I used
Allstate Van Lines, the communication has been abysmal and my stuff is currently missing (it never made it to the dock in the US). The guy who picked up my stuff is missing and has a history of operating without a license.
Part I - Communication
The communication with this particular agent has been the worst I have ever experienced in my life (not exaggerating), and I have explained high concepts to people who don't even speak English.
My adventure officially started September 16th 2014 when sent an eMail saying
I'm finishing up my final packing list so it's about time I ask what days are pickup (so I can have everything ready)
Also, as a side note, your website seems to be down.
Thanks again 
Which I got the invigorating reply:
We working on it.
Cool beans
I'll ask again since I probably wasn't clear:
I am just about done packing, what days do you schedule to pick up stuff? Alternatively: what's the last possible day to pick my stuff up before a shipment goes out?
We need 1 week notice for pickup. Let me know when you are ready.
I will be ready by next week, so I'd be happy to schedule that right now
He then asked how many boxes I have, what size they are. I told him how many and the different sizes to which he says (multiple eMails combined here):
Because your boxes are all different size, we will have to use 2 pallets and after palletizing, your total volume will probably increase.
...
I thought you will be packing in one sized box. 50 cartons will not fit all in one pallet.
...
[I said my boxes fit just fine in the 100cu/ft]
They might not. Palletizing usualy adds about 10-15%
...
[I asked how much a second pallet will increase my quote]
About $270
At this point it's been three days, I move in just less than three weeks, so I was fed up and said "Ok whatever." I asked when the pickup is scheduled and found out it hasn't been yet because, "I was waiting for your go ahead to make sure we are clear on all charges."
Long wait short: twenty days later my stuff got picked up.
Part II - The Pickup
Jeff came by early in the morning with his van and packed my boxes nicely into it. He was even friendly enough to offer a box for some things that needed one.
Now, at this point I was worried about the cost; if it was too much I would need to have some of the boxes back to put in storage, so I asked.
Patrick, it has not yet reached Los Angeles warehouse. I can not really do anything until I get measurements.
Wait.
Wait.
I live in Seattle. They sent a man in a van (heh that rhymes) to pick up my stuff and drive it to LA
before they measure it?!Hurrrrr
So a week later, two days before I fly out of the US, it still hasn't shown up in LA. So I ask again:
Just send a check for $1620. I don't think it will be more. I will let you know if volume changes.
I asked for an invoice before I paid for it, which I got and paid. Reluctantly.
Part III - Now I'm in the UK
I flew into the UK on October 9th
October 20th I get an eMail asking me to fill out insurance forms before they get my stuff gets loaded onto the carrier
Hurrrrrrrrr
For those keeping track, that's three weeks after my stuff got packed into the van.
Part III - Wait...what‽
At this point I'm just curious when my stuff will arrive.
Oct 26 - Just curious, is there an estimated date it'll show up here?
Oct 27 - I have to check with co-loader.
Nov 8 - You ever get around to asking?
Nov 10 - Terminal have not receive your boxes. We are trying to trace them now.
Nov 10 - Do you mean US or UK terminal?
Nov 14 - US terminal.
Ok, I'm not happy now.
I wasn't happy with the shitty communication before, but this...this is unacceptable. It's been eight weeks since my stuff has been picked up and he's
just now telling me this‽ "
So I told him exactly that.
Problem is that mover that was hired to pickup your boxes does not pickup the phone and does not return our calls.
We have also called police, but they said they can not go to his place of business since this is civil. Maybe something happened to the guy, maybe he is in a hospital or something or even worse....Do you have some friends or relative in Seattle to visit his place of business?
I told him I do not, then I decided to dig out the paperwork he had me sign (a printout of a screenshot from his Yahoo Mail) and do some investigating on Jeff.
His eMail address (from the page he printed out and signed) is movertrucks@yahoo.com
The websites associated with it are movelaborexpress.com and JEFFSEXPRESSMOVERSLLC.NET
His name is Jeffrey Johnson
Here's his twitter account, which looks like a bot account
Here's his Facebook page
Here's a site with a review of his business which says it's a scam
Here's his Yelp page which only has one-star reviews of very unhappy people
Here's a Seattle Times article about companies that are operating without permits that specifically names him for not showing up to court
Here's another site showing he got fined
Part IV - Conclusion
As of right now there's a good possibility my stuff is gone forever.
I asked when I should start filing for an insurance claim, he said give them "two weeks to find this idiot."
My advice sofar from this experience:
•Start the packing and sending-off process way earlier than five weeks if possible
•Use a company that gives you a quote before they pick up your stuff
•Don't use Allstate Van Lines
Also, if anyone has advice for me other than wait a couple weeks I'm happy to entertain all suggestions!