This was by far the worst experience I've had with a company in my entire life.
We picked up our crate within 12 hours of being notified that it had reached its overseas destination. Over 2,000 dollars of damage was done to our belongings. Our electronics, tools, housing supplies, gifts ect were essentially all destroyed. There was rust and mold everywhere and at least an inch of water in our buckets (see photos). Proving that our crate was either left outside for days in the rain or completely submerged in water during transit.
One of my parents was hospitalized quickly after the crate was delivered, so their main priority was making sure they were going to be okay... Unlike the hospitals in the US, they did not have access to wifi, so my parents were not able to submit their claim within 72 hours due to one of them being hospitalized. I offered to retrieve their medical records from the Caribbean to prove to them that one of them was hospitalized, but they told me that my claim would NOT be denied due to it being received after 72 hours both and writing and verbally.
So I submitted my claim after confirming it wasn't too late via email. So after sending numerous emails and not receiving a response I finally called Tropical Shipping.
In the risk management department, I spoke to someone who I will only refer to as Ms. G. She was curt and extremely unprofessional she told me that "it is not Tropical Shipping's problem" that my belongings were destroyed, so my claim was denied.
I spoke to the vice president of the company, who initially appeared to be very sincere and concerned that my claim was wrongfully denied. .He rushed me off the phone by telling me he would review my denied claim.
I proved to him that the damage was done in transit (with time stamped before and after photos and receipts). I also provided proof through scientific research I found online that the rust, mold ect could not have occurred after the crate had arrived at its destination, even if their paperwork claimed "nothing happened" to the crate in transit.
The Vice president at least acknowledged the fact that Tropical Shipping destroyed our belongings. However he said that they are not obligated to pay because the laws are almost always on their side, even when the claimant can prove that they were negligent. Which is completely unethical and shows how little integrity they have. When I attempted to ask him about what "laws" he was referring to, he stopped responding to my emails and wouldn't take my calls.
Absolutely no one cared that my crate was submerged in water and almost completely destroyed.
Furthermore, over 2,000 dollars of damage was done and our claim was for LESS than 500.
So I'm basically writing all this to say only use this company AS A LAST RESORT. I spoke to numerous dishonest, rude and unprofessional people at this company. They have essentially no morals. If you STIILL decide to use this company and they destroy your belongings intransit GOOD LUCK getting anyone to care or listen. You have been forewarned! read more
