American Van Lines review: Movers

We first contacted AVL on June 9, 2026, to arrange transportation of the contents of two PODS from Connecticut to Texas. During our initial conversation, we clearly explained that the shipment consisted of one large POD and one small POD containing the belongings of four adults from a two-story home, including furniture, appliances, family photographs, personal documents, and numerous boxes. We were quoted $3,861.76 and paid a $2,000 deposit.
From the beginning, communication and scheduling were problematic. The contract initially reflected the wrong pickup date, requiring multiple unanswered calls and emails before the error was corrected. AVL later rescheduled the pickup due to claimed truck issues, forcing us to rearrange PODS delivery and coordinate with a family member who was overseeing the move.
When movers finally arrived on June 24, they informed us they had only been authorized to transport our washer and dryer. After extensive discussions between the movers and AVL, we learned that our order had been entered incorrectly. We were then required to sign a new contract costing approximately $10,000—more than double the original estimate.
The delivery process was equally frustrating. AVL repeatedly changed delivery dates and communicated critical information to our son despite having been instructed to contact us directly. We were not informed until the last moment that payment would require cash or money order, causing significant difficulties on delivery day.
When the first shipment arrived, only a fraction of our belongings was delivered. Major items, including our washer, dryer, dining table, television stand, family photographs, personal documents, and portions of our couch, were missing. Over the following weeks, we made numerous calls and emails seeking information. We received conflicting explanations from various AVL representatives, including suggestions that our belongings may have been delivered to another customer, that they were in a warehouse in New Jersey, or that they were on a second truck that had broken down.
A second delivery arrived on July 19, but many of the same items remained missing. We also discovered that AVL had repacked some of our belongings without our knowledge or consent, resulting in broken and damaged property, including inherited China and other sentimental items.
Despite repeated follow-up efforts, AVL has failed to provide clear answers, accountability, or a timeline for the return of our property. We have been informed that additional pallets of our belongings were located, yet we continue to receive little to no communication regarding their status.
At this point, AVL has:
• Increased our moving cost from the original quote to approximately $10,000.
• Failed to deliver a substantial portion of our belongings.
• Damaged numerous items through improper handling and repacking.
• Provided inconsistent and contradictory information regarding the location of our property.
• Failed to communicate effectively despite repeated attempts to obtain updates.
The missing property includes valuable appliances, furniture, personal documents, family photographs, and irreplaceable family heirlooms. The emotional and financial impact of this situation has been substantial.