17 Days and I'm still waiting

Emily Submitted this review about 1st Call Auto Haul
Review made Live: 9/3/2006 1:01:00 PM
1st Call Auto Haul found a carrier for my Jetta within a day of my reservation, but the carrier showed up on Thursday instead of Wednesday to pick up the car. The carrier was Chicago Auto Transport. The driver noted scratches on just about every area of my car (even though my car is in good shape), presumably so that they could argue that any minor damage occurring during transport was already there. Dave from Chicago Auto Transport told me it would be 7-9 days to get my car. On day 7, I called 1st Call Auto Haul, who was able to find out for me that the truck had gone to New Mexico first (on the way from Chicago to San Francisco????) and that my car wouldn't arrive until around day 14. Eric from 1st Call expressed his frustration with Chicago Auto Transport and encouraged me to call them and give them an ear-full. I wonder if anyone would have updated me if I had not called!!! Then, day 13 rolled around, so I called to try to nail down what time I could expect my car the next day. When I called, I was told by Chicago Auto Transport that the truck was having trouble and now I was on schedule for delivery day 16. AGAIN, NO ONE FROM 1ST CALL OR CHICAGO AUTO TRANSPORT HAD CONTACTED ME WITH THIS UPDATE. At this point, Dave from Chicago Auto Haul offered to pay for a rental car. I had made plans to pick up two friends from the airport and had many errands to run after being without a car for over 2 weeks. I rented a car on day 14. Eric from 1st Call assured me that things happen to trucks and that this truck in particular was brand new, so they didn't know why they were having trouble with it (information which doesn't help me at all). Day 16: My car is supposed to arrive at 4pm. I called Dave at Chicago Auto Transport. He assured me I would get a call from the driver "soon." Over TWO AND A HALF HOURS later I got a call from the driver. "Just calling to let you know that we won't be able to deliver your car today." I was so angry I couldn't even bring myself to call 1st Call or Chicago Auto. Day 17: I call Dave at Chicago Auto. He can't believe my car hasn't been delivered yet. He will call the driver and get back to me. Now, we're up to the present. It is Labor Day weekend and I'm sitting around my house (against my better judgment, I returned the rental car and now am stranded). I could be in Napa Valley with my friends, but I'm sitting around waiting for my car. I can hardly bring myself to believe it will actually be delivered, and who knows what shape it will be in after SEVENTEEN DAYS on a truck. I think both 1st Call and Chicago Auto failed miserably in their service to me. Chicago Auto paid for a rental car for three days, but that's not money in my pocket. I have paid $996 for the worst service imaginable. I would strongly discourage others from using either of these companies.

Company Response
Eric Sailer from 1st Call Auto Haul Submitted this response.
Response Date: 9/12/2006 12:52:00 AM
To All, I first want to apologize profusely to Emily. We at 1st Call Auto Haul make every effort possible to move our customers' vehicles with the safest, most reliable carriers in the industry. For this particular transport, we were trying to move Emily's vehicle along with another customer who was coming out of Wisconsin going to the Bay Area. We chose a transporter, Chicago Auto Transport, not only because they offered a timely pick-up and a speedy delivery, but also because they ran multiple trucks to & from Northern California. This is important because if the truck were to experience any issues, our vehicles could easily be picked up by the next truck without much down time. Unfortunately, Chicago Auto Transport went from Chicago, IL to Palo Alto, CA by way of New Mexico!! It is such a ridiculous route that I never even thought to ask. Why anyone would deviate from Interstate 80 is beyond me, but apparently they had drops in Los Angeles, CA that needed to be made. I feel I was mislead by the transporter, and unfortunately that lead to a series of delays and frustrations for my customers. We have since refunded Emily's money for our services, and again I want to apologize for her trouble. Our organization will not be using Chicago Auto Transport again, not because their truck broke down, but because we expect more from our carriers. Deceiving us and our customers will not be tolerated. 1st Call Auto Haul, along with several other transport specialists listed on this board, are doing our best to clean up an industry that for too long has been plagued by poor communication and little regard for customers needs. As the majority of reviews on this board reflect, we are making steady progress. We again apologize for this customer's experience. Next time, we WILL get it right. Regards, Eric Sailer 1st Call Auto Haul