Complain about a product or service

MoveAuto.net

Greenwich, CT

Lt of Tampa, FL November 2, 2009

Integrity and loyalty are fundamental characteristics for those of us who wear (or have worn) a military uniform. Military personnel do not have to think twice about the importance of the aforementioned characteristics, however, we sometimes forget that others (such as civilian corporations/organizations) we interface with in our daily lives don't operate under the same principles. I was recently reminded of that fact when I selected MoveAuto.Net to have a vehicle transported from Florida to California.

I have used auto shippers on multiple occasions to transport vehicles across the country during military Permanent Change of Station moves. Unfortunately, the service I received from MoveAuto.Net did not turn out to be a very positive experience. When I booked the reservation I paid a 200 deposit that should have been applied to the total cost of shipping the vehicle (700.00 quote, plus an 8% charge for road tax).

The contract did not indicate in any form, shape or fashion that the initial 200 I paid would not be applied to the total shipment cost. That was the understanding that was also communicated to me verbally (via telephone) from a MoveAuto.Net representative when I initial phoned the company.

After the auto arrived to its destination (my parents home in San Jose, California), the driver informed my father that the 200 deposit did not apply to the total amount. He claimed he needed to collect the full price as noted above and did not know anything about the deposit. He threatened to take the car to a storage depot unless we paid the full amount (to include the 200 we previously paid.) We were completely caught off guard, as I have never experienced a situation like this.

As I indicated, I've shipped cars on other occasions and never before did the initial deposit paid not apply. I firmly believe that Move Auto.Net is using deceptive business practices to fraudulently disguise their pricing.

After we were informed that the 200 deposit did not apply by the driver, I immediately contacted a representative from MoveAuto.Net (Mr Andy Weller). He never really gave me a straight answer on the deposit. He informed me that I would be receiving 500 worth of gas coupons that offsets the cost of the shipment. As I found out more about the "gas coupons", I realize that this is just another part of MoveAuto.Net's deceptive practices.

It turns out that the gas redemption certificate (or gas coupons as Mr Weller called them) were not really direct "cash-value" as Mr Weller implied. In order to receive any cash value on these certificates you have to spend at least 100 purchasing gas on your own, then send in the receipts. Following that, in 4-6 weeks you supposedly receive a 25 visa gift card. This continues until you have purchased 500 in gas. This definitely is not explained any where in the contract that MoveAuto.Net sent me. As a matter of fact, the MoveAuto.Net website specifically states the following:

How do I pay for my transport? A deposit will be required to start the order [usually 200.00 for domestic orders]. The balance will be paid at the time of delivery to the trucker by [bank check, money order or cash], no personal, business checks or credit cards will be accepted at time of delivery. You may pay the full amount of the transport by credit card at inception. We accept all major credit cards, paypal, etc. If you charge the full amount on your credit card, there will be a 4% administrative charge, this is due to our already discounted prices.

As a 23-year active duty military veteran, I am not accustomed to dealing with people who flat out lack integrity. My goal is to recoup the cost of my deposit and prevent others from going through the same issues we faced. MoveAuto.Net is essentially using false promises and half-baked truths to generate business. They should be fully investigated and the public should be warned of their deceptive marketing and sales tactics. I request your assistance in obtaining my 200 initial deposit back. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

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