1-800-GOT-JUNK Reviews: What Customers Really Say

After my mixed experiences, I spent hours reading through 1800 got junk reviews on various platforms. The Better Business Bureau shows them with an A+ rating, but dig deeper into individual stories, and you’ll find a pattern that matches my own experience – stellar service in some areas, mediocre in others.

On Google Reviews, they average about 4.2 stars across thousands of reviews. The five-star reviews rave about professional crews, punctual service, and the convenience of online booking. The one-star reviews? Mostly complaints about pricing surprises and occasional damage to property. One reviewer mentioned paying $750 to remove a single hot tub, while another paid $400 for the same service in a different city.

What’s fascinating is the geographic variation. Reviews from urban areas like Seattle and San Francisco tend to be more positive, mentioning faster response times and more professional crews. Rural and suburban reviews are spottier, with longer wait times and sometimes less experienced teams.

The customer service phone experience gets consistent praise. Every time I’ve called, I’ve reached a real person within two minutes. They’re friendly, they actually listen, and they can usually schedule service within 24-48 hours. Compare that to some local companies where you leave voicemails that might get returned next week.

Let’s break down what really matters based on both my experience and the hundreds of reviews I’ve analyzed.

Let me share some specific situations where the service shined and where it stumbled, based on real experiences.

A neighbor used them for an emergency cleanout when her elderly father passed away. The crew arrived the same day she called, worked respectfully and quietly, and even helped her set aside items she wasn’t sure about. They carefully wrapped and donated his book collection to the local library. That’s the kind of service that earns customer loyalty.

Contrast that with my friend Mike’s experience during his office cleanout. The crew showed up two hours late, rushed through the job, and damaged a door frame carrying out old furniture. When he filed a complaint through their system (you get a complaint ID and everything), it took three weeks and multiple follow-ups to get compensation for the damage.

Another memorable story comes from online reviews about a family removing a bunk bed set and old memory foam mattresses. The crew not only disassembled everything but also vacuumed the space afterward and helped move the new furniture into place – completely beyond their job description. That crew understood customer experience.

But then there’s the cautionary tale of someone who scheduled a pickup for construction waste from a home renovation. The crew arrived, took one look at the mixed HVAC system parts and drywall, and quoted $1,400 for what a local company later hauled for $500. When questioned, they cited “special handling requirements” that seemed invented on the spot.

Analyzing patterns across hundreds of got-junk reviews reveals interesting trends. Small residential jobs (clearing out garages, removing old appliances like side-by-side refrigerators) generally receive positive feedback. Large commercial jobs and construction-related removal get mixed reviews, often citing high prices and restrictions.

The response time for initial service is consistently praised. Most customers report getting service within 48 hours of calling, sometimes same-day in urban areas. This speed is a major selling point when you’re dealing with a time-sensitive situation like moving or estate cleaning.

Customer reviews about pricing transparency – or lack thereof – are uniformly frustrated. People want to know costs upfront, not after the truck arrives. If you’re wondering, how much does 1-800-GOT-JUNK cost the answer varies wildly by location and load size. Several reviews mention crews quoting one price, then increasing it after loading because items were “heavier than expected” or required “special handling.”

The environmental responsibility angle gets mixed reactions. Some customers love knowing their items might be donated or recycled. Others found out their “donated” furniture ended up in garbage bins anyway and felt misled about the company’s green initiatives.

This comparison comes up frequently in reviews, and having done both, I can offer perspective. Dumpster rental is almost always cheaper if you’re doing the labor yourself. A 10-yard dumpster for a week costs about $300-400 in my area. The same amount of junk removal from 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Probably $600-800.

But here’s what dumpster rental doesn’t give you – someone else doing the heavy lifting. After throwing out my back loading a dumpster myself, that extra cost seems reasonable. Plus, many homeowners associations and cities have restrictions on dumpster placement. Some won’t allow them at all.

Dumpster rental makes sense for DIY renovation projects where you’re generating waste over time. 1-800-GOT-JUNK makes sense for one-time cleanouts where everything needs to go immediately. Several reviews mention starting with a dumpster rental but calling 1-800-GOT-JUNK to handle the items too heavy or awkward to lift themselves.

The time factor matters too. With a dumpster, you’re doing the work over days or weeks. With junk removal, it’s done in hours. What’s your time worth?

So here’s my verdict after everything I’ve experienced and researched. 1-800-GOT-JUNK is like hiring movers versus renting a U-Haul. You’re paying for convenience, speed, and not destroying your back or your weekend.

They’re not perfect. The pricing lacks transparency, service quality varies by franchise, and they’re definitely on the expensive side. But when you need reliable, insured, fast junk removal, they deliver more often than not.

For emergency situations, estate cleanouts, or when you simply value your time more than the extra cost, they’re worth it. For budget-conscious cleanouts with plenty of time to plan, look elsewhere.

The 1 800 junk reviews online tell a story of a company that generally delivers on its promises but charges premium prices for the privilege. Whether that trade-off works for you depends entirely on your situation, timeline, and budget.

Get quotes from both 1-800-GOT-JUNK and at least two local companies. Be specific about what you need removed. Take photos to send for more accurate estimates. And whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute when you have no choice but to accept whatever price they quote.

Would I use them again? For the right situation, absolutely. When my time is tight and the job is big, that blue truck is a welcome sight. But I’d also keep my local guy’s number handy for smaller jobs where the minimum charge doesn’t make sense.

That’s the real bottom line from someone who’s been there – 1-800-GOT-JUNK is a tool in your junk removal toolkit, not the only option. Use them strategically, and you’ll be satisfied. And if you get a great crew, it’s always helpful to know how much to tip for their hard work. Expect bargain prices or perfect service every time, and you’ll join the ranks of one-star reviewers.