Company Response Review Report Review
Enclosed premium move

Brad Campbell Submitted this review about 1st Call Auto Haul
Review made Live: 6/19/2008 3:06:00 PM
I recently used 1st call to move my 2003 BMW from Portland, Oregon to New Jersey. I went with the highest level of service and was very flexible in the pickup and drop off to ensure that I could get the best possible mover. I did not want to be too restrictive and force the broker to use a lesser quality carrier. I made this clear with Eric. I accommodated a pick up that was 2 days early and had no specific drop off date requirement. Additionally, I requested an enclosed truck as I wanted to ensure that the car was not exposed to the elements during the drive. I paid the premium to use the enclosed truck. Typically these moves require a cashier's check or money order upon delivery of the vehicle. I was having a family member collect my car at delivery so I had to pay an extra processing fee in order to use my credit card to pay the entire bill.

My car arrived in New Jersey before I did. When I drove my car for the first time after delivery, I drove it to my new job that was 1.5 hours away from where I was staying. The car had a severe vibration and did not drive normally. It is a BMW 5 series and is one of the best driving cars on the road. The driving was so bad I had to take it to a shop near my new office as I didn't think I could drive it the 1.5 hours back to where I was staying. The shop put the car on the rack and after diagnosing the issue, they indicated that all the wheels were severely out of alignment and the rear tires were damaged. I paid $1300 to have the repairs completed. The car was also running a little rough which I didn't think much of at that time.

I was shocked at the car's handling and couldn't figure out how it could have happened as I was assured that my car would not be off the truck during transport. I was told that it would not leave the truck until it was delivered in New Jersey.

While I was driving home I turned on the CD player and found a spanish only CD in my CD player. I don't speak spanish and realized that somebody had been joy riding in my car and left the CD in the player. They drove the car so hard that the alignment was destroyed. You have to be going over curbs or something to experience that kind of damage. Additionally, the rough running engine was due to somebody putting regular gas in the car. They actually drove it enough to have to put fuel in it!

I sent Eric an e-mail concerning the issues and never received a reply. I would not even post this if I could have received a reply from 1st Call.

It was highly disappointed to pay premium prices for an enclosed truck only to find that somebody had abused my car during extended joy riding.

I would not recommend 1st Call under any circumstances. Obviously others have had better luck as there are several good reviews. I guess you take your chances.
Shipment Details
Origin State:
Oregon
Pickup:
Early
Destination State:
New Jersey
Delivery:
On Time
Customer Service
Honesty:
Knowlegeable:
Promptness:
Customer Service:
Review Details
Quote or Order Id:
Eric
Quote or Order Cost:
$1869

Company Response
Eric Sailer from 1st Call Auto Haul Submitted this response.
Response Date: 7/29/2008 12:16:00 AM
Hi Mr. Campbell, Obviously this response is long overdue. It is overdue to stress a point. Your email to me was approximately 4 weeks after the delivery of the vehicle. My ability to help you greatly diminishes unless damage is footnoted at the time of delivery and I am notified shortly thereafter. I apologize if you feel the experience with the carrier was a poor one. However, I’m not sure how you can expect me to help?? The party that received your vehicle mentioned nothing to you, me or the carrier about damage and they footnoted on the bill of lading that the vehicle was received in good condition. I stress to all of my customers the need to do a thorough inspection upon delivery and the need to footnote any damage on the bill of lading. Otherwise, there is no proof that the damage you are claiming was done by the carrier. Mr. Campbell, I do not take sides when there is a dispute between my customers and my carriers. I try to get to the root of the issue, make an informed judgment, and proceed from there to find the best possible resolution. However, some of the issues you point out are difficult to understand. First, the carriers never make a determination regarding the alignment or running condition of the vehicle. They are simply footnoting the exterior blemishes on your car at the time of pick-up and whether or not the vehicle is inoperable. It would be nearly impossible to hold them responsible unless we could prove that the manner in which they chained the car to the trailer was incorrect and caused the damage. Second, you assume they drove your vehicle which is why the car rides rough, there is a Spanish language CD in the car, and there is apparently regular fuel in the premium tank. Again though, these are assumptions that are hard to prove and difficult to understand. Wasn’t the vehicle delivered inside the same enclosed carrier that it was picked up in?? The drivers, if I’m not mistaken, are from Eastern Europe. They would be just as perplexed by Spanish music as you were. Couldn’t the music have been from the guys at the shop?? You said you noticed it only after you picked up the car from the dealership in NJ. Mr. Campbell. It’s not that I don’t believe you or I don’t want to help you. In fact, more than anyone, I want to catch carriers if they are doing the things you claim. They ruin my reputation and need to be held accountable. However, as I pointed out previously, without some sort of proof at the time of delivery that damage was done, unfortunately I would not be able to help. If you are interested in pursuing this further, I would be happy to supply the carrier’s insurance documents. I hope you can understand my position. Regards, Eric Sailer 1st Call Auto Haul 888.607.1999