Items vanished without a trace and no empathy
I’ve used Howes for 2 house moves now, it’s was brilliant, 2nd time my household belongings went into storage for a few weeks, then move from storage (next street to my new home)
All went fine with moving me out, moving in From storage was after 4pm on a Friday, everything started off ok, all boxes were labelled to where they should go. As time went on, the boys just filled my shed to empty the lorry,
I didn’t find my duvet for my bed until next day as it was out in the shed - which was floor to ceiling with boxes and barely room to move.
I had boxes know the house that had to go outside in the shed and vice versa,
I had to get attic floored to free up some space as I couldn’t get to all the boxes.
I borrowed my son’s drill to do shelving in house until battery died. I had 2 reasonably new Dewalt drills, a combi and newest one a Drill driver.
I had to venture into the shed and try and move boxes. After a couple of hours searching I couldn’t find them, I tried again another day same again, then I tried spare bedroom which was the internal “dumping ground” but to no avail.
I was workout contacting Howes as it may be me just not seeing them, but thought I’d pop into the shop when I was passing.
It was another 3 or 4 weeks before I went in as I thought I’d better do random searches again.
They said they’d check vans and storage unit. But nothing was found.
I thought my items were safe being moved, but 2 nearly new drills, batteries and charger vanished. Both were in cases and were plainly visible what they were (the were in a folding plastic crate with bits of all kinds and random things.
I am told now, I should have checked and reported loss within 7 days. This was totally unmanageable due to the shed was crammed full -(I had a garage before plus the equipment from my workshop).
I also was reminded k didn’t pay for insurance. I packaged everything well so I didn’t expect any or very little damage.
I did not expect my items to vanish, yes the whole crate.
Basically it was a rather abrupt email to say too bad, not our problem.
They received a lot of money from me, as it’s nearly 2 house moves.
I am utterly disgusted that things can just vanish, I’m upset beyond words as I will have to replace the drills. 2 felt drills batteries and a charger in cases!
January 9, 2026
Unprompted review