Centennial Moving

This was a truly ridiculous experience. I've moved several times from country to country, and I've never had a more inept moving service.

I contracted Centennial Moving to move a small amount of furniture and personal items from Vancouver BC to Montreal QC. They, at the time of deposit, told me that the move should take 8-14 days typically. I wasn't looking forward to spend the time in my new empty condo, but I understand that they can't simply teleport my items there. So, I paid the deposit, and on began my nightmare experience.

The team sent to pick up my items in Vancouver were professional, friendly, and quick. They both remarked at how little that I had for them to move, and said it would take about 90 minutes to load the truck properly, and they were basically correct. They wrapped all my unboxed items in moving blankets, and secured them with packing tape. Each item was labeled and numbered. It was impressive.

I took a little vacation (to avoid an unnecessary empty week in my condo), and then arrived in Montreal seven days after the pick up, so I would be available when they arrived. I hadn't heard from the company since they've picked up my items, but once again, I understand that they're not exactly going to give me daily updates. So, my wait begins.

Around day 15, I send them an email. I get back a, "It'll get there when it gets there, and we'll let you know". Curt, and unapologetic, but it's only a day late.

Around day 20, I send another email. It's ignored.

Around day 24, I call. I'm told that they're going to talk to dispatch and call me right back. They don't.

Around day 28, I call again. I ask why I wasn't called back about my delivery window, and they again suggest that they're going to talk to dispatch and call me back. I insist that they need to call me back this time. They tell me I will get my stuff next month, at the end of the first week, or during the second week. Six weeks after pickup. I'm understandably angry, and I ask how I'll be compensated. He says that he will talk to the manager and will call me back. He does not call me back.

Around day 30, I call again, and ask again about compensation. I get the same reply, and I insist that he actually call me back. He calls back about 10 minutes later, and says they're willing to discount my move by $50 dollars, and not a penny more. I have some back and forth about how that's insulting and inadequate. He isn't apologetic, and basically says thems the breaks.

Around day 40, I still haven't heard from them, I call again. I'm starting to think my items are never going to arrive. I go through the "talk to the dispatch" routine, and basically tell them I'll wait on the line, and they call back and tell me that they're going to deliver my items later than expected (Surprise surprise), but it will be before the weekend.

Day 43, I get my bill. They've vastly inflated the weight of my items. They suggest that I have just under 2000lbs, but it's actually impossible. I have 3 large boxes (mostly light), 3 medium boxes, TV, printer, soundbar, sofa, coffee table, side table, nightstand, queen bed/frame, two suitcases, a light ikea chair, a small desk, computer chair, two wire/cloth drawers, and a bookshelf. A generous 1300lbs or so, but I would believe up to around 1600lbs. I'd be skeptical at 1800lbs, and completely in disbelief at 2000lbs. There is no method of really arguing anything, and they don't send any sort of proof/documentation to show your items (ONLY) being weighed. However, your items are being held hostage.

They also tell me that their large truck will not be able to make the delivery, so I will have to pay $150 for a 'shuttle team' to move my items into my condo. After some arguing, and bringing up the 45 days it took it deliver, they finally, begrudgingly agree to waive the shuttle fee.

Day 45, the contracted crew to drop my stuff off was great. They did it quickly, without any fuss.

Be very wary if you choose to do business with this company.