Took Deposit without fulfilling the contract

Tom Wright Submitted this review about Suncoast Auto Transport Inc.
Review made Live: 6/5/2012 2:02:00 PM
Suncoast Autotransport charged my American Express $100 deposit without dispatching the door to door service that was on our contract. The sales person John had not returned my calls and the Customer Service Manager, Simeon, hung up on me twice as I was asking for the refund of the deposit they charged without securing the door to door service we contracted for. I believe was mislead and taken advantage of by their processes.

Please do not use this company.

Thanks
Tom

Company Response
Becky from Suncoast Auto Transport Inc. Submitted this response.
Response Date: 6/6/2012 1:02:00 PM
Suncoast Auto Transport NEVER charges a deposit until a vehicle has been dispatched to a carrier. Once a vehicle is dispatched, the deposit amount is then charged on the credit card to reserve the vehicle’s spot on the carrier. As soon as the vehicle is dispatched we call the customer as well as send them an email confirmation with pick up and drop off dates, the carriers name and number, and also the payment information so they have everything for their records. Our customers may cancel AT ANY TIME BEFORE THEIR VEHICLE IS DISPATCHED AND WE WILL NOT CHARGE ANYTHING. This is clearly stated in the contract as well as explained to all customers upon booking. The customer’s vehicle was dispatched within his date specifications and requirements. This particular customer did not cancel until some time after his vehicle was dispatched to a carrier and his credit card was already charged to secure his spot on the carrier. Unfortunately, we cannot refund the deposit amount once a carrier is scheduled due to the fact that the carrier has reserved a spot on their truck for the vehicle and a last minute cancellation costs the carrier money since they now have an empty spot on the truck. This is also explained to all customers upon booking and is clearly stated in our contract, which the customer signed and returned to us. Further more, if a message is left, the call is returned momentarily. Our staff is readily available and eager to help customers answer any questions and resolve any disputes. Our Sales Representatives, Dispatch Manager, and Customer Service Manager all handle each call with the utmost respect and integrity. We expect the same respect in return and when a customer becomes irate and uses profanities and threats it is completely unnecessary and makes it quite difficult for us to help him.