Consumers report that nextsteprelocation.com engages in deceptive quoting practices, misrepresents its services, hires unvetted third-party movers, and refuses to process damage claims. This site documents those alleged practices to help you make an informed decision before you book.
If you are currently in the middle of a move with NextStep Relocation and your belongings have been loaded, do not pay any amount beyond your written estimate without first contacting the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov or calling 1-888-368-7238.
Documented Complaints
The following practices have been reported by consumers who booked moves through nextsteprelocation.com. Each section describes the alleged conduct and its impact.
Deceptive Practice #1
NextStep Relocation operates as a moving broker — meaning they do not own trucks, employ movers, or perform any physical moving services. Consumers report that the company presents itself as a full-service moving company, including marketing language that implies veterans will handle your move. In documented complaints, no veterans arrived on moving day. Instead, third-party carriers — hired by NextStep Relocation without adequate consumer disclosure — performed the work.
Deceptive Practice #2
Consumers report that NextStep Relocation provides quotes that are substantially lower than competitors — often by 30–50%. Once belongings are loaded onto the truck and the consumer has no practical ability to refuse, the price is revised upward based on alleged "cubic feet overage." At this point, consumers are effectively held hostage: their belongings are on a truck, and they must pay the inflated amount to receive delivery.
Deceptive Practice #3
Multiple consumers report that belongings arrived damaged or did not arrive at all. Because NextStep Relocation brokers moves to multiple third-party carriers, loads are sometimes intermixed — meaning your belongings may be transported alongside another customer's items, increasing the risk of loss, misdelivery, and damage. Documented complaints describe damage to furniture, electronics, and structural damage to homes during loading and unloading.
Deceptive Practice #4
When consumers attempt to file damage or loss claims, they report that NextStep Relocation refuses to engage meaningfully with the process. Consumers describe being ignored, transferred between representatives without resolution, and treated with hostility when they assert their rights. Under federal law (49 U.S.C. § 14706), moving companies are required to acknowledge claims within 30 days and resolve them within 120 days. Consumers report that NextStep Relocation does not comply with these requirements.
Before You Book
These warning signs apply to any moving company — not just NextStep Relocation. If you encounter several of these during the quoting process, proceed with caution.
Tip: Always verify a mover's USDOT number and operating authority at FMCSA SAFER System before signing any contract. Confirm whether they are a carrier or a broker.
First-Person Account
I hired NextStep Relocation after receiving a quote that was significantly lower than every other estimate I had received. The sales representative assured me that the company employed veterans and that my belongings would be handled with care. Neither of those things turned out to be true.
On moving day, a crew arrived that had no affiliation with NextStep Relocation. They were a third-party carrier I had never heard of and had not agreed to hire. Once my belongings were loaded, the price was revised substantially upward — based on a cubic feet calculation I had no way to verify or dispute. I was told I had to pay the new amount or my belongings would not be delivered.
Several items arrived damaged. Others did not arrive at all. When I attempted to file a claim, I was ignored, transferred between representatives, and ultimately treated with contempt. No claim was ever processed.
I built this site because I do not want another family to go through what I experienced. The information here is factual and documented. If you have had a similar experience, I encourage you to share your story and to file complaints with the appropriate federal and state agencies.
— Site owner, private consumer. This account reflects personal experience and opinion. All claims are based on direct experience and documented communications.
Common Questions
NextStep Relocation is registered with the FMCSA as a broker, not a carrier. This means they are not authorized to transport household goods themselves — they contract that work to third-party carriers. Consumers report this distinction was not clearly communicated at the time of booking.
A moving broker arranges transportation by contracting with licensed carriers. They do not own trucks or employ movers. The broker collects a fee and passes the job to another company. This matters because the company that shows up may have different insurance, different standards, and no accountability to the broker's sales promises. Federal law requires brokers to disclose their broker status clearly in writing.
Most reputable interstate movers price by weight, which is verifiable on a certified scale. Cubic feet pricing is based on how much space your belongings occupy in the truck — a measurement that is subjective and difficult for consumers to verify or dispute. Consumers report that NextStep Relocation used cubic feet estimates to dramatically increase the final price after belongings were already loaded.
You have several options: (1) File a complaint with the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov; (2) File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov; (3) File a complaint with your state Attorney General's consumer protection office; (4) Contact the Better Business Bureau; (5) Consult a consumer protection attorney — many offer free consultations. Document everything: keep all contracts, receipts, photos of damage, and records of communications.
Take Action
If you have experienced deceptive practices by any moving company, you have the right to file complaints with multiple federal and state agencies. These complaints create an official record and can trigger investigations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates interstate movers. File a complaint at protectyourmove.gov or call 1-888-368-7238.
File with FMCSAThe Federal Trade Commission accepts reports of deceptive business practices. Reports help the FTC identify patterns and take enforcement action.
File with FTCBBB complaints are publicly visible and create a record that other consumers can find when researching a company.
File with BBBYour state Attorney General's consumer protection division can investigate deceptive trade practices and may have authority to take action.
Find Your AG