First and Last Experience with Auto Transport
"John"
Submitted this review about
Top Notch Auto Transport
Review made Live: 9/8/2010 8:33:00 AM
I recently purchased a toyota from a gentleman in Colorado, knowing full well I would have to transport it to South Carolina. I chose it because it was a deal I could not refuse for the condition and rarity of the vehicle. Plus, it was something I have always wanted to own.
I got shipping quotes from over 10 different companies. All of them were 4-5 star rated companies. the highest quote was for about $1125. Average was right at $1000. But the lowest quote was from top notch auto transport. they quoted me $830 dollars and gave me a discount, which was nice, which made my total right at $800. Since it was a 5 star rated company, and the cheapest price, I thought I was making a great choice. So I accepted the quote, here is where I went wrong.
To begin, I accepted the quote under one condition, which I verbally spoke to the broker about. The gentleman that I bought the truck from was leaving to go out of town exactly one week from when I placed the order. I told the shipping representative I was concerned about getting the truck on a transporter before he left town. She ensured me on TWO separate occasions over the phone that the truck would leave before then.
Then I got my quote email. It was all wrong. My name was incorrect. The vehicle description was incorrect. I thought I would send an email to clear this up. I didn't want my truck being held up because of something stupid like a driver not being able to load an 88 toyota because he was supposed to pickup an 87 toyota according to paperwork. Simple fix I thought. I got no response. (In fact it remained incorrect for the entire duration of the transport and was still wrong when she tried to collect my money!!).
Well, six days went by. I hadn't heard anything. I called them and asked what was going on. I was told that they were unable to locate a trucker to accept the quote. Also, none of their 12 trucks were heading east past Indiana. To me, that sounds like their problem, not mine. However, I am new to the whole shipping thing. This was my first, and last, vehicle.
Anyway, I reminded her of our agreement and she said she would see what she could do. Suddenly after a week of no contact, I got a phone call twenty minutes later stating that she had found another company to ship it. They could pick it up the next day (the day the owner was leaving), but they wanted more money. Of course. The second shipper wanted $950, which I found reasonable. What I did not find reasonable was the fact that she wanted me to pay $75 dollar fee to Top Notch Auto for basically not doing what they said they could.
What I couldn't understand was if she could not find a truck to transport my truck for what she quoted me for, why did she quote me that price? When I asked her that she said that "the quote was so low...it was like a car rate and no drivers want to pick it up because its a truck." They wouldn't make any money. Once again, WHY DID YOU QUOTE ME THAT? It sounds like your problem. I clearly told you what I was transporting. Of course I was going to pick the lowest quote. what idiot would pay more money than he has to?
So basically, my truck had sat for nearly a week while Top Notch Auto searched for someone to take my truck at a loss. Of course that wouldn't happen.
She also assured me that if I did not take the other company's quote, there was no guarantee that the truck would ever get moved for that price.
So, furious, I payed the money, and told her to get the second company to pick it up.
The second shipping company was much better, but still not without flaws. The shipper missed the pickup window by several hours. The previous owner and I had to make arrangements for it to be left with the key in it because he was leaving. So, I got no walk around. No inspection. No sign off of any kind. How was I supposed to dispute any damage that may have incurred during shipping?
That made me mad.
All in all the truck did make it to me a day early and in the same condition it was when it left Colorado.
The gentleman driving the truck, Dave, was very nice and accommodating. He gave me updates on its location.
In the end, I would probably not use an auto transporter ever again because of the frustration that Top Notch Auto transport caused me. I would rather just pay to get it myself. Apparently I am the only person I can rely on to do what I say I will.
If I had to I would probably use Long Time Auto Transport (the second company). They are pretty nice guys.
