Thunder Movers

Thunder Movers showed up early, packed up my antique furniture carefully, and moved my household belongings from my house into a storage unit. They were reasonably priced, quick and careful.They were also patient with the fact that I had underestimated by half the amount of stuff I had! I would definitely recommend them to a friend. <br />

Not only did they over charge us for a move that was less than 5 minutes away from our previous house, but several items were also damaged/broken during the move.  Since we paid extra for the third mover (the standard move includes 2 guys only), often times we witnessed the 3rd guy being under-utilized.  For example, we have a heavy armoire that weighs a ton and is tall and square and difficult to maneuver up/down stairs.  We witnessed only two guys handling the armoire and moving it upstairs to our new home and in the process left several dents and scratches on the wall.  Maybe some of the damage to our new home could of been avoided had they utilized all 3 guys to move this difficult piece of furniture versus trying to accomplish this with 2 people.  The move itself took about 6 hours with 3 guys. A TV mounting kit was also not delivered to our home after we saw it loaded into the truck.   <br /> <br /> I called the company numerous times and left messages to ask them for assistance in resolving the issue and never received a call back.  This company clearly doesn't care about its customers and places no importance on checking the integrity of its workers.  And to think...we even offered the movers ice water and snacks while they were moving our stuff!

<br /> Let's see.....1)       one of them dropped a straw in my bathroom, they were amazed at being tipped so well.  Hmmmm-that should have been a red flag.   <br /> 2) NONE of the boxes were anywhere near the rooms labelled  So bedroom had dining room and kitchen under office boxes.     TOTAL nightmare!3)  With all that madness-couldn't find anything and when I finally made sense of it-     Missing a suitcase with Grandmother's Furs.  Devastated and irreplaceable. <br /> No clue what they were worth but irreplaceable, to me.  Really bad experience.

The team from Thunder Movers arrived on time, immediately got to work, and was careful not to damage or scratch any of our antique furniture.  They did a masterful job carefully packing the pods.  The entire job could not have been done better.  I am very satisfied with the result.

Please read above statement!

It went very good.

They were responsive because it was scheduled quickly and I thought that it was very reasonable.  We had some damage that we didn’t notice for a while.  I didn’t have a claim or anything.  When we moved again I did not call them.

They were extremely attentive and they had about 6 guys come out and help us move from an apartment to a new house. They were very fast and very efficient.  They didn’t break anything. I would recommend them to friends too.

I had hired these movers previously and had a professional and good experience. <br /> Not this time. <br /> I was moving my household goods into a storage unit and the owner sent out 2 inexperienced movers.  <br /> First of all,  they didn't bring floor guards, I should have known, then. <br /> Trashed the floors. <br /> Once the truck was loaded I reminded them 3 times to bring my blankets for wrapping when we got to the storage unit.  <br /> We got there they opened the truck and... oops they forgot.  <br /> I would have had to pay an xtra hour to go back and get the blackets...no wrapped furniture...can expect lots of dings and scratches. <br /> When I unload, in the dark, because they loaded the unit but forgot to turn off the lights,  I will have burnt out bulbs when I do return. <br /> I couldn't reach the cords myself and when I called 3 times to ask for help to turn them off, in the tightly and precariously packed unit, I got no response.  <br /> But my check was quickly cashed.  <br /> The unit was a long narrow hallway and I stayed out of the way for the 2 guys, when I finally saw the results of the packing into the unit, I was appalled. <br /> The guys were totally inexperienced. <br /> I blame the owner, I think they did their best, given their minimal experience. <br /> Oh yes and one of the bookshelves was dropped and damaged, I called again 3 times to ask about the damage and what to do about a claim and no answer about.   <br /> I still have never gotten a call back.  <br /> Need i say more...

It went fine.  They were very fast.  They sent me a three man crew after discussing it with Tyler.  I helped them and we got it done in about 4 hours.  They were fast, efficient, polite, and professional.

I had no problem booking two employees of the firm to load my 26' U-Haul truck to carry our possessions from Portland, OR to Florida. Robert and Rob arrived on time and were ready to get to work. We pointed out that fragile boxes were set apart in the different rooms and we wanted these items to be in the overhead compartment of the truck where fragile things are supposed to go. <br /> <br /> What happened next was that one of them started stacking boxes on the dolly while the other waited in the truck for each load. Although I expressed a couple of times about the fragile items I was ignored completely. Having time constraints we decided to just let them continue on. <br /> <br /> At one point Robert started to say that we would not have enough room in the truck for everything and it started to panic us as our furniture hadn't even been loaded yet. The only furniture we had was a sofa, small love seat, one queen bedroom set, a bookcase, cedar chest, a small chest and bookcase. <br /> <br /> Eventually they did get everything in. <br /> <br /> We were happy to have our truck loaded and tipped both. <br /> <br /> UPON OFF LOADING: This is when the nightmare began. Although I paid for extra wraps for the furniture very few of them had been used. My nearly new chest of drawers has a huge spot right on the top front and center where the paint has been chipped off. A standing lamp was set right up against a glass doored bookcase which now has a loose back. Several items are either dirty, scratched, or marred from not wrapping things. In addition, I paid extra for spring and mattress bags and had gotten one on the mattress and asked them to put the other on the springs (this set is just 3 years old). Did they? NO! <br /> <br /> Several items were broken in the move (dishes and such), but we expect that. What we didn't expect is that so-called 'professional' movers would be so callus as to not wrap our furniture and protect it better. <br /> <br /> Do yourself a favor and hire someone else. Better yet, if you're retired like us, hire a professional mover if you're going to go 3600 miles!

When we booked our move I had neglected to mention the second storage unit that we had and they still took the time to empty the moving van and then go to the second storage unit and bring the contents to our new house.  We were so grateful to them for their willingness to take on the extra work and all without complaint. 

When first contacted for an estimate, Michael and Dottie could not have been nicer.  Though they were over $1,000 higher than a national moving company we also got an estimate from, we enlisted Thunder Movers because they would only be transporting my Mom's belongings in their truck, and they could promise a definite delivery date.  With an elderly person that was important.  However, I cannot recommend them because of their lack of professionalism and business smarts that they showed once things went wrong.  Two things went wrong and my warning to anyone who uses Thunder Movers is:  Only pay with a credit card.  Then you have recourse.    During the move a round beveled coffee table glass top was broken.  Michael waited until the move was complete before reporting this.  He offered $50 at the conclusion of the move for replacement.  My sister who was there turned down the $50 because she knew it would cost more to replace.  (In fact, it cost $459 to replace).  Michael got mad.  I telephoned Thunder Movers afterward on 3 separate days to ask how to proceed and was there a claim form to fill out.  No one answered the phone, nor did they respond to the messages I left.  I tried emailing.  Again, no response.  Finally I reached Michael on the phone who immediately stated in an angry way:  "I'm really busy right now".  He was not pleasant and in the background someone said:  "Hang up on her Michael; don't talk to her".  We were disconnected.  I phoned back.  Michael was still not very nice but he quickly rattled off a fax number where I could send the invoice for the broken glass.  I faxed the invoice over.  We never got the reimbursement, a claim form, or any response whatsoever.  In the meantime my Mom received her Visa statement.  To our dismay she was overcharged almost $1,200 for the move!  When I emailed Dottie about this overcharge, she emailed me back stating that there must have been a mathematical error.  She also wrote that she would look into it and get back to me before the end of the week.  I have to hear from her.  We put the $1,200 overcharge and the $459 replacement glass top in dispute with my Mom's Visa Company.  Luckily they saw and understood that Thunder Movers owed my Mom $1,652.00 and they credited back that amount to her account.  If you read other people's experiences with Thunder Movers further down this list, you will see this same pattern has happened to others who have used their services:  at first they are very nice and accommodating.  But if anything goes wrong, they are no longer nice and they don't respond to telephone calls or emails.

It went HORRIBLY! <br /> I have never been so disappointed in a business! <br /> Thunder Movers came highly recommended and they were so friendly and accommodating on the first call. Unfortunately, NOTHING WENT WELL after that! <br /> I never received any confirmation that I had hired them and they would be at my home to move me on the day and time agreed. I actually called the Friday before (we were moving on Sunday), just to make sure. And while she sounded a bit surprised on the phone, she assured me 2 guys and a truck would arrive promptly. They were a little late and one got out of the truck complaining about his hangover from drinking at a BBQ at the boss' house the night before. This was just the beginning of it. He spent more time trying to complain to me than moving things, while his partner was doing the work of two. When he was working, he was dropping things and caused significant damage to the home we moved out of, the home we moved into and several pieces of furniture. Damages to the homes included irreparable dents to a fir door, chips and dents in 4 door frames and a large hole in a wall.  Damages to furniture included a chip and crack up the side of a solid wood sideboard, holes in the upholstery of 2 couches and scratches to several pieces of wooden furniture from sliding boxes across them after they were in the new home and unwrapped. The move was estimated at 7-8 hours and took more than 11. In addition, the guy with the hangover called 'a friend who also worked for the company' to help finish the move after the first 8 hours. Despite his smelling like a distillery, he was fast, careful and efficient. Throughout the move I spoke to the partner of the guy with the hangover, asking him to please talk to his buddy about the quality of his work and he did so 3 times. Each time something was damaged, I politely and firmly showed them the damage and they apologized and said that the company would take care of it. After an extremely stressful 11 1/2 hour move. they left us to discover the furniture damage. The next morning, I called the office and they were so kind and apologetic! They say they were so embarrassed and would "make it right!" I was reassured. It has now been 8 weeks since this phone call and NOTHING has been made right. A contractor has fixed the damage to both home and has not been paid. We were told we would be reimbursed to replace the door and for damage to a couch, and we have not seen a dime. We were also told that a furniture specialist would come to look at our sideboard and nothing. We have both called and emailed, as has our Realtor multiple times to find out what is going on. They told our Realtor about the payment we would receive, but never communicated directly with us and still NOTHING!I am angry, tired and appalled! They deserve NO STARS!

They arrived approx 30 minutes late.  They were efficient in there loading of the truck.  They were careful to protect the contents, even suggesting wrapping options to protect contents in storage.   They got the new location with in an expected drive time.  They were quick about unloading truck and were competent in packing contents into small storage space.  They also had a second drop and managed to insert a sofa into a room that was difficult to get into to.     We gave them a nice tip. <br /> <br /> The only suggestion I would make is if the temp for the day will cause the loaders to sweat, then they should be wearing long sleave shirts to absorb the sweat, as they tend to sweat on the furniture.   Prefer that not to happen. 

It was a very warm day and they worked really hard and fast.  Anything I asked them to do they did.  We had three men and you could tell that  all of them to pride in what they were doing.      I would use  them again...

I called after seeing their ad in the Angie's list booklet.  I was setting up a moving company for my elderly in-laws. Phone was answered personally and questions about cost were answered on the spot.  Cost was based on travel time from portland to bend and back to portland, fuel surcharge, take down, plastic wrap furniture, special bags to protect mattresses and delivery/set up.  We had a little misunderstanding about which phone number to call when they reached their destination so a family member was not on site when the movers got to the retirement home. Was not a big issue as the movers brought the boxes to the apartment floor and stacked them in the hall until a family member arrived.  The two men who did the work were very polite, well groomed and english speaking.  They were very patient when asked to move furniture to different positions in the apartment.  They also removed the plastic wrap and took it with them for recycling. I highly recommend this company.

see above

It went very well, they were great. They were about the same as everybody else.

I chose Thunder Movers because I was buying my first place, I had a lot to do, and I wanted someone good even if they were more expensive than I would usually go for, and they had good reviews here and on Yelp. <br /> <br /> I have a two bedroom apartment. Moving to a two bedroom condo. Both ground floor, pretty good access. I packed up everything. They told me to estimate 2-3 hours, and they charge $95/hour. I had to move the date a few times and they were very nice about that. Dottie on the phone was great. <br /> <br /> The day came and they showed up. Two guys. One talked more than the other. Pretty much the first thing out of the first guy's mouth, after "Hello", was "Please tip us in cash. If you include the tip in what you pay the company we don't get as much".  I thought it was a aggressive and I felt uncomfortable. <br /> <br /> The truck was too small. Seriously, too small. Not all my stuff fit in it. And I don't have that much stuff. I mean, I have a typical two bedroom of a fairly low-key not-very-consumerist Portland resident. Nothing special. My couch is a futon that I had taken apart. My bed was a futon as well.  <br /> <br /> They spent a lot of time trying to fit things very carefully into this just-not-big-enough- for-this-move truck. (Time I'm paying them for). <br /> <br /> Then they say "Hey, we can't move all your stuff. Sorry. Maybe you could take it in your car?" <br /> <br /> They had left some of the bulkiest or oddest/tallest items for last. So I said "No. My car isn't big enough. These items are bulky. And, I don't want to move my stuff in my car. That's why I hired movers." <br /> <br /> So the talker says well maybe they can come back and get the rest of the stuff. It will be an expensive use of their time though, he says. I think "Gulp". It has already taken them a long time to pack the truck. <br /> <br /> Then he says something about how they could come back "off the clock" to save me money. He says they will go back if I "make it worth their while". <br /> <br /> Now I'm think "uhhh, well...what does that mean?".  I feel very uncomfortable and confused. I am in a bind -- these items simply will not fit in my car, and I need them to be moved. So I'm like OK....and we keep packing. <br /> <br /> We drive over to the new place. A 10 minute drive. They unpack the truck into my new place. They are very friendly and ra-ra. They act nice and I want to like them. I try not to think about how much it is costing me, as the clock ticks on.They get everything in. <br /> <br /> Then we "negotiate" the other items still at the old place. He says again that I need to "make it worth their while". And he makes it very clear that the "making it worth their while" to "go off the clock" and pick up my things should be separate and additional to the gratuity, which it is very clear he expects. <br /> <br /> I say I don't know what is normal here and how much do they normally get in gratuity? And he says sometimes people give a lot, like $250 once. He gives a range, like $50 to $250. And I think gulp again because it's now been *four hours* and that adds up to $380 already. Without the tip, and without the "off the clock" going back to my house and getting the rest of my stuff. <br /> <br /> The negotiations are kind of a blur. I felt very uncomfortable and nervous and not sure what exactly he expected me to give him. I was prepared for a 2-3 hour move at $95/hour, which they had quoted. So I was still reeling from the $380+tip. <br /> <br /> I go into my stash of cash and pull out everything I have, which is $110. I say is this enough? (Because they want their tip in cash, and the extra money for going back "off the clock"). <br /> <br /> He looks kind of doubtful like he wants more. <br /> <br /> I say "This is all the cash I have on me". He looks like it is really not enough, but he says he wants to help me out. Then he says, literally "Well, I don't want to rape you here".  <br /> <br /> I don't even know what to do with that comment. Except feel extremely uncomfortable.  <br /> <br /> So, he takes the $110. That's $60 tip ($30 each), and $50 for them to go back and get the stuff "off the clock". Which means, they are not going to tell their employer about it or give the employer their share, they are going to pocket the money. So, I don't know what to make of that, but I feel uncomfortable about the whole transaction. They act like they are doing me a huge favor by going back and getting my stuff for $50. <br /> <br /> It takes them about 50 minutes to go back, load the rest of the stuff, come back to my new place, and take it off the truck. I help unload the truck faster because I feel strange and guilty and confused and I just want the experience to be over. <br /> <br /> I ended up paying $495 total. With the $5 charge for the shrinkwrap which they use to wrap all the furniture. <br /> <br /> I'm positive if they had brought the proper size truck they could have done the move much quicker. They could have fit all the stuff in, and not have taken so much time trying to squeeze stuff in, and not had to go back a second time. And the money weirdness was just uncomfortable and not fun. <br /> <br /> Then, the icing. <br /> <br /> I didn't discover this until after the move was finished, but when I went back to clean my old apartment I discovered a big chunk of the fake linoleum had gotten ripped up from the floor of the storage unit that is next door to the apartment. <br /> <br /> I found it later stuck to the underside of one of my boxes. You'd have to pull pretty hard to rip that off, and you'd definitely notice it. I couldn't believe the movers hadn't even mentioned it to me. <br /> <br /> I called them and reported it. Right away the person who answered started trying to talk me out of it and say there was no way to know how it happened. <br /> <br /> When I persisted she finally sent me a claim form. I filled it out and sent it in. And heard nothing, nada, zip from them about it. I never did hear anything back about it. Of course, the cost of the repair came out of my security deposit at my old place.  <br /> <br /> I also told the woman on the phone a bit about the events that happened during the move. She apologized and said she would "talk to the drivers about it", but did not offer any of my money back. <br /> <br /> Overall, I cannot *believe* the poor and bizarre service.

This is the second time I've used them.   They are friendly and reliable.  They just do great work. I found them on Angie's List.  I would certainly recommend them to anyone. 

Rick and another guy worked with us for four hours.  We were moving out of a three story house, involving two steep and narrow stairways inside, and stairs out of both the front and back doors.   They helped us disassemble furniture so it could be moved down  those stairways.  They moved some very heavy, large bureaus, a washer & dryer, and a fridge and freezer.  Some things were moved onto the truck and others were moved into the garage and they kept it all straight.  They had to take off a door and they put it back on perfectly.  They never stopped or slowed down once in the entire four hours.  But the best part is they were very kind and polite, and they were willing to try different ways to get big items moved given the difficult outside access.  I highly recommend Thunder Movers. 

We have helped about 20 people move. Now in our 60's, we decided to hire a moving company. Spending money on something we have done so many times ourselves felt like a luxury...but one we admitted we needed.Thunder Movers was more than I ever expected. I was feeling a bit sad to be leaving my home of 30 years when one of the movers told me he loved his job..."Really", I said, "why"?" With complete sincerity he said, "Because everyday I come to work I get to help someone have a whole new beginning." I was bowled over.Not only did these 3 men treat my husband, myself and our belongings with the utmost respect, they hustled like the house was on fire. Both loading and unloading, they moved more weight faster, than I thought was humanly possible.At the end of the process, they informed us they had come under the budget we had allotted. WHO DOES THAT? I truly cannot recommend  then highly enough.Thanks for saving our backs, and I pray all of yours are okay. Kristine and David

They arrived  later than our scheduled start time, but from there on out things went smoothly.  I opted for 3 men due to heavy objects that I didn't want to worry about.  Noah checked out everything to be moved & organized the loading.  All 3 were courteous, hard-working & moved quickly but carefully.  I was particularly impressed with their handling of my sand-blaster which they had to strap on & pick up.  It's tall, awkward & extremely heavy, not to mention that there was only about 3/4 inch clearance going through the door on the receiving end.  They made the experience pain & worry-free.

The work was absolutely beyond perfect.  They were early, clever and very strong.  They wore clean shoes and were very polite.  It took three people to move the thing, but ten years the same work was done by 5.  These people were absolutely amazing.  I will give them an A+ in all respects.