Company Response Review Report Review
Nice People, Bad Service

Ben Submitted this review about Magic Carpet Auto Transport
Review made Live: 8/31/2010 10:53:00 PM
Before I tell my personal narrative, two quick things for those looking to ship their car:
1) Understand the difference between a driver and a broker.
2) Visit http://www.centraldispatch.com/. This is the exchange your broker will use to match your order to a driver. Understanding how the process works is a good idea and should just take a few minutes. Short version: broker lists car, zip code, and offer price; drivers accept offers, make counter-offers, etc.

Okay, now before I rant about my experience with Magic Carpet Auto (MCA) the company, I will add that all the individual employees I spoke with were always nice and courteous, and I hope they feel I treated them likewise.

When I called MCA, I was told that having my car delivered on or a day or two after August 20th could be easily done. I needed my car in that window so I could attend classes, and I am too young to rent a car in the interim. I had called in late July, and was told that I should expect to hear more details around early August.

Early August came... and went. By August 9th I began calling MCA every day to check whether my car had been matched to a driver, since they weren't calling me. After three days I finally got in touch with my "personal agent". It took another four days for us to reach the mutual understanding that when I said that I was flexible about pickup locations, this meant other zip codes near my home could be used in the dispatch and I could still easily and conveniently meet the driver (thus making it easier to find a driver, which I should have had by this point to arrive near the 20th).

I was finally set up with a driver (note: this is not a review of my driving company, Wheels on Wheels) who said they would pick up Aug. 16th and try to deliver by the 26th (late but better than nothing), although for an additional $150.00. They actually arrived to pick up my car a day early (awesome). The problem came when they delivered 3 days earlier. While that in itself is not a problem, I only received a 2 hour heads-up before they took my car away again and left it in storage about 100 miles away. If I had received the 24 hour notice that MCA claims you will receive (but WoW doesn't), I could have told them I was unavailable that morning.

My biggest complaint again MCA comes at this point: they were completely useless in helping me resolve this issue. I called them and asked them to help me get in touch with my driver. They never called me back. I wound up having to get my car shipping again from this new storage for an additional $100.00, since I had no car to be able to go get it. It took me 3 days since the first failed delivery to get my car (ironically, on the 26th as originally stated). During this time, MCA never called me or the delivery company to help. They never asked if I had resolved the issue. After the 26th passed (the date MCA expected my car to be delivered) I received no calls asking if I had actually received the car. To me, that leaves the impression that they don't care. Employees were always wonderfully polite, but there was no follow through. I will not be using this company again.
Shipment Details
Origin State:
Ohio
Pickup:
Early
Destination State:
California
Delivery:
Early
Customer Service
Honesty:
Knowlegeable:
Promptness:
Customer Service:
Review Details
Quote or Order Id:
1323876
Quote or Order Cost:
$1222

Car Condition
  • Vehicle was dirty
Company Response
Terry Williams from Magic Carpet Auto Transport Submitted this response.
Response Date: 9/1/2010 10:01:00 AM
Ben, I am sorry things were so rough involving your transport. I do remember this transport and that the driver was requested by you to deliver early since you would not have a vehicle on the other end because of your being unable to rent a car. I am sorry that you were unreachable for delivery and that I was not notified of this. I would have definitely gotten involved and worked to locate you so the storage situation did not arise. I was not notified by the carrier so therefore was unable to help. As far as you contacting me with this issue, I do not show that you had tried. I am glad that you finally did get your vehicle and I wish you the best. Michelle