Rainier Overseas Movers

We moved from Albuquerque New Mexico to Melbourne Australia in November 2021. Mark and his team from Rainier and the local office, Apaca (New Mexico), were so courteous, patient, informative and gave us much needed peace of mind given that our move happened in such tumultuous global circumstances that directly impacted the shipping world. Mark was very clear on pricing, there were no surprises there, the movers in New Mexico were very dedicated and made sure that our things and precious belongings were safely packed and secured. We were given updates throughout the entire journey and were offered lots of answers when we had questions. And I am happy (and grateful) to say that our things arrived on time and unscathed. I cannot recommend Mark and Rainier enough. We will definitely be using their services again if we ever move back to the US, I will not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $10000

I do not know if they are locally better but if you are moving out of the country DO NOT hire them. All they had to do was their job and submit my paperwork to their partner company in the country I was moving to when they got it from me, they had it 3 weeks before my stuff shipped because I rushed and paid to send it overnight trying to be sure everything was being done the best possible way, but they still did not send my paperwork to the accepting country until my shipment was enroute, at that point my motorcycle status being unable to import was nothing anyone could advise them of because it was aready on the way, the company said it was a law that any shipping company would be aware of and able to advise clearly if they had only known. The simplest communications that could have made my move, that is already overwhelmingly stressful , a little tolerable they did not do. I was forced to pay for services I did not authorize nor were even done because I was there at the packing but they outsourced to a company and I have no idea how everything went left with me standong right there and no one said anything was going to change my original quoted price. In the end I lost my prize possesion, my favorite motorcycle, lost all money I put into the motorcycle to ship itlost money paying for services that weren't done, and through the whole process was stuck unable to leave the foreign country because it took 6 months past the time I was supposed to have my stuff to find out the answer that I couldn't get my stuff and I could not leave before claiming my things or settling the customs case. All of this because they did not do their job of knowing the rules of the other country, the only reason I hired them. I could have done the move myself with a lot less cost to receive this type of service. The reason I used a company was to make sure the things I could not find out myself were looked into and their wouldn't be any surprises or problems later. I have complained to them, asked for any assistance in all the hardships I had to endure and am still dealing with but they have refused. Protect yourself, do not use this company! There are so many more bad this that happened in this mive but I'm tired or writing but had to just share some and a warning for others to not use them.

Move size: 1 Bedroom Flat Service cost: $12000

We moved from Walla Walla in rural Washington State to Duns in rural Scotland. Rainier were selected by our local mover to handle the international piece. It was a great choice as they did a superb job.

I dealt with Don Arroyo throughout. He was incredibly responsive to every call and email. I was particularly concerned about ensuring our goods were adequately insured and he was very patient with me, answered every question and never made me feel like a nuisance.

Our move started in November 2021 when the COVID chaos at the Ports around the world was at its height. Other movers we had contacted did not even want our business as it was too difficult to find ships or estimate costs. Don found us our ship. Then it was canceled so he found another one. Then the original ship came back and with less than 48 hours notice he managed to collect our stuff from storage in Walla Walla and onto the ship in Seattle. And he didn’t worry me about any of that fire drill – just worked with the local mover to collect the stuff and get it to the port.

Denise Arroyo in the Rainier office gave me the number of my container and a website so every so often I tracked my container (it enjoyed a few weeks R&R in Panama.) We weren’t in a rush as we had to buy a house and we knew that the journey was going to take a while as the port chaos was continuing. But I can honestly say that once the goods left my house in Walla Walla I stopped worrying about them.

Our next hurdle was UK customs and storage. Rainier’s UK agent was professional and communicative, but Don was still my point person if I needed anything. He was still answering every call or email despite the 8 hour time difference. Thankfully everything went smoothly soI didn't need to reach out other than to confirm a couple of details about UK storage. We got through customs quickly. The VAT on our wine was as per estimate.

Our stuff left our house in WA on November 25, 2021. It was delivered to our new home in Scotland on October 3, 2022. Everything was there. A couple of pieces had minor damage but this was due to the original mover not Rainier (and it was so minor we are not making a claim as it was under our deductible.)

There were so many points where things could have gone wrong but thanks to Rainier and their UK agent, nothing did. The costs were also as quoted despite rising energy and gas prices around the world.

After this I WILL NEVER MOVE AGAIN! But if I did, I would use Rainier in a heartbeat.

Note - I have excluded storage from the cost. Our move out was via a local mover (who contracted with Rainier.) So, I don't know if their cost for the local piece was as competitive as if we had gone with Rainier direct. Also, we ended up moving 250 miles further north in UK than the original quote. It was necessary to pay a premium to find a provider to collect and deliver to Scotland. This was arranged by the UK agent. This extra cost was caused by our change of remit and I don't think it fair to include it as the cost to Birmingham, UK was per quote.

Put simply - the cost was competitive when compared to United who were the only other provider who were prepared to quote for this move. And the customer support I got from Rainier was head and shoulders above United. United failed to quote accurately, ignored emails and calls etc. In fact, am still waiting for an answer to a question from them!

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $21000

Rainier was very helpful and down to earth. They provided clear information with no sales pressure, and let us make our own decision. Importantly, everything they said turned out to be true! The crews were helpful and efficient, and the process was made understandable and less stressful because of the company's guidance. The paperwork and customs process was a real worry of ours, and all of that went smoothly.

Our shipment was picked up on September 15, and arrived in our little village in Portugal the day after Christmas.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $23000

I inherited some furniture that I wanted moved from WA to VA, including a delicate glass paneled secretary (picture included in review). Dave Wiviott was my contact and the whole process went smoothly. Rainier was not the cheapest bid I received, but then again, I didn't want the items moved cheaply. It was an easy decision to go with them based how quickly they responded to my initial contact and how consistent their communication and customer service was. (It was like pulling teeth getting some of my other quotes). I definitely recommend!

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $2000

I read the other reviews before posting this negative one, and I see I am joining a common thread: if things go wrong, you are on your own with this company.
To begin with, we were told our belongings would arrive in about 6 weeks - it was longer than that before they even left the States. The company whom Doug had contracted with to receive our goods, ShipCo, turned out to be incompetent. They took so many weeks to get the correct paperwork together that the port authorities ended up inspecting our shipment, with several more weeks of delay. We asked Doug if he could correspond with ShipCo for us, and he replied that he did not have a contact, despite being the one to contract with them. He basically added, sorry, but we were on our own.
When our shipment was eventually released (with a much larger bill than we had been told to expect), despite being told by Doug that ShipCo would arrange delivery, they told us they were unable to do so, and we had to hire a van and enlist friends to collect our belongings. On opening the crate, we discovered that Ranier had not protected items of furniture as promised, with some resulting damage. All in all, it was about 5 months from delivering our shipment in MS to receiving it in our apartment.
To sum up, this is the worst business transaction we have ever been involved in. It may be true that most reviews here are positive, but the fact is that you are taking a big risk on the consequences if things do go wrong. I cannot recommend this company.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $4000

Everything you read here is factual and the absolute truth.
In January 2017, I set up a container shipment from Texas to Thailand. I paid the local company the total cost of the shipment ($7692.96) from packing loading, shipping, delivery in Thailand, and unpacking. I assumed they in turn paid Rainier who paid the shipping company and the destination mover.
On February 16, in Thailand, I received an email which reads: "Your shipment was inspected by US Export customs in Los Angeles. There is a total of $1,460.00 due for this. This must be paid before delivery of your shipment can be made." and "We have also advised Boonma to deliver after we have notified them of payment." (It was written as if I had no intention of paying). I was never warned about a possibility of an inspection at any time.
The container was effectively being held for a ransom. The only way I could pay from Thailand, is send my credit card information to Rainier.

When the container was delivered at the dock in Thailand, I developed two medical issues and needed to return to the US. So I also decided to have the container returned to the US since I could not stay to receive it. Rainier told me it would cost $8,570.51. I was surprised again that it cost MORE to ship it to the US especially when it was NOT delivered to the house in Thailand and NOT unpacked. I asked for a breakdown of the costs of $7691 & $8570; in other words cost of packing, shipping, delivery and unpacking, but NEVER received it. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A REFUND FOR NOT DELIVERING AND UNPACKING THE CONTAINER IN THAILAND. I believe legal action is now necessary to recover the cost of delivery and unpacking in Thailand.

I was very uncomfortable doing business with Rainier because I felt the administrator was unreliable, poor communications and because of the surprises.
Everything you have read above is FACT AND THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
I initially filed a review but the response was demeaning and slanderous. He always includes other movers to support his insults. Just read his response. And those are just more lies. I have contacted those other movers and they agree he is lying. Therefore I am filing another review with more details. I believe legal action is now necessary.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $7693

Doug has helped me with two major moves now, from CA, USA to Sweden, and back again. Both times everything went as smoothly as one could hope. Not only did everything arrive (and all in one piece), Rainier OS was significantly faster than any other moving company I got a quote from by several weeks (particularly with the move back in Sept 2021, during the pandemic, where I shipped a liftvan full of my belongings). Not only that, the pricing I got with Rainier OS was significantly lower than the competition. To top it all off, Doug has always been very responsive in communications, and flexible - like when I asked if I could change the delivery city from Santa Clara to Los Angeles. Sure, there was an additional cost to truck everything from the port in the SF bay area to LA. But it was reasonable, and the delivery was scheduled and done promptly. If I ever need to relocate internationally again, I won't even bother getting a quote from anyone else next time. I'll just call Doug again. 5 stars all the way.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6649