Company Response Review Report Review
Beware of bait and switch

Dan Bachman Submitted this review about Montway Auto Transport
Review made Live: 12/10/2020 2:52:00 PM
Beware! Classic bait and switch business and I apologize for the long review. Online quote gives me a price for $699 for an enclosed trailer from Bellport, NY 11713 to Madison Heights, VA 24572 on 11/5/20 for my 2003 Corvette Z06. On 11/7/20, I receive a call from a Montway representative that they have identified a driver that will be tasked with pick up and delivery but there will be no enclosed trailer and the new quote is $999. At this point, since this was not the first transport company I had dealt with in the past couple of days, I realized that the industry worked this way. Maybe not all, but I wasn't able to locate one besides "Reliable". I angrily asked why the bait and switch and the representative informed me that no one was willing to take this transport due to my rural location. I was resigned to the price because I realized that I was not going to get near the original quote since communicating with other broker-type companies, but I informed the representative to cancel the transport due to the fact that it was not an enclosed trailer. At this point, due to time constraints and just being tired of the whole process, I made the mistake of accepting the transport when I was reassured the transport would be able to safely transport my Corvette without damage when loading the car on the flatbed. I negotiated a $100 dollar discount and OK'd the transport and at this point my CC was charged. The transport company is MKA EXPRESS LLC, (605) 838-1316. The trucker, Zviadi Chikobava, (718) 500-8004. Car was picked up at the sellers address at 11:45PM 11/10/20, 5 hours and 45 minutes late. Driver reported heavy traffic. Looked at online traffic maps and found that to be a lie. Driver is unable to open door to enter and exit car due to trailer fenders blocking the opening. Driver proceeds to enter and exit car through the open window. Driver is unable to close window completely so a tarp is thrown over the top of that car for the 8 hour trip to Virginia. Arrived at my house 6PM 11/11/20, 3 hours late. Zviadi informs me of traffic as I strain to understand him. I watch the Zviadi remove the tarp to climb through window. I watch him back the car down the ramp and scrape the rockers and front fenders of the Corvette. I yell for him to stop but the damage had been done at this point so what was I to do except for the driver to complete the unload. The interior is damp due to the window being open as the tarp did not keep the rain out if the interior except scratch the clearcoat finish as it flapped in the wind for the 8 hour drive down to my home. The headliner is sagging due to the moisture. Both rockers are scraped the full length and the front driver-side fender mounting screw has been ripped out of the fiberglass mounting point on the rocker. I ask Zviadi for a bill of laden and none is given. I called the MKA EXPRESS representative and informed her of the damage and lack of a bill of laden. I text her pictures of the damage. She forwards them to Zviadi and She informs me to discuss the damage with the driver who is still here. I walk to Zviadi and he states that the car was already damaged and he has pictures during the pick up. I contact Montway of the damage and lack of bill of laden. Montway representative informs me to contact MKA EXPRESS for the bill of laden as some transport companies do not offer one during the transport. I request to file a claim for the damage. 11/12/20 - I receive an email from Montway regarding the claim process and to select from three option on how to proceed: Your available options are below: NOTE: We need you to inform us of your preferred option in order to proceed. • Option 1: File an insurance claim with the motor carrier's insurance company. All cargo claims are subject to the terms of the motor carrier’s bill of lading, cargo policy, and cargo deductible. • Option 2: File a no-fault Subrogation claim with your own insurance (if applicable). They have the power to collect compensation for valid claims from the motor carrier through subrogation including any deductibles you may have. • Option 3: Mediation. This means that we will speak with the carrier on your behalf concerning your claim against their company in hopes that the motor carrier comes to terms for valid claims. Please note, in order to proceed with mediation, all the requested documents must be on file within 15 calendar days from the date of delivery. If the required documents are not received within that time frame, this option will no longer be available. Montway will mediate the matter for a maximum of 15-days from the date that you have provided all required documentation. If mediation is not successful during this time, we will inform you in writing and will provide you with the motor carrier’s direct contact information so that you can pursue options 1 and 2. I select option 3 and as of today, 12/05/20, I have not heard anything back from Montway. Beware!!!!
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Company Response
Montway from Montway Auto Transport Submitted this response.
Response Date: 12/11/2020 8:02:00 PM
Hello Dan, As a broker, Montway will arrange for the transportation of the customer's shipment by a carrier. Due to the uncommon route, Montway expanded and located a carrier to transport the reviewer's vehicle. We presented this option to the reviewer and provided full transparency of this specific motor carrier's requirements and asked if they would like to proceed. If the option did not work for them, it would be fine for us to continue searching for a carrier that could meet the customer's requirements as per our service agreement. Damage is never something anyone wants and we do apologize for the inconvenience. As shown in the review, our in-house claims department emailed the reviewer with options to proceed with their claim and specified that we require all indicated documents to proceed. Only part of the email is shown here. The reviewer has yet to provide the requested documents to proceed with their claim. We ask that the reviewer email us at claims@montway.com with the requested documentation or any questions or assistance they may need. Sincerely, Montway Auto Transport