No help with claims; still in business?

Steve Mann Submitted this review about AFT Logistics Inc.
Review made Live: 9/24/2008 3:08:00 PM
I selected AFT Logistics based on the reviews on this site.

Faye was very nice and able to answer all my questions. My order was placed with Expedited Truck Service of Bartlett, IL. The car was picked up on time without any problems – I was actually able to get it picked up early when I contacted Faye and told her my car was available earlier than expected. It was delivered 3 days later than I was told to expect, which was not really a problem; the trucking company said their truck broke down.

I sent Faye an email a few days before I was told to expect the car, just to make sure everything was on track for delivery. That was my first indication of any problems, as I did not get a response.

The real problems started on delivery. I noticed a new dent on the hood, and marked this on the bill of lading. I tried contacting Faye to get assistance with filing a claim, but was unable to get a response after repeated phone calls, faxes and emails for more than a week. They state in their terms of service that “AFT agrees to help with claims”, so they clearly did not fulfill their end of the contract.

I started looking further into AFT logistics. Their website gives the impression that it is a real company, with several employees. There are 9 people listed with email addresses. But I think it is really only 1 or 2 people XXXif you try emailing all 9 of them, 7 will be returned as not a valid address. The street address is for a house (you can check on Google maps), so I think it is one or two people working out of their house.

I have seen Faye listed as the owner on some other web sites; AFT is Agnes Faye Terrazas initials, so that seems correct. There are replies to other reviews where "Angela" the office manager gives Faye a bonus for having to work with difficult customers. Why would the office manager be giving the owner a bonus? The whole company now seems fishy to me.

It seems like AFT did a good job in the past, but have now disappeared, abandoning their customers.
Their web site no longer works, so maybe they are no longer in business.

I would avoid AFT Logistics. They definitely have problems with communications, and I do not trust that they are who they say they are.




A few hints for transporting, not really related to AFT, but from what I have read on the internet and my experience shipping a few cars:
1) Write down the mileage on the bill of lading form when it is picked up. That way it is clear to the driver that you expect no additional mileage on delivery, and you can compare this with the mileage on pickup.
2) Think about why they are writing anything on the form – they will write in a way to avoid any responsibility. If they write something such as “car was dirty on pickup”, they will use that to say that damage was hidden by dirt when they picked it up, and therefore was not caused by them.
3) The driver will mark existing dents and scratches on the form, trying to note something for each section of the car. This way if any damage occurs, it will be next to an existing dent, and they can claim it was not new damage. Rather than trying to mark this on the small diagram on the bill of lading, draw a picture on a full size sheet of paper which really shows the extent of existing damage.
4) Make sure everything is in writing.

Company Response
from AFT Logistics Inc. Submitted this response.
Response Date: 10/14/2008 8:20:00 AM
Mr. Mann was given EXACT communication on how to file his claim. All he did was tell us his car was damaged, never sent us photo's or statement or estimates as requested therefore we told him to deal directly with the carrier since he did not cooperate. THE CORPORATION OWNED THIS BUSINESS AND NOT FAY