Athena Express - Damaged my car and won't pay!
David Carlin
Submitted this review about
Athena Express
Review made Live: 12/21/2009 1:31:00 AM
I shipped two cars with Athena Express - picked up on time, and actually delivered a day early. If it weren't for the damage to one of the cars, this would have been a five star review.
I booked through AmeriFreight, and they set me up with Athena Express. Athena apparently delivered the cars to a terminal in Perris, CA where another company with a smaller truck did the local delivery - something I wasn't expecting. When I talked to AmeriFreight, they said this wasn't supposed to be done. When the car arrived, there was a large dent in the rear bumper of one of the cars. The local delivery guy, who wasn't the driver I gave the car to (Jun Young Hyun), said he received it that way - how could I argue with him, since he wasn't the guy I gave the cars to? When we called the original driver, Jun Young Hyun, he wanted to have the repair work done back at the Perris, CA terminal and said it would be done the next day - which instantly tipped me off that it would be a terrible repair job. No way they could order a new bumper and properly paint and clearcoat in less than 24 hours. In fact, I've received 3 quotes for the repair work from reputable body shops, and they all wanted 3 days just for the paint work. I demanded that we use his insurance company, and he was very upset and tried to dissuade me - complaining about how it was going to cost HIM more money. When I threatened not to pay, the local delivery guy put the cars back on the truck and tried to take them back to the terminal - I called the police and stood in front of the truck for about twenty minutes, but the La Quinta, CA police didn't arrive despite repeated called. I finally gave in fearing what might happen to my undamaged car if they were taken away and paid the COD to accept delivery. I reluctantly paid for the cars and noted the damage on the bill of lading, which when I called AmeriFreight they said that was the proper procedure.
Well, Its been about 6 weeks. I've contacted Athena Express via email, phone calls - no response, no repairs. I was able to get their Insurance information from AmeriFreight, but the insurance company won't pay since the damage is less than Athena Express' $1000 deductible.
DO NO DEAL WITH ATHENA EXPRESS - The driver/sole proprietor's name is Jun Young Hyun, in case he decides to incorporate as another company.
