Disappointing Experience

B.Wu Submitted this review about AutoStar Transport Express
Review made Live: 6/22/2011 3:18:00 PM
My car shipping experience with them was unsatisfactory. I contacted them 5/25 to schedule a car transport to depart between 6/10-14th. We booked with a carrier on 6/8th. I was soon informed of a mechanical failure and that we would need to search for a new carrier. There was no guarantee that one could be found at the original quote of $950 in my timeframe. I was told one was available for $1050 that would pick-up on the 15th. This carrier also had a breakdown and was delayed. Ultimately, I am glad that another carrier picked up my car (not arranged through Autostar).

The agent I worked with was very responsive but they are keeping my $175 deposit. They claim to have done their job, which may have been true according to the fine print of the contract but I certainly would not use them again.

Company Response
Mike Cannon from AutoStar Transport Express Submitted this response.
Response Date: 6/22/2011 3:34:00 PM
To say that this review is dishonest and disingenuous would be an understatement. Overview of Bechien Wu: 1) Provided a quote on 5/25 for $1050 to move vehicle. 2) Customer authorized that I search for vehicle for him on 6/8, but at a limit of $950. Customer had a narrow pickup and delivery time frame, pickup by 17 June and deliver to Los Angeles by 24 June. 3) Found a carrier with one space on his load to fill for pickup 6/9 and informed customer at 12:12pm. Two hours later, at 2:16pm customer accepted carrier. Three hours later at 5:05pm we were advised by carrier truck had broken down, affecting two of AutoStar´s vehicles. Customer was informed 5 minutes later, at 5:10pm. 4) Three business days later we found another carrier. Similar sized vehicles were priced between $900 and $1075, but this carrier wanted $1050 (the original price the customer was quoted by AutoStar). I tried to reason with the customer that as result of that one truck breaking down, those 10 vehicles were now in need of transport, forcing up prices, however, the price was still the same as the original quote we provided. The customer accepted and authorized this carrier and was informed pick up would be the following day. The following day the carrier called to say that the truck had needed a minor repair and oil change before the cross country journey, and customer was informed pickup would be the following day. Customer was very upset and tried to reason with him that these things happen, that it is out of OUR control, and even still the vehicle was being picked up AND delivered WITHIN his time frame. On the day of pickup, I and Bechien did a conference call with the driver to confirm he was on his way to load his vehicle, and would be arriving in the afternoon, within 3 hours of our phone call. Two hours later the carrier called AutoStar to inform us they were on site to load the vehicle, but the car was already gone! Bechien had apparently contacted another company with a terminal that sent out a local tow truck and picked the vehicle up an hour before our driver arrived, EVEN THOUGH he knew the driver was on his way! Throughout this process, the customer received dozens of calls from me and constant updates of status and our progress in securing a carrier. I was completely honest and upfront at each stage in this process, and am flabbergasted by this review, as Bechien knows all of the efforts myself and my team put forth to make this work for him. Brian Douglas 888-802-8250 ext 2245 brian.douglas@autostartransport.com