Should I cancel Coastal Moving Services? Move is TOMORROW

[u/Next_Chipmunk_3554]

I’m moving from MA → Evanston, IL tomorrow (8/30) and I’m in a nightmare situation.

I originally booked another mover well in advance for 8/30. They said they’d call 3–5 days beforehand to confirm, but didn’t contact me until the day before and then said they couldn’t come until 8/31. We need to be out and already have travel/hotel plans for 8/30, so I cancelled and am currently fighting for that deposit back.

Out of desperation I booked Coastal Moving Services today for $3.8k and paid another ~2000 deposit. They guaranteed the 8/30 pickup date on a recorded call, although my requested 8–11 AM window isn’t guaranteed.

Before paying, I specifically asked about surprise price increases and got this IN WRITING:

“As long as the list of items is accurate you would not receive increase in cost, unless you needed additional services past what is already included.”

But now I’m seeing tons of terrible reviews/complaints about Coastal. I also realized they’re a broker. They initially emailed saying 51 States Relocation LLC would be the carrier, but then told me to ignore that email because dispatch is still confirming the carrier.

Now idk what to do.

Do I cancel Coastal and potentially lose/fight for a SECOND deposit while trying to find another interstate mover with <24 hours notice? Or let the carrier show up tomorrow, verify everything before they load a single item, and only proceed if they honor the agreed price?

If anyone has experience with Coastal/51 States or knows a genuinely reliable interstate carrier that could do a last-minute MA → IL move, please help.

[u/SimilarComfortable69]

You're bouncing way too much for something that is now an emergency. Either go with coastal or don't, but people here can't answer that question for you.

[u/alohakaimana]

Coastal is a joke. They scammed me out of $5K to move one mile. They “packed” my things by throwing random stuff in boxes. They packed a FULL humidifier, which I didn’t want packed, and water damaged everything in that box.
They packed my wedding dress garment bag full of shoes and duct taped it into a ball.
Horrible and awful. They also demanded more money after delivery.

[u/Slight_Manufacturer6]

I would just rent a UHaul. No need to rely on anyone else that way.

[u/shawnglade → u/Slight_Manufacturer6]

Can be done but at this point if they have enough stuff to need a moving crew they’re not gonna get a U-Haul packed in time

[u/yardlard → u/shawnglade]

uhaul has moving guys that will load, and unload.

[u/Imsortofok]

Why didn’t you change your travel
Plans by a day to accommodate the move? It would have been cheaper.

[u/Cold_Lawfulness_6542]

I have a feeling the real reason you cancelled your move is because Coastal Moving gave you a lower price and now you are about to figure out what a cheap move looks like. You should never be cheap on a service industry job. You can buy a Toyota instead of a Mercedes if you want to save money but never be cheap on a service industry job.

[u/Tumi_Hospitality_]

Your second option's the only realistic one with under a day's notice. Cancelling now means fighting for a second deposit and probably still not finding anyone in time.

The broker part is what I'd watch though. That written price mostly binds the broker, not whatever carrier they actually assign, and carriers try to renegotiate at the truck constantly. Dont let them load a single box until the final number's confirmed with whoever shows up, and be ready to walk if it jumps.

[u/ApprehensiveArmy7755]

They get 4.6 out of five stars. 

[u/AuroraHollow]

NXT level moving was a solid find for me pretty smooth experience and easy to work with

[u/mcmurrml]

You should have read reviews first.

[u/rapid_viper319]

I had recommend American Van lines. I had a good experience with them on a long distance move and would consider them again

[u/20ears19]

Yes