Before you consider booking with these guys, please read this carefully. This was easily the worst business I have ever had to deal with. In context, I have done many moves without any hiccups prior to this experience. My encounter was nothing short of terrible, and let me explain why.

I booked with Monarch, and they were quick to take my deposit. After paying this money, their communication was non-existent. I had booked for a specific date, as they had promised in their confirmation email. In the lead up, I did not receive a single follow up email with information of their arrival. I rang 10, 3, and 1 day(s) out to find out an estimated pick-up time. The reception could not give a clear answer, only that the driver would ring me in the morning to confirm a time. The day arrived and I heard nothing. After another 4 calls on my end, the driver rings at 5pm and says they cannot come today, with no sincere apology. They bluntly say that they will come sometime in the afternoon (the following day), but again without any specific arrival time.

The next day comes, and they arrive in the afternoon (again no call in the morning to confirm a time with me). The drivers were blunt, unfriendly, and at times rude. You could tell they did not want to work, and it showed in the way they ‘attempted’ to pack the track. I helped to move as much as I could outside and close to the truck to save time (with zero appreciation). Nearing the end of the move, it was obvious they were unable to fit all our stuff. The drivers’ apologised, then said they had to get on the road. Leaving myself and my partner stranded outside with our remaining belongings. I rang the company and was left on hold multiple times (this is at approx. 5pm. When we were meant to be on the road to move interstate as early as possible). Reception confirmed that the ‘truck manager’ would ring me back, and then left for the day. It wasn’t until 90 minutes later, the manager rings. The manager (who I won’t name) was rude, and clearly rang to save his own hide, rather than show support, apologies and solutions. He essentially blamed me for items not fitting onto the truck, and said that he would pick up the rest of our items “free of charge”, sometime in the evening the next day. As we were already late getting home (by 2 days now..), we decided to make our own plans to get the rest of our belongings home.

It is important to note that I emailed an update list of what was coming on the truck. I had no email response, so I rang the reception approx. 10 days out, who emphasised that there would be plenty of space for the extra items on the list (and there wasn’t..).

Monarch removalists left us stranded on the street, with essentially no accommodation, a trailer worth of our belongings, and no sympathy whatsoever. During the whole process, they were unprofessional, and could not care less about the customer. I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT go with this company. Do your research and spend a bit more money to go with a high quality service. An interstate move is stressful enough – don’t let this add to your worries.

Also important to point out – the removalists ended up breaking the lift at the storage facility due to not following clear instruction. This will be something they will need to fund for repairs – how unfortunate. I cannot report on how my belongings have travelled, but based on how they packed everything, it is an area of concern.