On this page you will find reviews on the company Budget Van Lines from real customers. We have filtered custom reviews so that you can really evaluate whether it is worth contacting this company or it is better to contact other movers.
Company average rating Budget Van Lines – 2.5 (calculated based on 187 reviews).
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Worst experience ever.
Budget sub contracted my move to Southwest Van Lines. I had a 1 bedroom home, no kitchen appliances, no couch. I was quoted at $2945 ..when SW came and loaded my things I was told if I wanted all my furniture it would cost me an additional $1,900, because my furniture was TOO BULKY. I was also told by the head mover that I could rent a trailer and pull the rest of my furniture myself. I had to leave over 20 pieces which included my dining room set and family heirlooms. All my items were on the inventory sheet as was requested. When my furniture arrived 16 days later my boxes were broken down, re taped and furniture was all scratched. I was told that my furniture had been in storage for 2 weeks..this means it had been packed and repacked 4 times. The first packing in the truck was neat and tight..when my furniture arrived boxes and items were falling out of the truck as they opened the door. This was a very stressful move and I would never recommend Budget to anyone. All the people that I was in contact with were very polite and overly friendly, but beware..people could not believe the condition of the boxes and furniture as they arrived. I had a lot of antique pottery which were broken and very expensive..and there is no use in filing a claim because your insurance is only so much cents per pound. I regret using Budget and Southwest Van Lines. Please be warned and take these reviews to heart. And also, you are told that you will receive weight slips before and after your furniture is loaded on the truck to make sure you stay within the weight limit..no scale/weight slips were given even after asking for them. This is a very shady operation..BEWARE.
Worst Movers Ever.
My experience with Budget Vanlines was one of the worst that I have had. They sub-contracted with Sky Vanlines who actually moved my furniture. I expected some damages, but they not only damaged my furniture, but there were missing boxes and they charged me $300.00 more than quoted. I am a woman and Ben at Sky Vanline was extremely rude and condescending when I called them. They even delivered my daughters dresser to another customer and they had it delivered 2 days later. It was a nightmare now there is problems with my claim. PLEASE DO NOT USE BUDGET OR SKY VANLINES.
Beware of Budget.
MOVER BEWARE!!
EXTREMELY dissatisfied. DON'T use Budget!!
We regret having used Budget Van Lines, will never use them again, will not refer them and have made sure those we know (particularly those moving) are aware of our horrific experience with Budget. We knew Budget was a booking company. We based our decision to contract with them based on the information provided us. Had we received the services promised and our move had been handled as contracted (in compliance with laws and regulations), we would have felt we paid an acceptable amount. However, that wasn't the case!
Our bad experience started from the second Budget's Representative answered our initial telephone call, everything he told us was lies. This is not just 'our' side of the events. Budget records every call, after listening to our conversations, this Representative was given time off without pay, confirming Budget knew we were lied to from the start. There were many issues between our first phone call until delivery, all compounded by the 9 months following. Some of the biggest issues/lies: 1) A compartmentalized moving semi would pick up our belongings and Harley Davidson, meaning our possessions would be separated from the next customer's belongings. We, also, paid for an additional compartment for the Harley. 2) The moving Company would arrive on a specific day with an am or pm arrival time, calling an hour before arriving. 3) We would be provided weight slips before and after our possessions were loaded, to compare the estimated weight we paid for and the actual weight of our possessions, resulting in a credit or debit.
Budget contracted Platinum Van Lines for our move; we had no say in who they chose. The driver arrived 10 hours late, with a single compartment Enterprise Leasing truck with no ramp; and never called in advance. We initiated all the calls with Budget, Platinum and the driver for those 10 hours, being told lie after lie about where they were, why they were late, when they would arrive. Because it was a single compartment truck, our Harley had to be protected by our mattresses, which were tied around it (staining and ripping the mattresses). Though Budget was well aware of the Harley being shipped and the need for a ramp to drive it onto the expected semi, there was only a back lift on the truck. The difficulty of loading it rest on my boyfriend, with the 2 movers hanging onto him and the Harley, so neither fell off!!
No weight slips were provided at the time of pickup or delivery. Yet, the driver still insisted we owed $400 at the time of delivery, even though he had no weight slips to prove we were over the weight we paid for in advance. There was no other reason to charge us. However, you pay or you don't get your possessions. At the time of pick up, we signed numerous documents, including insurance forms. Yet, when we attempted to apply for reimbursement on the our damaged items and a lost container, we were informed by 2 separate insurance carriers that they had dropped Platinum. Platinum Van Lines had no insurance while transporting our belongings! Not providing weight slips and not carrying insurance is a violation of the DOT/FMCSA, both were notified in writing of the violations, along with the AMSA.
Just 24 hours after pick up, Budget called us and acknowledged all the lies told us initially. After delivery, Budget spent 9 months stringing us along and putting us through our paces, completing forms, answering emails and forwarding numerous pictures, acting like they were going to help. We believed they were going to step up and do the right thing. Then, 9 months later, it was "so sad," "too bad!" We did everything we could before and after the delivery to assure a smooth move and follow up for compensation. We acted in good faith for 9 months, doing everything asked of us.
In the end, Budget offered us $150, their booking fee, which was supposed to justify our mistreatment and cover the cost for the damage to our furniture (which we didn't claim) and $600+ of missing items. But there was a 'catch.' In order to receive the $150, we first had to sign legal documents, agreeing to never discuss this transaction or speak negatively of Budget in any public forum. We refused.
Platinum went out of business; we had no recourse with them. We contracted with Budget; they contracted with Platinum. It was Budget's responsibility to make sure they used a reputable firm that abided by the laws and regulations.
I wish I had enough time and energy to write everything we went through. Just writing this has made me angry, again!! SO, pass the word and stay clear of Budget Van Lines or you'll be the next person writing on Yelp to warn others!!
HORRIBLE estimate!
I spoke with Russell who booked my move and gave him a VERY detailed inventory list. I signed the contract and list stating the inventory was accurate. He called again a few weeks later and asked if the inventory had changed. I added one small rug and he said that was fine because he added some extra into the estimate just in case. He was VERY confident that my items would not exceed his estimate and reassured me of this. He sent over an updated inventory and it was completely different than the original I had given him. He apologized and said he had gotten two contracts mixed up. Later he sent me the accurate one that I signed again. Upon pick up, the men were 3 hours late, very rude, and complained about everything. They charged me $100 for tape as well and told me it would be 14 days for delivery. I was initially told 3-7 days from Russell. He also told me he would send me the total due at delivery after he went to the weigh station. I shockingly got a message that my weight was 140% higher than the estimate EVEN THOUGH my inventory list was 100% accurate and I even had a few less boxes. My total originally due at delivery was $490 and he told me I was to pay $1231. I can understand a small margin of error because their estimate may vary slightly. But they were not even close. They failed to do their job at Budget Van Lines. Their responsibility as a company is to provide their customers with a good faith estimate and be the liaison between the customer and the moving van company. They failed to take any ownership in this situation and told me that once they book the moving company, they are void of any responsibility. Basically, I paid them to call a moving company. I could have done that myself with less hassle than using them. They low-balled my estimate to get my business, ripped me off, then wiped their hands clean and failed to take responsibility. We have attempted to speak with them to resolve the issue several times and even spoke to the customer service manager. He was not only hard to get ahold of, but he was VERY rude and YELLED at us. Those actions are not good business practice and if this is how they treat their customers they should be shut down. .
Misleading/No communication.
If it was possible for me give Budget Van Lines a lower rating, I would. We were promised a truck to move out by or on June 1. We were told they were going to call on May 28th. We received no call, so my wife had to call. No truck, so they were going to call the next day. May 29th came and went, with no call taking place. My wife called again on the 30th, to which they told us they still did not have a truck available for our move over the next day or so. They got back to us within a half our to say "HOORAY" we got a truck. Not long after, we got another call stating the truck had "broken down"..I use quotes because a friend of mine in the moving business mentioned that this is what these companies tend to do when they overbook and have no way of getting to you. They say their truck "broke down" to cover the fact that they just wanted to get your money and business in the first place without having to deliver on their side. Anyway, with the truck broken down, they said we would be moved on June 2nd or 3rd. Probably on June 2nd, but possibly June 3rd. We get a call on the 2nd that it will be taking place on June 3rd. They have a truck and will call us in the morning for a pick up time. Low and behold the next day comes and no call. We call around noon, because someone has been waiting at the apartment all day expecting a truck to show up, only to have no truck show up. When I call, they say they were "just about to call me" and that the truck had again "broken down", with no call being made to me, prior to me calling them. This has been an EXTREMELY unprofessional company to deal with. If they somehow find a way to redeem themselves, I will let you know, but that does not seem likely.
Brandon P.
No communication and heavy damage.
Although I will admit to being a bit naive about this process, I have since read that my experience is a common scam run by many movers. I thought I was hiring Budget Van Lines to move my belongings. They sold my contract to Ross Allied Trucking LLC. I did not know that until my items were on the dilapidated truck they arrived in, which was first held up in route by broken running lights and then broke down completely after loading my belongings and all the contents had to be removed and placed on a second truck, from U-Haul. The "non-binding" estimate tripled by the time all was said and done. How can the budget estimator be off by 100%? I did have more boxes than I had estimated, but not 2300lbs worth. They also did move two night stands that were included in the original estimate. Seems like a bait and switch to me. They had given me an arrival time of between 1-4PM or before. They arrived at 7:30PM My total load were 60mostly medium boxes (and I had estimated 30) and 10 pieces of furniture, five of which arrived damaged. A trim piece on my 40 year old Grandfather clock is sheared off, a 40 year old cedar chest had eight porcelain knobs on the front, four of them sheared off and missing. My daughters cedar chest has a three inch gouge in the top. China hutch has a six inch gouge on the side as does a living room end table as well as a piece broken off of one the dining room table legs which also contains a long gouge in it. Through the entire process I communicated with someone who represented themselves as a Budget Van Lines Customer Service Representative who was never helpful. He was the person who told me at 4PM they were 30 minutes away. I have called three times for a claims form, a copy of the paper work including their DOT and MC numbers and the Bill of Lading. The response I get is that the driver has not turned in the paper work yet and that they have 10 days to get that information to me. .
Fraudulent Charges on Credit Card.
On 2/27/15 a company by the name of Ross Allied Trucking was arranged as a third-party carrier by Budget Van Lines to perform a long-distance move from Tn to Fl. Prior to Ross Allied arriving to perform the move, I was quoted by Budget Van Lines a total of 1,580.00 for the entire move. 541.00 was taken as a deposit, 519 to be paid at pick up and the final 519 at delivery. When Ross Allied arrived in Tn, they stated that I had to pay 1,104.35 upfront and an additional 520-750 upon delivery. The merchant also stated that the 541.00 deposit I already paid would not be applied to the amount owed. Upon hearing this, I realized that Ross Allied was not a reputable company and the move was canceled immediately without any services rendered by the merchant. After doing additional research, I was able to verify that this company has a history of fraudulent activity and unprofessional business practices. Upon cancelation of the move I was advised that I would not be charged the 1,104.35 nor the 520-750, as no services had been provided. However, upon reviewing my account, I was not only charged 1,104.35 but also an unauthorized amount of 267.97 that was explained by the merchant as “an error that will be voided immediately”. After discovering the unauthorized transactions on my account, I contacted the company that arranged the move, Budget Van Lines, as well as, Ross Allied. The merchant was very uncooperative and unprofessional, using foul and offensive language and bullying techniques in an attempt to convince me not to file a complaint or pursue the refund due. William at Ross Allied Trucking hung up on my twice and even hung up on a representative from my bank while we were trying to get the issue resolved. Budget Van Lines although initially cooperative, have now passed the blame on the merchant and told me to "take it up with my bank" if I wanted the money returned from the fraudulent transactions. Budget Van lines is providing customers with carriers with very shady business practices and are assisting these companies by severely misquoting customers despite detailed inventories. Ross Allied Trucking and Budget Van Lines has created a situation that has caused an extreme inconvenience. Due to the carrier they provided, Ive missed time at work to have the issue resolved, my relocation plans have been substantially delayed, at the time the $1,372.32 was fraudulently withdrawn from my account, I was unable to pay bills due. I now have to exhaust additional time and effort to dispute the transaction with my financial institution because Budget Van Lines no longer accepts fault for this huge inconvenience and has offered no further assistance. My desired outcome is to receive the refund due as a result of the unauthorized transactions and inconvenience this company has caused. I would also like to warn other families about Budget Van Lines and the carries associated with this company. I would highly recommend all customers to thoroughly research the companies they choose and to stay away from Ross Allied Trucking and Budget Van Lines by all means.
Scam.
60% of my things were stolen or not deliver to me. Cancel your money order or certify check after you don't receive all your things because the insurance company is a scam to. This company is a scam they will go though your pictures and take personal information and steal your identity. They also break all your things when they move it. Not a careful company.
Move from nj to fla.
Very professional and friendly staff on both ends. no hidden charges, everything was exactly as stated. I would definitely use this company again. The price of the whole move was middle ground on price, I had everything packed and they reinforced all fragile items and did a thorough list.
Relocation Move.
Marcus & Darren were on time courteous respectful & efficient. The overall move was a wonderful experience. Please share the professionalism of Marcus & Darren to Randy. Special thank to David K. Thank you all . I was the"arranger" for this move for a friend. This was my first experience with Budget Van lines and I would consider them for another move.
Good Experience.
My daughter needed to get out of her apartment in Denver but did not have a new apartment in Atlanta for 6 weeks. Budget helped us navigate this situation, storing her things for the period in between and then delivering them to Atlanta once she had a place there. We were very impressed with the sales and customer service staff who were responsive to all our emails and phone calls. They also pro-actively followed up with us at each step of the move. At the end of the move out, storage, and move it, the only thing broken or damaged was one glass. We would definitley use this company again.
My experience.
My moving experience from Alabama to California wasn't the best. It took me over two months to receive my belongings which was beyond frustrating! However, Jose Rogue has been amazing. He has helped me so much and has made up for a lot of my frustration! I now don't have such a bitter taste in my mouth for Budget due to Jose's efforts in making things right.
My move.
I had difficulty finding movers to move me from Nebraska to Montana. I called everywhere and the quotes were rediculous and the delivery time for my furniture would range from 6 to 8 weeks. When I found Budget Van Lines the quote was within my budget and the delivery time was guaranteed 2 to 14 days after pick up date. I am very happy with the service.
Damaged and missing items.
Do not use these movers! They subcontract with any local cheap mover of their choice. Most of my items that they packed were damaged, some beyond repair. The biggest problem was all the "missing" items as they call it. Some boxes were missing but the ones that did make it had been opened and anything they wanted taken out of them to the tune of over $1,700. Nothing I can do about it! It's your word against their's. MOVERS BEWARE! READ THE FINE PRINT AND GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR A MOVING COMPANY!! All they reimburse you for your damaged itmes is .60 per pound. Go see what your big screen TV is worth then! Julie Boget Pissed from PA.
Lost/Damaged unhappy and unresolved.
We had a short time frame to move from KS to AZ and Budget knew we had never completed a long distance move led us to believe things would be okay. We understood they were a broker, setting up a company for us to complete the move. However the information they gave us to review on standings was just for budget and not the trucking company we were forced to use. The guys first showed up a day early and we weren't ready, then the day they were supposed to show up they were two hours late. They failed to properly remove boxes from the home and or stack them proper in the truck so we had a lot of items broke, we had items like a small file cabinet well wrapped just mangled we needed a crowbar to open the drawers to see if there were items inside. They lost 35 boxes of our stuff and still 6 months later can't find them. We have tried working with the CS agent at Budget who keeps referring us back to the trucking company who keeps referring us back to budget. We are in a horrible loop, with lost damaged items we can never get back and it seems no one wants to take responsiblity to reimburse us for this horrible move. I swear if it kills me if I have to move again I will load it on a truck myself, how can I ever trust anyone with my belonginsgs again? Oh yeah..we thought the truck would be here when we arrived in AZ only to find out that they had two weeks to deliver our items and the holiday time didn't count. They used every single day of the timeline before they devlivered our stuff, on top of that they showed up late in the afternoon evening time so taking stuff off the truck there wasn't proper lighting so we could see all of the damage until they were long gone. they unloaded so fast there was no way to check off boxes against the inventory and we had no idea we could call AZ weights and measures to help us. Just bad..