I DO NOT recommend shipping your car with National Auto Transport, Inc. (NAT).
In March I contracted with NAT to have my car shipped from California to
Virginia. They are a broker, and found a subcontractor to transport my car.
This subcontractor picked my SUV up from my home and put it on a flatbed truck.
It was scheduled to be dropped off in Virginia at my friends house where I was
staying. For some strange reason, the drop-off was delayed twice and finally
was dropped off at night about a couple days after the drop-off date. The
driver came and rolled my car off his truck and when I asked for the keys, he
told me I had to sign the receipt paper first. I decided to walk around and
check my car out for damage. There was none and I signed the paper. As soon as
he handed over the key, he was off in a flash. I proceeded to get in my car and
start the engine. It was running well, but once I put it in drive and pressed
on the gas, the car started jerking and would not drive. He knowingly left me
there in the dark with a broken-down car. Way to treat your customers!
This is a Toyota SUV that was in perfect running condition (it got a clean bill of
health from a mechanic before I shipped it). I had to tow my car to a local
shop. I got in touch with NAT and all they did was pass the blame. They kept
telling me it was not their responsibility and they were merely a broker. They
kept telling me to contact the subcontractor and then later it seems that there
was sub-sub contractor or something. I still have not been able to figure out
who is responsible for the damage.
The mechanic at the local shop told me that someone had DRAGGED my car which was a
clear violation of the agreement. This dragging totally destroyed the rear
differential in my car and it cost $2800 to fix and that doesnt include the
money I paid for my rental. I have tried in vain to find someone to take
responsibility for this.
NAT is a large national broker and they have been most unhelpful. What was supposed
to be about $1,150 for shipping turned into almost $5,000. I am in the process
of trying to sue the subcontractor.
By whatever means, think long and hard before you ship your car with NAT. Once
they get your money, you mean nothing to them and they will not help you and
absolve any responsibility.
It is disgusting that these kind of businesses are allowed to operate without any
regard for the well-being of their customers or their customers cars.
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