Let us begin by explaining to you that the vehicle we entrusted to A AAAdvantage Auto Transport Inc. Is a 1999 Ford Mustang. We purchased this vehicle new in September 1999. At the time of shipping our car had 2,314 miles on it.
1/3/00 After researching several shipping companies online we decided to go with A AAAdvantage Auto Transport to ship our brand new 1999 Ford Mustang from Colorado Springs, CO to Devens, MA. Wrote out the check for the $200 deposit and then sent the contract and the check in the mail. Spoke with a representative of A AAAdvantage Auto Transport and they advised us that they would contact us as soon as the paper work and check was received.
1/12/00 430pm - We were getting worried why no one had called us yet so we called A AAAdvantage Auto Transport to verify that they had our information. The customer service representative advised us that nothing had been received. He said he searched the entire office and nothing was received by them today. He advised us to stop payment of the check 9a $20 fee) and send out the contract again. We rushed out to the nearest office supply shop to fax the contracts to A AAAdvantage Auto Transport to ensure that our vehicle would be shipped. We did not stop payment on our check and felt comfortable that it would be received shortly.
1/25/00 1999 Ford Mustang was made available to A AAAdvantage Auto Transport for pick up.
1/26/00 10am - Spoke with a customer service rep with A AAAdvantage Auto Transport, at length about the availability of my auto and possible pick up. She advised me that they do this kind of thing all day long every day and that I should feel comfortable that my car was a top priority as with all their customers. I asked about the $200 check and to my surprise she said it was received on 1/12/00 - the same day that we were advised it was "absolutely not in their office" when we spoke to him at the end of the business day. I expressed my concern over this and the rep said she would look into that. She assured me that my auto would be picked up on Friday 1/28/00 by their company or its agent. She asked me to call again tomorrow (1/27/00) to verify that it would be picked up.
1/27/00 Spoke with the rep. Again. I Expressed my dissatisfaction in A AAAdvantage Auto Transport and in the fact that she assured me it would be picked up within 3 to 4 days of my availability date. I was also very upset as I was leaving the state on Sunday (1/30/00) and wanted my car picked up before I left the state. She was very understanding and sympathetic to my feelings and said she would do everything in her power to make this "right for me". She said she would call the carrier who would be picking up my car and then call me back.
1/27/00 A AAAdvantage representative called back and said that the carrier would "definitely pick up my automobile early next week, but by Wednesday at the latest." She also advised me that for an extra $200 (appx) I could have a guaranteed pick up time. (A sales pitch to correct THEIR errors!) I told her that was absolutely not an option I would take since I was already paying $850 for the transport.
1/30/00 We left the vehicle in the possession of a close friend as I left the state for Massachusetts.
2/2/00 Spoke with our personal representative (our alternate address and pick up agent) and she advised me that the car had not been picked up nor had anyone even contacted her about it - we had expected a 12-24 hour advance notice as stated in ALL documentation received and on the WWW and per the rep. I was very upset at this point as the rep had said the carrier would pick up the vehicle by Wednesday. I called A AAAdvantage Auto Transport immediately and she was to call the carrier and get this straightened out. She then called me back to say how sorry she was and that the company would be contacting our agent that afternoon to arrange pickup.
2/2/00 4pm - The Carrier Company (Bob's Towing) out of Denver contacted our agent and advised her they would be there at 430pm. She said she could be there at 5pm and they said no that's too late. They rescheduled the pickup for 1pm on 2/3/00, Thursday.
2/3/00 3pm - the car was picked up by Bob's Towing..
2/10/00 We had been advised numerous times that the auto transport from Colorado to Massachusetts could take 7 to 14 days. It was now 7 days and we had heard nothing about the status of our car.
2/10/00 I called A AAAdvantage Auto Transport and was told that the vehicle had not been transported from Denver until 2/8/00, five days after it was picked up from our alternate address. I was astonished to hear this but was told that the car was scheduled to be delivered on 2/15/00. The customer service rep that I spoke with said that the carrier/transporter would contact us with a 12-24 hour notice of delivery.
2/15/00 Having not received a call from A AAAdvantage Auto Transport regarding the delivery of our auto, I called Amanda. She said that she had just spoken to the carrier who has our car in their possession and that they were doing the best they could. I advised her that it was imperative that I get some information about the cars whereabouts and status. She said that she would gladly call the carrier every day - several times if need be - to keep me updated. She advised me that she would call them first thing in the morning and get back to us immediately after that.
2/16/00 10am - An individual from 'Stagecoach' called (1-717-334-1171wk) and left a voicemail saying that A AAAdvantage Auto Transport had asked him to call us. I called him back and he advised me that our "Mustang is in Philadelphia and it is due to arrive to you on Saturday 2/19/00". He advised me to call again on Friday to confirm but that he didn't foresee any delays in the delivery.
2/18/00 Called Harry with Stagecoach he advised me that the "car is on the carrier in Iowa and it is stuck in a snowstorm until the roads are plowed. The earliest possible delivery will be on Sunday morning." He advised me to call him on his cell phone (1-727-808-6323) on Sunday 2/20/00 to get the latest status on the delivery.
2/20/00 Called 'Stagecoach' cell phone numerous times and left several voicemails asking him to call us immediately. We waited around all day for the return call and received nothing.
2/21/00 11am - contacted 'Stagecoach' on his cell phone (1-727-808-6323). He advised me that now the vehicle "arrived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania at about 10pm last night. They will switch drivers and I expect your car to arrive tomorrow morning sometime."
2/22/00 Called 'Stagecoach' again, he advised me this time that "your car is 7th in line for delivery and maybe will arrive sometime tonight." He then said "Is there any reason I will be hearing from A AAAdvantage Auto Transport again?" I explained that A AAAdvantage Auto Transport was the company that I was paying for the transport and that they employed him not me and that is why I contact them. I told him that I need to be sure when my car was going to arrive as we have sat and waited since
2/15/00 for delivery. He advised me that "the only things sure in life are death and taxes". I was taken aback by this statement and ended the conversation.
2/22/00 I then contacted A AAAdvantage Auto Transport and recited the entire situation to the Customer Service Manager. He said he was very shocked to hear such a horrible story from one of their customers. He said that he would definitely get this problem resolved and that we should not use cash for payment but to get a certified money order made out to A AAAdvantage Auto Transport and he will "make it right for us". He stated that "Stagecoach is a new company to them." He sent Stagecoach a fax requesting information on our vehicle with a statement to the affect that they may not use Stagecoach again. He received a return fax with the words "So What" written on it.
I told A AAAdvantage Customer Service Manager that I was considering contacting the Police and reporting our vehicle as stolen and he stated that it "might be a good idea" and that "these carriers tend to respond when the authorities get involved". I told him that I would wait one more day. He apologized and told me that he would call me at 4pm and then again at 6pm. We never received a call.
2/23/00 957am - A driver from 'Stagecoach' called, he said he had my Mustang and would be delivering it late this afternoon. He said he was stuck in New York with a customer who does not want to pay his bill. He asked me if I was aware that there was a COD of $650 to pay. I told him I was and that I had a cashiers check ready for him. He said that was fine.
2/23/00 950pm - The driver called and said he was on the Mass Pike at route 91 and is headed to Devens to deliver my Mustang. I said great and he then said "You got the check right?" I said yes and hung up.
2/23/00 1130pm - The truck with our vehicle arrived and I selected a delivery point in front of our hotel that was very well lit. The driver stated that he could not get his truck in to that area and selected a street with no lighting. He exited the truck carrying a crow-bar saying "Do you have the check?" I handed him the check which he studied for a long time and then began to unload the car. I told the driver of the truck that I did not feel comfortable taking possession of the car in the dark and that I need to inspect it in the daylight. I immediately noticed damage to the rear drivers side quarter panel. I told my wife to get the camera. I told the driver about the damage and told him that he must note the damages on the Bill of Lading and he becomes agitated saying he has no paperwork for us and no place to reflect any damages. He says "the dents were probably there when the car was picked up." We said absolutely they were not as the car is brand new with only 2,300 miles on it! He says well you have to take it up with 'Harry'. He went to the truck and returned saying "he just talked to Harry and Harry says to call him in the morning and he will get you fixed up". He became agitated again when we continued to look over the car. He again said there is no paperwork for us to keep. He stated that "all he does is deliver and collect. Call Harry". The time is now 12:30am.
2/23/00 1230am - Called A AAAdvantage Auto Transport and got voicemail - left a message regarding the situation and asked to be called in the morning.
2/24/00 We went outside that morning to survey the damage in the light. We noticed the damage was much greater that it seemed in the dark by the light of only our headlights. We took numerous photographs of the damage. We then got into to vehicle to only be shocked again by seeing grease and oil all over the doors, seats and glove compartment. We then went to spray off the dirt and road grim on the outside of the car and were shocked again to find more damages. The damage to the rear drivers side also included the drivers side door as well as the drivers side and passagers side front fenders. As well as the drivers side roof there is a dent. Also the wheels on the passengers side were both scratched. All the scratches were made by something red - which happens to be the color of the car carrier that transported our car.
2/24/00 A Customer Service Representative from A AAAdvantage called me at 930am. She listened to the whole story and was surprised to hear we received no Bill of Lading from the driver. She apologized for our trouble and said that she would relay the story to the owner of the company and would definitely get back to us.
2/25/00 We still have not received a call from A AAAdvantage Auto Transport.
2/25/00 We decided to contact our private insurance agency (USAA) and make a claim against our policy. We insisted they aid us in bringing action against A AAA Advantage to recover the cost of damages and our $300 deductible. We realize our situation and are faced with a damaged to be repaired no longer new vehicle, the time required to get to and from repair shops and the frustration of having been maliciously abused by an auto transport company.
2/25/00 USAA sent an estimator to appraise the damage to our vehicle and secure photos. We are advised that USAA will absolutely pursue action against A AAAdvantage. The cost estimate is $1831.21.
3/13/00 Brought our damaged vehicle to the Auto Body Shop. The Manager of the shop reviewed our estimate and conducted an inspection of vehicle. Our suspicions were confirmed by his comment, "This could not happen by an accident." "This is intentional damage
Our story was a little old but we feel it need to be psoted so ohters will know about them before doing business with them.
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