Ward Thomas

I am writing this as a warning to anyone considering Anthony Ward Thomas (AWT), especially those with collections, sentimental possessions, or expectations of a premium service. I only wish someone had warned me before I entrusted them with my home and belongings.

I am a long-time collector of memorabilia - figurines, posters, books, and promotional items. While none are individually of huge monetary value, together they represent years of careful curation and deep personal significance. I have always maintained them with meticulous, museum-grade care. My priority when moving was simple: find a company that would treat them with the same respect and precision.

After extensive research, AWT came highly recommended. Their surveyor visited, listened, and agreed - in writing - to all my requirements: gloves when handling collection items, individually wrapping every piece, padding drawers, keeping collection items separate, and following a clear packing schedule. I reinforced this with polite Post-it notes throughout my home.

Despite these assurances, what followed was not a minor lapse but a systemic failure to honour almost every commitment.

Collection items were packed loose, unwrapped, and mixed with heavy items that crushed them. Posters were rolled and placed at the bottom of boxes with heavy objects on top. Drawers meant to be padded were left empty, allowing contents to shift and break. Figurines were mishandled, with bent tags; ceramics were chipped due to lack of protection.

I documented widespread damage: crushed posters, broken and chipped items, scuffed furniture, and marked walls in my new apartment. Fingerprints on framed artwork showed gloves were not used. Boxes were mislabelled, unlabelled, or placed in the wrong rooms. Some items were packed against instructions - including important study papers that remain lost - while others went missing entirely.

The team also disregarded the agreed schedule, rushing and leaving early each day, working at a pace incompatible with the promised care. Essential items like shoes were packed days in advance, causing unnecessary disruption.

Professionalism and respect were lacking. The crew - including individuals not introduced to me - were often dismissive and uncommunicative. At times they watched videos while working. When I raised concerns, I was met with impatience, including finger-tapping while I made decisions.

Hygiene standards were unacceptable: toilets left unflushed, taps running, and items scattered across floors.

On moving day, the situation worsened. The team rushed placement decisions, pressured us to cut short our induction, and brought items in before agreement. One crew member pressured me to use my brand-new toilet and showed irritation when I refused use of my unused microwave to heat his non-vegetarian food (I am vegetarian). The experience felt chaotic and far from “premium.”

After raising concerns, the surveyor admitted instructions were not followed but offered no explanation. The company head also visited but provided no meaningful accountability.

The impact has been both physical and psychological. Many items are damaged, missing, or altered; others now feel tainted. I have been unable to open some boxes for months due to distress. A collection that once brought joy now brings anxiety and sadness.

To be clear: these are not subjective expectations. “Individually wrapped” means wrapped. “Padded” means padded. “Gloves on” means gloves on. These are basic professional standards.

AWT markets itself as high-end. In my experience, they delivered the opposite: careless, rushed, and disorganised service.

If you value your belongings - especially sentimental ones - think carefully before trusting this company. I would not wish this experience on anyone.

Avoid at all costs.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: £6000