Long story short: Lost well over $1000 ...
SHORT STORY: Goods damaged/destroyed due to packing negligence in excess of $900 so far. 2 week delay requiring extended stays in hotels. Move quoted at $4500 cost over $7000. Customer service was non-existent or hostile. LONG STORY: We contacted Around the States to handle a cross country move. Bryan from their company handled our account, and gave us a "safe" estimate that it would cost $4500. Due to the low cost, we added on a full pack for $728, as we wanted our goods to arrive safely. When the packers arrived, they informed us that it would cost around $1700 more than quoted. We understood, as it is hard to estimate remotely, and agreed to the increased charges as he (I forget his name) and Bryan confirmed that we would be safe to expect delivery on the 29th of December or, at most, a few days after (did not arrive until the 10th of January). Following pickup and packing (entirely in the responsibility of Around the States), we stayed in a hotel with me flying in to accept delivery. We received no communication or estimates from the company, and finally heard on the 9th that they would be arriving on the 10th. Nearly 2 weeks past the latest estimate we had been given up to this point. When they did arrive, they said that the street would not accommodate their van, and that we would need to pay $600 cash for a shuttle service or else they would not deliver. Had the street not been approved by Bryan and the pickup worker themselves we would have gone with a different company. We had no choice, so we paid. When delivery happened, we saw how poorly the packing had been done. Precious china (from our wedding) was wrapped in paper towels and packed beneath random appliances such as toaster ovens and were entirely shattered. The leather couch was scratched to hell, and the feet (with their large bolts) were placed haphazardly in a box with not even tape around the bolts and had gouged the wood dramatically. The box had evidently been near the television as well, as one of the bolts had punched through the box of our big screen television. Knives were placed loose at the top of a 100 LB box stacked with dishes (again, largely packed in a single layer of paper towels and no bubble wrap). Myself and my wife were significantly scratched by that box, as not just the knives were sharp, but the broken plates, china, and glasses. No part of the process was professional, and only the beginning appeared so. One manager (a woman named Lee/Leigh) even threatened me that they would come after me (for not honoring my contract) if I submitted reviews prior to going through the claims process. We have many pictures to back this up, as well as names and emails.