Worst Transport Experience Ever – A Total Scam of “Guaranteed Pickup”

Ziqi Shang Submitted this review about SGT Auto Transport
Review made Live: 8/27/2025 5:30:00 PM
I contracted with SGT Auto Transport for shipping my vehicle in August 2024. I originally agreed to an open trailer for around $1,800 with guaranteed pickup on 8/18. On the day of pickup, SGT told me they could not honor guaranteed pickup with open transport and forced me into an enclosed trailer for $2,700, claiming it was the only option. I also paid an additional $400 “guaranteed pickup” fee, which was supposed to ensure faster delivery. While my car was picked up on 8/18, it was not transported. Instead, it sat in a truck parking lot for 7 days. I confirmed this with GPS tracking. On 8/20, SGT told me the car was “passing Oklahoma,” when in fact it never left Irvine until 8/24. When it finally departed, the driver delivered the car in Pennsylvania late on 8/26 — about 55 hours for a 2,600+ mile trip. Since only one driver was used, this could not have been done legally under FMCSA Hours-of-Service rules (max 11 hours driving after 10 off-duty). This means the driver either violated federal safety regulations or SGT failed to disclose unsafe practices. When the car arrived, it was extremely dirty despite being shipped in an enclosed trailer. SGT has refused compensation.

Company Response
SGT Auto Transport from SGT Auto Transport Submitted this response.
Response Date: 8/28/2025 1:04:00 PM
Dear Shang, thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear about your disappointment and would like to provide clarification regarding the points raised, as accuracy is very important to us. First, regarding your booking: you initially secured transport with Guaranteed Pickup for open transport. On the date of pickup, our team informed you that no open carriers were available that could meet the guaranteed pickup requirement. In the spirit of transparency, we offered an enclosed option instead, which many customers also choose for the added protection it provides. This was not intended to “force” you into an alternative but rather to ensure we could still meet your guaranteed pickup request as agreed. Second, regarding delivery: it is important to note that while pickup can be guaranteed, delivery dates are always estimated due to the nature of auto transport logistics. Despite your concerns, the vehicle was delivered on the exact estimated delivery date outlined in your agreement (8/26). While we understand it arrived later in the day, this was still within the agreed timeframe. As for your statement about the vehicle “sitting idle,” there are times when carriers consolidate or adjust routing before beginning long-haul transport. While we regret that this caused frustration, your vehicle was never abandoned, and it was delivered safely and without incident. Concerning your reference to FMCSA regulations, please rest assured that SGT Auto Transport contracts only with licensed and insured carriers who are required to comply with all federal safety regulations. We cannot comment on a driver’s individual hours or rest breaks, but we do require every carrier we work with to meet all DOT and FMCSA compliance standards. Lastly, regarding the vehicle’s condition, enclosed trailers provide significantly greater protection than open carriers but do not always prevent dust or road residue accumulation during a long-distance trip of over 2,600 miles. Still, we understand your concern and will share this feedback with the carrier involved. We regret that your experience left you feeling unsatisfied, as our intention was never to mislead but to ensure your car was picked up on time and delivered safely. While the service provided was in line with your agreement, we do take your concerns seriously and have shared them with our Quality Assurance team for internal review. Sincerely,