Brand Transfer & Storage Company

The move went as well as a move can go. I wish the first half of my move (from MD) had been that good. The Brand men were prompt, efficient, courteous, careful and responsive. They were with me from 8 AM until almost 7PM and still in a good mood. They removed packing from anything that needed it, placed furniture where I asked for it to go, reassembled anything that needed it, hooked up my electronics, etc. The next day two of the men came back and unpacked more than half the boxes. They put things in cabinets, on shelves, in the garage and finished putting together anything that needed it. Today they came and picked up 50 or 60 of the boxes and will return for the rest when I've finished unpacking (waiting for some furniture to come). I wouldn't hesitate to use them again or to recommend them to my best friend!

The movers were punctual. I was obvious that 2 of the men were just day laborers that the "head" man picked up somewhere. (They did not know each others names). We added a stop at a local store to pick up a dresser. The guys worked hard and took breaks and a 30 min lunch. When the head guy called in to tell office their time he did not indicate breaks. I asked about this and the office said that would cover the trip to the furniture store (but we paid for that because the movers were still on the clock.) Due to being too tired to argue I just paid - but I paid for their breaks and lunch which cost me an additional 120. After they left I began to find little dings on various pieces of furniture. Do not use this company if you are looking for professional movers.

TERRIBLE! "Tom" the supposedly professional estimater estimated 6.5 hours (3.5 hours loading and 4 hours unloading at a flat fees. He 'professed' that his estimates were never off by much. The moving crew arrrived on time and professionally introduced themselves (3 men as the estimate had shown). After a walk trhough, the work began. The first amount of time was unloading packing supplies from the truch most of which I had told Tom, would not be needed (Basically large wardrobe boxes when I had already moved all of my closets - part of the unnecessary packing supplies loaded and unloaded.The work seemed to be going slow as evidenced by my buyer's 'empty home' walk through scheduled at 12:30 PM (3.5 hours after the start of my move timed to be sequenced with the estimated time of moving out. This was not met and I was glad to have already established a good relationship with my buyers as we concluded that I would take care of anything that was amiss after that point. Like my buyers, I had to go to closing leaving my home only partially packed and with the realitization that somethings might be missed. When I returned after my closing to find the movers at my new home already beginning unloading, I was forced to realize two things. Something's already moved in might be mispositioned and secondly, at already 3 PM, I looked at still a nearly full truck with 30 minitues of estimated time before my cost estimate would be exceeded. My actual, thought, as a caring human being, was that, it was likely that they did not finish packing my property untill about 2:30, had come to my new place (less than a 5 minute drive) and began unpacking at which time, unfortunately it had begun to rain. My first thought was to ask the movers if they had had time for lunch, to which they said no, and I asked them if I could get something from the local McDonald's for them and I did. It kind of worries me in regards to Labor Laws whether the estimate was given without regards to breaks. Any way, 6 PM rolled around, the movers felt that they had to call their dispatcher ("Tom" believe it or not) and thought they were close to completing (I believe the efforts of the crew chief to minimize my expense), Tom confimred that a full 10 hours should be charged. Once again, I know Federal Law and in an 8 hour day, tow 15 minute breaks and a lunch break are required - none of which seemed to have been considered. I would like to say that I do not believe that any of this was the problems of the moving team but moore of the corporate office and a rather poor estimate. I will also freely admit that the contract that I signed indicated that it was an estimate and that additional charges could be incurred but feel that during the estimate, I was factual about the state of the condition of my home at the time of the move and felt that the estimate along with the promise that "Tom was never off much" was a sales ploy to get my business and then worry about the consequences. I would also say that I wish I had reviewed Angie's List first and saw the other poor comments prior to accepting my real estate's agent's recommendation for this company.

The move itself went okay though they ended up going over their estimate by 15%. After they left, I found several scratches and nicks in a very expensive desk and credenza. I called the rep who asked my to e-mail pictures of the damage and he would give them to Steve Brand who was the owner and the person who handled claims. After several follow-up calls, I finally received a call back from Steve Brand. He told me that he would have a professional come out to repair the damage but his obligation was only $.06 a pound. I told him that I was aware of that and my only concern was to have the damage repaired. Over the next three months I made eight telephone calls trying to reach either the rep or Steve Brand. I finally received a letter containing $60 stating that their estimate was that the desk and credenza weighed 100 pounds and that I was only entitled to $60.No follow-up call, no discussion about the actual weight which is closer to 300 pounds for both pieces, nothing. Just a minimal check and a get lost attitude. What a poor and unprofessional way to do business.