On 4/29/02, I contracted with National Auto Transport to pick up my car on 6/13-14 and transport it from California to North Carolina. On 6/13, a representative from the company contacted me to say that they would not be able to pick up my car in the defined pick-up window.
Given that I was leaving town, they told me to leave my car at a local depot, Metro Towing, for pickup. I dropped the car off on 6/13. I had to pay a $35 drop off fee. (See company web site http://www.auto-transporter.com/promises.Asp for promise of no hidden fees.) Over the next two weeks, I tried repeatedly to contact National via phone and email to learn the status of my car. On the rare occasion they did reply (see company promise of a 'LIVE PERSON' that can provide status), I was told that the car had been picked up.
At the end of June, I was able to determine that National had contracted with AAAdvantage Auto Transport, Inc. To transport my car. I also learned that they were contacted by National on 6/24,10 days AFTER my pick-up date. Talking to AAAdvantage two weeks later, I was able to determine that even though trucks were being sent to pick up my car, Metro Towing would not release the car until the storage fees that had accumulated were paid.
I was assured by both National and AAAdvantage that they would work together to resolve the situation. On 7/22, I was assured by both National and AAAdvantage that the problem was resolved and the car was picked up. On 7/25, I returned to Metro Towing and found my car still sitting there.
When I contacted National, I was told that my contract with them had been cancelled and that it was no longer their problem. I had to pay Metro Towing $190 to get my car back.
In addition, I believe their advertising to be deceptive. There is nothing on their website that indicates that they are a broker and that they don't own any equipment.
Gene
Mebane, North Carolina
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