Nelson Westerberg

I chose Prager based upon several referrals and some good reviews. What I did not realize was that I was actually hiring Atlas, whose reviews are terrible. This move was a nightmare. The packers arrived and began packing in a very chaotic manner, with things from different rooms being combined – I found a part of my office computer in a box marked «bathroom» and have another box that says «stereo and glass», despite giving the packers the actual shipping box from my stereo, which they then used to pack other items when they ran out of boxes. Yes, they ran out of boxes, and began to use random boxes I had in my attic. The driver was supposed to load a day later, but arrived early packing day and made me take him to my office for a second pick up, causing me not to be able to supervise the packing, and then the office items got intermingled with garage and living room items, contrary to the contract. While I was gone, things that were not supposed to be packed (we planned to put them in bedding boxes the next morning) vanished – I thought into boxes, but some of them were never seen again. My contract stated the home would be protected from damage, but I had to insist this be done, and still ended up running around with touch-​up paint. THEN the driver from Devries moving (another Atlas subsidiary) quit his job on delivery day and spent the day on the phone while other men unloaded the truck. As I unpacked, it became clear not everything was here. I am missing 6 sets of towels (curiously, I have one towel from one set – when they were all stored on the same shelf), all my shoes (boots all arrived) that were stored in boxes – the boxes are here, not the shoes. I also am missing two lovely foreign pieces of artwork. Atlas says that since I signed for the load, they are not responsible for missing items. I may have all the boxes, but I do not have all the goods. These are unethical people –I was asked to sign a blank tablet several times, while someone said, «you are signing that A or B» and then the paperwork was e-​mailed, which I did not see until I was able to set up my computer many days after the items were gone. Atlas will not even attempt to trace my items (the truck made 4 stops after leaving my home), and my belief is that they somehow never made it onto the truck. We inspected the house after, and it was empty, but I am definitely missing many things.
When I spoke to the expediter on moving day and told her it was a noightmare, she kept saying «that’s good», but no attempt was made to help me. The people I called the day after the boxes arrived, as things were discovered missing and broken. kept telling me «I am writing this all down» and then handing me off to the next evasive person. I filled out all their claim forms in detail, only to be put off for two weeks and then told. the claim is denied since you signed for the shipment.

Filled out the form, full Inventory, got a quote. The quote was good, so i called to confirm my move! Only to be told the quote was a ballpark and the actual move would cost $ 3000 more!!! WTF how is there a $ 3000 discrepancy when a full inventory is provided… Needless to say, I found someplace much cheaper.

The only reason for me not giving Atlas a 5 star rating is that I have never worked with another company to compare it to. I’ve now moved with this company twice — from LA to Chicago & Chicago to Cleveland. Both times the crew has been great (different crews) & more importantly, both times the household goods arrived without problem & in a timely manner. From LA to Chicago the driver came & delievered on Saturday, and this time the goods were picked up on Wednesday and delivered on Friday. Mike the driver was in contact whenever I called, he picked up the goods while my wife & I were at work & they had the truck unloaded it in under 2 hours (though we only had a 2bed/​2bath apt). And to top it all off, the guys didn’t have to unpack the goods, but helped for an hour or so. Unfortunately, I don’t know the cost because it was a coporate move, but the service was excellent.