Best Car Shipping

5 reviews

1. Bait-and-Switch Warning!!!!! I contracted Best Car Shipping, represented by broker Joel Austin, to transport two vehicles from Los Angeles, CA to College Park, MD. We agreed upon a total cost of $1300, of which I paid a $300 deposit to Best Car Shipping via Cash App Debit Card. I had an absolutely terrible experience with Best Car Shipping, and I feel obligated to warn others. I worked directly with a broker named Joel Austin, who quoted me $1300 total to transport my two vehicles from Los Angeles, CA to College Park, MD. I paid a $300 deposit up front, with the understanding that the remaining $1000 would be paid to the driver upon successful delivery — standard practice. Things fell apart quickly. The scheduled pick-up date came and went with no driver contact. Then, the day after the agreed pickup date, I received a call saying the Joel Austin stating that his driver now wanted over $4000 to do the job, a price increase of more than 300% from the original contract. This was never disclosed ahead of time, and I was not presented with a new contract or change order. This tactic fits the definition of a bait-and-switch, and I believe it constitutes both a breach of contract and a violation of the FMCSA’s rules for brokers. When I rejected the new price and demanded a refund of my $300 deposit, Joel Austin falsely claimed in writing (both email and text message) that he had refunded me. However, the refund was never issued, and I have proof that no payment was returned. Since then, every attempt I’ve made to contact Joel Austin has been met with avoidance. He pretends to have a bad phone connection and eventually hangs up the call without resolution. This pattern of dishonest communication, failure to honor written agreements, and refusal to issue a promised refund has caused significant financial loss and emotional stress. I believe Joel Austin and Best Car Shipping have violated FMCSA broker conduct regulations and are engaging in deceptive business practices. I am requesting the following: • That this company be formally investigated for fraudulent and deceptive conduct. • That I be refunded my $300 deposit. • That enforcement action be taken against their broker bond if necessary. I am prepared to provide the signed agreement, proof of payment, text and email communications from Joel Austin, and phone records documenting my attempts to reach him. About a week after, I was contacted by someone that said they fired Joel because he kept the money because he wanted to keep the commission and said he was returning my deposit. Then asked me to take down all of my reviews. They are try scammers because I still don’t have a return but im going to keep reporting them on every platform that I can.

   Reply
2. This is the classic “bait and switch” type company. I was quoted a good rate for an enclosed transport and charged a deposit. Then was told that it would be $1000 more than expected and that was for an open transport and also not within the time frame needed. Of course I didn’t accept that and even though the terms had changed, they would not refund my deposit. I had been told repeatedly that I would be refunded if I was not agreeable to any changes. But they would not provide the refund. So, they either get ya on the markup or they get your deposit. Try anything but this!

   Reply
3. FAKE POSITIVE REVIEW – RATING PENALIZED
   Nice company to work with gave me a quote and price is little high but I am happy with that as it lower than others

   Reply
4. Mark Steven initially pushed me every single day into signing his shipping contract, if only just to make me pay an initial $155 to him. He did this by insisting that including this $155, I would only need to pay $835 for shipping my car from Danbury, CT to Goleta, CA. Upon signing his contract and paying this initial $155, Mark stopped responding to a single email I sent to him. Then, Davin Anderson made me pay another $450 just to reserve a driver that ended up charging me not just $1300, but also an additional $200, if only due to having a relatively large number of items in my car. So what was promised to be $835 in the original contract I signed for Mark ended up being $2105. Please be aware of Best Car Shipping Inc.: all they want is money, and preferably in return for little/no favor. Exceedingly greedy and unethical company, if you agree with me!!!

   Reply
5. We were quoted a reasonable amount for a sedan from midwest to west coast. When the car couldn’t be picked up prior to when we discussed, Mike tripled the quote last minute which put us in a pinch. He assured us we could get the car picked up well before the suggested date and there would be no additional costs whatsoever, but neither were true. Do not recommend using this company at all costs.

   Reply