United Van Lines

Moved from Calgary to Vancouver in May 2014. UVL subcontracted to a local mover (I dislike this practice as it makes any claims exponentially more convoluted). In Calgary my belongings were moved into a storage locker for one month, during which I couldn't inspect the condition of anything and was unable to take a proper inventory. In Vancouver I had requested an oil painting be placed in a picture box for transport which they said they would do.

I moved from Moncton to Vancouver with United. Picking up my stuff, the movers were several hours late, but otherwise fine. Unfortunately when I got to Vancouver, it took me a few weeks to find a place to live in Vancouver. In the meantime United stored my stuff. When it was finally time to move my belongings the last 8 km to my new place, they wanted to charge me $900! Now I was expecting some extra fees but not that much.

United Van Lines did my military move in August from BC to Ottawa. This is by far the worst company I have ever dealt with. During the move, the movers made racist jokes directed at natives, one even put their hands on me and proceeded to attempt to push me out of a room. They took all of our packed clothes from wardrobes etc and stuffed into corners of the truck - no box, no coverings of any kind. The rudeness and unprofessionalism was unparalleled in any move we’ve had. And it did not stop at the movers.

***been 5 months since the move. They will not replace items they damaged. I provided undeniable proof that they damaged certain items and they offer $1000 as a “good will gesture” on over $5000 in items. Straight out refuse to cover other items worth $3500. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS COMPANY!!! Worst experience ever. Nothing properly labelled, they did not deliver. Instead dropped off at a third party moving company, by the time it arrived so much of our stuff was damaged.

Had to deal with a Van Lines of Canada driver (Nasty attitude) delivering into a storage facility that I supervise. I went outside to explain to the driver when he arrived that a 53ft trailer can only pull into our lot backwards, he stated "who the crap are you". I stated "I manage the property". He just kept looking at me all weird. I then tried to explain the only way to come in property and he stated who are you?....I told him again that I manage the property. He gave me a real dirty look and shook his head.

This company steals your belongs!!! I'm missing so many items and when I tried to make a complain, I was told they won't do a thing, I have to take their driver to small claims court as the drivers are not their responsibility. It's his word against mine. Rukm? Come to me house anytime and you'll see I do not have these items!!!! I didn't hire the driver, I hired the company. I did my own inventory aswell, 23 items gone, disgusting! Damaged!!!

Must avoid absolutely! Most of my furniture, some of which were registered as valuable items, arrived without any protection or moving blankets (light colored Italian leather sofa, velvet chair, floor lamp, bookcases, etc.). Some were dirty, full of gravel, and almost all were damaged. Yet, they were all carefully packed by the moving team at origin. The unloading at destination was sloppy, hasty, careless of the furniture or the premises.

The high standard of care seemed to be missing during my move. My wife and I just underwent the most stressful move in my career moving from Canada to Germany. We had hoped United Van Lines would be the company that did care but apparently it was not the case. When moving out of our house in Canada, the movers did severe damage to our house when removing items from our house due to lack of care.