Use Caution and Read the Contract Carefully!

Larry M. Submitted this review about Showtime Auto Transport
Review made Live: 9/10/2011 10:56:00 AM
When I called Showtime, I was told by Bert, the salesman, that there was a truck heading from Philadelphia to San Diego and my car would be picked up in 2 days. Since I had already been burned by another transport company, I was very cautious. I told Bert that if they didn't pick up the car when they said they would, then I would go with another company.

I signed the contract and they immediately charged my credit card $150.

The day for pickup came and went. They said that the driver didn't do what he said he would and it wasn't their fault. I talked to Adrian and said I would be using another company as I had told Bert. He then told me that they would get to keep a fee (I think it was $90) since I was cancelling the contract. He said according to the contract they have 2 weeks to find a carrier. I told him that I explained to Bert that I would be using another company if they didn't follow through with the original pickup and that I wanted my deposit returned. He said that their accountant was only in on Fridays (this was Saturday, conveniently). Adrian said he was sticking with the contract and they had another 2 weeks to find a carrier. I said if he did that and kept my deposit, then he would be getting a poor review on transportreviews.com. Adrain then said I was "blackmailing" him. I explained that I was not, but that this was my only way of telling my story. He refused to return my deposit without taking their fee.

It took the entire 2 weeks to find another carrier and pick up the car. The carrier that actually picked up the car, Temo Transportation, did a good job and got the car delivered as they promised.

Here is my opinion of dealing with Showtime...

1. IMHO, it might be that they routinely tell people that they have a truck that can move your car in 2 days. BEWARE IF YOU ARE TOLD THAT. In talking to other companies, it may not be possible to know this until the car is actually listed. I don't know. All I know is that I was told by Showtime that my car would be on it's way in 2 days and it was not.

2. Read the contract carefully. If you sign it, they will have sole control of the transportation for the next two weeks, regardless of what the salesman says. It appears that they will go by the letter of the law in dealing with the contract and won't make any changes, especially if it involves giving back money, even if they don't do what they said they would. Take your time to understand the contract. They act like they are your best friend, but read the contract carefully.

3. In my opinion, they are unprofessional in the way they deal with customers. I was frequently called "buddy", "pal", etc. Usually not by my name. I felt like saying, I'm not your buddy, I just wanted you to ship the car when you said you would.

Company Response
Gabe from Showtime Auto Transport Submitted this response.
Response Date: 9/12/2011 12:33:00 PM
Vehicle was picked up and delivered just as you hired us to do dont exagerate on the review we did a great job should be 5 stars but customers like urself usually like to make it a bigger situation then it was i'll accept the one star for the good work have a good day. "We Take Pride In Moving Your Ride"