Sold through scare tactics - very high priced
Mon
Submitted this review about
A Florida Direct
Review made Live: 5/15/2010 11:31:00 AM
On 4/5/10 - I received quotes for $800-850 to move my car from Naples, FL to Las Vegas, NV by going through online companies and another Marco Island Co. I decided to check the BBB to see if any companies were members and what their ratings were. I called A Florida Direct as they were rated A+ and that seemed good. I have since filed a complaint with the BBB and it is not showing online that any complaint has been filed with the BBB and on top of that, it's apparently my word against the company; so don't trust the BBB.
I spoke to the receptionist at A Florida Transport out of Ft. Myers, FL, and she quoted $1192. When I said I had not gotten another quote over $850, she put me on hold and transferred me to Mike, the owner of A florida Direct who also operates under another name eautoship.com, who said they had been in business for 35 years (it states 18 on their BB site) and that the lower prices were a "scam" and the other companies would ask me for a $150 deposit and when the car was delivered, they would charge me whatever it costs or they would not let me have the car. He said that no one can deliver a car to LV for $850 and that for that price, it would only get to Dallas. He said that my car may takes weeks to get there. He said that for $1192, it would be the final price and my car would get there in a week to 10 days.
In my opinion - His sales pitch was a scare tactic. Even though some movers had bad comments about them, when I had paid and the car was already picked up, I started checking again and I had overpaid. When my car was delivered by the mover he gave it to - Felton Auto Carriers, the driver, Curtis asked how much I had paid and I said $1192 and he went - WOW!!! are you kidding??!!! You way overpaid!!! By about $400... Why would you pay that much?! I told him what Mike had said about non delivery or asking for more money to give up the car, and he said he and other delivery guys do not collect payment when the car is delivered, they are already paid or they would not pick it up. He said no one is going to hold my car for extra money as the transport drivers have already been paid.
Mike never called me after my car delivery to see if everything was ok or thank me for my business. He did not keep me posted as to the delivery date, it was the driver Curtis who called me so I could arrange my work schedule. Mike does take a CC number in order to book the transport. Once it is picked up, he charges you in full. He also misrepresented how long he has been in business. He said 35 and it is 18 according to the BBB. Once I faxed him the charge form, there was ZERO communication except a call to say when they would pick up. Not even a thank you.
I filed a complaint with the BBB site and that was a waste of time, they got a comment from Mike (surprise... he said he was being honest) and even though I responded back that I would not rescind my complaint; on the BBB web site it doesn't show that any complaints have been filed against them, and they have; I have the forms and the documentation. I asked to be refunded the overcharge and it's been a couple of weeks and I have not gotten any response back from the BBB on the resolution.
I feel I was sold through scare tactics; that my car would not get there in time or that they would hold it hostage until I paid more money. Yes, it was my choice but I chose to believe him and I have already scheduled my car back to FL from LV for $850 and the highest quote I got back was $957.
I would shop around and not believe that your car is not going to get there or that the driver will charge you more. They also operate as eautoship.com. They have not been in business for 35 years, the BBB site says August 1992 - which is 18 years, not 35.
BBB Response: ADR ANSWER REC'D MAIL/FAX TO CONSUMER : BBB contacted A Florida Direct Auto Transport about your complaint. Mike from the company responded stating the quote he gave you was an accurate quote for your job and everything he said about the other companies low balling and changing their prices later is true. Mike also states he contacted the driver who delivered your shipment, Curtis, and he said he did not state what you said in this complaint.
Of course Curtis disputed what he told me, he said he picks up cars all the time for Mike and I am sure he didn't want to ruin future business. ....
I would shop around and not believe everything that is told to you. That was a $400 mistake and I could have paid 30% less...for the same service!!
