We used Chess to relocate my family from Sydney to San Francisco. I can't
comment on the experiences of others but ours was very poor.
Up until they had a received our payment Chess were very attentive,
assuring us about the quality and reputation of their service. Their price
was competitive, but not by a huge amount, but we agreed to use it.
The removals team arrived at the time agreed and completed on schedule. We
thought all was well. We then paid all fees.
At that point Chess effectively washed there hands of us and we had no
more proactive contact from them. They seemed to think their job was done
and they made no attempt to intervene when we experienced problems with
their US contractors. The US contractors never once actually bothered to
phone and talk to us directly and we only got status updates when pushed or
they wanted payment, they also provided contradictory and inaccurate
information. Despite being copied in on all communication Chess made no
attempt to assist unless explicitly prodded into action, this was despite
our contract being with Chess, the US subcontractors were their choice and
their responsibility.
We thought this was as bad as it would get but when our possessions were
delivered we discovered that Chess' "professional" packing service included
wrapping fish bbq equipment in my business suits, deliberately breaking
items to fit in packing boxes that were obviously too small, "packing" by
tipping contents of existing storage boxes loose into packing boxes,
stuffing corsetry and underwired dresses into one end of a box under a
record player, hair dryer and other heavy items.
The damage to our property was not accidental in anyway and don't expect
any assistance from Chess if you have any problems after you've handed over
your cheque. We've moved internationally before and never experienced a service as bad.
Avoid

Approximate cost: $9999