TowTransport
Fort Myers,#2UPDATE Employee
Fri, June 24, 2011
First of all, I am not the owner, but rather a subcontractor with information about the auto transport process. I hope the following information hopes you understand the costs involved.
With regards to the authorization, vehicles are neither picked up nor dropped off without signed consent from a representative of any dealership. If the vehicle was taken without an authorization signature, someone could argue the case for grand theft auto. Hence, someone must have authorized the vehicle to be transported.
I understand your frustration and how it may seem that the E-Autoship has profitted greatly from the service you received. While I can not say definitively what occured, I do know that the "trucking fee" is not all inclusive of costs incurred to provide you service. Customers are not allowed to pay the driver directly because they are subcontracted and paid accordingly. This is similar to ordering a meal for $10.00 then trying to pay the waitress $5.00 for the hamburger patty. The restuarant sells the meal as a package that covers additional costs they incur: the bun, side items, personnel expenses, etc.
Some additional costs incurred by the auto transporter: Local transport (to a terminal) and inspection of a vehicle costs roughly $100. If the vehicle is delivered to your home from a terminal, there is an additional cost for this second local transport. The cost of rent and insurance premiums must be factored in since transporters also have to store and insure the vehicles until they are turned over to a carrier. The company must employ personnel to ensure that the carriers used are up to date on insurance and US DOT requirements, as well as to handle billing and payment of subcontractors. These practices protect you as the customer.
I agree that many companies will haul vehicles for less. There is one thing they have in common: A corner is cut somewhere. Inadequate insurance, long layovers with customers' vehicles, down payment scams, and the list goes on. I have had customers tell me that they tried to save money by using a cheaper carrier and found that thier vehicle was impounded when the carrier truck failed an inspection - resulting in a 2 month delay getting their vehicle!
Again, I can understand the perception of deception. It has been my experience in dealing with this company for many years that they work hard at ensuring vehicles are shipped promptly by licensed, properly insured professionals who get the job done without damage. They're not always the cheapest, but they're the best and stand behind thier work 100%. Of course, they expect to be paid for services rendered. It is standard practice in the towing & transport industry to store a vehicle (with additional fees) if payment is not received as agreed upon.