I'm still waiting for my vehicle to be picked up! They've got my money!
Here's an ongoing history. I'll stick to the facts first and then give my opinion:
Nov 14: Placed order with Bluestar. Was told vehicle would be picked up between Nov 15 and Nov 19.
Nov 15: Nicole called to say trucking company would pick up vehicle Nov 20 (one day out of pick up window) and that driver would call seller (eBay purchase) on Nov 19 to confirm pick-up time and location.
Nov 19: Seller receives no call from driver. I call Nicole, she confirms that driver will be late (Nov 23 instead of Nov 20). Problem was that the seller won't be here on Nov 23 (Thanksgiving weekend) but is willing to meet driver at certain time and location if he can commit to a particular time. Several phone calls later with Bluestar (Jason, Nicole, Ariel), drop off terminal, trucking company, and the trucker himself. We agree that the seller will drop the vehicle off at a terminal about 1 hour outside Boston on Friday morning. This is a major inconvenience for him but his is willing to do it so I don't miss the truck. (Thanks Chris — great eBayer).
Nov 20: I receive a voice mail from Nicole stating that there is a terminal drop off fee of $35 that I must pay. Confirmation that everything is still a go.
Nov 23: Vehicle not picked up. Several phone calls to Bluestar and carrier. Assured vehicle would be picked up Nov 24.
Nov 24: I call the terminal, confirm that vehicle has not yet been picked up. No call from Bluestar or trucking company. Later in day I call Bluestar, no answer. I call Trucking company, she gives me phone number of driver. I call driver and says he wasn't able to pick up vehicle but there will be another truck. I call trucking company and they assure me the vehicle will be on a truck as soon as possible, not likely until Nov 27-Nov 30.
Nov 25: Not able to get a hold of Bluestar. I write this review.
First the good things about Bluestar: They're friendly over the phone most of the time, especially the salesperson, Charles. He was quite optimistic when he told me the car would be picked up by Nov 19. And was also cheerful to collect my money and point out a typo I made on the contract.
Now the bad stuff:
1. I mentioned that they were cheerful on the phone... But if you show you're getting irate or any emotion at all, look out. I guess they're used to dealing with angry customers and will shut you down right away.
2. They're late. Vehicle still not picked up at the time of typing this review. (I will update the review as things progress).
3. They pass the buck. It's sooo easy for Bluestar to point the finger at somebody else because they're only the "broker". So what is the purpose of using Bluestar if I have to do all the legwork (dozens of phone calls to drivers, terminals, trucking companies, etc)? And they're not accountable for ANYTHING.
Conclusion: I know Bluestar has a lot of positive reviews on this site but I have to question the integrity of those. From my experience (so far), they are absolutely horrible. They over-commit, they don't perform, they point the blame elsewhere, they add no value, and BOTTOM LINE THE VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING IN A TERMINAL IN BOSTON WAITING TO BE PICKED UP.
Jason, charles, ariel, nicole... Are you listening?
I will update this report, good or bad, once the outcome is determined. Let's just hope they can improve things.
Randy
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
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