Moveworks Inc

You hear so many horror stories about moving companies. But after careful research I opted to hire moveworks to move my stuff back in November. The guys were nice and effecient and I couldn't have asked for a better move.

I hired Moveworks after our Real Estate agent recommened the company. After Michael visited our Mississauga home to give us an estimate and tell us that they use full-time staff only, no students and no seasonal staff, I signed a contract. On moving day, another moving company shows up (Viking) with Moveworks paperwork for our move, and part of the moving crew included teenagers. At the end of a long day, the guy from Viking goes over the charges and I pay him. The next morning I realize that he made a mathematical error. The move started at 10 am and ended at 9 pm, with travel time included in this time period. He was also supposed to deduct an hour for lunch. So, 10 am to 9 pm is 11 hours, and taking off an hour for lunch is 10 hours of work. As my bill shows, I was charged for 12 hours of work, and thus owed $145 X 2 = $390 plus GST. When I called to speak to Anne, she said I was owed a refund, and then nothing arrived in the mail. I called 30 days later, and left a message, which wasn't returned. After 90 days, Anne refuses to pick up the phone when I call, since they must have call display. I am now taking them to Small Claims Court to get my refund, as all my calls go unanswered.

I contracted Moveworks, but after reading the reviews on Homestars, I called Anne to express my concerns. She explained the issues that some customers experienced and that they were not able to respond to other complaints because they couldn't match them up with previous customers.

On move day, a three-man crew arrived. Moveworks supplied wardrobe boxes, used runners, wrapped all fragile furniture, and were very professional. The move included a complete move-out of one condo, one townhouse, a pick-up from storage and then a move-in of all the items. The crew was very courteous, followed our instructions, asked for directions as they unloaded our belongings, and were careful with everything. Only one wine glass was broken (which I packed myself) out of more than 75 boxes, furniture, and a piano.

The whole move including travel, took just under 9 hours and the final invoice came in exactly what was estimated. I want to thank Moveworks for a job well done and for making our move a less stressful event.

Hint to those moving: Moveworks sends a detailed set of conditions, tips, and instructions prior to the move. Follow the instructions and your move will go easier.

I hired Moveworks in 2004 to move between two units in the same building. The owner came out and gave a very professional quote and made me feel very confident in my selection of a moving company. I called the day before the move to confirm and left a message which was not returned. The day of, I managed to find someone at the office and they clearly had not scheduled it, though they told me that the truck had run out of gas and was running late. They eventually turned up three hours late and had sent two 16 year old kids and one of their even younger girlfriends to do the whole move. I had been promised two uniformed movers and boxes, wardrobe boxes, etc., none of which came.

They loaded a bunch of chairs into the elevator and then literally vanished, leaving behind two moving dollies and a moving blanket. I never heard from them or the company again and had to desperately call friends to come and help. Don't EVER hire them.

I would never recommend Moveworks Inc. to ANYONE. I hired them to pack and move my 7 bedroom home in Toronto and got terrible service. the packers packed eight china dinner plates together, with no paper or bubble wrap between them. Then they put ALL of our drinking glasses, usually packed four or six per piece of wrapping paper, on top of the china plates. We had multiple breakages and have been trying to get the insurance forms from Ann Thornton for over eight weeks. Our playstation II had the drive section missing, along with an expensive video game in it. They packed 45-50 books in HUGE boxes that the movers could barely lift. The boxes tore during the move and the books have been bent and crushed. As for the move the truck was much too small and the movers had to go back for a second trip - adding about five hours to the move. To top it off, the move was estimated (by Ben Thornton) at $1250 and it ended up costing me over $3000. Ann Thornton has said repeatedly that we will get a refund but I'm still waiting. Even though the law of Ontario states that a hired move service can not receive more than 10% of a written extimate! Don't use MOVEWORKS - stay away from them - very far away. If they call you, don't call back - you will regret dealing with them.

Moveworks solicited me via the phone. (I guess they picked me up via MLS?) I met with Michael Thornton the president who explained rather professionally how a quote is obtained and the various boxes and mattress covers and picture boxes that would be arriving with the movers. A few weeks later I called Moveworks to get boxes from them, but my call wasn't returned so I found them elsewhere. This did prompt me to get a confirmation on my move date and time. (Consequently my Real Estate agent suggested a 10am or 11am start instead of 8am as we would probably not have the keys until after 2pm!) phew! The 3 movers arrived 30 minutes early on move day and so we began. My only disappointment at the time was the wardrobe boxes which looked like they should have been shot and put out of their misery. They were held together with packing tape and falling apart still. Runners were also not put down in the house we were moving out of. The movers were pleasant and friendly and worked efficiently to load the truck. (which wasn't big enough but we thankfully had a small trailer and a pick-up to transfer 4 loads on our own) We arrived at our new house around 3pm and still didn't have keys. The guys took a lunch break and I bought them Chicken Shwarma's. The move into the NEW house was quick and painless with runners placed appropriately. We were thankful it was over. I would recommend Moveworks...but read the tips in my next post.

I am also quite surprised by the reviews as my experience was so completely different. I have a child and wanted not to have to pack everything myself and then sit around with boxes for weeks afterwards. They quoted me a price, gave me a list of customers and did everything they said they would. Everything was packed and moved without incident and then two young women came in for the unpacking and my son and I were in our new home and in our new beds with everything put away our first night. Everyone was pleasant and they came equipped and ready to go. I don't know - maybe they have different crews, but I must have lucked out. And I have recommended them to others and heard nothing but praise. I would use them again in a heartbeat!

We hired moveworks and at first everything was great. I dealt with Anne on the phone and had no complaints. Then just over 2 weeks ago they moved our furniture, they broke a leg off a loveseat and there was some damage to items in a box that they packed (we paid extra for this service). Anne said that someone would come and fix the loveseat. Since then I have been calling daily and emailed to try to get some satisfaction. Anne says she will call back, thats when I get her on the phone ususally it goes to machine and no one returns the message. I have given them ample opportunity to contact me via phone or email and nothing has happened. Has anyone had any luck with this company. I think I know what our next steps will be but I cant keep calling every day when I know they dont believe in client service.

Postscript:
To update everyone about this company: I have taken them to the Better Business Bureau and they never responded to the BBB about the complaint I files. Someone did come out and fix the broken leg on my loveseat - but I had to track him down myself. The other issues are still outstanding (broken lamp and missing china plates) . To date they have still never called me back. Those few people and I mean few, that did have a good experience, consider yourselves very lucky.

Please do not use this company. They are horrible. They came to my house and seemed so wonderfule. THe lady on the phone was just lovely. I gave them a 50.00 deposit, my friend researched them for me that night and found out how awful they were. I called the next morning to tell them I wouldn't be needing the service, that my friends are going to move me. They said no problem, your money will be returned immediately. I have called 10 times, never received any money.

We used Moveworks in the spring. We had interviewed 3 companies and we were originally very impressed with the President who came and quoted and all the great services they would provide. He also indicated that if the move was under the original time quoted that we would only pay per hour. The truck showed up late, with a completely different company name, a VERY aggressive foreman,and a 4 man crew that did not speak English. The foreman was so horrible to deal with that he eventually drove my wife to tears, and she had to leave the house to go to the new location. The trucks were horrendous spilling oil all over the driveway, spewing black smoke. The foreman told us we were crazy to have bought the house we moved to, and then continuely criticized the new house the whole time they were there. They ripped down part of our stairway trim to get our bed up the stairs, damaged furniture. Demanded payment at 5:00 even though they showed up late and then promptly left. The day after the move we discovered that they left at least 15 carloads worth of stuff at our old house that we had to move ourselves before the house closed!!Ann was not able to provide support for the full day of closing to help us move the final stuff, and then two teenage girls showed up at the end of the day to 'help out'. I would never, ever, recommend them to anyone. You have to wonder how these people can sleep at night the way they do business.