ComplaintsforMIG AUTO TRANSPORT

• Initial Complaint

  12/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I PURCHASED A 2007 MERCEDES SL550 AMG FROM AUTO HOUSE OF FL. AND IT WAS LOADED ON A MIG TRANSPORT TRUCK ON 11/8/2022. THE BILL OF LADING/INSPECTION SHEET SHOWS 5 SMALL ISSUES. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME ON 11/11/2022 AND THE BILL OF LADING/INSPECTION SHEET NOW SHOWS 35 ISSUES WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. ALSO, THE DRIVER SAID HE HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH SOME DEEP WATER BECAUSE A HURRICANE WAS TAKING PLACE. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE FULL OF WATER AND THE INTERIOR SMELLS LIKE A " WET DOG ". A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED. THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER, PROGRESSIVE, HAS DECLINED THE CLAIM BASED ON THE DRIVER'S STATEMENT THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. THEIR EMAIL ADDRESS IS ALWAYS FULL. THE OWNER HUNG UP ON ME.

  Business response

  01/10/2023

  Hi,

   

  We are very sorry to hear about **** ******** complaint but we are not responsible for the issues with their vehicle.

   

  **** ****** said the car was picked up with 5 issues marked on the inspection report and then had 35 issues on the inspection report at the time of delivery: This car was transported during Hurricane Nicole in November 2022. So when the driver picked the vehicle up he couldn't do a complete inspection due to heavy rain and that is marked on our inspection report. He completed the inspection later when the weather improved. Please note that this complaint and the insurance claim filed were not in regards to any of the issues the driver added.

   

  **** ****** said our driver had to drive through some deep water because a hurricane was taking place: Neither the car nor the truck were ever driven through any deep water at any time during the transport.

   

  **** ****** alleges damage due to water including fog lights full of water, interior smelling like wet dog, and electrical problems: We do not do an inspection for water in the lights, the smell of the interior, or electrical problems because it is not feasible for us to cover those things.This is industry standard. Drivers simply do an inspection of the cosmetic condition of the exterior of the vehicle. There are special situations where a customer may add an extra inspection service to their transport but that was not the case with this vehicle. Unfortunately I can't say when the damages occured, they could have been pre-existing, they could have happened during the hurricane, or they could have happened after delivery as we did not receive a complaint until a month after delivery. At the time of delivery they were happy with the condition of the car, paid my driver, and signed off on our inspection report saying the car was received in satisfactory condition. But even if the damage was caused by the hurricane while in our driver's possession we can not cover acts of god and that should be in the contract **** ****** signed with the broker (we are a third party carrier on this move so our contract was with a broker not directly with **** ******* We can only be responsible for damage due to driver negligence. Our insurance has denied the claim based on this reason as well.

   

  Finally **** ****** said our email is full and our owner hung up on them: We haven't had any issue with our email and received numerous emails from **** ****** and our insurance company that we responded to while we tried to resolve these matters. Unfortunately we can't say what the issue is. We believe it was **** ******** husband that called us a couple of times. We spoke with him numerous times while we tried to resolve the issue. Again we can't say what the reason is for the complaint about us hanging up on him but we can say that we did speak with him multiple times and we did our best to help him resolve this issue every time.

   

  If there is anything else we can do please let us know and we hope **** ****** and her husband are able to find a satisfactory solution to their issue!

  Business response

  01/30/2023

  Please see the responses to each point below.

   

  1) I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE DRIVER ONLY INSPECTED THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR.  HOWEVER,  THE HURRICANE DID NOT HIT FULL FORCE UNTIL 11/9-10/2022.  WE RECEIVED THE CAR ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE 11TH.  THE SELLER CAN COMMENT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING PICK UP. 

  The inspection report says re-inspection due to rain. This was signed by the person releasing the car.

   

  2) THERE IS NO WAY I CAN PROVE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN DEEP WATER,  OTHER THAT THE FOG LIGHTS BEING FULL - THE HEADLIGHTS HAVING WATER IN THEM,  THE GPS COMMAND CENTER BEING DESTROYED AND THE CAR " SMELLING LIKE A WET DOG ".   HE REALLY OFFERS NO RATIONAL REASON FOR THESE PROBLEMS.   THE WATER CAME FROM SOMEWHERE DURING TRANSPORT  ON THE 9-10TH ON INTRSTATE I-1O

  The customer did not raise any of these concerns until a month after delivery. At the time of delivery the customer signed our inspection report saying the car was received in good condition. We can not be responsible for damage after delivery.

   

  3) I DID A " HURRY-UP " INSPECTION OF THE CAR ON DELIVERY,  AS A MAJOR AFTERNOON STORM WAS STARTING,  RAIN WAS STARTING TO FALL AND HE DID THE PAPERWORK AND RECEIVED THE $500 CASH FROM MY GIRLFRIEND.  I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING REALLY BAD TO THE EXTERIOR BUT DID NOTICE THE FOG LIGHTS TO HAVE WATER IN THEM.  THAT'S WHEN THE DRIVER SAID HE HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH SOME HIGH WATER BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANE.   TRUTHFULLY, I NEVER HEARD OR THOUGHT OF HURRICANE NICHOLE UNTIL LATER,

  We are not responsible for inspections done quicker because of an approaching storm. Our inspection report very clearly states: "By signing I verify the vehicle was received in the same condition as picked up and release the carrier from any claims." 

   

  4) HE SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACTS OF GOD.   I REALLY DON'T KNOW -  I NEVER SAW A CONTRACT OF TRANSPORT AND STILL HAVE NOT SEEN ONE.  HE SAYS HIS CUSTOMER IS ANOTHER BROKER.  I AM NOT A LAWYER AND HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS.

  Our inspection report states: "MIG Express WILL NOT be responsible for damage not caused by the driver. No delivery date is guaranteed. Transporter not responsible for leaking fluids, acts of God, broken tie downs, mechanical or electrical break downs, exhaust system, loose accessories, and alarm systems."

   

  5) I WOULD SAY THE DRIVER WAS NEGLIGENT IN DRIVING AN OPEN TRANSPORT THROUGH A HURRICANE. 

  1. Any issues should have been raised at the time of delivery. There was no issue raised until about a month after delivery.

  2. We can not be responsible for weather conditions on the road. Our inspection report states: "MIG Express WILL NOT be responsible for damage not caused by the driver. No delivery date is guaranteed. Transporter not responsible for leaking fluids, acts of God, broken tie downs, mechanical or electrical break downs, exhaust system, loose accessories, and alarm systems." The inspection report was signed at pick up and delivery.

  3. Hurricane Nichole hit almost all of Florida including the pick up location so it is not the case that the driver intentionally drove into a hurricane.

   

  6) I TRIED AT LEAST 6 TIMES TO SEND MIG AN EMAIL TO KEEP THEM POSTED ON THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER'S POSITION.   EVERY TIME IT WOULD COME BACK AS E- MAIL WAS FULL.  COULD NOT DELIVER.

  We have discussed emailed back and forth with ** ***** numerous times over the past couple of weeks so this is simply dishonest.

   

  7) I ONLY CALLED ONCE TO SPEAK WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER AND IT'S REASON TO DECLINE THE LOSS.  A MALE, I GUESS THE OWNER,  ANSWERED.  SAID HE KNEW ALL ABOUT IT,  AND DID NOT WANT TO DISCUSS IT FURTHER.  WHEN I TOLD HIM I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE JACKSONVILLE BBB,  HE SAID " DO WHAT YOU WANT " AND HUNG UP.   I HAVE NOT TRIED TO CONTACT HIM AGAIN.

  Not sure who ** ***** spoke with.

   

   8) THIS IS FAR FROM FINISHED.  I MUST LOOK INTO THE LEGAL ISSUE OF FILING A SUIT AGAINST MIG, OR THE OTHER TRANSPORT BROKER.

  See response to number 5.

  Customer response

  01/30/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

   Complaint: ********

  I am rejecting this response because:  I WILL ANSWER EACH ISSUE:

   1) THERE IS NO WAY I COULD CONTROL THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE DELIVERY SITE.  THE DRIVER WAS IN QUITE A HURRY TO UNLOAD THE TWO LOWER CARS AND LEAVE.  I HAD TO SIGN WHATEVER PAPERS HE DEMANDED AND PAY $500 IN CASH OR I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. 

  2)  OTHER THAN THE FOG LIGHTS BEING FULL OF WATER,  THERE WAS NO WAY WE COULD TELL WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR DURING THE TRANSPORT.  THE FIRST SIGN OF PROBLEMS WAS THE BATTERIES WERE BAD.  WE REPLACED THESE AND STILL HAVE A CODE NOTING THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY IS LOW.   WE SPENT ABOUT  $450.00  ON THE NEW BATTERIES.  I STILL DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HURRICANE NICHOLE AND WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE SELLER,  THAT'S WHEN THE FLOOD AND WATER DAMAGE CAME UP. 

  3)  IT TOOK TIME FOR THE INTERIOR TO START SMELLING LIKE A " WET DOG " AND MORE WARNING LIGHTS TO  APPEAR.   THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR FOR OUR LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER SAYS THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.  WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THIS CAR FOR  OVER 90 DAYS NOW.  THE DEALERSHIP FEELS IT IS AN ECONOMIC TOTAL LOSS. 

  4)  I STILL DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE COMPLETE BOL/INSPECTION REPORT CONTAINS, BECAUSE MIG WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A COPY.  IT WAS NOT UNTIL I COMPLAINED TO THE SELLER THAT I GOT TO SEE THE INSPECTION REPORT AT THE PICK UP.  UNTIL THEN,  THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ME TO COMPARE THE PICK UP CONDITION WITH THE DELIVERY CONDITION.   QUITE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 5 THINGS AT PICK UP AND ABOUT 35 THINGS AT DELIVERY.  THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED DURING TRANSPORT WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE CARE, CUSTODY, AND CONTROL OF MIG.

  5) I AM NOT A LAWYER,  BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE,  YOU CANNOT SIGN AWAY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU ARE GROSSLY NEGLIGENT.  A HURRICANE IS NOT SUDDEN AND ACCIDENTAL AND THE DRIVER TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO  DRIVE THROUGH IT.  HE COULD HAVE CERTAINLY MADE OTHER CHOICES.

  AT LEAST MIG NOW AGREES THAT HURRICANE NICHOLE EXISTED AND HIT DURING THE TIME OF TRANSPORT.  

  6) HE HAS NEVER REPLIED TO ANY OF MY EMAILS OR CORRESPONDENCE.  I SENT HIM PHYSICAL MAIL BY THE USPS THAT CONFIRMED DELIVERY BUT HE HAS NEVER REPLIED.  THESE RESPONSES TO THE BBB ARE THE ONLY INFORMATION HE HAS PROVIDED.  HE HAS NEVER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT ME.

  7)  THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO I SPOKE TO BECAUSE HE WAS RUDE AND HUNG UP ON ME. 
  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Regards,

  ******* ******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩