Car Transport

The 9 day Nightmare!

I deployed with the US Navy. I was due back in San Diego, November 4th 2008. I filled out an online application with Able Auto Transport (AAT) while underway to have my car shipped from Copiague, NY to San Diego, CA. The bid was sold to Pyramid Auto Transport for a total of $1000 with a $175 deposit.

10/18/08 I spoke with PAT (Pyramid Auto Transport) to confirm November 4th was the delivery date. I was told no problem and the 4th it would be delivered.

10/21/08 I received the confirmation email from Able Auto Transport and my credit card was charged.

10/25/08 PAT picked up the car from my father Frank Realmuto and Frank signed the contract.

11/4/08 I called the day of the 4th when my ship pulled in and PAT told me there were truck problems & my car was in Texas. It would arrive here the 7th. My father told me that PAT called and informed him my car is in a terminal in California and it has been there since the 29th of October. I called PAT back and they said they would call me back later with more information. He never called me back.

11/5/08 I called AAT to find out where my car is and they called PAT. AAT told me that they have the 7th as the delivery date. They told me that they have that written down in their notes. They have no idea where the car is at that time. They said they would try to find out and then call me back when they spoke with PAT. They never called me back.

11/6/08 I called PAT about the delivery of my car on the 7th and Nick told me it would be more like the 10th of November. I demand to know where my car is. Paul gets on the phone and tells me that there was a death in the family of the gentleman that runs the terminal in Carlsbad, California where my car is being stored. The gentleman would not be back in the terminal until the 10th of November, therefore I will not be able to have my car until the 10th of November I then told him I would pick up my car from the terminal and pay whomever needs to be paid, I just want my car. Paul told me that there was a gentleman named Gilbert at the terminal but he does not want to be liable for the exchange of money. I told Paul I will pay another way, money order etc. He refused. I asked if he was going to compensate me and he told me I am lucky he is not charging me for the storage fees in his terminal. However, I was never informed about my car being in storage for that long of a period of time nor is that stated on the contract. He continued to be very hostile, yelling at me telling me he does not deserve this mistreatment. He told me I was just on a nice cruise and need to relax. I corrected him and told him I was with the Navy. He apologized for the comment. I told him I want to get documents out of the car. He refused to let me and apologized for the inconvenience it has caused. He was extremely hostile, non-responsive and mean. I tried to negotiate with him, offering to pick up my car and pay on the spot. He refused any suggestions and hung up. My lawyer then called PAT about paying them at their business site in NY and then they release the car to me. Paul told my lawyer he would call back but never did.

11/7/08 I called AAT and asked them to locate my car in Carlsbad. AAT told me the location of my car could only be given to me from PAT. I asked for a copy of their records with my contract. They refused to release that information to me. I called PAT to ask for the address of the location of my car. PAT told me they could not give me that information. Paul calls me back for the first time since this dispute started on the 4th of November to yell at me. He shouted, insulted me and threatened me. He repeatedly shouted that I was harassing him and that he wants to know the name of my ship and captain. He threatened to try and find out who my captain was and file a complaint. He then hung up on me. I called my father and he called Paul and told him not to speak to me ever again.

I called PAT on the 11/10/08 to find out when I would get my car. Paul told me the 10th and then told AAT the 11th. So I waited the entire day of the 11th and I got a phone call about 3:00 from AAT that Paul got stuck in LA and could not deliver the car to me. I was told by AAT that he was apologetic and he would deliver it the morning of the 12th. I called Nick to find out the location of my car to ensure that it was there but he again refused to give me that information. I also asked why he said my car was in Texas and he told me that he lied to me so I would not get pissed off. PAT apparently lies to their customers to keep them from getting angry.

11/12/2008 I get a call from Nick that Paul is on his way. I tell him to sit tight b/c I have to run and get the money and finish work. Paul repeatedly calls me and threatens to leave with my car that he has kept in storage for nine days past the determined delivery date. I finally meet Paul at the location in the contract and inspect my car. There is a large dent in the driver side rocker panel that was not recorded on the contract at pick up. We record it down at the drop off and he laughingly says automatically my case will be dismissed. We then proceed to argue about his business practices and he says that there is nothing he could have done for me. He says he knows no one here in San Diego and no one was watching my car in storage so no one could release it to me. The entire time I was without a car I was unsure if my car was wrecked, stolen, or not in that supposed storage facility in Carlsbad, California, which he could not confirm either since no one was watching the vehicle. I am extremely unsatisfied, disappointed and angry with the services I have been poorly provided from both Pyramid Auto Transport and Able Auto Transport. I was finally compensated $93 which Paul handed me with a smile and said so you don't stay pissed off. However, I should be compensated a larger sum for my losses since I have spent $250 on cabs/trolleys to transport myself to and from business meetings and personal errands. PAT has taught me to never ever ship a car! PAT has by far the worst customer service I have ever received. They have repeatedly screamed at me to no avail and mistreated me as a paying customer. They have lied to me on several occasions, refused to call me back except to scream at me and all around run a questionable business. NEVER sign with Pyramid Auto Transporters!