U-Pack Moving Reviews (164 total - 150 good/5 neutral)

[mkleven]

After hearing so many complaints, I have been doing a lot of research on movers/brokers and eventually opted with ABF. **HOWEVER -- i discovered something very unsettling today. Many posters have recommended not simply going to the BBB website to check on a company, but the transportation-specific regulatory agency, the FMCSA. THey did not appear when I entered their DOT number, so I called the FMCSA directly. THE FMCSA TOLD ME THAT ABF U-PACK IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO MOVE HOUSEHOLD GOODS!!! They are onlt authorized to move commercial property! The FMCSA told me that the standards for authorizing a household goods carrier versus a commerical carrier are completely different and the ABF probably was not properly insured to carrying household goods. I know ABF has received good consumer reviews, but as an attorney and a consumer, this discovery is very unsettling. I would like to hear what movingscam has to say about this. I have never posted on any message board in my life, but this was an alarm of such concern that I felt like I needed to share with consumers.

[MusicMom]

Diane will be along to explain in full, but ABF is not listed nor regulated as a household goods mover because they are not technically a household goods mover. They are a freight hauler who sells leftover space in their trailers to individuals who load up the goods themselves, then ABF drives the truck and the individual unloads themselves. Because they're not a full-service mover they don't have to have the same license and insurance requirements as a full-service mover.

This is the sticking point that has many professionals' feathers ruffled, as you'll see if you read in more details on this website.

ABF is not intended to be advertised, understood, or referred to as a "moving company". They are a freight hauler that serves a niche market of cheaper alternative moves, as are other companies like Broadway Express and some brokers who work with freight companies to fill loads. Each of those companies falls under the same category.

As for insurance, ABF is not liable for breakage since they're not doing the loading of the goods. They are only liable for negligence during driving. See their statement from the website here:

Since you pack and load your own goods, which are secured behind our supplied bulkhead/security divider, ABF is only responsible for loss or damage caused by our negligence. We are not responsible for damage caused by improper packing or loading. Your U-Pack price quote includes limited liability coverage of $.10 per pound per piece for your goods for loss or damage caused by ABF during transit. For catastrophic loss due to collision, overturn, or fire, coverage of $3.00 per pound per piece is also included with your U-Pack price quote. Additional cargo coverage for carrier negligence is available at an additional charge. For more information, please review our liability statement.

I'm sorry this is not quite the earth-shaking announcement you'd intended, or perhaps this will make you feel better, I don't know.

[Movinghelper]

Being a professional mover, I understand your concern and agree with your thoughts. They are not required to carry any liability for the load even at the standard 60 cents per pound. They are not the easiest to load since it is a higher truck as is a freight truck.

The other thing that bothers me with the load is that you never know what is loaded. In this day of safety and security, I could load the trailer with lots of explosives and chemicals hidden in the load and have it dropped off anywhere in the United States with no suspicion what-so-ever. I have voiced this along with other drop ship loads to the appropriate authorities and it appears they are not worried about it.

Other trucking companies have to have a listing of the load along with HHGD carriers.
I know this is a little off of topic, but we were not worried about Planes flying into buildings unitl 9/11.

[limone]

[This is review #162.]

Here's my review of my recent ABF U-Pack move!

Recommended:yes
Date of move: 5/11
Move: Brooklyn, NY to Columbus, OH (terminal to terminal)
Cost: $385 (5 linear feet in a trailer)

I recently used ABF U-Pack to move my two bedroom apartment from Brooklyn to Columbus, OH, terminal to terminal delivery. Everyone I contacted at ABF was very friendly and helpful and I had a very good experience with the customer service aspect of the company. At the unloading end, the driver even parked the truck in the shade so the 93 degree weather wouldn't be a problem! The truck arrived very quickly two days after we packed it.

Our truck had one of the old-style bulkheads and I definitely wouldn't have been able to put it up without two strong male friends (one of the bars that holds it to the wall was stuck and required lots of force to get it loose). It was pretty dirty inside...whenever I brushed up against the wall, I got black marks on me. Not a big deal - it is a freight truck, after all. We put a tarp on the floor and over the top of everything and I'm glad we did. There seemed to be a leak on the floor near the front and a black substance (tar?) got under much of the tarp. Nothing settled on the top tarp and we had no water damage even though the truck drove through heavy rain, but I'm glad we used the tarps just to be safe.

We used ratchet straps to hold all of our "layers" of boxes tightly. Almost nothing shifted during transit except for a few light items on top that we neglected to properly secure. We did have a much bigger problem with boxes crushing - almost all of our boxes were crushed to some degree or another. Some of them because boxes were loaded improperly, some of them for no apparent reason (I used Uhaul boxes). There was no damage to any of our furniture or artwork and our flat screen TV seems to be fine (in original packaging).

I can't blame ABF for the crushed boxes, it was obviously our packing and loading, but it does make me reconsider whether I will use them again (I'm moving again in two months). Hopefully, I can research packing and loading well enough to feel confident in using ABF again because the rest of the experience was great! And it was less than half as much as a Uhaul - it would have been $710 not including gas and tolls.

[bustedmagnet]

Recommended: No
Date: 6/14
Move: Alexandria, VA to Austin TX
Cost: $2218 for 2 Pods

I'm writing this review because I chose U-Pack/ABF after seeing this website.

I've lived in Germany, Thailand, Seattle, Miami, DC Metro, and now Austin and have done at least a dozen moves in the past 10 years. I've always done the move myself until the last few because I now have the means to pay for these services.

Anyways, I was running a tight schedule and I didn't think it would be much of problem. I ordered 2 relocubes for the 8am - 12pm time frame and I hired to workers on the side to show up at 2pm.

To make a long story short, the relocubes did not arrive until 5pm. Unfortunately, I had to pay them to stick around because I was driving away to Texas the very next morning. They were essentially paid 3 hours for playing with their smartphones while sitting on my couch in the front yard.

In between did I receive a SINGLE call from Upack? No.

Of the half dozen phones calls that I made to them did I receive many promises on when the cubes would arrive? Yes.

Did they eventually hang up on me because they were tired of me calling on them? Yes. (A-holes!)

In short, this was the absolute worst move in terms of stress that I've ever had to deal with. I wish I went with someone else.

Once the cubes showed up it was all good but man, I was not expecting the rudeness from the terminal manager that I got that day and I certainly did not expect to get the cubes so late. The movers were practically begging to be sent home but I had no choice but to ask them to stick around since I had to drive away the next morning.

I called ABF/Upack to attempt to get my money back for the wasted labor and was denied. They then informed me that you can get a guaranteed time slot if you pay extra. Nobody told me this when I made the reservation.

[Diane]

Sorry that this happened. I know that the ABF terminal drivers are busiest in the morning and there can occasionally be delays like this.

Just a note that I've seen Broadway Express refund people's money paid for workers sitting around waiting if this happens with one of their moves. Maybe you should ask to speak to a supervisor at ABF U-Pack.

[bustedmagnet]

I did speak to a supervisor but had no luck even though the driver gave me his card to vouch for me.

[Diane]

How much money is involved and do you have documentation of how much you paid them to wait?

I just looked on the UPack website and on the booking page they ask you whether you want a 1-hour or 2-hour guaranteed delivery window for the cubes at an additional cost of $150 and $75 respectively, so I can see why they thought they weren't responsible if you didn't choose that option. However, if you asked for a morning delivery and the cubes didn't arrive until 5 pm, I agree that that would seem to be a problem unless they specifically stated that a morning delivery was not guaranteed.

[Catt]

[This is review #163.]

Here's my review of my recent ABF U-Pack move!

Recommended:yes YES, ABSOLUTELY
Date of move: 7/15-21/11
Move: Philadelphia to Pompano Beach, FL
Cost: Half what PODS quoted

* POST-MOVE REVIEW *
------------------------------------------------

ABF was EXCELLENT - move went off without a hitch. On time, stayed in communication with me the whole way; they called to update me exactly when they said they would, without me having to prompt or call them (this is HUGE for me, as it's the place where most large companies fail.)

But ABF said they would call me on X day, and they did. In the end it wound up that the initial delivery date was delayed one day, and again, they were pro-active in advising me; by calling in advance to let me know, and to set up the next day's timing. All in all they were VERY responsible, and responsive. And not one thing touched, moved, or broken inside my bulkhead ... of course that's partly because I packed well too -

Drivers were exceedingly helpful, both of them went above and beyond what they were required to do -- pickup driver helped me install the bulkhead; since i'd never done it before I wasn't at all sure I had it done right, and he was very happy to place it, and secure it, with me, to ensure that I felt comfortable with it.

Also, when they had initially spotted the trailer, that driver was also more than happy to place the ramp for me since there was no way I could have lifted it myself. however as I expected, I wound up not even using the ramp, other than to walk up and down instead of jumping up into the truck. I had no big furniture; so we just carried and placed everything up on the edge, then we just used the ramp to walk up when we were ready to get everything into place inside.

The dropoff/unload driver was equally as helpful - since i was unloading at a storage facility I asked him if he could just wait, since we couldn't really block their entire driveway by leaving it there for a whole day; and with only a small amount of goods, I'd have the truck unloaded in one hour. He called and the company advised that it was OK for him to wait -- and then - bless his heart - he actually got IN the truck with us and helped us unload it.... really above and beyond! (and of course a nice tip for him as well). Between the three of us, we had the whole thing unloaded in 30 minutes.

All in all it was a hugely successful move and ABF was absolutely GREAT! in their business practices, and their office staff, as well as both contracted drivers were great to work with. I give them an A++!

[scamanger]

Highly recommended over PODS. I got quotes from both. ABF was cheaper, faster, and more friendly in every sense of the word. Pretty much went off without a hitch. Box was dropped, loaded, hauled, and delivered as expected, all on time as I moved from Indiana to Oregon.

[MusicMom]

Can yoj please give some more information? Where did you move to and from? Why did you choose ABF over PODS? It willl help other people reading your review.

[Catt]

of course i can't speak for the other poster, but i can tell you why *I* chose ABF over PODS - it cost LESS than HALF of what PODS charged.

[Jeff.Walker]

This is ABF review #164:

Reposting a review that came in through the comments section:

Thank you movingscam.com

I feared looking into moving companies like buying a car..so many ways of getting ripped off. We used your recommendation..ABF (upack) and they were amazing. On time. Curteous. NO hidden costs. NO surprises. We moved some of our home from Massachusetts to NC and will move the rest when we sell our home...we will use ABF again.

[Tasali]

Thanks to finding out about movingscam.com by way of the almighty Google, my significant other (heretofore to be known as the SO) and I have chosen ABF Relo-Cubes as our moving company of choice.

Our moving saga is just beginning, so I hope to come back later and be able to discuss every step of the way, and our overall experience.

For now, I am giving ABF thumbs up for pricing and lack of BS.

Today is 01/17/12 and our 2 Relocubes are scheduled to arrive 03/20/12. So, 3 months and 3 days to go. After reading the reviews on this website and others, we decided on ABF because of the majority positive reviews first, and second because of the pricing. We are moving from Orlando, FL to Portland, OR.

We first called Packrats for a quote, and laughed when they quoted us $6,000 for a 16-ft pod. A friend of ours recently moved from Ft. Meyers, FL to Orlando and told us to call Packrats first, that the price would be out of this world, and then to get a quote from PODs and Packrats would meet and beat it. I will say that the customer service agent for Packrats was nice, helpful, answered all my questions, and she did tell me that they would price match competitors if I could get a written quote.

So we called PODs next, and they quoted us around $4k initially. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with the PODs customer service agent; he was nice enough, and he answered my questions. What rubbed my the wrong way about PODs was that after quoting me something like $4100, he then did the car salesman spiel, where he asked me to stay on hold while he "talked to his manager" about getting me a better price. That better price was $3800. He also pushed me to give him my credit card so I could "lock in" that special price and not lose it while I made my final decision, with assurances that my card would not be charged until the container was delivered. I didn't want to give my credit card. He also didn't just quote me one price... he quoted me about six different prices, and said my credit card would be charged for each separately (once for the delivery container, once for the delivery pickup, once during transit) etc. And he hit me with 4-6 different prices all in quick succession... I was struggling to write it all down on paper to keep it straight. On a final note of annoyance, PODs has been sending me non-stop spam email about my move everyday since that phone call.

Car salesman shenanigans like the ones above rub me the wrong way. I immediately distrust sales people when they engage in those sorts of antics. Despite having a lower price, PODs slipped to the bottom of my list, especially since I knew that once I had the emailed quote, Packrats was going to meet it, which made Packrats better so far.

Finally, I called ABF. Everything ABF was calm, rational, and had none of the salesman crap I had just experience with PODs. The agent quoted me a single price, although he did tell me we would be charged twice in my case because I would need to have the Relocubes stored for up to a month at their facility in Portland, and when the apartment was ready, I would call them. So, I would get charged for the delivery, pickup, transit, and storage all at once, and then when I have the cubes delivered to the apartment, I would get charged something like $100 for the delivery there. The price he quoted me was already lower than either PODs or Packrats, and the only thing he did tell me about lowering the price was that if I had the container delivered in Orlando on the third week of March instead of the last week of March, I would save like $50. And he also asked me if I had AAA (which I did), which gave me an additional small discount. Cool. He didn't pressure me to give a credit card, he didn't put me on hold to talk to his manager, he didn't give me any crap. It was simple: here's the price, here's a discount for AAA, here's a suggestion about moving your dates, and there's your email in the inbox. For 2 8ft ReloCubes and transit to Oregon, ABF is charged me $3500 (that includes the $250 month-long storage of the cubes in Portland at their terminal). And then an additional $100 for delivering from the Portland terminal to wherever my apartment is going to be.

So it seemed like a no brainer. We have decided on ABF U-Pack. It's the cheapest, the least full of bullshit, and so far the company we have felt the most comfortable with. Stay tuned in March for our experience with the delivery of the Relocubes. And thanks MovingScam, for helping us find and decide on ABF.

[Jeff.Walker]

This one came in from the comments section of the web site:

I moved my terminally ill brother from VA to IN wrapping up the move on 5/29/2012. I am by myself so I was very concerned about how to accomplish this cross country move. I went to the web and found your site. I read everything on the site. I opted to use ABF. I had a very positive experience from beginning to end.....from the person who took my order, to the drivers, to the folks who arranged the pick up of the truck after packing and unpacking! Everyone without exception was friendly and helpful!

Upon a request for more detail, we received the following:

I talked to Lorraine (?) I think at 800 number....she got my information and even called me back when she forgot to ask me something in my original conversation! I talked to Cheryl at the VA site that sent out the truck when I called multiple times.
Melvin was the driver in VA who dropped off the truck and he had a big challenge with some overhead wires and couldn't have been nicer!
On the arrival end Brent was the dispatcher who was most accommodating in getting the trailer out of an apartment complex as the apartment complex management was pitching a fit. Glenn was the driver on the receiving end and he was fabulous too.

Everyone was super pleasant and professional and always did their best to smooth the way when there were issues and there always are when you move!
I will recommend this service to friends and family.

Don't know who the current CEO is of ABF but I think he should know what a fabulous group of employees he has working for him!
This kind of service culture is hard to create and maintain especially in this type of business!
Kudos to all!

Thanks for your website it was invaluable.

Thanks to Rose for coming back and providing more detail to her move.