American Van Lines Reviews

1. Pickup-day price increase: My estimate rose from about $8,000 to over $10,000 while movers were already inside my home. With our belongings involved and the move underway, it felt extremely high-pressure.

2. Payment requests outside the contract: While movers were onsite, we were asked to send thousands of dollars via Venmo. At delivery, we were again directed toward peer-to-peer methods such as Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay, or cash. AVL later acknowledged by email that we should not have been advised another payment method was needed.

3. Pressure to sign early: The driver repeatedly asked us to sign the Bill of Lading before loading was complete. During one interaction, he stated we would be charged thousands of dollars if AVL learned he did not have us sign before packing started. We have audio documentation. An AVL coordinator later confirmed by phone and email that the Bill of Lading should be signed after loading was complete.

4. Split, delayed delivery: The Bill of Lading listed an estimated April 15–25 delivery window. The first portion arrived April 16. The second portion, containing nearly all furniture other than couches, did not arrive until May 1. The timeline kept changing, and we repeatedly had to chase updates. We later learned some items had been placed in storage without clear communication.

5. Damage: Both legs of our antique hand-carved solid wood dining table arrived severely broken, with missing pieces, making the table unusable. We photographed the legs at delivery wrapped in only 1–2 layers of taped packing blankets; we did not see boxes or rigid protective packaging around them. Other damaged items included a cabinet/bookcase, two bookshelves, a whiteboard, and a TV bench.

We also documented spilled cleaning products packed with belongings, delicate china packed without individual wrapping, movers drinking health drinks from our basement that were never offered and leaving the trash outside, and the truck breaking a large tree branch during delivery. AVL eventually offered $1,650 total for damage and service/delay issues, then sent a settlement agreement restricting “negative” statements, complaints, and further discussion. I did not sign it.

This is not about one damaged item or one late truck. It is about the full pattern: subcontracting that was not disclosed upfront, a pickup-day price increase, payment requests outside contract methods, pressure around signing documents, inconsistent communication, delayed delivery, damaged furniture, inadequate packing, and a drawn-out claims process. I’m sharing this because I wish I had known these risks before booking. Based on my experience, I would not recommend American Van Lines.

Even the driver and locally hired unloaders openly told us that the company is disorganized and difficult to work with, which only confirmed what we were experiencing. Because of the repeated and unexplained delays, we incurred significant additional expenses. The company offered $30 per day in compensation—an amount that doesn’t realistically cover even basic daily costs. Worse, accepting that payment required signing an agreement not to leave a negative review, which we found completely unacceptable. We declined the offer. This was a stressful, expensive, and deeply frustrating experience from start to finish. I strongly recommend avoiding American Van Lines and choosing a mover that values honesty, accountability, and basic customer service.

Unfortunately, the condition of my belongings upon delivery was also unacceptable. I had both damaged and missing items, including broken dishes, which is incredibly disappointing considering the trust placed in a moving company to handle personal property with care. The fact that items are unaccounted for is especially concerning and has yet to be properly addressed.

The delivery experience itself only added to the frustration. I was given less than an hour’s notice before arrival, which left little time to prepare. There was also confusion regarding payment— I was previously told I could pay one way, but the driver refused that method and insisted on something different at delivery. This placed me in an uncomfortable and stressful position. Additionally, the driver’s demeanor was unprofessional and rude, which made an already difficult situation worse. To add to the disorganization, the driver had to wait approximately an hour for additional help to arrive, further delaying the process and highlighting a lack of planning.

Overall, this was a stressful and disappointing experience. Between the conflicting communication, missing and damaged items, payment confusion, and unprofessional conduct, I cannot recommend this company. I strongly advise anyone considering this service to get all details in writing, confirm payment methods ahead of time, and be cautious when trusting them with valuable belongings.

Called them immediately. Getting the runaround for months now. Speaking with different staff members all telling me different answers. No One ever offered me INSURANCE. No one explained it to me. Not even the movers when they were packing me asked me why I didn’t get insurance!

Finally got a call back after I complained on the BBB website, they will give me .60 cents a pound for each broken item. Yes I am a bit upset. This has been a devastating, disastrous situation. I have THREE boxes that disappeared and a rug and their answer "well we didn't box them so we don't know what was in them!!!" My mom's 1972 painting she gave me, my wedding dress I saved for my daughter. Pictures of my children in frames that hung on my wall. My clothes, pants, shirts. GONE. They haven't even reimburse me for being late for my delivery.

They just called March 8 stating they’ll give me max $724. I stated No what about my tv that you would assured you would walk safely for me?. Calls me back and said an additional $224! My tv was $2,000 though I stated to them $1700. She said she couldn’t do that. I said I need the money from the TV, I would have sold my tv if I knew and didn’t trust this company. I am complaining to you so you can help guide me into legal matters. Small Claims? Transportation Co? Someone different called me back in March stating now the reimbursement is back down to $400? Marni

Dan

Original Review: March 15, 2026

When we called AVL for our move, the salesperson was very friendly and helpful. However, he told me there was a 2-day pick up window, which was honored, and a 10-day delivery window. When I asked him about the "fine" print in the contract where it said something about 30 days, he said, "don't worry about that. I assure you your stuff will most likely be there in 2-5 days", so I signed the contract and paid 1/2 up front. Not too long after we decided to go with AVL, they told us there was a 2-week delay, so they had to give our load to a company I had never heard of that "partners" with AVL. Since I had already paid 1/2 of the money, I was stuck with a company I knew nothing about. 3-days before our move, they did an inventory final check with me over the phone.

I ensured they had absolutely every item on their list that I had. They made me sign a new contract attesting to the list. The movers called me 20 minutes before they got to my house (I was told I would get a 1-hour notice). Before the movers even got our stuff on the truck, another AVL person called me (mind you, they passed me from rep to rep a lot during this process). The new person at AVL said the movers told them I had 19 extra items that weren't on my list and it was going to be another $400! I had my stuff strewn everywhere at that point, so there was no way for me to prove that there weren't extra items. Once again, I was stuck. The main mover that was the coordinator, was friendly and careful with our things. They loaded the truck up on Saturday.

I asked the coordinator when we would get our stuff, and he said he didn't know, because the dispatcher handles all of that. So here I am expecting my things within 2-5 days like the "friendly" salesperson assured me would happen. Once the movers had our stuff on the semi, radio silence started regarding when we would get our things. We were not getting updates of any kind, and I had to hound AVL to get an update. When someone finally reached out to me after I bugged them over and over, they said, "your stuff should be delivered around Wednesday or Thursday of "next" week."

I was in shock at that point, because I really expected our stuff to be there the Monday - Thursday after they picked our stuff up, but now it was going to be another week (at this point, I don't believe them). I am sleeping on the floor in an empty house (and threw my back out doing so) and am buying stuff that I already have on that truck that I don't need, because I was "assured" by the salesperson my stuff would be here quickly, and I still don't have my stuff (it's been 8 days so far). If you are not in a hurry for your stuff and don't care about the extra expenses that will magically occur, AVL is probably no better or worse than any other interstate moving company, but if you use AVL and the salesperson gives you an "assurance", don't believe it.

We have flown to FL on two different times to be there for delivery at great cost to us to be once again disappointed, we have had to call them at least a dozen times with no call backs or simple return of email. Their communication is very poor at best!!! I am starting to now believe that they have lost our items or destroyed or damaged them and are not wanting to own up. However they have good lawyers and contracts that you must sign and also make your payments in advance (which are different than what you have discussed and agreed to with your salesperson, which they say don't worry about what that says.

My only advice is DO NOT USE AMERICAN VAN LINES!!!! YOU WILL BE SORRY!!! My wife and myself are very frustrated with this company, their attitude, no service and now spending two to three times the more dollars with not even our items to show for it which in their agreement they promise at the most in 21 days, well now we are over 50 days and counting!!!!

Original Review: Order # **. I would not recommend American Van Lines, we have had and continue to have a very bad experience with getting our furniture and items delivered. From the start we have been mislead as to where our furniture and items would be stored to an actual delivery date. We were assigned a move coordinator who has changed at least eight times and even when we were moved to an escalation manager over two weeks ago, nothing has changed and forget anybody getting back to you even though they promise to.

We have had to travel on two occasions at a lot of expense to be at the delivery location without any results from American Van Lines which has added a lot of extra cost to our move. If I ran my business this way I would be out of business by now, we have been made a lot of promises which have all been empty or hollow, we are frustrated and tired of dealing with this substandard company. We had a choice of three moving companies and simply chose the wrong one!!! It is so sad that we are now forced to use social media in this way, however they give you no other choice. DO NOT GO WITH AMERICAN VAN LINES!!!