Maybe wrong time of year?
J Davis
Submitted this review about
AmeriFreight Car Shipping
Review made Live: 2/15/2014 5:14:00 PM
I used this site to research expected shipping costs from New York to Colorado and received two quotes. Given the high marks for Amerifrieght, I went with them as they were slightly cheaper. The other shipping company guaranteed their rate and it was slightly higher, but within 20% of the lower Amerifreight quote. The estimated pickup date was within 5-7 business days of the date they were turned on to find a transport. After 5 business days, I called to inquire how things were proceeding. I received a call back the following day and was told that they were having difficulty finding anyone heading West from NY, but anticipated finding something within another 5 business days. I checked back when that time had expired and nothing had been found yet and the winter storm that hit the NE made it unlikely anything would happen until it had past. When almost another week had passed, I was tempted to start the process with another company when I received a call from Amerifreight stating they had found a transporter, but the cost would be nearly 50% higher than the original quote. Figuring a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, I turned them on for the job and was told the vehicle would be delivered that Friday. With no call from the transport company on Friday, we called back to Amerifreight who looked into the status and told us the vehicle would arrive on Monday and, actually, it was always going to be Monday and they weren't sure why they'd told us Friday (both verbally and in writing). Technically, it arrived on Tuesday as it came at 12:30 AM. The final delivery timing was not Amerfreight's responsibility, but it was a pain.
I would expect the shipping company to know the market and the general availability for a particular route. I would hope they would have some experience base and current knowledge to make an accurate estimate of the costs. I would expect it to be within 10% and, at the outside, 20%. But having to pay nearly 50% more tells me they weren't aware of the actual costs and the situation until they started attempting to find a shipper. I based my decision to have the vehicle shipped on a cost comparison. I was basically paying $300 - $400 for someone to bring it to me, as that was my (much more accurate) estimate of how much more it would cost over me flying and driving it back. Had I known it was going to cost over twice that amount, it would have made it worth it for me to fly and drive. By the time I found out, however, the time available to make that choice had passed.
The combination of bad weather and Amerifreights lack of knowledge of what would be available and what the costs would actually be created a situation where it was much later than I expected and at a cost significantly higher than expected. They were persistent and got the job done, so I would marginally recommend them. Perhaps I was just the unlucky one on the wrong route at the wrong time of year, but it's something to keep in mind.
Company Response
AmeriFreight from
AmeriFreight Car Shipping Submitted this response.
Response Date: 2/17/2014 8:00:00 AM
(Google us - Best BBB rated car shipping) Discount rates, AFta protection - Jessica 678-608-0557
