Dude, where's my automobile?!

Rodney E Submitted this review about A-A Auto Transport
Review made Live: 7/28/2007 12:42:00 AM
I am in the military and was changing duty stations (moving coast to coast). I was driving across country at the end of the month. I made the contract with A-A Auto Transport on 20 June 07. They were supposed to pick up my vehicle on 28 June but did not. I called them to find out what was wrong, they told me that the assigned carrier was full and could not drive my vehicle. They had not scheduled another carrier. I was very upset because the day before, all my furniture was picked up and being driven to my new house. I asked them what my options were and they said I could drive my vehicle to their office and leave it for the next available carrier. It took extra time and gas to get it their office. (I never felt comfortable with the company again, but I was in a time crunch). I asked the representative that took my vehicle how long it would take to ship my vehicle and they quoted 15 days. After 15 days I contacted the company to get a location of my vehicle and an adjusted date of delivery. The receptionist informed me that my vehicle was in Missouri and the carrier's truck was broken down. They hired another driver coming from the east coast to the west coast to retrieve it and take it back to San Diego (WHY? It would have been easier to find a carrier going from Missouri to the east). What upset me more than learning that there will be an even longer delay was that no one called to notify me that there was going to be an issue with my vehicle). Twice now I painfully learned that the customer service had fallen through or was none existent.

I have called the office on numerous occasions to get updates on where my vehicle was and could not get any information. I have asked for the carrier's name and mobile phone number to take up the matter directly with the individual who has my vehicle, and they have not given me any information. On Wednesday, July 18(when they said the vehicle would arrive) I called them to inquire on the excuse, the receptionist informed me that the vehicle was in Oklahoma (the driver's home of record). She said that the driver had been driving for 10 days straight and that he was forced (by the Department of Transportation) to take a mandatory 72 hours off from driving. I would get my vehicle in about a week. I have two brothers who are truck drivers and I know that what she told be was a LIE! If the driver wanted to take 4 days off, say so! The staff have lied to both my wife and I on several additional occasions stating that they have to get the location of the driver and vehicle from the Dispatcher and that they will call us back. Each time we call (about 11:00 ET) they tell us the Dispatcher does not come in until 12:30 ET. They told us they would then call us and give us an update at 3:00 ET. This has never happened. The receptionist told me on multiple occasions that they have to wait until drivers call them (approximately 2:00 PM Pacific Time) to update them on the status of delivery. Keep in mind A-A Auto's office closes at 5:00 to 5:30 PM. When you call them in the morning to inquire about your vehicle status, it mysteriously takes this company a full day to try and contact carriers. I was even told that they never give out the carrier's name and mobile phone information (because customers would keep badgering the drivers). I said,"Are you kidding me?!" The receptionist began to get rude as if I questioned her integrity. "TOUGH!"

Mr. Pomerantz (the owner of the auto transport service) assured me that he would personally handle the matter from then on. He even gave me his personal office extension as a gesture of good faith. It is amazing that when I call I keep getting handled off to the receptionist and he has never returned my calls or given me any information. I know that my vehicle was not worth more than $50K or was an exotic, but to treat people like this absolutely wrong. If I had a very expensive car I would be going out of my mind right now wondering where it was. I am kicking myself for contracting this company.

Currently, it is Friday, July 27 and I still do not have my vehicle, the company has not called me back to give me the name of the carrier and a phone number to call. I start work within the next few days and I will have to spend additional funds for alternative transportation (that I cannot recuperate from A-A Auto Transport). I feel as if my vehicle has been stolen and I am thinking seriously about contacting law enforcement to straighten out the matter. Again, this whole ordeal is becoming an ever growing nightmare..

IF YOU VALUE PEACE OF MIND AND YOUR SANITY, DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

Update:
6:10pm (Pacific Time) a "Debbi" from A-A Auto Transport called me to give an update on the status of my vehicle. She said that she had good news and bad news. She gave me the good news first. She said that she talked to Mr. Pomerantz (Isaac) and he told her to tell me that he is willing to knock off $100 dollars from the balance that I owe for the delivery of my vehicle. So instead of owing $695.00, I would then owe $595.00. Since this deal is not in writing and that this has to be coordinated with the driver prior to delivery, I do not see this happening. The bad news; my car will not be delivered to me until Thursday, August 2. After talking with Debbi on several occasions today, I was finally given a name of the driver (Tyrone). Again, no mention of last name, carrier name, etc. I was given a bogus phone number to call 760 963-6068, which is registered to a realtor named Sheryl Casilio in San Diego. The answering machine stated that she works for Keller Williams Realty in California.