Zippy Shell

My wife and I were disappointed with our decision to hire Zippy Shell to help us with our move. Hiring a moving company requires a lot of trust to allow strangers to enter your home, handle your personal belongings, interact with your family, and assess an honest value for the cost of work performed. We hope that our review will help others choose whether or not to trust Zippy Shell. Here is a brief summary of our experience:
SUMMARY OF OUR EXPERIENCE
— False information conveyed from salesman
— Storage container is loaded 2 days late in City A
— Constant and consistent lack of communication from Move Coordinator regarding updates to schedule changes and location of container
— Storage container is not able to be tracked during shipping by customer or by Zippy
— Final payment was asked for before receiving belongings in City B
— Zippy does not empathize with my wife and me for spending the first two weeks in our new home sleeping on the floor with our infant and our dog and living out of suitcases for almost one month
— Storage container arrives 11 days late in City B
— Over $ 1,000 of living expenses are incurred due to delay in City B
— Per the direction of Zippy, I miss 10 days of work to stay home and wait for the imminent arrival of the storage container
— Over $ 1,000 of damage to furniture during move
— Vice President offers illegal advice to return items we purchased while waiting for our belongings to arrive
— Vice President makes illegal threats to my wife and me regarding collection of the final payment
— Constant rearrangement of schedules of movers, babysitters, and visitors due to the unknown schedule set by Zippy
— Vice President offers $ 1,000 discount as reimbursement and directs us to not file any complaints

Used Zippy Shell to move my belongings from New York to Colorado this past June. Two days before the shell was to be brought I was told the shell would not be ready and instead my belongings would be packed up in a truck, and later transferred to a shell from a warehouse. So much for the security of closing the shell with your own lock.
Unfortunately, not all my belongings made it to my new home. I called at least three times about the missing boxes, and never got a response beyond ‘we’ll ask around’
Can’t recommend a moving service that loses belongings.

One of the worst experiences ever, to be rivaled only by the abysmal service you’d get from Comcast. Such a terrible disappointment. I don’t normally leave negative reviews, but this warranted an exception. In the end this turned out to be the bait and switch scams you read about with many interstate movers. Essentially they quote you one thing and then hold your things captive until they extort more money from you. In short my move cost 50% more than I was quoted.
When I booked the move I told the rep I was unsure if my things would fit in a 15 foot cage. I gave her my inventory over the phone and she assured me it would fit. She checked with her manager and assured me it would fit. She did a space calculator and assured me it would fit. Mind you I’ve moved five times in the past seven years. I know exactly how much stuff I have down to the box count. After multiple calls and emails I was consistently assured it would fit in one 15 foot cage. Well surprise, surprise, it didn’t fit. If you read no more just know you can’t trust what they quote you. I paid $ 1,600 above what I was quoted. After multiple calls to a customer service manager if I wanted my furniture delivered I had no choice but to pay and then hope to work out a credit later.
Here’s the full story. I booked my move in early November for a move right after Christmas, ¹²⁄₂₆. I was told from my move coordinator I would receive a text message from the local Chicago team on ¹²⁄₂₃ with a time for the shell delivery and a time the loaders would arrive as they were closed 12÷24−25. If they were sending me a text they most assuredly had my cell phone number. The 23^rd came and went, one text. So there I am the day after Christmas having no idea what was happening or if anyone was going to show up. I was up and ready to go at 6:00 just to make sure I was ready. I called and left a message that someone needed to contact me and left my cell number and email address. Sometime between 7 – 8 the shell appeared in front of the house. Someone called back shortly after and said the loaders would be there between 8 – 11. Right before 8 I was looking out the window and saw a truck with three guys pull up. They were pulling on matching jackets so I assumed it had to be the loaders. One guy got out of the truck walked toward the front door, then went and got back in truck and they left. Someone from Zippy called around 9 to see if they loaders were there working. I said no one was there or had called. The loaders came back at 11. Mind you everyone had my cell number and my email address. The guys said it was them around 8, but they had the wrong number. There is a call box in front of my building with my name on it, plus there are only six units in the building. No one rang the buzzer.
The guys took a walk through and said what we had would never fit in a 15 foot cage. They also said they would have come out weeks earlier to take a look and we could have know up front we would need another cage. Now I’m scrambling praying I can get another cage. Thankfully one was available and they brought it out. I provided the guys with 100 feet of rope and asked repeatedly to please make sure the load was well tied down. Let’s say I was handed a good deal of rope back. All said and done we were loaded and ready to got many hours after I expected to get on the road. They guys that loaded did a great job. It was made easier because they were able to use the elevator of the entire move. I had been quoted a price that included a move using stairs from the second floor, making a slight increase in the base price.
Needless to say I was furious. A customer service manager called me back on Monday when I was driving across the country. I called her back Tuesday and received no response, Wednesday, no response, Thursday no response. Now I’m livid. I sent a lengthy email to our move coordinator explaining the above and asking for a reduction in my price due to the elevator and a 20% discount given their lack of service cost me a 50% premium. They told me the sales person knowing my concern should have booked the additional trailer, quoted the price and cancelled if it turned out we didn’t need it. That certainly would have made for a better situation. No response to the above request after the customer service manager said she would discuss with senior management as they take these things seriously and get back to me, nothing.
Of course the day before my furniture was due to be delivered they were very prompt in calling to get their money. As with all the scams you read about they have you over a barrel. They have your things and if you want them back you have to pay.
The things arrived and were unloaded. No call from the service manager to see how it was going or after to see how it went. Essentially they got their money and disappeared. I hate to resort to name calling but the only words that come to mind are scum bags. If they had it together it could have been a good experience

The franchise owners and movers were outstanding. The owners were very professional, experienced, and it was helpful to have direct communication. Their movers were capable, very hard working, careful, and attentive. The idea of this company was a little different from others and I think their business model works. Our items arrived undamaged, quickly, and the cost was reasonable. However, I have to say I was very disappointed with the service that I got from Zippy Shells corporate, but because of the great franchise owners and the great method the company uses, I was pleased with the overall experience.

I was recommended zippy shell from a friend. It was a horrible experience. We called a month and a half ahead to make sure the delivery would be on time. Up until the the last three days before delivery it was promised by coordinator that it would be on time. Emails were lost and last minute they said the box can’t be delivered when it was supposed to be. Never again would I deal w or recommend them. Had to fight to finally get our things. They may be cheaper but it’s not worth the hassle. And when they said it would be late they only offered 150 dollar refund. Be ware.

Now that my business is complete with Zippy Shell, I can give an overall review, regarding the process from start to finish.
The initial call for a quote was ok, although the initial quote they gave me was a little high. A couple of weeks later, the sales rep called me back while they were having a special sale going on, and the new sale price was something more reasonable, so we booked.
At one point we had to reschedule the initial drop off, which was super easy. All it took was an email.
When the day came for the trailer to be dropped off, we were given a 2 hour window, and they arrived promptly during that window. The guy who was driving the truck was excellent at getting that truck turned around in a very tight space, so I applaud him for that.
The container was very spacious, and had lots of room for us to cram all of our stuff. I love the metal cage inside, that allows you to easily tie off your stuff to help minimize them moving during transport.
Once our container was picked up, we had a notice within 2 days that it was in the Destination city.
At this point, I started getting annoyed because apparently their weekend delivery appointments fill up far in advance, so it was almost 3 weeks before they finally dropped the trailer back off to us. What’s even more annoying about this, is that my initial sales woman sold it as «when you are ready for it to be dropped off, just give us a call and we will drop it off to you». If she had warned me that a weekend drop off would require 2 – 3 weeks advance notice, then I would have scheduled it weeks in advance. Going almost a month without furniture really stunk.
The trailer was finally dropped back off to us, so we could unload it, and then they picked it back up when they said they would.
So, all in all, it wasn’t a bad experience. But to anyone looking to do business with them in the future, I’d recommend scheduling your Drop off date well in advance, regardless of what the sales person tells you.

I recently used ZippyShell for a move across country (Washington, DC, to the San Francisco Bay Area) and it was a mixed bag experience.
The good:
1. The price was excellent compared to competitors
2. Setting up my service with Kevin Flanagan was awesome and he answered all my questions. I wish he had been my move coordinator, not just my sales guy.
3. The drivers who dropped off and picked up the shell were friendly
4. Arranging a visit to the storage unit was easy
5. Some of the staff is very pleasant to work with. (Mallory who coordinates the storage facility is also awesome.)
The bad:
1. I found it extremely frustrating that they could not confirm shell delivery and pick up in either city until the day before. I arranged to use my own movers in both cities and it was challenging to coordinate with them and their schedules when Zippy wouldn’t provide a time range in advance. They never said it outright, but I almost feel like they set it up this way to push you to use movers they are licensed with ($ 250 flat rate, but you can find loaders for way less in both DC and the SF Bay Area).
2. Some people were mind-​numbingly frustrating to work with. My move coordinator never seemed to return my emails or phone calls checking details. I always had to call to track her down to confirm a detail or ask a question. Also, they seem to have several move coordinators who pass people around. I don’t want to be passed around. I want a move coordinator who knows me and the details of my move and doesn’t have to ask the same background questions every time.
3. No one really seemed to know the details relating to insurance coverage of my shell. Some people told me it was included in my long distance move (both traveling and in storage on the other end), others said it wasn’t. Frankly, I didn’t care and was happy to pay for it if it wasn’t included, but why couldn’t I get a straight answer?
4. Speaking of insurance — BE CAREFUL IF YOU ACCESS YOUR SHELL IN STORAGE AFTER YOU HAVE MOVED. I planned to leave my shell in storage indefinitely after I arrived in California while I sorted out finding a place to live. As such, I visited the storage facility in Hayward (with the requisite 24 hours notice) to retrieve some boxes of easy-​to-​reach necessities. This was all well and good (as noted above). Unfortunately, they didn’t fully shrink wrap my shell after I visited the storage unit. When I received it at my new home a few weeks later, there was dirt and plaster everywhere, and a rug I had sitting on top of the unit that had been fine when I visited was filthy (just the underside, but still). For all ZippyShell hypes wrapping the shells completely to keep the dust and dirt down while in transit and storage, this was a huge disappointment. We had to dust down and wipe off every item that came out of the shell before it went into the house. The underside of the rug never came clean. When I contacted Zippyshell about it, they said my insurance didn’t cover that kind of damage. Um, first of all — I was never told there were different types of insurance. Just «insurance» and no insurance. Second, Zippyshell should own up to its negligence. If you say the shell will be fully wrapped and don’t wrap the top back up after a customer accesses it in storage, thereby letting dirt and PLASTER fall in, that should be on you.
Would I use ZippyShell again? Probably, if the price was right. It certainly wasn’t without frustrations, though.

This company was a preferred mover recommended by my wife’s company for her relocation. What a complete disappointment. From the initial contact, where no one actually comes out to assess your move, to the underestimating of how much space was needed, and to the massive scratches in my furniture, even though the moving truck had approx. 50 moving blankets, this was a complete failure. The best part of the entire experience will be the free coffee the company offered me to write this review.

Had a great experience using Zippy Shell for my move. I took advantage of the free 30-​day storage, and when I received my stuff I noticed the entire trailer was well-​protected by plastic wrap so nothing got dusty. Overall everything went as planned and I would use Zippy Shell again.

Zippy Shell employees are fabulous to work with. They are «johnny on the spot» with customer service! Every time I have a question they answer and solve any issue that I brought up. The driver that dropped the container was so friendly and helpful. My containers are currently in Florida, Josh is the contact person at the storage building in central Florida and is excellent to work with. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND ZIPPY SHELL TO ANY ONE!

I had a few bumps in the road… such as the shell arrive be late to my initial place of living… but overall it was a good experience! Everyone was very friendly and all my belongings made it from California to houston all in one piece!

Can’t say enough about how good my experience was with Teryl and the rest of ZippyShell. They were always in contact, easy to work with and the unloading experience went about as well as it possibly could. Pricing was excellent and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.

Would have been lots better if they could have gotten me all the way into Canada! Otherwise its quite handy.

Great overall experience. My move coordinator was very helpful and the process was as seamless as possible. I would definitely recommend.

My Mom used Zippy Shell to move from California to FL. Such a great experience.
Bob arrived on time and even helped unload some stuff. Literally took us 20 minutes to unload the entire Zippy Shell.
We will be recommending Zippy Shell to lots of people

I used zippy shell when I moved from Los Angeles to Houston. The entire process was so smooth. Marisabell was super helpful, constantly being in contact with me. I don’t think it could have gone any better. Two thumbs up.

My dad used Zippy Shell to move from Ohio to Virginia. Had some issues with getting all their stuff in the trailer, but everything arrived safe and sound. Good experience.

Moved from Naples, FL up to DC with Zippy Shell, and the Naples-​based Zippy Shell affiliate in particular was terrific. (Bill? Bob? Drat, I can’t remember.) Had a few hiccups with scheduling and communications at the national level, but nothing we weren’t able to work out in plenty of time for delivery and unloading to go smoothly and as scheduled. I’ve used both major van lines and Door to Door for previous inter-​city moves, and Zippy Shell was a fine and competitively priced alternative.

I have nothing but good things to say about this company. I contracted with them for a move from Colorado to Texas. It was dropped off on time and picked up on time. It was delivered without incident and damage and picked up a few short hours after unloading. Both delivery drivers were very nice and helpful, plus they even provide a free lock for the trailer! It saved me so much money over driving a Penske/​Uhaul, or even renting a Pod or U-​Pack, etc. Thanks Zippy Shell!!! I will be using you again and spreading the word!
Eric

They were fast with shipping our container and then delivery was as expected. The company the partner with to unload in our area was great i didnt have to do anything but point to where i wanted it to go and they unloaded and were done in record time. i would use them again