I have used Ben for years, but a recent transport to LAX from the Valley was a total nightmare.
I told Ben ahead of time that we had a case that was 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. He told me he would make sure to bring a vehicle that would accommodate the case. When Ben showed up he was in a Lincoln SUV where he said the rear seats would not lay down flat. I was skeptical as most, if not all, SUVs nowadays have rear seats that fold down. (Side note: I have since researched Ben's car and the rear seats do fold down flat. He just didn't know how to do it.) Needless to say the case didn't fit. Ben's answer to this was to tie a piece of rope, which we supplied, to the hatch latch and the windshield wiper on the back window. I kept telling him that I didn't think this was a good idea, but Ben insisted that it would be fine. My boyfriend rode in the back seat and held on to the case for the entire ride to the airport. Not the comfortable, no stress ride to the airport we had envisioned. Halfway there, in bumper to bumper traffic on Sepulveda Blvd. something slide out the opening in the rear of the car. It turned out to be the back cargo canopy for his Lincoln. We were already running late because of the debacle trying to fit the case in the car and now we had to turn around in traffic and go back and get his cargo canopy. Super stressful ride to say the least.
When Ben dropped us off he let me know that the $90.00 rate he gave me would go up a bit on the return trip as he would have to bring a larger car. I was in such a hurry that I agreed and headed for the check in counter.
I just got my credit card bill and Ben charged me almost double the rate that he charged on the outbound leg of the trip. He charged me $173.00 for the return trip. I called Ben and asked why he charged me so much and he said that was the going rate for a Suburban and we needed it for our 4 foot case. Well, if he had figured out how to work the rear seats, we could have used the same car on the return trip. Anyway, I told him that I thought that given the mix up on the outbound ride that he would give me break on the return trip, but all he said was that was the going rate and he guesses that he should have said something to me at the airport and for that he apologizes. Wow, I have my own business and can say in all honesty, if I had created the level of stress that he created to one of my customers the entire trip would have been free.
All I wanted was a stress free ride to and from the airport and all I got was anxiety and a hefty credit card charge. Never again, Ben, never again. read more
