"Dependable" Auto Shippers

Doug&Julie · 09-04-2013, 10:20 AM

I have to vent....

So we're in the middle of a 'cross country move, and based on recommendations I picked Dependable Auto Shippers to ship all three of our cars. So we drop all three off on Monday, 8/26 and focus on packing the house.

On Wednesday (8/28), as the house is being loaded onto a truck, I get a call from their claims adjuster letting me know that "the truck driver rolled a car into the driver's door of your 2013 BRZ, and the door won't open". So my 3700 mile-not-a-scratch-on-it-brand-new-car is now wrecked. All they cared about was "do you want it fixed in Ohio or have it shipped to Oregon and have it fixed there?" Pissed, I decide to have it shipped to Oregon...where at least I can keep an eye on it.

Cut to today...nine days later...and I get an e-mail update telling me that the car is in final transit. It's then I realize I've gotten e-mail updates on the BRZ, but not on the other cars. So I call the service center...my other two cars are STILL IN OHIO. I can barely contain my anger. "Explain this" I say. She can't. Then she notices they were schedule for pick-up, but that was cancelled. Seriously? That's when I let her know that the cancellation was probably because their driver rolled a car into ours, damaging it. But then I inquired "I was told what's happening with this car would not effect the shipment of the others?". Her response..."ummm".

So now she's on it, and tells me to call back at 5:00. "Can't you call me please?" (It's a miracle I'm still saying please.) "No, we're an in-bound call center only, so you'll have to call us. Just call back around 5:00 and we'll know more."

In the meantime, we're in Oregon with a rental ($$$) awaiting our cars. All we need is one so we can ditch the rental...

So to summarize..."Dependable" Auto Shippers has wrecked one car, then FORGETS about the other two. Perfect.

...and the story isn't even over yet...

McLovin · 09-04-2013, 10:24 AM

Sorry to hear that.

You should have done a search on DAS or Dependable Auto here on Pelican. I've posted before, and so have others. IMO they are one of the worst shippers out there.

They are cheap, I suppose, but not worth the risk, IMO. I'd personally never ever use them, I'd pay the additional few $ for someone reliable like Intercity.

Good luck! I think you're going to need it . . .

Don Ro · 09-04-2013, 10:35 AM

Doug,
Your anger is justified to no end!
I'm pissed just reading your post!
The world is phuq'd!!!
Unconsciousness abounds in this life!

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

they wait until a full load, then ship. Could be a long, long time.

stomachmonkey · 09-04-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANDY P

they wait until a full load, then ship. Could be a long, long time.

Yup, even worse if they are one of those outfits that drops at a central distribution hub. Could sit even longer waiting for a full load out of there.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

I make sure to talk to the driver himself and ask the question-

How far are you to filled"

before I make the final decision... BTDT. I have better luck with the mom-n-pop shippers VS big fancy shipper companies. Just a guy with a big long hauler is best.

rjp

R K T · 09-04-2013, 11:21 AM

Sorry to hear about your situation.

But I'm surprised anyone actually recommended DAS! I've posted on several different threads and forums about avoiding them at all costs. There have been so many negative posts about how they transfer cars from one truck to another, letting cars sit outside for days before loading, and multiple damages even in short distances.
One driver (from another company) told me if you can't get a job driving for any other company....DAS will hire you!

Hope you get things resolved.

stomachmonkey · 09-04-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I make sure to talk to the driver himself and ask the question-

How far are you to filled"

before I make the final decision... BTDT. I have better luck with the mom-n-pop shippers VS big fancy shipper companies. Just a guy with a big long hauler is best.

rjp

Yup, I moved 3 cars on 3 different occasions with the same guy who only does the N TX to NY run. Small open hauler. Great service.

Used Horseless enclosed for the 190 SL.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Sorry to hear your troubles with DAS. I've vented on this forum regarding them in the past. I think they're not-so-dependable.

They used to have some sort of GPS/internet tracking available. But it never worked with the car I had shipped with them. They couldn't tell me where the car was, either. The cross-country trip (which should have taken about 2 weeks) was now going on 5. So I told the guy in the call center that if he couldn't find the car, then I'd report it stolen. They very quickly found the car and it was delivered within 2 days or so.

Oh, and after I received the car I filed an online complaint with the BBB. Not that the BBB complaint is worth the toilet paper I used to wipe myself with this morning, but apparently low-level companies like DAS sure like the keep their BBB rating looking good. So that got some traction in refunding a couple hundred bucks. Better than nothing.

I will never use DAS again.

rcooled · 09-04-2013, 01:24 PM

Sorry to hear what a pain DAS was. I recently had a car shipped from Boise, ID to the SF Bay Area and used J & S Transportation. They were a pleasure to deal with from beginning to end. J & S owns their own trucks as well as brokering for independents that cover routes outside their usual territory. They picked the car up right on schedule just a few days after contacting them and delivered it within a week...just as they said they would. The car never left the truck and the drivers called in with updates along the way. The car arrived safe & sound within a few minutes of the scheduled delivery time and their price was right in line with the other outfits who quoted the job. I'd use them again without hesitation.

J&S will transport your vehicle door-to-door. Free instant quotes

Zeke · 09-04-2013, 03:44 PM

Sounds like you need to cancel. Reporting the cars stolen sounds like a good ploy.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-04-2013, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Yup, I moved 3 cars on 3 different occasions with the same guy who only does the N TX to NY run. Small open hauler. Great service.

please share.

john70t · 09-04-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

I will never use DAS again.

This.

Mine arrived late a couple weeks, soft clutch, paint ding, 3M headliner glue had melted, and 1/16 inch of silt covering the entire car.
I had paid approx double for "enclosed shipping".

stomachmonkey · 09-04-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

please share.

Been 6 years.

May have a receipt in the P Car.

Will check tomorrow.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-04-2013, 06:22 PM

Thanks, will need someone good for another car, not the cab.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Shaun: I was very happy with InterCity for my 930. I firmly believe it's you-get-what-you-pay-for in the virtually unregulated world of auto shipping.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-04-2013, 06:32 PM

Thanks Al, I'll give them a call. I use McNutt (sp, have to look them up) twice and they were good, but were just basic 911s.

jwasbury · 09-05-2013, 03:10 AM

I recently shipped a car I bought from a guy in Seattle to the greater NYC area. Avoided DAS because of negative press here. Spoke with Intercity and Reliable, but neither could pick up the car for 6-8 weeks. Finally contacted a fellow Pelican KG (screen name IDGAF27). He's a member of our community (fellow 930 owner) and works in auto transport business, and is a good guy He hooked me up with some privateer he uses for this route. My car was picked up within 24 hours of arranging the transport (was Wednesday) and the car arrived at my destination on Sunday. Extremely satisfied and will call him again when I need auto transport.

asphaltgambler · 09-05-2013, 06:03 AM

I spoke with Intercity only last year when looking to buy a 540I on the left coast. The agent stated that once they have enough scheduled vehicles to load the trailer, the driver picks them up in order and none of them come off that truck until they are at their destination. at that time the wait was @2 weeks to pick up.

The same driver, truck and trailer that pick your car up is the all the same when delivering. I also found the prices to be reasonable considering how their business model works. It's really the only way to go.

I have had issues with other shippers in the past and the headaches, excuses, delays and possible damages are just not worth it. Buying a new-to-you vehicle should be a happy experience.

s_morrison57 · 09-05-2013, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

Sorry to hear that.

You should have done a search on DAS or Dependable Auto here on Pelican. I've posted before, and so have others. IMO they are one of the worst shippers out there.

They are cheap, I suppose, but not worth the risk, IMO. I'd personally never ever use them, I'd pay the additional few $ for someone reliable like Intercity.

Good luck! I think you're going to need it . . .

^ you shoulda checked, if you would have read only my posts about DAS you would have never used them, I respond to every thread about shipping and always say no to DAS, they are the Motor Miester of auto shippers.

Finn