I was really concerned about the whole shipping process. After submitting my name for shipping quotes, I started getting lots of emails and phone calls. I had more than one person calling tell me that the business is really corrupt, that lower priced shippers would change the price mid-shipment and could not be trusted (but, of course, I could trust the strangers on the phone telling me to pay more). I simply didn't have the money for the higher priced shippers and knew that higher prices don't mean better quality. I was just about to take a Greyhound and go get the car myself. I figured out how much I could afford and looked through my emails at the bids. I came across Kensington Auto Transport's quote which was less than $100 above the cheapest and well over $200 less than most of them. Their email talked about integrity and I was needing someone with that. Obviously, anyone can say it, so it was a risk; but I felt good about it.
It was nice that I called them first. Unlike the rest of the world, I don't like talking on the phone; so salesmen calling me (always at the worst possible times and on my prepaid cell phone) was not a value-added activity. Yeah, I know it's their job, but I prefer people who answer my questions and leave out the sales pitch. I just wanted to sort through the emails and figure out who could do what I wanted for the price I could afford.
So I called and talked to Alexander. He was the only one I ever talked with in arranging the whole thing, so I didn't have to explain things to a bunch of different people. He didn't ask for my money upfront; so basically, I could have had him do a whole bunch of work, then bailed on him, and he wouldn't have charged me.
I didn't bail, but I did put him through a lot. I was working with a contract deadline from the car seller, but wouldn't have the shipment money until payday. I hadn't called a shipper sooner, because I thought I'd have to pay upfront; unfortunately that meant the deadline was really close. Alexander said he would do what he could with no obligation; if he couldn't find a shipper in the next day or two, I could cancel it all and take the Greyhound. He called back within hours with a shipper. I was thrilled. We were finalizing details when the car salesman said the car would not be available until a few days later.
So Alexander, with not even a hint of annoyance in his voice ever, started looking again for a new date. He talked to the salesman directly to help me get details worked out. No matter how many times I called with questions, he answered them clearly and always told me to call back if I had any other questions.
I should mention that this was in the midst of the earthquake and hurricanes, which didn't make the job any easier.
The carrier picked the car up on Labor Day, delivering it before noon on the first possible shipment day. I thought that was pretty nice of Ravi, since he certainly didn't have to work the holiday. The car arrived completely undamaged and on time. I was given time to inspect the car before signing or paying anything, with no rush.
I will never, ever, submit my name to one of those shipping price quote websites again. I will just call Alexander of Kensington Auto Transport and know everything’s taken care of.
