I shipped my disabled SUV from Brandon Florida to Cape Coral Florida with Magic Trolly for $225 after getting quotes for towing around $650.
I had never shipped a car before. I put the request into a search engine and got bombarded. Jay was the first that called my phone, and I decided to pick up. He was very friendly and gave me his estimate of $225 which I was shocked by, since towing was so much more.
I continued to get estimates online and by text - some which were around $125 when I called, and spoke with one of them, they had called themselves David over the text, but when they picked up the phone there was no David, but an Indian speaking in a thick accent. When I asked for David he pretended to get someone, then came back on the phone. (Not getting my business- I moved on). Another $150 quote that came in went up to the $225 price when they believed they might need to use a winch to get my SUV onto the truck. I decided not to bother and just called Jay back. He didn't jack around with adding and subtracting things. He had just given me the estimate with the car being disabled.
I was tired of the hassle trying to figure out if these shippers were good for their lower price, and called Jay back and took his offer. He estimated picking the car up in the morning the next day, and arriving before 11. Being skeptical and careful and wanting to read the contract and terms I was agreeing too, Jay did not have any written contract, or any guarantees written out to send me, but he assured me and stayed on the phone for a 1/2 hour (as I questioned him about his business), that if anything happened to the vehicle, or if the truck driver damaged something, he would make sure it was taken care of, and assured me the drivers are required to have insurance.
I believed him when he told me his stories of actually having to stick it through with a customer when a driver did massive damage to their yard. What he explained is that this shipper business is as a broker, all these companies shipping cars are working with drivers and that's why times can change etc.
I did an online credit card deposit of $100 (again there was no contract or guarantee that I could see, other than his word, and I just perceived him to be an honest, hard working American that wanted to make his business succeed, so I let it go.)
The next day, around 8:30am, the driver called me (before Jay did) and was there at the mechanic's to pick up the car. He had a thick accent and a foreign name, and I struggled to understand him, but we figured it out and he got the car.
Jay called right after the driver did, to tell me the driver was on his way. Jay had estimated the day before that the car would arrive before 11 but when the car didn't arrive before 11, I was a bit concerned (though I wasn't in any rush- just wanted to know what was going on.) I called the driver to find out and he called back right away, and explained he was doing other drop offs in Venice before getting to me. (I wish I had known that ahead of time- but I was glad he had called me right back, regardless.) He estimated between 2pm and 3pm arrival.
Sure enough he arrived around 2:30pm. He got my SUV off his truck, was friendly, received my cash deposit of $125, and was about to leave, but I asked for a receipt. He acted like that was a rare request, went back in the truck and then gave me a print out of a "bill of landing" but barely filled it out.
There was no actual receipt/signature/ guarantee/ warranty etc.
Normally I don't like not getting receipts and warranties and guarantees, but I let it go, as the car had arrived safely, at a much cheaper price than towing, and I believed Jay from our half hour conversation, that he would be available if something had gone wrong.
I texted him I would leave him a great review, and had some suggestions for his business to make it better (Like receipts and written contracts.) Also I assumed the time he gave was an exact time...perhaps a window of time would be better for an estimate- but again the driver was fantastic calling me back right away and giving me a more proper timeframe.
Overall, If I need to transport a car, or have a friend that needs that service; I will definitely recommend and call him first for sure! (I saved his business in my cell contacts).
Interacting with him was a pleasure.
For shipping a car for the first time in my life, and the learning curve that it was; I'm glad Jay's Magic Trolly service was who reached out to me first. read more