First Time Shipping A Car
David
Submitted this review about
Ship a Car Direct
Review made Live: 5/18/2017 12:56:00 PM
I needed to ship a mid-sized SUV from northern Virginia to Pasadena CA, and I wanted to get the car picked up right away and delivered to the west coast as quick as possible. After reviewing quite a few transport companies and brokers on line, and receiving 5 quotes, I chose Ship A Car Direct. Although they were the most expensive, they were in the ballpark ($1075-1225) and could pick up my car on the exact date I needed. What sold me was the excellent reviews on Yelp and their website, but more importantly, the customer service I received from Kosta. He was fantastic- honest, courteous and prompt. We exchanged several emails and phone calls. He helped me understand the ins and outs of this business, including the dangers that can befall a novice like me. He helped me feel comfortable entrusting him with my car- that's why I made the decision to go with Ship A Car Direct.
The driver contacted me the day before my requested delivery date and we arranged to meet the next morning. Since I live in a residential neighborhood that can't accommodate an 18-wheeler, I drove the car to him (less than 10 minutes away). He was friendly, professional, and forthright about how my car would be transported across the country. I asked a lot of questions about his experience, his truck (and his family's car shipping business, Ace Auto Transport), etc., which he willingly answered. We did a thorough inspection of my vehicle, he took pictures, and then I signed the bill of lading. My advice: take your own pictures to document everything before handing over your keys. I downloaded the app recommended by Ship A Car Direct and was able to generate a PDF report in minutes. The driver then drove me back to my house (in my car!) and went on his way- the whole exchange took about 30 minutes.
I never heard from the driver during transit (apparently this is common) but I did receive 2 phone calls from a woman (his wife, I think, who manages the driver's schedule), letting me know the driver's whereabouts and expected delivery date. Once the car arrived in California, a local delivery company contacted me to arrange delivery. The long-haul driver had told me when he picked up my car that he would unload the car in Los Angeles and a local company (with smaller trucks that carry 1 or 2 cars) would deliver the car to its final destination. I had made arrangements to have a family member accept delivery, and the dispatching company gladly worked around her schedule and delivered the car to her workplace. After inspecting the vehicle and signing the bill of lading, delivery was complete in less than 15 minutes. No damage, no dirt, no property loss.
I wholeheartedly recommended Ship A Car Direct. C'mon, you're entrusting your baby to a complete stranger! For me, it wasn't the time to pinch pennies or cut corners. Although Ship A Car Direct has your back throughout the entire process, you're still going on faith that your car will get to its final destination unscathed. The experience was honest, painless, and less stress than I expected. Take the leap of faith and go with Ship A Car Direct!
