Have you ever thought about shipping a vehicle? Or maybe you already have and are in the beginning stages of searching for an auto transport company. This can be a daunting task because there are so many to choose from, and each claims to offer great prices.
However, the price isn’t everything. What happens if something goes wrong during the shipping of your vehicle? The transport company doesn’t return your calls, or leaves you hanging with respect to your demands? Should you complain to the Department of Transportation, which does little to help? Or should you take them to court, where legal proceedings could take years off your life due to stress?
First of all, it’s always a good idea to research an auto transport company before you use it. After all, you’re entrusting them with your vehicle, and there’s no telling what can happen during the transport process. However, even a company that seems trustworthy may disappoint you in its service delivery. With an auto transport company, how do you go about resolving this?
Keep in mind that you have a right to be satisfied with the service you receive. If things go wrong on your car shipping journey, it’s always best to start by working with the transport company to resolve the problem. After all, no one wants to have their vehicle damaged or delayed during a move. So if there’s any way that the issue can be solved amicably, make sure to try it before moving forward.
Therefore, let’s talk about what it means to be “not happy.” There are many reasons why people might not be satisfied with their auto transport experience. Here are some common ones:
- The vehicle was damaged during transit
- There were delays in the delivery time frame
- The driver was rude or unprofessional
- The price was higher than expected
Let’s explore each of these issues and how you can resolve them with your auto transport company if they arise during your move.
The vehicle was damaged during transit
If your vehicle has been damaged during transit, the best thing to do is contact your carrier immediately. You should also report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. This way, if something happens later on down the road and your insurance company finds out that the damage was done during transit, they will not be able to deny your claim because of it. Particularly, it’s important to document the damage and take photos of the vehicle right after it arrives at its destination. This will help you file a claim against the auto transport company if necessary and will also make it easier for them to fix any issues with the car if they are willing to do so.
There were delays in the delivery time frame
This can happen for a variety of reasons but most often happens because of bad weather or road conditions (e.g., snow) that make driving difficult or dangerous. It’s best to have an understanding with your auto transport company about what constitutes “unavoidable delay” so that you don’t have any surprises when your car arrives at its destination late due to weather-related issues or other similar circumstances beyond the control of either party involved in the transportation process.
The driver was rude or unprofessional
If the driver acts in an unprofessional manner during the pickup or delivery process, it’s important to note that this is not normal behavior for most car shipping companies. If you feel there is a problem, it is important that you contact the auto transport company directly so they can investigate the matter. The best thing to do is write down all of the details surrounding the incident and send an email or letter to the company describing what happened.
The price was higher than expected
If your quote was based on an estimate and you were charged more than anticipated, get in touch with your carrier immediately. The longer you wait to address this issue, the more difficult it will be to obtain a refund or reduction in price. In any case, note that you need to know how much your move will cost before signing a contract with an auto transport company. It is highly unlikely that any reputable auto transport company would take advantage of customers by overcharging you after signing a contract quoting the costs. If they did overcharge you, contact them immediately and ask for a refund.
Conclusion
In all you do, make sure you’re clear on who is responsible for issues with your vehicle. The auto transport company works for you and should be accountable for any damage or loss that occurs during transport. If anything goes wrong, contact the company immediately and allow them to resolve the problem in a timely manner.
If the transport company refuses to take responsibility for their errors, file a complaint with the DOT. The Department of Transportation regulates interstate transportation of household goods and vehicles in the U.S., and if an auto transport company fails to comply with its regulations, it can be fined or shut down entirely. You can also seek redress publicly through online forums such as Better Business Bureau. Even if the company is dragging its feet, such an action would force them to move faster