Allen & Coles Moving Systems has a rich history in the New England area as an accomplished moving and storage company. We have been servicing our customers' New England moving needs since 1986, providing the best services at affordable rates. Our established New England moving company provides outstanding customer service matched with efficient, cost-effective moves. Our goal is to ensure your full customer satisfaction with our "Quality Moving at Competitive Prices."
The company was founded by Julian Coles who has many years of experience in the moving industry. Our New England moving company has since grown to have three locations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Our three locations help us to serve the greater New England area with personalized, affordable moving services. We are also a North American Van Lines agent, enabling us to move you anywhere in the world.
We are well-equipped with over 80 pieces of equipment and more than 100 highly-trained employees. Our sales people are all qualified with the American Storage and Moving Association. Our NAVL Vanguard Award-winning drivers are the best in the industry. We have also been the recipients of the NAVL Quality Award for 6 consecutive years. Our many accolades prove further our deep commitment to high-caliber moving services and exceptional customer service.
Allen & Coles Moving Systems is first and foremost a pillar of the New England community. We are involved with many charities, organizations, local colleges and local businesses. We firmly believe in the mantra of "Local Companies Supporting Local Companies." Instead of relying on some disreputable moving company you can find on the internet, trust in a local New England moving company who has deep roots in the community.
As a trusted New England moving company for more than 20 years, we can manage your move anywhere in the world. For a personalized moving experience with an experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning company, Allen & Coles Moving Systems is unmatched. We will continue to provide the New England area with quality, affordable moves, just as we have since 1986.
Business highlights
38 years of trusted experience
Services we offer
Local moving, interstate moving, international moving, corporate relocation, storage, record management
Description of Work: The actual guys who moved me and my office overseas were fantastic; on time, careful with everything, 100% professional. The people who helped coordinate the move from the central office and those responsible for billing, a total nightmare! This was probably the most unprofessional and incompetent group of individuals I have ever worked with. There was a lack of clarity with charges and insurance, they sent the bills to the house they moved me out of for months and months and kept emailing me telling me my payments were overdue, despite my emails for months and months to them with my new address (and why couldn't they just email the bill?), etc. Totally unbelievable. I will never hire them again.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
3.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
5.0
Michael L.
09/2014
1.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
On May 6, 2013 we received an estimate from Allen & Coles for moving and storage for $5155.40 after a walk-through inspection of our household goods. We were told by their expert, after inspection, that the move would take one day. Thirteen days later, and five days before the move, we notified them by email of amendments to our move -- all in their favor: no storage in Portland necessary; no trucking to Portland necessary, but rather a move of two miles to Hallowell rather than 60 miles to Portland; no necessity to move two heavy pieces of exercise equipment - a treadmill and an elliptical. On 5/23, the day of the move, we received the only invoice we ever received from A &C, indicating the one-day move and including storage rates of $1312.50 which we no longer required. We prepaid them on the day of their arrival, with a check for $5155.40. The move took three days. A month later by email, we were notified that the move would cost "a bit more" with an additional charge of $2004.55 or 40% more than the original estimate. I objected. We heard nothing from A & C for four months. They then 'adjusted' this additional charge to $1400.05 or 27% higher than the original estimate. I offered them $800, or 15% higher than the estimate - the customary high-end amount with binding estimates (this intrastate move was not a binding estimate). I pointed out that there was no storage, and no move of goods to Portland. Misty Knott from 'credit and collections' acknowledged this but added on "additional valuation charges" and "a request for additional cartons" - a falsehood, for which they have no record of such requests. (The valuation charge is on the original invoice of 5/23 -there is no record of any additional valuation -- and any additional cartons would have been requested by them in the packing - there were no additional items added after that inspection.) A month later we received an email from Julian Coles who had "reviewed all the correspondence and could find no error in the charges." He wanted me to call him on his cell phone. I offered to meet with him in my office. He refused, insisted I call him. I offered a second time, to meet him in Brunswick to discussed this and go over the emails from his company. He said "this was neither necessary nor possible." He was busy. I offered a third time, this time, to go to Portland to his place of business, taking a half-day out of my own work week to do so. His response to this was to have a Small Claims Court notice sent to us. The notice included their claim that we changed the conditions of the move 'a few days before' (yes, five days before, and all changes in their favor), that we had requested 'additional valuation" and 'additional cartons' - both not true, and for which they could give us no documentation. We saw our lawyer. After reviewing this, he agreed they had no basis for this claim, but said that Small Claims Court was always a roll of the dice, that it was possible that we would find there an adverse decision, that I would have to appear possibly all day, and that the least expensive manner to get out of this was to send them a check by certified mail for the $1440.05. On his advice solely, and with great reluctance, I did so, and A &C cashed the check on 4/3/14. The court date was for 4/15. On advice of our lawyer, I contacted the clerk who told us A & C had not contacted them, had not dropped the claim. Per our legal advice, we went to the District Court the week before with a letter to the judge and the canceled check, to be put in our file. On the morning of 4/15 the clerk told me they had not heard from A & C, and that I should call them. I did so. They indicated they would dismiss the claim. They did not. Two weeks later we received notice from the District Court that since neither side in the dispute appeared, the claim was dismissed. Allen & Coles clearly handled in an egregious manner, and others about to move should be warned to avoid them, especially the elderly, who fear court processes of any description, and especially with intrastate moves, where A & C are not bound by interstate federal law. Moreover, the use of Small Claims in lieu of meeting with us to discuss the matter may well be part of a scam, something I am now investigating. A business is permitted twelve such claims per year in the Small Claims Courts of Maine, and the number of such claims is a matter of public record. But I must go to the District Courts in person to learn of Allen & Coles' practices with Small Claims, which I shall do (and cancel patient appointments, lose time from my practice). If this is their common practice, my suspicion is that this is a scam on their part. I made a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau, initially with New England branch, with no response from A & C Moving, then against North American Van Lines, the national company with which they are affiliated, and finally with the BBB once again. The Better Business Bureau informed me last month, August, 2014, that Allen and Coles Moving System has failed to respond to them about my complaint. Michael A. LaCombe, MD MaineGeneral Medical Center
Description of Work: contracted to move our household goods to a new residence
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0
$7,000
Helen B.
11/2013
1.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
The Allied movers arrived at 9:30 am to facilitate the move. Shortly thereafter, I was told that the movers could not bring the antique armoire that was located on the second floor down the staircase. I was informed that the crew would await the arrival of a moving truck that was presently in Boothbay as it had a lift which could accommodate the armoire and the piece would be lowered through the upstairs window. We took a tour of the outdoor space and I pointed out to a crew member, the three pieces of lawn furniture and the one piece of garden statuary that was to be included in the move. It rained on the afternoon of October 31st. I was standing in the living room when the three men delivered my Queen Anne sofa into the house. There was no covering whatsoever on it. The upholstery had raindrops all over it. The crew then proceeded to come into the living room with furniture on the dolly without placing any covering on the oriental rug. They rolled the dolly that went through rain and mud from the outdoors directly onto my oriental rug with furniture on it. The aforementioned antique armoire was brought up the staircase and the trim got caught on a stair. One of the crew members tried to disengage the trim and told the crew chief to stop because it was being ripped off. The crew chief responded, ?We are trying to move a 250 pound piece of furniture and you are worried about the trim?? I responded that I have numerous antique pieces and I did not want them to be damaged. The crew chief responded, ?When you have antique furniture, that happens.? The movers brought the armoire into my bedroom. I noticed that the maple floors in its path were now scratched and pointed this out to the crew. I was told that they could not place coverings on the floor because they could trip on them. The movers placed an oriental scatter rug in front of the armoire. This and the other scatter rug in the room had been cleaned a few months prior. The crew walked on the rug (again, no covering whatsoever was placed on it) and now there was mud on the rug. The piece of garden statuary that was pointed out earlier ke for transport had been left at my previous address. I was told that I would be responsible for additional payment if the movers returned to my previous residence to transport the piece. I contacted the dispatcher who agreed that I should not be charged. I noticed that the hourly rate on the bill of lading was incorrect. The paperwork did not reflect the agreed upon hourly rate. As a result of the careless manner in which this move was handled, the following damages were incurred: The upstairs bedroom maple floor was scratched. The edge of the double size box spring liner has a long tear in it. One of my Councill end tables has twelve hairline scratches across the top in varying lengths. When the armoire was being transported up the stairs, a nail came out of the trim which one of the crew handed to me. I found splintered pieces of wood on the stairs and damaged trim in the area where the nail was dislodged. I specifically requested a non-smoking crew and the sales rep assured me that my request would be honored. Instead, I received a crew that smoked. I was assured that my antique furniture and the landlord?s floors would be treated with the utmost regard. I am very disappointed with my moving experience with Allen & Coles from start to finish.
Description of Work: Provided moving services from one residential location to another.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
4.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
2.0
$1,435
Gary C.
07/2013
5.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
A really great company I had to postpone the pack and move three times. They remained very patient and professional. The morning of the pack three polite and experienced people all in uniform showed up and packed all rooms and a storage shed. They were fast and efficient. They took only a quick lunch break. This was only my third move with a National company, I had previously used two other major movers. Allen and Coles was by far the best for packing as I said before the belongings are in storage in Portland awaiting a Fall move to Saint Augustine Fl.,but from what I have seen so far I would also expect the actual move to go well also. All of my calls were always returned quickly and always the same day.
Description of Work: Packed and put a three bedroom apartment into storage awaiting a move to Florida
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,000
Kate F.
08/2012
5.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
I have used Allen and Coles four times, including two long distance moves and two local moves, all of which included packing. Everytime the service was excellent--everything was delivered, set up (or removed), carefully and courteously. When we had a bit of a problem with one person, they fixed it promptly. When we couldn't find an item (remember these were HUGE moves) they took care of it. I have moved many times and they were one of the best. I recommend them highly. The price listed above was for all 4 moves.
Description of Work: I have used Allen and Coles four times, including two long distance (state to state) moves and two local moves, all of which included packing.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$7,000
Tim W.
01/2012
5.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
They did a good job for me, but there was nothing notable. I would recommend them and would use them again in the future if necessary.
Description of Work: I used Allen & Coles Moving Systems for moving services.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Teresa V.
11/2011
5.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
They were able to come on the day I needed them, in spite of short notice, were friendly, courteous, fast, efficient, and very professional.
Description of Work: They packed and moved a 3 bedroom condo full of household goods.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,000
Julia L.
06/2010
5.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
Scott Davis and his family/friends were amazing - they were the nicest folks and super professional. They packed everything (and I mean EVERYTHING!) with care and attention to detail. They were in constant contact via cell phone while on the road. They completed load and unload in the times set out in contract. At the end of the unload they had a little extra time so they helped open and unwrap some boxes in the kitchen. Which was really appreciated as having 4 young kids it is hard to find a moment to get the essentials unpacked. Everything arrived in tact - all boxes were labelled with contents making opeing and getting to important items really easy.
Description of Work: Whole house (and barn) relocation from Indiana to Maine
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$18,000
Wayne L.
02/2009
5.0
moving companies
+ -1 more
Excellent service from start to finish. Estimator visited the house and reviewed all packing/moving instructions, offered to provide boxes at no additional cost, and provided great tips. Movers arrived on time, were extremely professional and careful, and worked very well together. Delivery and load out were no less impressive. This is the second time we've used this company for a residential move, and I'd highly recommend them in the future.
Description of Work: This company performed a residential, in-state move of a 5-person family in Maine.
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Service Categories
Moving Companies,
Storage
FAQ
Allen & Coles Moving Systems is currently rated 3.8 overall out of 5.
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Allen & Coles Moving Systems accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
Yes, Allen & Coles Moving Systems offers free project estimates.
No, Allen & Coles Moving Systems does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Allen & Coles Moving Systems does not offer a senior discount.
No, Allen & Coles Moving Systems does not offer emergency services.
No, Allen & Coles Moving Systems does not offer warranties.
Allen & Coles Moving Systems offers the following services: Local moving, interstate moving, international moving, corporate relocation, storage, record management