Damaged vehicle - No help from broker

David Miller Submitted this review about Auto Transporters Online Inc.
Review made Live: 1/9/2008 9:11:00 PM
I contracted with AutoTransporterOnline, a broker, to have my vehicle transported. I had no control over the trucking company they chose to make the transport. My vehicle arrived with almost $1,900.00 in damage. I contacted AutoTransportersOnline for the contact number of the trucking company and advised that extensive damage had been done to my car. After having dealt with the trucking firm (U.S.Cargo Ent. of Wheeling, IL) and having zero cooperation, I again contacted AutoTransportersOnline. I explained that I felt they had some responsibility in this matter since it was their decision to hire the firm that damaged my vehicle. Their response was that they sympathized but could do nothing to help with the repairs. Sympathy is nice but it doesn't repair my car.

Company Response
Arthur from Auto Transporters Online Inc. Submitted this response.
Response Date: 3/5/2008 5:46:00 PM
We value all of our customers and always strive to give the best possible customer service possible. However, we can't do the impossible, nor can we force a customer to follow our strong recommendations. All customers are advised to inspect their vehicles thoroughly on delivery prior to signing the bill of lading. Bad weather, bad light or anything else is not accepted as an excuse for not inspecting one's vehicle thoroughly on delivery. We explain that if any damage occurs in transit, we will assist them with the trucker's insurance information and provide any information needed to help to get the vehicle repaired. We also tell the customer that once they have signed the bill of lading, they have released the trucking company from all liability so a detailed inspection of the vehicle must be done prior to signing the release. After Mr Miller's car was delivered, the trucker faxed us a copy of the bill of lading. This bill of lading confirmed that the customer had received his vehicle in good condition. Mr Miller signed off on the bill of lading confirming that the vehicle was undamaged and that he released the trucker from future liability. Subsequent to this, Mr Miller claimed that he had found damage to his car. We provided all of the relevant insurance information to Mr Miller but explained that it was unlikely that the trucker or the insurance company would be prepared to repair the vehicle since he had released them from liability days before. This is exactly what transpired with the trucker and the insurance company. We spoke to both the trucker and insurance company to see if we could get them to make an exception - as expected they declined. The trucker has a good rating and has hauled for us successfully on prior occasions. Mr Miller has now chosen to damage our credibility and that of our employees. We did everything we could to make this car move successful. Mr Miller did not heed our advice. What more could we have done?