By far, the worst company ever given a business license
Chris
Submitted this review about
Interstate Auto Transport
Review made Live: 8/31/2006 12:59:00 PM
Please heed this and the other reviews of for the truly rotten company. And if you are wondering why there are so many bad reviewsd and then 2 near the bottom that are 5 stars, note this -- the first 5 star actually is a very bad review (no idea why they were given 5 stars then), and the second 5 star review is in reference to ANOTHER company with a name similar to Interstate Auto Movers.
I had the same experience the other 0 star review had. First off, I went with Interstate because they gave me the cheapest price, which, looking back on it was probably the STUPIDEST thing I could have done. DO NOT GO FOR THE CHEAPEST PRICE IN THIS TYPE OF SERVICE!!!! I know moving is expensive but go with someoen that is highly rated (as I eventually had to do). You pay a little bit more, but you actually get the service promised you.
Anyway, I reserved in May for transport in August, thinking that should be plenty of time for them to make arrangements for my car. I also did it that early because the sales rep said to do it in May when the rates are cheaper rather than wait til August and have to pay more during the busy times of the year. Now I know that this is a complete lie. They don't lock in a driver in advance; they only find someone when it gets closer to the car's pick up time. What you are paying for is for a them to contract your car out to an independent moving company; the movers looking for contracts to fulfill aren't going to say "Oh, well I will go with the $700 job rather than the $1000 job because the first guy made the arrangements when the prices were low." No, they are going to go for the job that gives them the most money. So when the auto transport company gives you a cheap price ($800-$975 I would say), use some common sense (which I didn't) and realize that with a rate so low, people aren't going to be jumping for the chance to move your car.
So anyway, I made the arrangements and put down a deposit (which I later found out is a wrong thing to do, as most legitimate companies don't charge you until they have a confirmed arrangement with a truck to pick up your car). I unfortunately discovered by the end of June that I had to change my plans slightly (move up the pick up date basically). I called the customer service number, and instead of Laura (whose voice is on the company's voicemail as the customer service rep). Some guy answered. Here is the conversation that transpired:
-Strange Guy: Hello? (note, no "Interstate Auto" or anything to that effect)
-Me: Hi, is this Interstate Auto?
-Guy: Umm... <pause>.... yeah; yeah this is Interstate
< Here, I begin to explain my situation, but am a bit suspicious>
-Guy: ... <pause> yeah, give me your confirmation number (note also, I do not know who he is because he never told me his name)
-Me: No, I am not going to give you any info because I don't know who I am speaking too
-Guy: No, really, this is Interstate, just give me your confirmation number....
This went back and forth and in the end, I didn't do it because basically, the call creeped me out; I called back a few days later and actually spoke to Laura who told me she would move me up for pickup and if something came up, I would be told. So thinking all was fine I waited...
and waited...
I tried calling and got the typical voice mail and left messages; I called one last time and actaully got in touch with Laura (my tip to anyone unlucky enough to be using Interstate is that you have to call her between 8-11am EST and then she typically picks up - after that and no luck), whereupon she tells me that the days of pickup, are not guaranteed and could come a few days before or a few days after, which was the first I had heard of that from anyone in the company.
Well, my INTIAL pickup dates came and went and no word of a pickup; I contacted the company and left messages, but they did not respond (surprise surprise); after leaving many messages (which were all nice -- no yelling as I was trying to stay calm about it) I gave up and went with another company. I have challeneged the charge on my credit card in hopes of getting back the money that Interstate originally stole from me, which those of you in the same predicament as me (and that is likely 100% of all current Interstate Auto customers) should do as well.
I will never ever do business with Interstate as I have found a better company who actually did the move quickly and hassle free (Hilton Auto Transport, to be specific). I hope Interstate goes out of business very soon, as it should (but not until I get my money back)
Oh and by the way, I still have not heard back from Interstate about picking up my car, and it has been nearly 2 weeks since I left messages (again, surprise, surprise)
WORST COMPANY EVER!!!!!!!!!
