Not as advertised
Zach Thomas
Submitted this review about
123 Auto Transport
Review made Live: 4/8/2014 4:46:00 PM
I made a call on March 20th to AT123 after researching transport companies. I read glowing reviews and decided to choose AT123. I knew going in the price was going to be higher than other companies, but due to the reviews I figured it would be a good decision.
The family who I had purchased the vehicle from lived in Ohio. I live in MS. After contacting the sellers, I realized the vehicle needed to be picked up prior to March 28th as they would be leaving town. I made the known to the sales guy Aaron from AT123. He said "no problem, I will make it available for pick up on Monday March 24." He then proceeded to give me the quote of $825. Again, a little higher than other companies, but I was fine with that. My wife and I were eagerly anticipating having our newly purchased vehicle within a week.
We were going in vacation for our 5th anniversary but expected the vehicle to be at our house upon returning since my wife's mother was house sitting and could receive the vehicle and make the payment on our behalf.
On Wednesday March 26 (2 days after first available date and 6 days after I first contacted AT123) I received a call from the seller saying no one had yet contact him about picking up the vehicle from AT123. Surprised, I picked up the phone and called AT123. They apologized, said a driver had not yet been dispatched but that they would contact the sellers and get there as soon as possible. Thursday the sellers received a call from AT123 saying they couldn't get anyone out to pick up the car by Friday March 28, before the sellers went out of town, but could have someone there on the following Wednesday, once they returned.
I called AT123 to express my frustration with the way this had been handled and was told they are sorry about the inconvenience and a driver has been dispatched for the job.
To this point, I was frustrated but not too concerned because I was on vacation and my mind wasn't really on the vehicle. I check my bank account everyday and saw on Friday the 28th I was charged $215 by AT123. I remember when booking the transport My final price (and it would never change) was $825. Therefore I would pay the balance COD of $610 to the driver once the car was delivered.
So now press ahead to Wednesday April 2nd, the day of the pickup. I texted the seller to make sure the pick up went ok and all was going according to plan. To my dismay, the seller said they never heard from the company to come pick the car up. Now, I was irate. Never ONCE was I contacted by 123AT in this process. Each time I was calling them, doing the checking in and initiating the communication. I'm in marketing, and a small business owner myself, so I understand mistakes happen, errors are made and balls are dropped along the way, after all we are humans and flawed. However, when those mistakes are made, especially after you have collected money from a customer, it is your responsibility to ensure they are communicated to in every step of that process.
Thursday morning I sent an email to AT123 about the ball being dropped on multiple occasions and was immediately called by a representative. She explained that there was a mistake and she is sorry for the error and she would try to see if there was anyway to give me a discount (though unlikely) and make sure the vehicle was picked up ASAP.
I explained my frustration and that if it was the truck drivers fault for not contacting the seller and being responsible that AT123 should contact that driver and demand he meet their requirements or else he will no longer be receiving business from them.
Later that day I received an email from Nick that have me the driver's info, that the car would be picked up Friday and delivered to me on Saturday and I owed $650 to the driver. I clarified on the phone that since I had already paid $215 I would only owe $610 and not $650, since I had already paid $215 of the quoted $825. He affirmed, "yes sir that is correct." Of course no discount was given, but I never expected one anyway because why would they remotely deliver on something that they had not delivered on up to this point?
The vehicle was indeed FINALLY picked up on Friday. Flash forward to Saturday when I received the call from the driver who was to deliver the vehicle. He said I owed him $650 upon delivery of the vehicle. I argued with him that I only owed $610. He said the job he was contracted to do said $650 on the payout and he could show me when he arrived. I immediately responded to my email from Nick about the discrepancy and asked him to contact me to let me know what the issue is. The driver delivered the vehicle, mentioned that the job is posted on a truckers network like Craigslist and you can select jobs you want and this was one he selected and the amount was $650 COD. He said the error would've come from AT123 end in posting it for the wrong amount.
So in conclusion, not only did the car take 2 weeks from first contact to arrive, it also cost me $40 more than quoted and I have yet to hear from Nick or anyone else at AT123, and today is Tuesday at 3:45pm CT, 4:45pm NY time where they are located.
If you decide to use AT123, feel free. I'm not saying you shouldn't because I'm sure I am an isolated case. However, I felt obligated to put out my story since reviews are so important in making your decision for these type of things.
Hopefully your experience will be better than mine.
