Gateway Moving and Storage

We moved some furniture, clothes, and bikes from St. Louis to Montana. We purchased the extra replacement insurance. When the movers arrived from Federal/Gateway Moving and Storage (Allied) out of St. Louis, they assured us they would wrap all furniture in blankets. They actually did a great job with that. What we didn't know, is all that blanket wrapping comes off at the ST. Louis warehouse. They then place everything in a large cardboard box which is actually what gets moved. With shoving everything in the big box, they strapped a brand new, never been used, solid elm, from the factory, Amish Kitchen table set into the box so tightly, they dented every chair with the strap marks. It's very obvious. The chairs and table had the manufactures original thin plastic sleeves on it to protect from scratching. They removed bike handles, breaks, petals and tires so they could shove the bikes into the large cardboard box. We filed a claim for the damaged chairs and bikes. Of course they paid nothing on the claim because we couldn't prove the chairs weren't damaged prior to shipping. They told us they couldn't see the chairs prior to shipping due to the plastic sleeves on them and the actual moving men failed to take them off prior to wrapping them in blankets. The insurance company indicated we should have left the sleeves off. That would have been nice to know prior to shipping. Thus, no payment for the strap mark damage. Bike damage was under the deductible, so nothing for that either. So, in conclusion. I would ABSOLUTELY not use Allied. I would NOT use Federal Gateway. They misrepresent how they are going to protect your goods. Use a moving POD, or move yourself, or find your own truck so you can see how it's protected. If you use a large moving company, don't waste the money on extra insurance since they won't pay. Take detailed pictures PRIOR to shipping, and have the movers sign the pictures. Also, no one ever calls you back from Allied, or Federal Gateway, or their insurance company.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $3500

All the 5 star reviews for this company are vague without reference to date, cost or people. They all seem generically pleasant. DO NOT TRUST THESE POSITIVE REVIEWS unless you see factual verifiable support. I trusted these reviews and I deeply regret it. RED FLAG: NO CC Payment = SCAM

I booked my move from California to Texas with 3 specific requirements:
- Pick up date 2/4 (With A LOT of problems)
- Delivery date 2/8-2/9 (Did not happen)
- Using their "piggy back" service - for $1500. (Did not happen)

1. Tony James -sales arranged the dates and estimated cubic feet. We got an estimate of $2,100 thereabouts. I figured because we have two pick up locations, they charged more. His texts makes you feel like he's there to support you 100%.But once you surprise-extra charges, he pulls the CONTRACT on you.

2. Their dispatch person, Delilah called 72 hours ahead and it was unhelpful. WHY? a) didn't know there was a 2nd pick up address, b) didn't know when the pickup was happening, c) didn't know the payment schedule. I emailed Tony and his manager Sarah Johnson to confirm if they got my info since Delilah doesn't know. They said they will have someone call me 24-48 hours before the pickup on Monday 2/4 to provide the info. No one calls me, so I called Sunday night. No one picked up, so I leave a message.

3. Monday 2/4 Pick up date - I called first thing in the morning, and got John Chavez in customer service. He tells me that the contract said my pickup date is 2/8. This is TOTALLY wrong, 2/8 is my delivery date. 2/4 is the pick up. He was irritated and transferred me to their California warehouse. After several back and forth, and waiting. They said that their CA Warehouse found a crew lead by Cesar (818) 489-3441.

4. The CA crew was professional. However, the final total was an additional $1,200 on top of the original estimate - long carry, elevator fee (NONE that I was made aware) Due to the date mix up, I was paranoid, and stressed and reconfirmed with them my delivery date for 2/8-2/9. Cesar said that someone will give me a call from the driver 48-24 hours before the delivery.

5. They did not call. So I called them. Again. John told me to call them back at two different extensions: 511 or 512. He refused to transfer me. When I finally get through, I got the Operation Manager Benjamin. He tells me that the delivery date 2/8 (2/9 at the latest), was their "delivery window open date", which was never brought up when I booked the move. They told me that that was the date when they start counting the 21 days period that they can delivery within. And my earliest delivery date was 2/23! WHAT IN THE WORLD?! Close to a MONTH of waiting.
This is completely WRONG. I reiterated and confirmed repeatedly with every single person that I spoke with over the phone that my delivery date was 2/8-2/9. There is no way I would have booked this move with them knowing I'd have to wait 3+ weeks. Finally, Benjamin, tells me that the fastest that they can deliver my things is the week after 2/11-2/12, AND there would be an additional expedited fee of $797.

At this point, it is understood that my things are being held hostage. It is now the 2/11. Both extensions are not being picked up. I left a message on each voicemails (both had different greetings).

The pickup: Driver Matt refuses to deliver, and charges me an additional $600 (Acceptable ONLY IN CASH).

I made the mistake of trusting the 5 star reviews on this site. After reviewing them, they were all generically nice sounding. None of these were verifiable. If you want to verify my review. Here's the details: Once you book with them (please do not), they'll only answer questions via this number:

800-675-8683
Sales ext 1 Tony (0 disclosures)
Dispatch ext 2 Delilah
Customer ext 3 John (rude and 0 help)
Long Distance Dept ext 511 Benjamin (sounded nice, but charged me $$)
Another random one that John told me to dial: ext 512.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $4803

My husband and I used Gateway Moving and Storage for an interstate move from Kentucky to Arkansas. Gateway secured a deposit of $800 from me by blatantly lying and misrepresenting their business. Amanda Bates, the customer service representative who spoke to my husband, made the following assurances: (1) Gateway used only trained, professional movers, and had its own fleet of trucks, (2) my furniture would be pad-wrapped and my items would be held in climate-controlled storage pending delivery, (3) Gateway was not a broker, but a household goods mover. All of these are false.

On moving day, the foreman, Ahmad, and two other movers arrived two hours late in a rented U-Haul truck. The crew did significant damage to my rented apartment. They put a sizable hole in one of my walls and broke off a large piece of molding on my front door. The foreman took pictures of the damage but never contacted us to discuss reimbursement. They charged an extra $800 because we supposedly exceeded our allotted capacity of about 550 cubic feet, despite the fact that we had donated several large items that were included in the original estimate. The foreman asked that checks be made payable to him directly. I thought that was particularly odd considering that he supposedly worked for Gateway. Also, none of our furniture was pad wrapped, and the crew had no supplies of their own.

It took Gateway SEVENTEEN days to contact my husband directly regarding delivery. This was only after our attorney had contacted their main office. They refused to tell us exactly where our belongings were being held for "security purposes". Our items were eventually delivered 27 days after they were picked up in Kentucky. My washer and dryer had mud on the bottom, so I'm very doubtful that my items were in climate-controlled storage!

Be very wary of these 5-star reviews! I posted a 1-star review for Gateway on Google, and within a few days, Gateway's review page was flooded with a bunch of generic-sounding 5-star ratings. Some of the reviews were identical. Many of the reviewers had posted ratings for the exact same businesses, some of which were other moving companies.

Gateway is NOT a household goods mover: they are a BROKER. The deposit is their share of your money. The move itself is handled by sub-contractors: the Bill of Lading states this very clearly.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $3000

After getting multiple moving quotes, I went with this company because I was told EXPLICITLY that my stuff would be delivered the following weekend (7 days from pickup). He even gave me a window of 3 days it would be delivered. I had lower rated quotes, but this was a big decision making aspect for me.

A few days after pickup I got a call. There was no date listed for my "first available delivery." Apparently they give you a window of 10-14 days STARTING at the "first available delivery date." Whoever told me the exact days it would be delivered APPARENTLY didn't have the authority to do so. So now, not only will I be getting my belongings 2 weeks later than expected, but 3 days were wasted because no one wrote down my "first available delivery" date.

Not only were all these mistakes made by this company, but on top of that- there was absolutely zero sense of customer service. Instead of apologizing for the mistake and doing whatever necessary to get me my belongings, I was told it was MY fault for not asking if the original guy was correct in what he told me. I had no reason to doubt him..

It's now been a week and a half since pick up. Got a call today that it "may" be delivered the end of next week. Making it 2 and a half weeks of sleeping on an air mattress with none of my clothes or belongings.

I will never use this company again. Nor will anyone I know.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1900

Crocks from the start, I scheduled a move from TX to FL with Amanda Bates ( fake name) she gave me a good estimate and said "she overestimated so that I would not have to pay more" I was charged $930.46 more. She also said she would be with me through the whole move. After I signed papers I only spoke to her one more time after weeks and weeks of attempts. She had guaranteed me by phone that our stuff would arrive on the 12th if they could pick it up on the 5th After items were packed the driver said he was heading straight to FL. On the 12th I was not able to get ahold of anyone for days FINALLY John Chavez ( another fake name) told me they had 14 days from drop off date we received our items 19 days and over half our items destroyed. Wet boxes broken items etc Just like everyone else's stories Talked to Delilah Thompson Many many times and got nowhere Also no response for my claim against them as of yet but I am sure I will get the same answers as the rest.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2930

The guys at Gateway Moving and Storage really did a great job for me on this move!! I could not have imagined this move to go smoother!! I have had some not so great experiences so I was very picky with who I chose to move me and my family out here to Florida. It was a lot easier having them pack up everything then renting a truck and doing it myself and honestly after all cost it was not that much more. It was really nice that Gateway took the furniture apart then put it all back together on delivery.

Service cost: $2138

All I can say is that I'm truly impressed by the quality of service this great moving company did of a job. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made because me and wife had very little time to find a decent company to move. Regardless of the money we just wanted to see if it was worth it with the full service because on a move its very difficult to get people to take care of our items. They were really expensive things and sure enough it was taken care with proper care. I would rate this company a true 5 stars and I will commend and definitely will use again. Thank you guys.

Service cost: $6000