I arranged with Air Land And Sea to transports a Ford Explorer from Compton, CA to Washington, D.C.. The transport price was qouted as $877. I paid a $200 deposit by credit card. The pick up took place at my home on 04-29-05 with expected delivery to my grandson at Howard University, Washington, D.C., approximately 10 to 15 days later. The car was picked up by M&E Auto Transport, Santa Fe Springs, CA, who stated they were contracted by Air Land And Sea.
On 05-16-05, after many calls to both companies, I learned that the vehicle had been delivered to 301-330-1614, which is tow and storage company (later learned to be John's / J&N Towing, 8210 Beechcraft) located in Gaithersburg, MD. No explanation was forthcoming from neither Air Land And Sea or M&E Transport as to why the vehicle was not delivered to Washington, D.C., as contracted. I spoke with Mitch who stated that the vehicle had been dropped at his company on Saturday, 05-14-05. I asked how far was his location from Washington, D.C. and he said 35 to 40 miles. He said there was a $100 fee due them for their work. I also asked the cost of transportation of the vehicle from his location to Howard University. He stated $125.
The vehicle was delivered to my grandson at Howard University the next day. Before the delivery took place, however, I had to pay an additional $764 to M&E Auto Transport, Santa Fe Springs, CA, because Dave at M&E claimed that his company had not been paid for their services. NOTE: My credit card was debited on 04-29-05, presumably by Air Land And Sea, for $764.
On 05-19-05, I finally talked to Natalie at Air Land And Sea about the overcharge. She asked me to fax a copy of the receipt from M&E and she would arrange for a refund of the overcharge. I waited several weeks and continually conducted on-line reviews of my account for the the refund. It never happened.
On 05-26-05, talked to Fred about the lack of procedure on the refund. I expressed my dissatisfaction at the slow process. He asked me to fax a copy of the receipt to his fax, stating "we don't do business like that".
On 05-27-05, after many attempts, I finally spoke to Natalie who told me that she got the receipt and the refund had been processed. That was the last time I was able to talk to anyone at Air Land And Sea. I have not received my refund of $764.
