Nashville to Las Vegas
Eric
Submitted this review about
AFT Logistics Inc.
Review made Live: 2/6/2008 7:30:00 PM
This is my very first time to ever do an auto shipping project. I did not know what to expect and basically relied on the honesty of the broker whom I decided to do business with. The whole project was easy in the beginning, a little stressful in the middle and easy again at the end.
BEGINNING: the communication with Faye was excellent overall. The paperwork setup was excellent. I got several bids that were cheaper in price, ranging from $740 to $950, and more expensive, ranging from $1000 to $1200. AFTL's bid was for $995. Faye gave me a $20 discount when I told her that there were cheaper bids. I went to http://www.transportreviews.com/directory/byname.asp to review AFTL's record and the other bidders. It came down to what was I comfortable of doing and equally, I just want to get it over with and get my van to Las Vegas. So I decided to pay AFTL $975. AFTL had me fill out their order form online. They acknowledged it within 24 hrs and they called me to let me know that they will be looking for a driver and will call me when they found one and that they will make sure that I will have at least 4 hrs window to get to my house from work to meet the driver if they found one. All is fair so far.
MIDDLE: After about 3 days from when I filled out the order for with AFTL, Andrew of AFTL called me to let me know that he had found a driver who was willing to take my vehicle but the driver can only do it on that day. Stress... After so much thinking, I called Andrew back and told him that I could meet the guy at my house but to give me 2 hrs as I am about 1.5 hrs away at work. Andrew said he'd call me back to confirm. About 30 mins later, Faye called me to let me know that there has been a mistake because the driver's transporter would not acommodate my van. It is only for cars. She said they will call me as soon as they found another driver. After about two days, they called me to let me know that they have found another driver who can definitely take my van to Las Vegas. The situation that they have though is that the driver was about 80 miles from Nashville about one hour ago (meaning at the time that I was able to return their call, the driver was already in Nashville perhaps). Again, I said I need two hours to driver back to my house. They said that would be fine. I was on the phone with Faye. Faye asked me to pay her $200 by credit card and the balance will be paid at Las Vegas at the hand off of the van. This is when you just need to trust. At this point in time, I am just basically stressed out as I felt pressured to go ahead and take this available driver. So I paid by cc over the phone. I promptly got a receipt which was e-mailed to me right there and then. Faye said the driver will call me. I also got another e-mail at this time from Faye with the name of the driver, his company name and phone number. After about 30 mins that I have not received a call yet from the driver, I finally called the driver myself. The conversation with the driver (Mr. Hickman of DJ Auto Transort) was easy and very pleasant. Another challenge came up though: his transporter is too big to get to my house. Brainstorming quickly with him, I agreed to meet him a truck stop about 10 miles south of where my house is. I did meet him there, he rode with me in my car to my house, we did the paperwork and inspection of the van, he drove the van back to the truck stop. There was something in me that said I should have followed him back to the truck stop but the guy looked trustworthy so I did not. Perphaps not a good decision in all practicality. Thirty minutes later, I called the driver. He answered the phone and he informed me that he is now loading my van up onto his transporter. Whew! He also told me that he expects to deliver my vehicle in Las Vegas on Friday night (he has other drop offs along the way, the last one will be in Los Angeles, my van's was before that). This was Wed later afternoon when he picked up my van.
END: Friday AM, Andrew called me to let me know that the driver is making progress to Las Vegas and that it will be Saturday during the day that he will get there. I told him I appreciate the call. Saturday AM, Mr. Hickman called me to let me know that he's in Vegas, he met the receiving party and that they are finalizing the hand off. I said "thanks be to God." I confirmed with my Las Vegas staff that they have the van.
SUMMARY:
1. What I paid AFTL was more expensive ($100 to $150) more than the two other brokers that bidded on my van and whose reviews at the website that I posted above were very very comparable to AFTL's reputation. What I paid for the extra $100: I felt comfortable dealing with AFTL.
2. Communication with Faye was excellent. She made me feel comfortable.
3. I apprecite the prompt e-mails of my receipt and driver info.
4. I was stressed out with having to decide right quickly if I would be willing to take a driver on that day. I thought really that I will decide "today" and the driver will come "tomorrow."
5. I very much compliment Mr. Hickman (driver) relative to his demeanor and attitude to make me feel at ease to believe that I could trust him with my vehicle.
Overall, I would recommend AFTL for your shipping needs. I would recommend DJ Auto Transport, particularly Mr. Hickman, to take care of your vehicle.
You always gamble and make wages with your decisions, even if you think that you have all the info to make an educated decision. The review website made me at ease about AFTL. Faye came across sincere. And Mr. Hickman was very professional. Really, thank God.
Goodluck with your auto shipping project and decision making!
