Worst Customer Experience of My Life!!!
R. Sorenson
Submitted this review about
Mobile Transport Inc.
Review made Live: 10/19/2010 8:11:00 PM
Back in December 2009 I had my car transported by Mobile Transport, booked through Phoenix Auto Transport. I paid $149 to Phoenix and $800 to Mobile Transport for a total cost of $949. While my experience with Phoenix was ok (but not stellar), my experience with Mobile Transport was beyond terrible.
1. They called a day early before pickup date to try to pick it up; I declined, referring to the scheduled date that was pre-arranged. They also delivered it 3 days prior to the scheduled delivery date. I scheduled this transport carefully and apparently they could not follow my demands.
2. When they picked up the vehicle, they did not introduce themselves or explain what the process was, regarding inspection, bill of lading, loading, or terms of transport. I had to ask a multitude of questions to become informed.
3. When they identified scratches and dents on the vehicle, they drew squiggly lines all over the schematic picture of the vehicle, making it completely undecipherable as to what the actual existing dings actually were. Yes, I had several small scratches but this documentation made it impossible to tell if any dings were caused by Mobile Transport.
4. When they loaded the vehicle, they were revving the engine very fast and riding the clutch. Apparently they don't have much experience with manuals...?? By the time the car was on the trailer (bottom, last on rear), there was smoke coming from the engine compartment as they were burning the clutch. I pointed this out and told them not to ride the clutch and ruin it. He assured me, "it will be fine." I hesitantly watched my car disappear.
5. I was driving through a snow storm in Wyoming with only roaming cell phone coverage (which I have to pay extra for) when I was getting OBSCENE amounts of phone calls from Mobile Transport; of course I didn't know who it was until I had time to pull over. I'm talking LITERALLY 30 calls within an hour. It turns out the car was delivered 3 days ahead of schedule when I was already explicit that I would not be at the destination until the delivery date. Mobile Transport was demanding payment. And I mean DEMANDING. I told the woman that I was going to call Bob at Phoenix because this isn't what I agreed to. Then I had to call my wife back home and ask her to deal with the problem, who called Phoenix to help manage. The woman who spoke with my me and my wife was overly demanding in requesting payment from us for delivery of the car 3 days ahead of schedule, with no one there representing our best interest upon its delivery. She repeatedly asked my wife for credit card information while my wife was trying to verify the validity of this transaction and the storage facility. SHE WAS EVEN REFUSING TO TELL MY WIFE THE ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER OF WHERE THE CAR WAS BEING DELIVERED!! My wife and I were both treated very poorly in this communication with the company. When I stated that I was going to call Bob Crisp with Phoenix, the woman became very defensive, appeared worried, and tried to convince me not to call, that this was all normal... "if you would just give me your credit card number we'll be done with it." We don't just give our my credit card number for $800 when we can't even verify the service/ product we were supposedly being charged for.
6. Mobile Transport said it paid for the storage of our car, which was a flat-out lie. I had to pay the storage fees out of my own pocket to get my car.
7. Then, even MORE issues... The "storage company" was very shady. First, I couldn't find it. The store-front of the listed address was vacant. I walked around the back and found my car PARKED IN THE MUD along with several other broken down or damaged cars and car parts all over... basically a mini junk yard. It was blocked in by one car and a tow truck, so I assumed I was in the right place (although unhappy with its "storage" condition). After seeing a mechanic from the next door shop, he pointed me to a door at the back of this yard with no sign or window. I went inside and found a disgusting room of tow truck drivers and an overwhelming cloud of cigarette smoke. I asked to get my car and they said, "yeah, we'll be with you in 15 minutes." The place was disgusting and I wasn't going to wait in there- I asked if I could come back. They replied, "sure- come back in 15 minutes." Long story short: I waited for a LONG time (about 30 minutes, after sitting in my 2nd car outside for the required 15 minute wait). I was getting livid. I demanded my car. NOW. They finally fessed up that THEY COULDN'T FIND THE KEYS. I was about to call the cops. But first I went outside and looked in the car- and the keys were inside. THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED AND THE CAR WASN'T SECURED BY A FENCE OR ANYTHING. And the keys were inside- FOR 3 DAYS!!! Unbelievable. Then they tell me I have to pay!
8. I sent all this info to Phoenix and requested reimbursement for the storage fees. I also stated that I refused to conduct business with Mobile Transport directly, that I wanted Phoenix to secure the funds and arrange for them to be sent to me. Well, 2 1/2 months and about 40 emails later, I finally got the check. I have urged Phoenix to end their business relationship with Mobile Transport. As for me (and anyone else I can persuade), my business with both companies is terminated.
