Out $456.65

Parker Sims Submitted this review about Specialty Mobile Systems
Review made Live: 10/25/2005 11:51:00 AM
Initially Correy worked to get Mario my driver and suceeded by getting him the day before my moving van showed up. Could barely understand the driver who tried to strike a deal with me paying $100 less in cash not by check. I figure it's his business and as long as I get a receipt it's up to him to report what he earns. Mario says he'll have car out in AZ in 8 days.

Long story short, driver never contacts me while on road and 8 days pass. 9, 10,11 and no news. Where's my Mustang? No help from Specialty Mobile. All of a sudden I get a call from Valentin (Russian accent?) Wants to know if Mario tried to strike a deal. Find out Valentin is Mario's boss. I tell him the story that I fully intend on paying full amount agreed on. He is "very upset with his driver." HA! Not as upset as I eventually become with Valentin. His company is THP Lines out of Sho Low, AZ.

Now get this. It's almost a funny story from here on out.

Mario shows up 12 days later, (within the agred on time limit) but I never had any idea when or IF I could expect delivery. Never had any contact. Shows up on a Sunday night at 6pm in the dark. I'm PO'd. He fiddles around for an hour then knocks on my door. Can't start the alpha Romeo that's blocking my car so can't get my car off. Will I help he asks. ANYTHING to get my car off.

So I end up using a cable and towing with another GMC truck that was being transported the Alpha with Mario steering a dead car. Got the cable securely tied to the Alpha's bumper HA! I could just picture it ripping off the Alpha. But we get it off and he drives my beautiful 83 Mustang 5.0 into my drievway.

By now it's 8 pm and I've been feeding Mario Cokes feeling sorry for him. Of course, my wife and I haven't eaten yet but that's not important.

Now we have to get the Alpha back on the transport so here I am pushing the Alpha with a 12" high bumper with a GMAC truck with a HUGE bumper. Lord knows what this car will look like but at least I have mine. Then Mario has to jockey cars all round for his next delivery that night. THAT NIGHT? IT'S 8:15PM. After jockeying around cars, I offer for Mario to wash up as he looks like he's been rolling in grease. Give him his third Coke and I pay him in cash the agreed amount minus $50 for my labor and filth to get my car off. I sign off on the car but because it's pitch black, I have to look over car that's covered with dust in the morning.

Now it's not so funny.

Rear bumper is damaged. I call Valentin who tells me to get quotes. I get three and send to Tammy, his wife.

It's been two months and according to Tammy check will be mailed out 10/14. 10/21, nothing and I call Tammy but Brandi (?) says Tammy is too busy to talk and that it's up to Valentin to mail the check. Can I speak to old buddy Val? He's not here. Cell phone please? Gives me one but he never answers or returns calls.

Back to Corry at Specialty Mobile for help. He'll try but no guarantees. Says he'll call me back same day. No call.

So I'm trying again to contact either with no results.

My damaged bumper is my expense now. $456.65.

Corry says he'll


UPDATE

This is a follow up to my posting on 10/25/2005 at 11:51:30 AM
Subject: Out $456.65.

With Corry's "help" (note quotes) He gave me the name of the insurance company for THP Lines in Show Low, AZ. I was told I should file a claim with them. I thought I was golden.

BEWARE of the unknown you aren't told. I was told by the carrier's insurance company there is a federal regulation that states that because transports go across state lines, you may not file directly with the insurance company of a carrier like I was advised to do by Corry. So if the carrier, THP LInes in my case, doesn't return phone calls or emails, you have nobody to stand up for you. Not Specialty Mobile, not the carrier's insurance company, NOBODY. And don't think Corry and the gang don't know this.

So Specialty Mobile takes their fee, passes you off to a non-responding carrier who damages your car and you have nobody to turn to. Oh, I can file a court claim across the state and if I win I get to collect (HA!) on my own. Guess I'm still out $456.65 with not one ounce of support from Corry and the gang at Specialty. They knew all this going in. My bad for not knowing interstate transport regs.

The way I figure this is it's rare that most people transport cars on a frequent basis, probably more like once in a lifetime, so what does Specialty Mobile care? They'll probably never hear from you again for another trip. They took your one time fee, offered minimal help in settling up on damage and left you hanging. If I'm wrong, why don't they go after this guy on my behalf. I know, they told me up front they aren't liable. Guess it's my problem alone.
Be very careful

Company Response
Amy from Specialty Mobile Systems Submitted this response.
Response Date: 10/25/2005 11:51:00 AM
We apologize for this customer’s poor experience and understand the customer’s frustration. The driver referenced was fired by the carrier. We regret that this has happened; however there is no more we can do at this point. Corry has provided insurance information to the customer as requested, and now this issue is in the hands of the customer, the carrier and the insurance company. Amy/Specialty Mobile