I wanted to disclose right upfront that I strongly feel that Kevin deserves 5/5 stars. I am writing in regards to an update that my s/o received from what it appears to be Carolyn A. Gilmore (please remember this name).
One of our bikes that was shipped from CA to DC came with a bent wheel (metal/frame and all). We had both of our bikes insured, and just received a call (WEEKS after we sent in the claim) stating that they are not liable for the damage, because we signed the ticket.
While I understand you may be following some sort of "contract" about this, let me give you a few pointers.
1) If you're going to have excessive attitude to your customers and you claim to be the manager of Amtrak Express, show some class. You cannot be calling early in the morning to then treat us poorly and make us feel terrible right at the beginning of the day. And lady - yes, we asked that someone contact us if YOU had any QUESTIONS. It was NOT an opportunity to chew us out for using your service and being good and honest people. There are some pretty terrible customers in the world - I can damn right assure you that we pride ourselves in our professionalism and courtesy.
2) My s/o works night shifts, so calling at such a time to frustrate him is not okay. You need to understand that not everyone lives a "fantastic manager-type life." If you're happy with the way you're treating your customers, then you must have no moral compass and probably do not interact with people on a regular basis. Amtrak, with the money you unjustifiably steal from (literally) poor customers like my s/o and I, you should send your managers to some sort of customer service training.
3) How in the world were we supposed to be courteous customers if we had to pick up 16-17 boxes on the same day (because we were aware that we can pick up within 48 hours of the call to pick up) by checking each and every box that we insured to make sure that everything was squared away? Have you ever done this? Have you ever moved from one destination to another - ever? Moving is hard and we had driven 550+ miles a day for 5 days straight to then be courteous customers and pick up our boxes as soon as we arrived in DC. So I'm sorry we didn't check every single box prior to leaving a small space (we rented a MOVING TRUCK for this, which if you didn't know also costs money but is REASONABLE about its insurance policies).
4) We couldn't leave with our stuff unless we signed the ticket - believing in the quality that Amtrak supposedly stands by, and the impeccable service that Kevin provided us, we didn't complain ahead of time. We believe in the good in people, but you, ma'am, are one lousy customer service provider. Maybe we are just foolish people to think that Amtrak could be selfless and actually provide the help that people need to have a smooth moving and transporting process. Maybe that's it.
*** Disclaimer
Yes, this is one of my more passionate Yelp posts, but I am incredibly stunned by the poor treatment that "upper class management" had provided over the phone to my s/o who called me to tell me about this situation. With no sincere apology or way to really help us out, I highly suggest that people do NOT use Amtrak to ship any sort of item that has sentimental value to you. Turns out, you're better off selling items that you may own that have real symbolic value to you, because Amtrak will carelessly ruin your items and then tell you that it's your fault - not theirs. They will also proceed to give you attitude in the morning on a work day to make you feel absolutely horrible and make you regret ever using their service.
Thanks Amtrak. I'll be sure to let everyone know to stay away from you. I am absolutely appalled. I guess now I'll have to dish out more "insurance money" from my pocket to fix or buy a new bike wheel and forget about this situation, as Carolyn told us that everything goes through her and that appealing this process wouldn't do us any good. Good for you Carolyn. Good for you :) read more