Navis Pack & Ship

I made the unfortunate mistake of hiring Navis and dealing with Peter Michaelson, from Folcroft, PA, based on positive reviews I found. I never leave complaints about companies, but this company is so dishonest I felt I needed to warn others.
First, I was given an estimate over the phone and via email, and was told that once everything was at their warehouse, the whole shipment would be weighed, and that a final price would be given then — when they had all my stuff. I didn’t have a huge shipment, but there were a few antiques, a few paintings and pieces of art, and 28 boxes. I weighed every box, and wrote the weight on the box. I knew I was probably going to be over the estimated weight, and was told by Peter to add $ 50 for every 100 lbs over. I was 400 lbs over the estimated weight, but instead for increasing the price by $ 200, I was told to pay $ 1,600 more. When I asked why, I was told it was all the extra care and work they had to put into the job. But they had my stuff held hostage, so I had to pay.
Also, while initially speaking with Peter (over the phone) before the contract was signed, I was told «not to worry» because they have «never had an insurance claim filed» against them. I was told over the phone that if anything arrived broken that they would cover the repair costs, but if I wanted to cover items for replacement (should they get lost) that I should get insurance on individual pieces, which I did (for an extra $ 400). When my shipment arrived I was immediately worried. The top boxes on the pallet were crushed. One wooden crate looked like a forklift pierced it, and other boxes and bins were crushed under the weight of boxes on top. (They stacked heavy boxes labeled «PHOTOS» on top of light boxes labeled «FRAGILE».)
One antique frame was broken, which fortunately I had listed specifically under the insurance I purchased. That was covered (after much angst!!) But another frame was completely destroyed and not covered. The worst thing, however, was that they broke the glass on a valuable artist’s proof somewhere between my mom’s house and the warehouse, then REMOVED the broken glass, wrapped it up, and shipped it to me as is. When I inquired about it, I was told, «You didn’t have glass on it.» So I provided proof of a photo of the print with the glass. I took the print to two experts who both said they found shards of glass in the frame. Plus there was evidence that someone had pried some of the glass out. When I brought this up with Peter I was told, «you must have forgotten that it had broken before.» He would not acknowledge that someone at Navis not only broke the glass but that they tried to cover it up. Accidents happen. That’s fine. But they should have taken responsibility for it and replaced the glass.
The young men who came to the house to pick up the items were quite nice and respectful, and hard working. And like I said, accidents happen. I would have been satisfied had Peter just covered the $ 150 to replace the glass. But instead he tried to pin the blame on me. The photos I provided were not enough proof for him. The eye witnesses who saw the print leave the house with glass on it were not enough proof for him. Instead the man brought me to tears with his rude, condescending emails. Granted, I had just lost my mom and was weepy. But Peter was so unprofessional and rude, that my husband had to take over all communications with Peter as we tried to file the claim.

They change their price after agreement — please choose a different company. They double the price after the estimate and then refused to release my items until I paid the amount. They even threatened to sell my items in an auction. Stay away!!!
and of course they’d refute it (below) but that’s just the kind of sleezy business they are

I had a client a few years ago who was selling their Rittenhouse Square condominium furnished and needed all of his personal items shipped to him in California. While I was able to send most of the items via UPS I had some art that needed more special packing and shipping. I was lucky to get a recommendation from Robert Borgstrom at Rose Valley Antiques to Peter and his wife Rebecca who own and operate Navis Pack & Ship. I brought the art out to their space in Folsom and it was done. Would definitely use them again.

Highly recommended for packing& moving! I had a really difficult moving job. I’m out in California and I had to have my grandmother’s mid-​Jersey house full of curios and art packed up to be brought out here. Not only did that mean a really careful packing job, but also that the estimate had to be made without anybody actually seeing first what needed to be packed!
Navis did a fantastic job, finding a subcontractor to bring everything down to Philly and then themselves packing it for cross-​country shipping. Everything arrived here quickly and in perfect condition. Through all this they were great on the phone, answering my questions quickly and following up when appropriate. And their cost was much less than the other bids I received on the job.