Car damaged during transport...any experience | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Car damaged during transport...any experience

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Edc2104, May 20, 2015.

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  1. paulmveillon

    paulmveillon Rookie

    Apr 4, 2015
    5
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Paul M Veillon
    Without knowing the precise rules for collecting diminished value in Connecticut, I can speak to some general principles on the subject after an incident like this. The best way to know whether you have a viable diminished value claim is to engage a reliable, local appraiser (not an Internet quick-value company) who has experience helping owners, not insurance companies, with diminished value. Exotic diminished value claims require special handling - the appraiser must approach the issue differently than for a production vehicle. Depending on the appraisal, you may need counsel: the larger your loss, the more an attorney can help you. Insurance companies and self-insured corporations settle claims based on exposure, not merit. Without counsel, the carrier has an incentive to offer one dollar less for your diminished value than it thinks will trigger your decision to retain counsel. With counsel, you have the leverage to file a lawsuit if the carrier is unfair, which is (a) the best way to avoid a lawsuit through reasonable compromise and (b) the best way to be able to assert your rights if they are still frivolously delaying, denying, or defending your diminished value claim. Most diminished value attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations, and most have just as much of an interest as you do in avoiding unnecessary litigation. Best of luck - Galileo Law PLLC, by Paul Veillon, Washington attorney.
     
  2. TC94

    TC94 Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 23, 2005
    1,299
    TN
    Any updates? I'm hoping to hear that everything worked out, and that your car is being repaired soon.

    When you get a spare minute, hit us with an update. Thanks.
     
  3. ItalianOne

    ItalianOne Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 21, 2008
    619
    Mich
    Full Name:
    Kevin R
    Who was the transport company? Currently looking at having a car shipped from the west coast. I might want to avoid
     
  4. ersatzS2

    ersatzS2 Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 24, 2009
    862
    Norfolk VA
    Sympathies. I've had quite a few cars transported across the country (including my own GTC once upon a time) and found the guys at Intercity to be terrific: good communication, professional, and always real car guys.
    Two comments FWIW: I'm another fan of Classic Coach, ask for Carlos. I have spent a lot of $ there, never cheap but always happy. And can vouch for the amazing caliber of bodywork restoration I've seen.
    Secondly, despite my eagerness and the eagerness of others to know ID of the shipper, if it were me I would not disclose until after this is resolved. Really no upside to that and venders can turn vindictive or at least uncooperative if you publicize before resolution is achieved.
     
  5. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    Is there any way of learning this car's serial number, so that this unfortunate incident can be properly and accurately documented in my database?
     
  6. Edc2104

    Edc2104 Karting

    May 21, 2011
    101
    Greenwich CT
    Full Name:
    Evan
    #31 Edc2104, Jun 5, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Quick update...

    The shipping company really wanted me to use their repair facility, but I requested a couple of quotes from shops closer to where I live and they have agreed to have the car repaired at the shop of my choice.

    I still do not really want to disclose who the shipper was until the entire process is finished, but it was one the of the big companies. I realize that these things happen when you are shipping thousands of cars a year and I don't think any company is without damage of some sort. What I was most concerned with was how they were going to rectify the situation. Was it going to be a major hassle with lawyers or were they going to acquiesce to my demands? Thankfully, I must admit that they have been EXTREMELY cooperative in this situation. Most likely it has been due to the nature of the car damaged, but I cannot say enough about their customer service. The vice-president of their insurance company has been in constant contact with me and has given me his personal cell phone for my convenience. So far I have had no problems.

    As I have stated earlier, the roof was the original paint and several members have indicated that I may have a case for diminished value of the car. I agree, and I am saddened, by the fact that the original paint will be destroyed, but other parts of the car have been repaired previously and every analyst I have spoken to have stated that my case for diminished value would not go very far as the entire car does not have the original paint. I did not pay a premium for the original paint and I am not too concerned with a loss of value as I expect to keep the car forever (famous last words)! I plan on driving the car and enjoying it and not using it as garage art.

    As for the repair, I will post some photos of the process. I had two options of how I wanted the repair to proceed. One was to remove all glass and rubber seals as well as the chrome moldings and interior headliner in order to pound out the damage and metal finish all defects. The other was to minimally tear the car apart and repair the damage with keeping all original gaskets and chrome trim intact. Having restored several old Ferraris in the past, I elected to keep it simple. The rubber gaskets available now don't look as nice as the originals and removing the chrome trim can lead to catastrophic disasters. Ask anyone who has ripped apart a Dino...
    The interior of the car is completely original, and while not perfect, I did not want it messed with. I will live with a couple of imperfections to keep the car with what came from Maranello

    I elected to keep it simple and I know some people will crucify me for this decision, but this is how I decided to skin the cat. I wanted to retain the original windscreen and rear window gaskets and I just don't like ripping the chrome moldings off. I done it before and it rarely goes as easy as it seems. Hopefully the blending goes as well as they claim they can do. Again, I will post some pics.

    It has been a rough start to my ownership of my 330, but it is just part of the mystique and I look forward to driving and enjoying the car as soon as it is finished!
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  7. Edc2104

    Edc2104 Karting

    May 21, 2011
    101
    Greenwich CT
    Full Name:
    Evan
    #32 Edc2104, Jun 18, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have picked up my car from the shop and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. The roof was repaired perfectly with minimal collateral damage to the rest of the car.

    A few pics are below.

    Now for what I presume everyone has really wanted to know. Who transported the car?
    Well, before I disclose who the company was, let me again state my main reason for posted this thread.

    My purpose not to bash some transport company for merely trying to do their job, but to get some perspectives from others who also have had this happen. I realize that accidents happen and this was a very unfortunate one as we have lost some originality but, at the end of the day, this is not the worse thing that could have happened. What I really wanted to know, and get some prior experiences on, was how the company should be responding and reacting to the incident.

    Well, I am happy to say that I could not be happier or more satisfied with the customer service offered by this company. I have been in constant contact with the vice president of the shipping company's insurance contractor and they have been extremely apologetic and helpful in getting this issue resolved. Strange for an insurance company for sure. The owner has sent me a very nice letter apologizing for the damage and has also been very helpful in the process.

    Based on my experiences, I would not hesitate to use this company again and I would recommend them to anyone on this forum. Again, NO ONE who has shipped cars across the country has a perfect record. I just wanted to make sure everything was rectified to my satisfaction and it has been.

    This was a rare incident but the company showed what they stand for and that the customer and their cars are of top priority. I have nothing but good things to say about Horseless Carriage. I really didn't want to name the carrier but I feel that if others are going to transport their vehicles they should know that this company will do the absolute best job they can to get your car to its destination safely and, God forbid, if anything does happen, they will do whatever it takes to fix the situation. I appreciate Mr. Malatesta and his staff in this matter.
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    m3doc likes this.
  8. Adamas

    Adamas F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 13, 2012
    11,895
    Out of town
    Full Name:
    Mike
    FWIW, after your posts, I'd be MORE likely now to use Horseless Carriage than prior to reading about your experience. As a multi-year owner of multiple businesses, I understand all too well that **** happens. IMHO, how a company handles screw ups is FAR more important than whether or not such screw ups happen in the first place (within reason, of course). It's good to see a company not be diickheads when it comes to doing the right thing. If there are any H.C. higher-ups following this thread- Good on ya. If ever I need a car transported (which, as a matter of fact I would, if a Florida dealer hadn't re-neged on a deal), I'd certainly consider y'all; I'd also give far more consideration to your handling of the problem than I would to the fact that it happened in the first place.

    Glad to see a successful resolution.

    Best

    Mike
     
  9. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    22,362
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    never use a broker......................
     
  10. Edc2104

    Edc2104 Karting

    May 21, 2011
    101
    Greenwich CT
    Full Name:
    Evan
    I've transported quite a few cars, and all with different companies. This was the first time I have ever had any issues. As was stated before, what mattered to me most was how the company was going to respond to the incident. I know others have had some issues with this company, but my experience has been nothing but positive. Hopefully, no one will have to go through this but I greatly appreciate how my situation was handled.
     
  11. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,308
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    As unusual as it sounds, this is the type of thing that can do more good than harm for a company and not the other way around.

    I would use them now after this happened. Before, I had no opinion on them.
     
  12. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

    Jun 5, 2001
    19,800
    Full Name:
    Art
    No he doesn't. Federal statute restricts damages. Best government money can buy.

    Art
     
  13. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,865
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    #38 ryalex, Jun 20, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2015
    Well that government was bought in 1906 so there isn't anyone left to blame about that! ;) one of my first civil jury trials was a Carmack Amendment case. we got around the limitation on liability from the bill of lading by convincing the jury that the laborer my client left at the construction site to sign for the outgoing shipment did not speak did or read English, and had left the country already (before the trial). The defendant didn't bring the immigrant truck driver either.
     
  14. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,770
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    This is exactly what I was thinking.
     

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