Athena Rosendo review for TLC Transporters, INC

Review Description

I scheduled an auto shipment with TLC Auto Transport in the first week of February, 2011. I had a date of Feb 16, 2011, for my vehicle, a 2010 white Honda Accord, to be shipped from Buffalo, NY, my former residence, to Sierra Vista, AZ, my new residence. BOB, the representative I spoke with, (561) 945-6273, scheduled this shipment and seemed to be in charge of the whole operation. He sent me an Order Shipping Form, that explained the dates, vehicle, pick-up and drop-off areas, etc. He also demanded a deposit of $100 up front, which I paid. The total cost was $750. He informed me that the dispatcher would call me one to two days prior to the move, and that if anything, the vehicle would be shipped earlier than the actual date. That was fine with me. As agreed, I returned the Shipping Order Form and expected the services to be rendered at the said date. February 16, 2011 came and went. No shipment. No phone call from the company. Nothing. I attempted on several occasions, everyday thereafter, to make contact with TLC Auto Transport. I then called customer service at (954) 446-4476. No answer. On Monday, February 21, I spoke with an extremely rude gentleman who was not eager to help me in the least. When I questioned as to why my vehicle had not been picked up, he said "I don't know what to tell ya" and "Well, if ya wanna get REAL pissed off, then you can just go with another company. But no one wants to drive up to Buffalo this time of year." I called again February 23. No answer at customer service, or with BOB. I left another voicemail today, and my call was not returned. I then called the company back and the same representative that I spoke with before told me that they "need more money" and then they will "make further negotiations." When I first scheduled the shipment, BOB told me my vehicle would take seven days to arrive. As of the 24th of February, still without a vehicle. I am 2000 miles across the country with my two children, NO vehicle, and no expected or even ESTIMATED date of arrival for my vehicle. My vehicle still has NOT been picked up in Buffalo, which means even if it was picked up that day, it will be at least another week without a car and two children, ages 9 months, and 3 years old. I called AGAIN Saturday, February 26, and questioned what was going on, after no response to any of my voicemails. The man "Teddy" who is the only one who answers at customer service, now tells me that he's "Only a poor old dispatcher." When I suggested cancelling, Teddy informed me (the poor old dispatcher that knows nothing) that if I cancel they will charge my card the entire $650 for breaching my contract. And then hung up on me. I tried the rest of the day to call back. Left multiple voicemails. No Teddy....in fact, NO ANSWER at "customer service" at all. So the low-down of this company is such: They demand your $100 deposit, and take it and put it right in their pocket, with no intent to get your car transported. They give you a phony shipping order with a phony date, and when you wait and wait around with NO CAR for ten days and figure it's time to cancel with this low-life shady company, they, having your credit card information, they pull the rest of the money owed, saying that you are in breach of contract. And even if they don't get the rest, they get your $100. FYI: This company has SEVERAL different names, websites, phone numbers, and sales/customer service people. There are many contacts that are disconnected, and once you make your sale with "Bob", he can no longer be reached. "Teddy" who is apparently the customer service rep, turns into a truck dispatcher when you talk about canceling your order, and there is NO ONE else to call...supervisors, managers...nothing. Stay far far away from organizations like this. They should NOT get away with taking honest money from a military family such as my own, or ANY family. Shame on you, TLC AUTO TRANSPORT! (or whatever your name is today). Thank you for taking the time to add this review. I feel it is extremely important that these sleaze-balls are made known so that no one else falls prey to their scams!!