The Moving Experience - San Luis Obispo, California

Scott H.

This is the WORST moving company I’ve ever dealt with. Like many others, they arrived late, half-finished the job, and held me hostage mid-move by demanding more money. *Expect them to BLAME YOU for their failures, just like their response to every bad review on Google.*

I recently hired The Moving Experience to help with a move across San Luis Obispo, and I regret the decision. Despite accommodating a last-minute date change, the experience was disastrous.

They were scheduled to arrive between 8:30-10:00 AM on Friday but didn’t show up until 12:30 PM. They packed only two rooms and left the rest for the next day. On Saturday, they arrived at 9:00 AM and spent the day complaining about the workload—despite assessing it beforehand and providing a “Not to Exceed” quote of $1,710.

To make matters worse, they requested a change order for more money mid-move, and when I couldn’t figure out why, they left with the van only 1/4 full. They sent extra movers later, but by 5:00 PM, they left with our garage full of stuff, beds half-assembled, and large items like dressers and artwork still unpacked.

Even worse, they charged our credit card the full amount before finishing the job, and I couldn’t reach anyone for help. My family had to complete the move ourselves over the next several days, going back and forth (thankfully only a short distance) and setting up furniture that was supposed to be handled by them.

This was a completely UNPROFESSIONAL and STRESSFUL experience. Save yourself the headache—look elsewhere for your moving needs.

RECURRING ISSUES FROM OTHER 1-STAR REWVIEWS:
1. *Lateness and Lack of Communication*: They were hours (or even days) late, with zero communication or vague excuses.
2. *Incomplete Jobs*: Many reviews mention jobs left unfinished, with items left behind or not assembled.
3. *Price Gouging and Extra Charges*: Mid-move charges, holding belongings hostage until payment, and unauthorized charges are common complaints.
4. *Defensive Responses*: They blame the customer in every bad review, claiming the customer didn’t understand expectations.

*REVIEW PICTURES IS ALL THE STUFF THEY LEFT BEHIND AFTER "FINISHING THE JOB"*

Jeannie B.

Baby Grand Pianos are loving until they need to be moved. Moving Experience was able to get us on the schedule quickly, showed up on time, and had a great crew that made the job easy. A great and seamless experience from start to finish.

E. A. D.

TME moved us from SLO to LA in July. The quote we received was for an entire whole house (3-bedroom) move including wrapping and packing everything including the magazines on the coffee table. There was approximately 20,000 pounds of belongings, which required over 300 boxes for this home relocation. It filled a semi-trailer load floor to ceiling.

The planned 2-day move took 3 full days during which time a handful of items were scratched, some glassware items were cracked and broken, and a few plastic items were crushed. Our sleep number bed and our 400 pound commercial grade elliptical exercise machine suffered some electronic damages.

Yet in the end, after some calls, emails, and texts Aaron (a manager w/TME) made it right with compensation for the needed repairs & replacement items.

Beth

Avoid at all costs.

Asked for them to load a 15 foot U-Haul. Charged 1300+ dollars. To load a truck.

Experienced movers did not arrive at the move site due to over booking on the company’s end. Instead the dispatcher/manager and another new person arrived. The women showed up with only a broken dolly. Did not follow instructions, and broke over 1000 dollars of our belongings. Over another 1000 dollars of items we asked to be packed never made it to the destination. The movers arrived late, scratched our floors, and took double the time needed due to their incompetence. They had to call their other coworkers to the site to finish the job. They charged us for the labor of each employee, and overtime for late hours despite initially quoting $600 AND verbally telling us they would only charge us $350 due to their incompetence. They left our house filled with trash as well (water bottles, drinks, wrappers, etc.)

Don’t bother complaining to the manager, she was the one that moved us and lacks any accountability. We tried to do a credit card charge back, but somehow they had time cards saying they arrived on time despite text messages that detailed otherwise.

To this day I have yet to receive an itemized receipt.

Run from this company at all costs.

eric D.

Personally I’d avoid for state-by-state. The movers who initially packed our truck did a great job, and we were really optimistic, so maybe local is their niche. However, after that point it was a poor experience. The communication was non-existent, we were drug along being told the truck was to arrive and it didn’t multiple times over weeks, and finally a month after their latest delivery day estimate it arrived. Once it did, you could tell our things had been poorly packed, with broken pieces, scratches and dings sorta like it was thrown in there. There also was no clear delineation in the semi as to who’s stuff was who’s.

The thing is, we’d have been understanding had we just been informed. We called so often and got no one. There were vague excuses about brake lights… but as a moving company you deal with trucks daily and it doesn’t explain six weeks total of time. Their own policies, particularly about updates in writing were non-complied. Honestly, all that aside because I’m well aware sometimes things just don’t go as planned, I’d say their greatest fault is just the lack of compassion and empathy for their customers’ experience. We just needed someone to fill us in so we could plan accordingly and not wait for the truck to arrive multiple weekends and only to have it not. Moving is stressful and they made a stressful life event much worse by not communicating and that’s the real issue here. Like I said, I’m sure they may be great locally, but I’d avoid for state-to-state.

Jay B.

Recently moved & The Moving Experience was excellent from start to finish! Kept me updated from arrival to end of move. Answered any questions I had clearly & stayed personable & kind thru-out. I would use them again to move when the time comes for certain! Great team!

Derek R.

Worked with the Moving Experience this week to coordinate the moving of a 750lb hot tub from the street ( Costco Delivery curbside ) to the backyard of our home. The gentleman showed up as planned ( morning timeframe ) and quickly moved the hot tub to the backyard and in the desired location, even helping unwrap and move again (slightly ) to accommodate the electrical conduit. Very professional and courteous. In the office Alisa and Candace were clear with communication and answered questions and concerns promptly. If we ever need to move our household to a new home I'd have no problem or concerns using this company to do so. My experience was 5 stars, cheers.

Andy C.

Had a great experience with the moving experience. Aaron was a salt of the Earth type of guy with great communication and good vibes. His whole crew was very helpful and respectful. Would definitely recommend.