bonnie and clyde of the west

david fargnoli Submitted this review about Riley Auto Transport
Review made Live: 2/14/2011 6:51:00 PM
On 12/31/10, I searched for transportation of a car from NJ to FLA on the Internet. On 1/1/11, contacted via phone Debbie "Riley" who indicated the price of the service, $595. At that time, I asked her how long it would take to have the car picked up, and told her under NO conditions if she could not guarantee a pick up by 1/13/11 could I use their services. She vehemently assured me that would not be a problem and took my credit card number over the phone, charging my account for $195.
On 1/3/11, received a call from Debbie who indicated again that the car would be picked up well before 1/13/11. On six different occasions between 1/3 and 1/13, I called Riley Auto Transport to express my concern about the lack of progress in getting a pick up date. On three of these occasions, Debbie returned my calls and again assured me that the service would be performed as promised, and if necessary she would "take her own money" to add to ensure that someone picked the car up by 1/13. Finally, on 1/13 I again called Riley and Andrew answered the phone. Andrew claims to be a partner of Debbie. Asked him to please return my deposit to my credit card since they had not performed the promised service of getting the car picked up on time. Andrew claimed that I had a contract, wihich I did not, and further had not ever even recieved an email confirmation for my $195 deposit. He then stated we had a verbal contract, which I denied because I was promised a pick up date by 1/13. He then claimed that I could not get my deposit back for 21 days from 1/1/13. On the evening of 1/13, it was necessary to move the care to a friend's home since I was going to be travelling and could not be available to meet the pick up if someone came to pick up the car. I contacted Andrew on 1/19 and he claimed that bad weather on the east coast prevented any carriers from piciking up my car, and now indicated that i must wait 21 business days before I could have my deposit returned. I again stated that I did not have any contract and please return my deposit ASAP. He refused. On 1/21, I was able to have the car transported by another carrier with a same day arranagement. Also important is the fact that my friend could no longer store the car. On 1/24, Andrew contacted me and left a message that the car could be picked up on 1/25. I contacted him, leaving a message that the car had been transported successfully through another organization, and once again asked for my deposit. He declined comment by not repsonding. On 1/29 I again contacted his office, and left yet another messsage regarding the return of the deposit.
At receiving no response, I contacted my credit card company on 1/31 and apprised them of this situation. They restored the credit and investigated my complaint. Quickly, them came to the conclusion that this organization had no proof of a written or verbal contract, and had no right to keep my deposit. Subsequently, I discovered that an auto transport company cannot take a deposit until they locate a carrier whose arrrival is imminent. Therefore, Riley Auto Transport is not only unreliable, but dishonest in their business practices.
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY; BUYER BEWARE!

Company Response
Leigh from Riley Auto Transport Submitted this response.
Response Date: 2/15/2011 6:29:00 PM
Every day we endeavor to satisfy our customers when transporting their vehicles. We take no pleasure in them having a disappointing experience, however having said that, the truth plays a big part. Mr. fargnoli,s untruths do not change the facts. It is our policy to never guarantee a specific date, in this industry there are too many variables that can and do come in to play that make guarantees impossible.Further, Mr. Fargnoli was indeed e mailed a contract and a receipt for his deposit. He was impatient to have his car in Florida for his use while there, but the snow storms and bad weather were indeed a real problem, and certainly industry wide. Mr. Fargnoli indicated that his son would drive the car to Florida, not true. At no time did he indicate that he had double booked the move with another company. This practice is frowned upon due to the fact that one of the companies working on his behalf would lose time and money. Riley Auto Transport did in fact dispatch his car for pick up, but the other company had already picked up. Thus the issue of double booking. In reference to the "no contract comment", this company does not work on phantam contracts and all pick up and delivery information as well as his proprietary credit card information, was indeed provided by Mr. Fargnoli himself when he took out said contract. And the comments about the credit card company arriving at the conclusion he states, again untrue. I resent his comments and characterizations. In closing, one must base their opinions on the preponderance of satified customers, not on the comments of someone such as Mr. Fargnoli.