Transporter to chicago recommendations

As we discussed, I had my Ferrari transported from California via Horseless Carriage. I was very pleased with their service. I've also heard positive things from some other members about Intercity. However, this is all hyperbole as you should DRIVE IT home from the east coast!

 

Last summer, I shipped my car from Denver to Chicago via Fed Ex. Top notch.

John Bray 1 800 325 4267 x2307

 

REALLY?? noooo!! don't ever drive cars you don't own, if there's a claim you are an easy target to blame and if you do damage a car (scrape front end, undercarriage, roof or side on the trailer) the carriers insurance won't cover you and you'll get to pay. My wife and I have our own company transporting cars enclosed and I do hear of drivers doing this but if the driver can't figure out how to drive the car he needs to ask the owner to show him, not ask you. We don't go east, only midwest-west coast but here's a tool that may help, www.transportreviews.com you can look at reviews of transport companies from responses (good or bad) left by customers.

 

I can tell you who not to use.

Don't use "On the Go Auto Transport" who I initially contacted and then "All Ways Auto Transport" who arrived to do the actual shipping.

I received my car about a week late, 3 o'clock in the morning with oil over the roof and down the trunk along with misc debris from the car they transported above it (without a barrier in between them which was supposed to be). The car was disgustingly filthy and I found there were dents in the driver's side front fender once I got my car into my garage and into the light. Completely filthy driver jumped in the car and got dirt and grease on the cloth interior (front seat and driver's side door panel). And I suspect the driver damaged the hood by improperly opening it and closing it (for what reason I don't know why he would have any business in there) but I can not prove it. My claim went no where which was pretty much expected. I could have took legal action but just opted to correct the issues with my car and move on. Incidentally, there was also a pearl white 2010 GT-R on the trailer which had gasoline all over it from a hoopty car above it, severely damaging the paint. Through a freak occurrence, I came into contact with the owner later on. According to him, All Ways Auto Transport refuses to make things right or even file an insurance claim (his car was damaged far more severely than mine). I'm a reasonable person but I will tell the truth about these two companies every chance I get.

It makes me sick just thinking about it, how careless they were with my car.

It was my first time transporting a car and I thought I had my bases covered. Here's what I learned. I hope it will help at least one other person out.

1. Make sure it's in writing that there is no car transported over your car or use a car carrier that doesn't stack cars. Rest assured they will put a complete junker above your car.

2. Never ever accept delivery during anytime other than daylight. I'm 100% positive that they delivered the car at night to hide the condition (damage) they delivered my car in.

3. Go over your car with a fine tooth comb when it arrives before accepting it, the driver will try his best to hide anything that may have happened. If need be, wash your car before accepting delivery if it's delivered dirty. If they don't want to wait, that's fine, just don't sign the sheet until you can verify that your vehicle arrived without damage. Of course they're in a rush to get you to sign to release them from liability, especially if there is damage that they know about and you haven't spotted yet.

4. Be careful, it's heartbreaking to receive (in my case, an original classic car that's been painstakingly cared for by my family in excess of 30 years) your car in a manner that shows the driver had no concept of how important your car may be to you.

Sorry if I went on too long. But if the driver and the company would have just apologized for the condition in which my car was delivered, I would have accepted it and just moved on. But their lack of remorse or owning up to their responsibility really irks me. I'm just chalking it up as an expensive life lesson learned.

 

I've heard nothing but good things about Intercity, however this thread is quite popular about Horseless Carriage. Quite a bad experience:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293072

 

I've used Fed Express 3X, been great.

 

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besides items listed above..

i always get the driver's phone number, for various reasons, including EXACTLY when he is making the delivery.

proper insurance coverage (including limits) is critical cause bad stuff happens..

make sure that you car doesn't come off the trailer until it's delivered to you.

.

 

Intercity, Mention F-chat.....get the discount (1800$) from SoCal to Cincy. FedEx 2300, Horseless 2100. Great driver that called 3x with location updates and He delivered Thanksgiving day. Intercity....Intercity....Intercity.

 

This sounds like it was shipped on an open trailer?

 

Found my 308 in Boston and had it transported by Intercity (FChat sponsor). They did a wonderful job.

 

No, actually it wasn't. It took the guy almost three weeks to transport the car from Phoenix to Chicago. I didn't expect the car to arrive filthy like that. Couldn't have been much worse on an open trailer. Live and learn I guess. If I ever ship another car, I'll go with Intercity.

 

ndpendant,

I am surprised at the price difference your are referencing. Did you mention that your were an F-Chat member as we offer a discount for forum members. Please let me know where the vehicle needs to pick up from and the make and model and I'll be glad to take another look at the price.

Thanks,
Jim
Intercity Lines
www.intercitylines.com

 

Sad story, sorry it happened. I found out that many are just brokers who post a load and whoever bids the work lowest gets the job. Nice.
KUDOS for naming the offendor. I hope your post shows up on a Google search for the company.

 

Intercity gave me an ETA when we loaded the car in Boston. As it turned out, they almost got back to Chicago before me as they beat their own estimate.

I remember the biggest (and only) challenge was to find a route through the city where their truck wouldn't get stuck in an underpass and which was legal for them to use.