This could be a hit CNN uncovers story
Chris
Submitted this review about
A1A Transport Inc.
Review made Live: 10/7/2015 5:20:00 PM
Below is a description of my experience with A1A Transport and A1A Express Shipping. It's long, but please read to the end where I also give tips for preventing this nightmare from happening to you.
Broker Order and Dispatch (A1A Express Shipping)
==========================
1. Placed my order on 9/1
2. Received call on September 4th that vehicle would be picked up on 9/5. Truck was a no-show, no call.
3. Called on September 8th (Holiday weekend) and spoke to Orlando. He stated he would follow-up. He called me back stating it would be picked up in around 45 min.
4. Neighbor called and said driver contacted her stating he would be there at 4 PM (4-5 hours from time given to Orlando).
Transport Pick Up (A1A Transport Inc)
==========================
1. Driver called and changed time to 5:30 which was close to the actual time he arrived.
2. Driver loaded car. Neighbor took pics as car was being loaded onto the truck (all is well so far).
Transport Delivery (A1A Transport Inc)
==========================
1. No contact until I called driver on 9/14 morning. At 11:32 AM, was told by driver he would call me back with a time.
2. Driver called from Houston at 5:26 PM stating he would be at my house at around 8:40 PM.
3. Driver calls at 7:34 PM stating he was 75 miles away and wanted to confirm address cause he couldn’t find on GPS.
4. At 7:39 PM texted driver an address right around the corner near a school so he could put in GPS.
5. At 9:43 PM driver calls from Mountain Lodge division (nowhere near my house or the address i provided). States he’s at the wrong address.
6. At 9:49 PM driver texts message stating 14 miles away.
7. At 10:11 PM driver states he just arrived.
8. At 10:15 PM I arrive near school to find transport truck backing into a neighborhood, blocking traffic and tearing up the street.
9. Van was not on truck, but rather being driven by someone else.
10. Truck finally gets turned around and the helper drives our car up behind me.
11. The helper exits the vehicle with a Starbucks Coffee in his hand.
12. Both driver and second guy were in a big hurry to leave. This seemed to intensify when the police showed up.
13. Driver refused to list any more damages on delivery receipt as no room and he kept saying he had to go, but did agree to write “Damage from transport”.
14. Driver insisted on getting paid, but as soon as police showed up, he quickly agreed that payment would not be made and that we would speak to the transport companies involved
Delivery Exterior Inspection (A1A Transport Inc)
==========================
1. Almost immediately, we noticed significant damage to vehicle.
2. There was damage to the front, rear, both sides - thought there was also damage to the undercarriage of the vehicle, not confirmed.
3. Most notable are the large white scrapes going down the right rear quarter panel, driver and passenger front quarter panels (all matching type white scrapes).
4. Many various other large scrapes on the passengers door, front and rear bumpers, hood. including wide deep scrapes that appear to have been attempted to be touched up with Red (not Maroon) touch up paint.
5. Hub caps have scrapes consistent with the damage on the side and quarter panel damage on the vehicle.
6. Inside door step has dents.
7. Rear hatch door dented.
8. Sliding Glass Door cable hanging out.
9. Crack in passenger’s side rear taillight.
10. Damage to both step rails.
11. Band-aid stuck to front license plate making the “0” look like a “C” (yes this one was strange indeed, but there was a very valid reason for this.)
Delivery Interior Inspection (A1A Transport Inc)
==========================
1. Vehicle smells like smoke. This is an issue due to having severe respiratory issues.
2. Ashes found stuck to window trim and on seats.
3. Empty chocolate box found in vehicle.
4. Chocolate stains on drivers seat and carpet.
5. Used band-aids found in vehicle.
6. Used shop towel found in vehicle.
7. Redox DVD, rented in Agawam, MA on 9/7 — day before the car was picked up.) found in vehicle. Happens to be home city of A1A Transport.
8. Water found in center console — appears to have been used as an ice bucket for drinks.
9. Head or Tail light to another vehicle found in our vehicle.
10. Bracelet found on floor between front seats (driver claims it was his, but appeared to be a woman’s style bracelet)
11. Grease stain from a shoe print - driver’s side rear entry.
Post Delivery Experience (A1A Transport Inc)
==========================
1. Called to report the issue and was told since we didn't pay, they had no responsibility as they didn't provide a service. Then Larissa stated she would open the Insurance claim and get the process going - this didn't happen. The next day, I called their insurance company to confirm they had received the information.
2. Two weeks later, the transport company still hadn't responded to their own insurance company and according to the insurance company they were about to send a registered letter to their own client.
3. No calls back since initial contact with Larissa (manager) on 9/15.
4. Received a bill from MassDOT from 9/9 (while in transport company possession) car ran through toll (ahh, now this explains the band-aid - also proves the intelligence since the band-aid was placed in the front license plate and nothing was on the rear).
Post Delivery Experience (A1A Express Shipping Broker)
==========================
1. Called A1A Express to report the issue and was promptly provided with the transport company's insurance info.
2. After receiving the ticket in the mail and it was clear that the company breached its own contract, I contacted the Frank (manager) and explained to him the situation. Frank was very quick to state that he didn't believe the damage was done by the transport company (my 71 year old mother, neighbor and myself were all lying that the damage was not previously there). He also went on to state that he didn't believe there were personal items left in the car or that it had been driven by the transport staff beyond loading and unloading (the DVD that I have, the info from RedBox and the ticket from state of MA apparently aren't sufficient enough proof to satisfy old Frank).
3. I then asked Frank what he was going to do to right this situation - his response... We did what we are required and provided the transport company insurance info. He said he had no intention of refunding the $175 brokerage fee that we paid his company to ensure our vehicle was shipped through a trustworthy and reputable transport company.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
==========================
1. Ask whether the company is a broker or a direct transport and whether they will be shipping your car or another transport company.
2. Get the name of the company they want to dispatch you through, before you sign the dispatch contract.
3. Look the broker and transport company up on the BBB.
4. Take pictures of the car at the time of pickup. Note that you did so on the pickup receipt.
5. Write the mileage on the pickup sheet.
6. Take the time to note specifics on the pickup receipt. Don't let the driver rush you.
7. Have someone (non-family) a neighbor or friend be there with you when the car is picked up. Comes in handy later when it's your word against there's.
8. Take pictures when you receive the car.
9. Don't let the driver remove anything from the vehicle once delivered to you.
10. Note everything you find wrong when the car is delivered. Don't let the driver rush you.
11. If something doesn't seem right, call the police. Even though they will tell you this is a civil matter, it will help keep things from getting heated and provide further evidence that you raised concerns at the time of delivery.
12. Use a second sheet and note it on the delivery receipt that notes continue on second sheet.
