Disastrous Move from HK to East Coast USA
Echoing all of the other reviews here, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use Links Asia. They are a bunch of fraudsters. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are out of business as I write this. My biggest regret is that I did not do more thorough due diligence on these charlatans and research reviews like the ones below which are sadly all too familiar based on our most recent experience.
I should mention that I never write reviews, but the behavior of this vendor is so egregious, I am compelled to write to protect others from these swindlers.
Last June, we solicited three quotes for our move from Hong Kong to Connecticut, USA. Links (Asia) Moving provided a competitive quote (US$6,000) as well as a promise to get our shipment to the USA in time for the school year. The other providers were not able to do so. Links made us aware that they could not make a full promise given a potential delay that US customs might throw up, but that was going to be a risk no matter what provider we chose.
Packing in Hong Kong in July went fine. Our shipment was on its way and heading to the USA. After continued pushing via e-mail, we received periodic updates about expected arrival dates. Shipment made it to Newark in August and quickly cleared customs. And then the problems started.
All of our items were a 2-hour truck ride away, but Asia Links refused to pay their USA partner, the freight forwarder that they were using. The initial excuses seemed valid, but days turned into weeks and the excuses became more absurd. The phone was never picked up in their office. Seriously, never! Unclear how you can conduct an ongoing business that way!
Weeks turned into months and the communication just completely stopped and after the feeble excuses subsided, their staff simply stopped replying to our emails.
E-mails to their CEO, Patrick O’Donnell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-o-donnell-41a75614/) initially seemed promising, but soon followed the familiar refrain of being completely ignored.
Our shipment was in limbo, we were sleeping on air mattresses, and there was no end in sight. Our shipment was effectively held as ransom, we could settle with the freight forwarder (since Links clearly was not going to) or continue to wait. We decided to pay the freight forwarder (who was helpful throughout this arduous process, but they wanted to get paid!). Shipment was scheduled within hours of settling up (for US$2,100) and the staff from the freight forwarder was courteous and efficient.
I have never experienced something like this. In case it was not clear from the above, I would never in a million years recommend this firm or to even work with anyone who was affiliated with this deception.
