Upstairs Downstairs Moving

Used them for a small job. On time, intelligent, efficient and reasonably priced.

If I could rate this company with no stars that would be preferable but you have to mark with a star for this to be published!! Without doubt the worst removal company in New York (unless someone knows otherwise). No stars from me!!!

The two owners, brothers I believe, could not have been more unhelpful after I signed on the dotted line. One of my requirements was the handling of artwork. I have original hand printed b&w silver gelatin prints (some rather large mounted pieces) and it was imperative they were packed securely. I was assured they had experience handling artwork worth hundreds of thousands.

On the day of the move from NYC to my new home upstate, the guy handling the artwork was dragging pieces with one hand. When I got upset the man was abusive and rude. I asked him to leave my apartment. The packaging they had to wrap artwork was flimsy at best. I handle artwork for exhibitions and the packaging we use just to move artwork in-house was ten times better than bits of paper (no foam wrap in sight). They also were putting artwork in boxes without proper insulation.

When I called the office to complain about what had happened and how soon they could send someone to replace him, they were incredibly rude saying it was my fault for sending him away and that they had no one else to send. They did not offer an apology for what had happened and for sending someone who clearly had no experience handling artwork.

This left only 2 removers to carry on with the work that required a lot of hours. The owner had originally intimated they would be sending 4 people. I spoke with both brothers and I can not describe how appalling unprofessional and uncaring they were. As everyone knows, moving home is stressful.

The problem is once the work has started and you are on a timeline to move out, you are at the mercy of the removal company. There is no going back.

When they delivered the furniture upstate, they threw the empty boxes and paper packaging outside at the front of the house. When we asked if they were taking this away they said "who do you think we are, your servants?" I was, quite frankly, not even surprised given the torture we had to go through in this process. You would think they would go green and re-cycle. It was a terrible waste of boxes and paper I had no further use for.

The only positive outcome of this is that people like me get a chance to write a review. Everyone has a right to choose which company they use and I only wish I had seen a review like this about Upstairs Downstairs before I committed. Movers beware!!!

BTW, they were recommended to me by our broker. I told him what had happened and I sincerely hope he is no longer recommending them.