Very Satisfied
Ryan
Submitted this review about
7 Star Auto Transport
Review made Live: 4/1/2015 7:57:00 AM
Long story short - my experience with 7 Star Auto Transport was great and I would recommend them. My rep was Jair. Continue below for the long story, but I wanted to say that up front because I suspect most readers will not want to read all of the details below.
I felt compelled to write this positive review of 7 Star Auto Transport because in doing my research for a car transport company of my new convertible sports car, I found nothing but bad reviews all around for almost every company I encountered (I plan to post this review on the many sites where I encountered such negative reviews so that consumers can see some positive experience). And indeed, in dealing with various sales people from other car transport brokers, you get the feeling that you are indeed dealing with “car salesman” who are just trying to get you to sign the contract and you don’t know whether to believe what they are saying about “we have a truck available.” It all feels incredibly sleazy and shady - and it doesn’t help that you read so many negative reviews from so many sources. And making matters even worse is that you have some broker agents that will talk bad about other companies (saying stuff like “be careful, that company’s not insured”, etc.). In the end, I suspect that such brokers are just trying to make you scared so that you’ll choose their more expensive company over the one giving you a cheaper quote (i.e. just trying to say anything to lock in the deal) - but at the end of the day, all of these brokers will work with the same pool of trucks available in your area - but obviously, if you are willing to pay more, then more trucks will be willing to take on the assignment.
And quite frankly, my initial impression of 7 Star Auto Transport was sort of the same. I found them from www.transportreviews.com, but if you look at other places (BBB, Yelp), you’ll find 7 Star also has its fair share of negative reviews. I spoke with Jair, who is a nice guy, but also came across as a little bit of a fast talking car salesman just trying to seal the deal. He kept saying we have a truck nearby ready to do it, just need to get the contract signed. I really didn’t know whether to believe him or not. I was so afraid to give my credit card after reading stories about giving the deposit and then nothing happens for days. He said he had a driver willing to do it and even lowered the price further (which seemed like an even larger red flag at first, but not after you understand how this business works).
But what sealed the deal is that Jair actually put me on a 3 way call with the carrier who confirmed that they have a space on a truck and can pick up the vehicle in an hour. So this wasn’t just a broker agent saying that they have a truck available - this was the broker agent letting me speaker to the carrier agent who confirmed that there is a truck in the area. But at least it seemed that Jair was doing everything he could to allay my concerns. I was still a little suspicious and nervous (was it really the carrier agent...or maybe just Jair’s co-worker in the next cubicle pretending to be the carrier agent...or maybe it was the carrier agent but he was told to just say whatever in order to seal the deal - these are the thoughts that run through your head!!!), but I took the plunge and electronically signed the contract.
Once I signed, this put the process in motion and I was able to secure the spot with the carrier. The driver was notified of the pickup address. And to my surprise - the car was picked up about one hour later. And even more surprising - the vehicle was delivered 2 days later (from Illinois to Las Vegas). The driver was very nice (kept in constant communication on the estimate delivery time). Was even willing to drive the car to a more convenient address. The car arrived in pristine condition (it was an enclosed carrier - covered in plastic).
So in the end, I was very happy that I went with 7 Star. I was being quoted prices from some brokers of about $1450 to $1500 and up to $1700 or $1800 for some - but 7 Stat got me a transport for $1150. I think its important to keep in mind that the reason I may have gotten such a good deal is because the truck had only 1 space left and the driver was coming out this way already anyway. Rather than leave a space empty, because they were close to the pickup location anyway, they were willing to accept the job at what might have otherwise been a below market price. I think this is clearly a case a fortunate timing and luck on my part. But I raise this because it shows that the same delivery job that others bid out at $1500 can be had for $1150 - but you may have to be patient and flexible because it may not be picked up right away.
Bottom line - I think you have to understand going into this that all brokers work the same. They quote you a price based on what they think they can get, but then they look at the pool of available carriers to see if they can find a truck that’s willing to do it for the price they gave you (keeping in mind that the deposit you will pay is the broker’s fee, with the remainder being for the carrier/driver) - and if they can find a match, it gets done. But if you live in an area that is not heavily trafficked, then it may take time for your bid to be picked up - or it might not be picked up at all because no one is willing to drive out there for that price. Brokers are just doing their best to find some carrier with space that will take the job.
So I think any consumer needs to keep this in mind when reading all of those review sites. I’m sure there are people with bad experiences, but they may have had unrealistic expectations. And those reviews are often only one side of the story.
In the end, what can I say about 7 Star Auto Transport - I was quoted a price, I was told of a pickup timeframe - and both were exactly as represented. The car was delivered much faster than I ever expected and in perfect condition. No surprises - other than that, after being so nervous about the process, it went so smoothly and quickly. Thank you Jair and 7 Star Auto Transport. I hope this positive review will help offset some of the negatives ones out there - as well as give future consumers some assurances about what to expect in researching an auto transport company.
