am wondering if it has something to do with that ? I am going to look at the link right now to see if there is a reason listed for the revocation.

Thanks again !
Sincerely,

Deirdre Solon-Martinez

[Deirdre S. Martinez]

Music Mom..

There is no email for the FMSCA but we will call tommorrow 1-888-368-7238.

Deirdre Solon-Martinez

[consumer advocate]

Deirdre,

We're always willing to admit a mistake here. We get our information from the FMCSA. If there has been a mistake we will post a retraction.

The professional movers who contribute their expertise here seem to think that .45 per pound is a "low-ball" figure. They are welcome to comment on that.

[MusicMom]

Deirdre, I second what CA has said. I do have a question, though. If a customer goes to your website and asks for a move from Texas to NYC, what would you tell them? If you stick to the Southwestern states, you may want to add something to that effect to your website.

When you call the FMCSA, you may also want to update your DOT information, they think you have two trucks. And even four trucks is not a "large fleet of clean, fully-equipped moving vans".

[PMueller]

To the original poster - please make sure the plasma tv is not laid flat!! It actually should not be tilted too far either. Please discuss the transport of the plasma with an electronics specialist at the store of purchase or contact the manufacturer regarding transporting if you are going to have the unit transported. If you no longer have the original packing/box, the plasma should be crated. The least expensive crate I've seen is $13.00 per cubic foot, a typical plasma up to 42" will add a cost of approx. $400.00 to the cost of your relocation.

To All Star - the cost per pound that has been quoted seems low. What tariff do you base the rates off of? I'm assuming you have a tariff on file that lists your rates?

I will always advise a consumer to not pay anything prior to a move taking place. The total estimate should be paid at time of delivery when the driver arrives at destination.

Out of curiosity, what type of valuation do you offer your clients?

What is your company policy on shuttles at destination, if needed?

I'm glad to hear that your clients are welcome to come witness the weighing of the truck, as they have the right to do that. Do you ask each client if they wish to exercise that right?

Please don't get me wrong, I know of a few good independant movers that have worked in the industry for large carriers and opened their own business, but most of them stick to the 400-N tariff. Just trying to learn more about how you rate your moves and what tariff you utilize.