Interstate Car Transport Experiences

XYLINC · 02-02-2008, 08:57 PM

Well it looks as though I'm going to get absolutely nowhere in getting VIP to honour their advertising claims so I would like to share my experience with all fellow car enthusiasts out there in the hope that what happened to me does not happen to any of you.

Last year I bought a rolling shell XY Falcon from interstate and as the body had been restored I needed a specialised car carrier to deliver it to Melbourne at which time I would pick the car up and bring it home. Having not used a specialised carrier before, but seeing V.I.P's advertising everywhere I assumed they were the people to use. Their advertising suggests that cars are transported in fully enclosed VIP transporters, fully insured against any damage whatsoever and constantly monitored by trained professionals. I decided it was worth paying three times the price of a conventional carrier to ensure this car arrived safely.

Bear in mind this is exactly the same service that would have been provided for a phase 3.

I got a phone call late on a saturday morning to let me know the car had arrived in Melbourne. I advised that I couldnt get there until monday and asked if the car would be safe and secure over the weekend to which they assured me it would. I arrived Monday to find the car outside on a dirt hardstand area in a commercial transport depot in Dandenong, on full view to the main road and collecting all the dust and dirt thrown in the air by the other trucks coming and going 24/7. Upon inspecting the car it had been damaged, paint was scratched and chipped on the guards and the bonnet, and the guards were also marked from a strap that had been used to tie down the front of the car. I advised the depot manager, who was not aware of any damage and asked for the condition report. "The what" he said! As there was no sign of VIP in this depot I loaded up the car as quick as I could, pulled out of the yard and rang VIP. Initially they were quite helpful and it looked like I was going to be taken care of. By the time I got home however there was an email waiting for me that claimed no responsibility due to the damage being as a result of a poor quality restoration.

Upon further investigation I found that VIP did not transport the car at all. They subcontracted it out to a conventional carrier that transported the car in an open normal transporter. The subcontracted carrier was not interested in hearing about a claim at all and VIP's insurance wouldnt cover it because they didnt carry it. After getting nowhere with VIP I contacted consumer affairs. Consumer affairs contacted VIP who stated they had no record of dealing with me and suggested I may have dealt with "Pitstop Automotive", another of their companies but one that was now in liquidation, leaving me nowhere to go and a repair bill of $1400.00.

Now I am sure there are others out there that have used these guys with no hassle at all but be warned, if you do have problems, this is the level of service you may well get for your money.

pertuan · 02-02-2008, 09:15 PM

Surely you would have gotten some paperwork that has a VIP letterhead?

XYLINC · 02-02-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pertuan

Surely you would have gotten some paperwork that has a VIP letterhead?

Booked and paid for over the phone by visa. Never sent a reciept. Apparently they also have two companies nearly called the same thing, VIP Automotive and VIP Automotive Solutions. They claim I went through VIP Automotive which is a part of Pitstop. All their advertising stated VIP Automotive Solutions but apparently I have no control over which company they use the process the transaction.

Kryton · 02-02-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mltucker

Booked and paid for over the phone by visa.

and what does the VISA statement say?

XYLINC · 02-02-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

and what does the VISA statement say?

It says VIP Automotive but seems to abbreviate it due to space. Have requested a search from the bank but as yet the slackers have only come back to me with more questions. Getting frustrated with every turn in this matter.

JOSH · 02-02-2008, 09:41 PM

do you have photo's of it before it went on the truck?

XYLINC · 02-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOSH

do you have photo's of it before it went on the truck?

Yes but they are not disputing that the damage was not there before pick up. They have accepted that it was damaged during transport but they are basically saying "stiff s@*t". Pretty impressive for the most prominent specialised car carrier. I have also found out that they are quite within their right to subcontract the job out without your knowledge or consent, providing that the same level of service is provided (theres one to keep in mind), which in this case it clearly wasnt.

**GasoLane** · 02-02-2008, 11:01 PM

Thats just VERY slack 'service'. Even regular car carriers like Tolls (formally Finemores) that carry secondhand cars walk around the car before it's loaded and note EVERY little mark/scratch/dent or whatever. This is then checked off at the delivery point and any discrepancies are acted on.

Definately one for the Dept of Fair Trading!

XYLINC · 02-02-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Thats just VERY slack 'service'. Even regular car carriers like Tolls (formally Finemores) that carry secondhand cars walk around the car before it's loaded and note EVERY little mark/scratch/dent or whatever. This is then checked off at the delivery point and any discrepancies are acted on.

Definately one for the Dept of Fair Trading!

I know mate, its clearly stated, and even boasted, that a full inspection is done at pick up, documented on a condition report, and the same done at arrival. No-one could produce a condition report from the VIP office even after numerous requests. The depot guy at pick up in Melbourne took a couple of pics on his camera phone then just walked off.......didnt give a rats!

**GasoLane** · 02-02-2008, 11:23 PM

Like I said, if VIP are too slack to care get the Fair Trading mob to remind them of their obligations.

Keep us informed on how you go.

Tiapan · 03-02-2008, 12:24 AM

well thats f*cked! i wont be using them to get to nats, neither will any mates

pauljh74 · 03-02-2008, 01:10 AM

Did you ring them from home? Your phone bill should show you called the number of VIP automotive solutions. The email may have been sent from the same as well. This would be evidence of who you contacted.

Sure they can subcontract it, but ultimately they are still responsible.
Perhaps a charge back on the credit card is another option to investigate? I don't know how much they charged for the car transport, but it should help pay your repair bill.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-02-2008, 01:15 AM

If it has been paid in Visa, perhaps you can go to your bank and dispute (and possibly reverse) the payment, under the grounds that you did not get what you have paid for??

ELGT4me · 03-02-2008, 06:10 AM

In all honesty, I would not use TNT/Ceva (or whatever they are called this week!!!) VIP or Autotrans. Both my EL GT,s were badly damaged by these companies. Does anyone remember the TS50 from Perth that was stripped (inside a container!!!) enroute to Melbourne for the 2005 FPV/Tickford Open Day? To avoid libel allegations against this forum, pm me & I will tell you how I succeeded in my damages claim against TNT/Ceva & VIP Car Transport.

:

OLDFORDNUT · 03-02-2008, 10:34 AM

a friend got his big dollar Monaro taken from QLD to Melbourne with toll's a couple of years ago,picked it up from there transport depot in Melbourne and the brand new street strip tyres (mc cleary) i think they were called,half bald and tyre rubber all over his inner guards and bottom of rear quarters,scratches around door handles and bonnet ,fuel guage gone from half to just above empty, the trip was supposed to take about 4 days yet took 7,he kicked up a stink but got nowhere as photos his brother took when truck turned up were useless as they were not of car actually on transporter.since then i always take photo of driver loading my cars and tell friends to do the same.

XYLINC · 03-02-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiapan

well thats f*cked! i wont be using them to get to nats, neither will any mates

I have used a couple of smaller firms since then that are owner operators and the service you get with them is EXACTLY what you should expect. They have also told me a few stories about other customers experiences with VIP and I have to tell you they made me cringe, I got off lightly. These companies need to learn that you cant walk all over us like we are nothing, without us they are nothing and our biggest voice is not using them so tell as many as you can.

XYLINC · 03-02-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

Did you ring them from home? Your phone bill should show you called the number of VIP automotive solutions. The email may have been sent from the same as well. This would be evidence of who you contacted.

Sure they can subcontract it, but ultimately they are still responsible.
Perhaps a charge back on the credit card is another option to investigate? I don't know how much they charged for the car transport, but it should help pay your repair bill.

Unfortunately, according to my legal advice, regardless of who I contacted if the transaction went through one of these other companies that are being wound up I'm buggered. Aside from that, yes they are still responsible if they contract it out but how much do you spend in legal costs to recover a $1400 damage bill. Consumer affairs got nowhere and they are a toothless tiger anyway, they cant force anyone to do anything, they can only try and negotiate on your behalf. Transport cost was $1100 whereas the same shift with a conventional carrier would have been in the $300 range.

XYLINC · 03-02-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELGT4me

In all honesty, I would not use TNT/Ceva (or whatever they are called this week!!!) VIP or Autotrans. Both my EL GT,s were badly damaged by these companies. Does anyone remember the TS50 from Perth that was stripped (inside a container!!!) enroute to Melbourne for the 2005 FPV/Tickford Open Day? To avoid libel allegations against this forum, pm me & I will tell you how I succeeded in my damages claim against TNT/Ceva & VIP Car Transport.

:

Thanks mate, neither will I from now on but there are many of us car enthusiasts out there that are not aware of how unscrupulous these guys are. If I knew then what I know now there is no way I would have used them and all it would have taken is someone like me sharing my experience as I'm doing now. Word of mouth is the best, or worst, form of advertising. I will PM you mate, cheers.

Laminge · 03-02-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

If it has been paid in Visa, perhaps you can go to your bank and dispute (and possibly reverse) the payment, under the grounds that you did not get what you have paid for??

If you paid within the last 6 months on Visa, dispute the transaction, in their own words they appear not have transported the car, get your money back at least.

XYLINC · 03-02-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laminge

If you paid within the last 6 months on Visa, dispute the transaction, in their own words they appear not have transported the car, get your money back at least.

Thanks mate, I will check that path on monday.

vandrsxr6 · 03-02-2008, 11:09 AM

Very dodgy behaviour, I'd be going to the office of fair trading and get them to investigate their very devious acts.

The way they have done this with sister companies and stating that it was the other one is not on. They are owned by the same man and that man needs to be responsible.

DON"T GIVE UP.

OLDFORDNUT · 03-02-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laminge

If you paid within the last 6 months on Visa, dispute the transaction, in their own words they appear not have transported the car, get your money back at least.

yes its amazing how they can trap themselves

fordon · 03-02-2008, 11:32 AM

Write a letter to Today Tonight,there always looking to make a story on something !

**Falcon Coupe** · 03-02-2008, 11:41 AM

I find the personal accounts in this thread absolutely disgusting.
These so called professional car transporters have a lot to answer for.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-02-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I find the personal accounts in this thread absolutely disgusting.
These so called professional car transporters have a lot to answer for.

Hear here... I'm the sort of guy that tries to do EVERYTHING myself, time and time again im sick of hearing stories like this, as well as removalests etc stuffing up other peoples stuff.

I'm looking at buying a car thats down in Melb, vary rare and unique.. I wouldn't ever consider paying a company to load it up and bring it up to Syd, I'll be flying down and driving her home if the transaction goes through.

Same if the car was in Perth, but thats just me.

theunfairadvant · 03-02-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mltucker

Thanks mate, I will check that path on monday.

Just go to the bank and fill in a chargeback forms, tell the bank that they
did not provide the service as promise so you want to do a chargeback.

Just keep doing the chargeback as everytime you do a chargeback,
VIP will have to pay $110 bucks to their merchant.
It cost you nothing just your time at the queue.

I have done a chargeback to a merchant 15 times
till they decided to give me my money back.

Laminge · 03-02-2008, 01:20 PM

The chargeback fee is $30, have yet to see one as high as that.

My understand as well is that a transaction can only be disputed once.

KBBossedXR · 03-02-2008, 01:26 PM

Whats wrong with todays world,do you have to do everything yourself just to make sure its done properly, And when you cant do it yourself and you rely on these so called Specialists and they provide this sort of service and there also a bunch of *** holes.over the years i have seen and come across some dodgy people in this industry and this situation that you have/are going through makes it even harder to trust someone. Best of luck mate

XYLINC · 03-02-2008, 02:31 PM

Thanks for all the support guys, at this stage I dont hold out alot of hope in getting anything back but I do want to make sure that none of you experience the same problem so I want to get the word out as far spread as possible to make sure dodgy operators such get hit on the bottom line.......right where it hurts them most. I understand and whilst it hurts, accept, that a car can get damaged during transport, things happen you know! But the way they handled me, and fed me with a string of bullshit excuses in a feeble attempt to fob me off, then pulling this stunt of having the transaction go thru one of their companies that they folded, I still find totally unbelievable.

The initial story at the start of this thred is the condensed version, you would believe the garbage they were feeding me.

[Tonko] · 03-02-2008, 03:08 PM

A mate of mine got his Black Coupe4 couriered from Brisneyland.
It was delivered with a smashed (not cracked) windscreen and covered in diesel and red dust.
That was 3 months ago, and he still hasnt been able to drive it because it needed a new dash (from the rain and basically mud) and respray.
I'm pretty sure it was TNT aswell