You get what you pay for...mostly

Lance Submitted this review about Specialty Mobile Systems
Review made Live: 11/30/2007 6:35:00 PM
I contracted with Specialty Mobile Sytems after receiving about 4 quotes. They were slightly above average in price, but I felt confident in going with them as they said they had a carrier they always selected first with that route that was very reliable.

I was told that my car could be picked up within a 2 day window because the route was run well.

The car pickup went just as planned. The driver was unable to get his truck to my address, so I had to drive a little ways to meet him, but that was no problem.

My problem came with SMS and Pioneer (the actual carrier) having communication problems. I had a strict requirement that the car was to arrive before the 11th because I was leaving town and did not have anyone who could accept delivery. Unfortunately, someone at either SMS or Pioneer decided to interpret that as me requesting to have the car delivered AFTER the 11th. I am not sure who's fault it is, as they both claim it was the other party who screwed up.

When I first spoke with Pioneer, they told me I could expect the transport to take approximately a week. About four days into the transport, I called Pioneer to check up on the status of my car. I was told "the computer server is down, you have to call back tomorrow". Annoying, but I got over it. I called the next day, and was told "my car was on its way and would arrive without any issues at this point". I flew to NC the next day, and called Pioneer again on Friday, when I was expecting my car to be delivered. It was only at this point that Pioneer told me "your car is still in LA, because you requested we deliver it after the 11th".

Fortunately, they at least had a team driver truck that was heading out that my car went on, but it still took them another day to sort that out. I had called SMS at this point to find out what they could do, but they didn't offer anything other than an "I'm sorry". I suppose as a broker they have little authority over Pioneer...but then that's a lesson learned - avoid using a broker if possible.

My car ended up being delivered late afternoon on the 11th. Fortunately I wasn't leaving until the next day - however I ended up having to leave in the middle of an event to get the car, and I ended up paying for almost an extra week of a rental car. Fortunately my car didn't get damaged.