Crew Towing

Review: I gave a 2001 Toyota RAV4 to Crew transportation Services to be shipped to Nigeria. A month after the vehicle was taken from Bolingbrook, Illinois, I called them to find out if the vehicle has left for the destination country. I was told that the a hose was broken that the vehicle is not drivable. They failed to communicate this issue to me. If I hadn't call, I possible would have been waiting for quite a while. I asked for the total cost of repair. I was told the repair cost will be $150.00. Finally after 3 months of having this vehicle in their possession, I was told it finally sailed. On receiving the invoice for the transaction I was charged $450.00 for the repair cost. An addition $300.00 was added to the invoice. Finally, when the vehicle was received by my client in the destination country, there was over 1,000 miles added to the mileage on the vehicle. The car was filled with cigarette butts. Various parts (internal and external) were missing from the car. It appeared the vehicle was not towed from Illinois to New Jersey as conveyed to my in our communication or the vehicle was used for their personal activities for the months it was in their possession.Desired Settlement: I am requesting the refund of $450.00. Also, Revdex.com should file this complaint for future reference. I am positive the inhuman way this business has treated me will also be done to other unsuspecting customers.

Business

Response:

This is obviously a complaint to simply extort money from our company and its a scam. We have been In business for over 22 year and we ship over 100 cars per month to Nigeria and have never ever encountered such an issue. This customer requested that their vehicle be shipped to Lagos, Nigeria via "ACL RO RO service" this means that the vehicle must be in running condition with no mechanical malfunctions otherwise the car will be rejected. When the customer originally called to place the order, we gave her a rate of $475.00 for transport to the port and $950.00 for shipping to Lagos, Nigeria. We also gave her an option to either have the docs FedEx to Nigeria for an additional $75.00 or she can pickup the docs in our office free of charge. She chose to have the docs fedexed, her total bill at this point is $1500.00

When the driver picked up the vehicle in Bolingbrook, IL he called our office and informed us that the vehicle had mechanical malfunctions and it could not be transported to the port in this condition. We called the customer and she insisted we try and repair the vehicle. We informed her that we were not a tow facility and that we do not get involved in repairs. After several phone calls she insisted we help her and coordinate the repairs. At this point, to help the customer, we towed the vehicle (free of charge) to a mechanic, he gave an estimate, we communicated the estimate of $460.00 for the repairs (which she approved) see attached e-mails and invoice copy sent to customer.

At this point the customer was very happy the repairs were done and the car was shipped to Nigeria, we invoiced her and she deposited the money into our account without any complaint whatsoever. It seems as if the customer is unhappy with events that may have taken place in the Port in Nigeria. It's extremely common for cars to be vandalized and stripped upon arriving at the Nigerian ports. The port is extremely corrupt and many of our experienced customers whom ship on a regular basis are aware of this and take measures to minimize their exposure.

Had this customer had a valid complaint, she would've called my office and spoken directory with me and we would've researched the events as per her accusations and given her facts or other supporting evidence to prove we are simply the transporter. We cannot control what happens once the unit is transfigured into the ports hands, the vehicle makes a 27 day journey through ports and ships once it leaves our hands. To accuse us based on speculation is merit less and reckless behavior in trying to shed a negative image on my company without having facts. These accusations are speculatory and we deny any repairs and additional cost took place without the customers consent. E-mail attached to prove her consent.

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

First of all I am not a woman. I am a man.

Your claim that: "When the driver

picked up the vehicle in Bolingbrook, IL he called our office and informed us

that the vehicle had mechanical malfunctions and it could not be transported to

the port in this condition. We called the customer and she insisted we try and repair the vehicle" is totally false.

1. You picked up the car in Bolingbrook between the last week of August and the first week on September. When the car was picked up, we asked where your tow truck was. We were told that the truck is packed somewhere on the major street and that you will drive the truck to it and load it. We were not told that the car will be driven to New Jersey.

2. If the car was in bad condition in Bolingbrook why wasn't I informed of it? How do you explain the additional hundreds of mileage on the car.

3. I was only aware the car had a problem when I called [redacted] on the status of the car ( i.e when the car will be leaving for Nigeria) about one month later. During the call I expressed my displeasure why I wasn't informed the car had any problem. If I hadn't called I will be waiting indefinitely. From the time the car was picked up until I called for status, I was not informed of any problem with the car. I will gladly pay if there is any way the phone records of my conversations with [redacted] can be retrieved.

4. On 9/20/2013 I sent an email to [redacted]aol.com: Any update on when the ship will be leaving for Nigeria?

On the same day, I got this reply: Please await [redacted] from the RORO department to reply on the status of

this unit, he will be back in the office on Tuesday. I think the vehicle

arrived with no title but he will confirm.

On 9/24/2013, I replied: We gave the title to the driver that picked up the vehicle.

There were no mention of any problem with the car. the issue at this point was vehicle title.

5. When we discussed the repair cost, I was told a hose was broken. I asked [redacted] the cost of replacement I was told $150. When I got the invoice, it came down to $450. He said $300 was for the labor. I asked: Why wasn't I informed of this when you gave the cost of $150?

It would appear that they are the ones trying to scam me. I am at a loss why the car wasn't towed as I was made to believed. If the individual that picked up the vehicle thought there were mechanical issue with the vehicle in Bolingbrook, IL, why wasn't I informed of it?

They can either return my $450 in good faith or they can keep the money. At any rate, I want my complaint against this company to be on file. The issue with the car wouldn't have come up if the care was towed and not driven.

Regards,