Mustang Owners Club Australia Forum
Technical & General Discussion Area => Importing Cars & Parts - General Freight => Topic started by: Kerry on January 31, 2008, 01:36:42 pm
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Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd ask for feedback regarding some issues I am currently having with getting my 66 Fastback over from the states.
I am using an Ozzie based freighting company (who at this point shall remain nameless) who on their website imply that shipment takes from 6-8weeks.
It is now coming up to 5months that I have been waiting for my car, and I have even paid for what I was told was the 'fast boat.'
First off, they sent a uncovered truck (not once but twice) as opposed to the covered vehicle I had requested to pick up from seller.
...and now, all that I am being told is that it is all "out of our hands"...whilst my car is still sitting in a container on the NY docks where it's been for a month and a half already.
surely this kind of service isn't to be expected? Any thoughts or similar experiences? Is the length of time I've been waiting customary for the Christmas rush for ships and containers?
They also promise to "keep you updated with the status of your car." On every occasion I had to call them in regards to the status of the shipment
As you can imagine...I'm feeling incredibly frustrated.
See pic of what I'm waiting for. (http://null)(http://null)(http://null)(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/GENE696969/66Fastback-1.jpg)
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Hi Kerry,
As somebody who importerd 3 years ago ... I really sympathise with your problem... such a great looking car that you cannot enjoy ....
Unfortunately from time to time this forum hears about issues with "poor" importers. I have also heard of issues re time delays when shipping from the east coast but this timeframe is simply "just not on"!
I am unaware of a customs service "ombudsman" but if there is one, I'm sure he would be busy with many new car importing players entering the game.
Three options I suggest trying are:
1. Customs Brokers Council of Australia in Alexandria NSW
2. Office of Fair Trading (complaints re goods and services with Australian businesses)
3. Sending a legalletter demanind action.
Maybe a third party could "lever" some support - especially if you are told that it is "out of our hands". Surprising what a solicitors letter may do ... see what their reaction is then!
It would be great to share the name of the importer as it may save someone else going through what you are experiencing .... maybe just their suburb/address or page number from a recent advertisement?
Best wishes ... I hope things work out for you without too much more stress.
I await Hevens advise ... I think it may be more "physical" than mine!!!
USA289
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Hi Kerry.
I also sympathise with your situation. I think that this is an absolute disgrace, especially when you have not only forked out money for the car but also for the shipping (or lack of) of the car.
When I imported my car last year I used Schumacher Cargo - a reputable freight forwarding company - http://www.schumachercargo.com . The car was delivered to them on August 31 and It arrived in Australia on October 18th. I took delivery of it 2 weeks later (only because I was away on holidays with the family when it had cleared customs and was ready to be collected). The freight cost me USD$1,550 plus insurance.
I think you should follow the advice of USA289. More importantly, you should "OUT" the company so that we all know who they are and know who NOT to recommend to others.
Good luck and hopefully it will arrive soon.
Peter
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Kerry, Why not also contact MOCA NSW and ask them for advice? Part of the forum system is to let all users know problem areas to avoid. Also to seek help from those who may have experienced similiar problems previously. A legal letter is my suggestion. Mine got here from LA in 7 or 8 weeks. Good luck & keep us posted. Johnno.
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Kerry,
My 65 arrived 2 days before Christmas and was right on the quoted time of 3 weeks. I can not fault the company I used. I used John CAIN and will be using his services again. He is a local Newcastle bloke with his son living in LA arranging that side of things.
MUSTANG664
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Oh and make sure when your baby does finally arrive that you go over her with a fine tooth comb. Looking at that example of what u r waiting for we all wish you the best of luck from here on.
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Kerry, hopefully the importers can read and see how much you would like to be driving your machine. You've done the right thing in not naming them, hopefully they can do the right thing in pushing it along.
Keep us updated.
;y
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I also used John Cain and was very happy. Cost $3250 for car but then gave me a discount price on the parts being freighted for the project fastback (filled the ute and the new mustang with parts so there were quite a few!!!).
Only took about 2 weeks to have it landed.
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Hi All,
Thanks for all the emails and recommendations
I haven't had much luck with the shipping company so today I took matters into my own hands and phoned the company that handles the actual Containers I gave them the container number and they said that it is still sitting in NY but that it is booked onto a ship on the 14th feb.
The shipping company earlier this week said that the container "maybe" on a ship as we speak but that they can confirm this in a week or so.
So......
Why can I find my container and they can't?
The good thing is that my Mustang should be leaving on the 14th. Although that means it would have taken almost 6 months since I paid for the car and they picked it up.
Will keep you all posted.
Kerry (soon to be a mustang owner)
I can't wait to bring her to a Show n shine so you can see what all the trouble was for!
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G'day Kerry,
Well that is certainly promising news!
If you know the name of the ship, you may be able to track it using this web site:
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shiplocations.phtml
Keep the good news coming .... and I look forwrad to seeing your new pride and joy at a Show in the premier State (Vic!)
USA289
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Just got news from ANL themselves that shes on the water.
This is 18 weeks after I have paid for the car and organized the shipping company to take over.
Car should get to Melbourne 18th March 24 weeks after initial purchase.
Kerry
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I'd be climbing the walls,Kerry.It's taking a week longer for my air con to be fitted and it's driving me crazy.
It looks like the wait will be worth it,though.
Great looking car.
Bob
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With all the hassles you have been having Kerry they should have offered to fly your new ride out here....:_ Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Thanks for the updates.
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Kerry, let us know when it arrives... :f
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Man O Man, You must be just about wetting yourself. Great looking car, I'm thoroughly jealous!
Good Luck, Ron B
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Hey Kerry,
I am in the freight industry (although not containers) i have a few contacts and will ask them the best solution for you. Will post the details Monday evening EST
Cheers ;{
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See pic of what I'm waiting for. (http://null)(http://null)(http://null)(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/GENE696969/66Fastback-1.jpg) [/quote]
That's a beautiful car! Might see you driving around Sydney one day...
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Hey Kerry, I feel your pain. I bought a convertible 64 1/2 from Missouri last year and was promised 5 weeks delivery from Tranzit Express (NEVER EVER USE THIS COMPANY) 5 weeks was the 12th December but they said it would be available to me in Fremantle on the 19th December last year. I still don't have it and I highly recommend getting a lawyer to draft a short letter advising them to get off their backsides or a formal complaint will be issued. I'm advised company's who can show they've been actively serving the customers interests have nothing to worry about from such a complaint, though if the company's been doing nothing then they have everything to worry about!
It made Tranzit Express get off their backside after 19 delays!!
I was told the 19th, 21st, 23rd, etc etc etc... It landed in Melbourne on Boxing Day and I still haven't seen it, they issued excuses like it's held up in Quarantine, so I called Quarantine only to find out it still hadn't even got there, they ended up trucking it to Brisbane for inspection for some reason! Anyway, it's out of their hands now and in Toll Autotrans who one of my mates work's for, it'll be here the end of this week... finally!!
Best of luck Kerry!
This is mine
(http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v152/4/14/670236159/n670236159_487915_9247.jpg)
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Both very nice cars. Although it has been a hassle I am sure you will both enjoy your new cars:(
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Hi Kerry, I know exactly what you are going through but my wait has not been as long as yours. I purchased and had my car at the dock just prior to Christmas and was told end Jan or start of Feb and still do not have my car. Good news is that it is now in Aus and I take delivery next week :) I hope you get your car soon and I'm sure by the looks of the pic it will be well worth it. Not sure how to put a pic of my car below this but thats it to the left.
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Well my shipping wasn't that bad but it did take me a month to get through customs, you see they didnt beleive the bargain I got and refused the price i paid for it. So after going through 4 weeks of fighting and slander I finally had the car released to me. sometimes it does not matter if you have the right documents, if customs wants to question the price, they can make up what ever they want and charge you for it.
I paid over the calculated price for my car and customs would not budge on the price even though I had receipts for the exact purchase price etc.
Just remember that customs knows all!!!
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Originally posted by 68cobrajet
Well my shipping wasn't that bad but it did take me a month to get through customs, you see they didnt beleive the bargain I got and refused the price i paid for it. So after going through 4 weeks of fighting and slander I finally had the car released to me. sometimes it does not matter if you have the right documents, if customs wants to question the price, they can make up what ever they want and charge you for it.
I paid over the calculated price for my car and customs would not budge on the price even though I had receipts for the exact purchase price etc.
Just remember that customs knows all!!!
Hi 68cobrajet.
Unfortunately customs has the right to have the car valued by a qualified valuer (which customs pays for). If they didn't offer this option, then they have done the wrong thing. I was concerned about this when I was importing my car and I actually spoke to one of the recommended customs valuers. He told me that he looks at what prices they are fetching in the USA and also takes into consideration the condition of the car. He told me that if I was not happy with the valuation, then I could get a second valuation done by another valuer - but at my expense. He assured me that 9 times out of 10 he goes along with close to the invoice price, unless it is obviously an extremely low price.
Your next major problem is the stamp duty on the car when you go for rego – they go by the customs valuation for that (or market value, which is significantly higher, if they feel they can get a few extra dollars out of you). So be prepared to get ripped off again.
Good luck with it all,
Peter
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Hi,
I am in the same situation. I bought my original Candy Apple Red 67 Fastback from Missouri November last year and it will take 5 months in total by the time I get it. I am tracking it at least. It got carried to Houston then on a container and shipped to Italy, discharged and now has arrived in SIngapore today. It will then be discharged again and finally make its way to Sydney. So I expect to get it early April.
Do not recommend shipping from the east coast. Better to carry to LA and then get it shipped. Much faster!
Cheers,
John.
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Tranzit Express. SIMPLY DONT DO IT!!
My purchase of last October arrived at their LA agent on Nov 7. Promised Shipping time 21 days to Sydney. I could write all day but in a nutshell I was told that it was in a certain container and loaded on a certain ship and it sailed late November. Wow maybe I could get it by Christmas. However it was never on that ship and not in that container BUT it was now arriving early January and would be unloaded in Brisbane and trucked to Sydney. Well "yes it arrived" in Brisbane and was waiting Customs. After 2 weeks I called Brisbane Customs only to be told that NO no car in my name there.
Back to Tranzit Express. "there has been some confusion".
The new plan was for an arrival in Melbourne early February. In the mean time I called the LA Agent who told me that the car was held up for 6 weeks at Tranzit Expresses direction as they were waiting for a full container.
Yes the Mustang arrived in Melbourne on February 21, we paid all the bills and today we are still waiting in Sydney for its arrival.
Tranzit, no Customer Service, Terrible Communication , complete lack of organisation and certainly NO saying SORRY
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So Kerry, did it arrive today?:f
Cheers Bee
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Bumblebee
Its now due 4th April as it didn't make the Boat I thought it was on.
I can track the ship/container now so hopefully I can pick it up around the 11th April.....6 months after purchase.
Im not even getting excited until its cleared customs and I have booked my flight to Melbourne.
I have now missed driving the car in Summer (car was due Nov/dec).
I have missed the Shannon's show as well. And I see that a car very similar to mine took out the Fastback section (mine would have one that for sure LOL).
Am still trying to get compensation from the shipping company so will see how that goes.
monahanajj.... did you find out any information that could help?
Cheers
kerry
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i know how you feel i used transzit express logistics, paid in oct 07, arrived here jan 08 we are now at the end of march 08 and still waiting for my 1967 ford mustang fastback, to be released, i have never dealt with a company that uses so many excuses, unprofessional service and just slowwwww.
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i to am waiting for my 1967 mustang fastback to be released by transzit express, this company is so full of excuses, car arrived here in jan 08 and i am still waiting for transzit to release it, in the meantime no one can give me an explanation as to why it takes so long to release a car. its sitting in a warehouse clocking up storage fees.
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hey insideout member, i too am using transzit express, have you gotten your car yet from them if so what did you do. cause i am still waiting for mine, mine has arrived here in melbourne in jan and still waiting, i am going in circles with trying to get an answer from them but they are full of excuses, last time they emailed me they were shutting business here in australia.
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Hi Kerry hope your troubles are soon over it must be very frustrating waiting you should tell every one who the shipping company is .i used california image in brisbane and it could not have been easier it just went so smooth shane and cindy keep you up to date all the time which is important .good luck JOHN;z
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Thanks for the heads up ejmustang on cali image in Brissie. The more info and feedback we get on shipping companies, importers and the like the better off we all will be and less frustrations will be had.
Still in saying that....u can have shipping company "X" who has done 20 great jobs and they might have 1 bad one that tarnishes their reputation.
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Victorypark. Check u2u.
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Hi All,
The saga has not quite finished....
So the car is here but with some damage from the shipping.
A few deep scratches here and there and a dent from something obviously being put on the hood.
Has anyone had these sort of problems? and what recourse do you have?
I have the Vehicle inspection report from when the car was picked up from the seller in the US.... he went over the car many times and could find any damage or scratches. This proves that it happened during my shippers care.
This car won a best paint trophy two months before I brought it and I was expecting the car to be undamaged (obviously) when I received it.
Any advise for a frustrated Mustang owner.
Cheers
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I am so sorry to hear of your experiences Kerry. As if the delayed shipping wasn't enough only to inspect your ride, which having seen a pic previously was in pristine condition, to find this damage that u have described.
Totally unacceptable and really someone should be made accountable. :_:[:_
I wish u all the successes and best of luck in the future with your ride.
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Originally posted by Kerry
Hi All,
The saga has not quite finished....
So the car is here but with some damage from the shipping.
A few deep scratches here and there and a dent from something obviously being put on the hood.
Has anyone had these sort of problems? and what recourse do you have?
I have the Vehicle inspection report from when the car was picked up from the seller in the US.... he went over the car many times and could find any damage or scratches. This proves that it happened during my shippers care.
This car won a best paint trophy two months before I brought it and I was expecting the car to be undamaged (obviously) when I received it.
Any advise for a frustrated Mustang owner.
Cheers
Hi Kerry,
I feel for you. The only recourse you would have is if you had shipping insurance. I went to the extra expence of having full cover when my car was shipped. Most freight forwarders only cover you for total loss ie if the container falls overboard or if it is stolen. Have a look at your maritime insurance policy to see if you can claim. The other problem is the excess - some can be as high as USD$1,000, so may not be worth all the trouble.
Good luck with it all.
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to jtourvas, i am in the process of restoring my 67 fastback, pls can you post a picture of what your 67 looks like. thanks.
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I feel ahppy about outing the shippers now as I have had no luck from them getting any kind of compensation.:_
AUTO EZY SEARCH
of melbourne...... Dont use them!
will post a bit more of my story later..
cheers
kerry:_
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hi kerry when i export from califronia from the day of it being loaded into container it arrives to australia within 5 weeks never any longer than that so it sounds like your getting the runaround for sure!
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Kerry
I almost feel like ringing you from the states about this. :_This pisses me off sooooo FN bably and Im sure it does to all the other reputable importers and exporters that are members on this site as well.
Drop me an email, matt@shermatt.com or go to our site and use the contact form and I,ll see what we can source in the way of getting some info for ya mate from this end. (in confidence)
Matt Wilson
www.shermatt.com
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Who are they T code?
Do you know the people in LA that have it?
Or who in melboure organised for you?
Let me know
Dave
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Next time you guys are looking at importing try Pete Tate(A kiwi) www.foytt.com 001 310 683 9141 hes based in LA and will bend over backwards to make sure things go smoothly.