Dream Car Turned Shipping Nightmare | FerrariChat

Dream Car Turned Shipping Nightmare

Discussion in '348/355' started by mojocoggo, Mar 13, 2019.

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  1. mojocoggo

    mojocoggo Rookie

    Jul 28, 2013
    38
    San Jose, CA
    Full Name:
    Dylan Leff
    Really hoped to make my "new owner" post here on a more positive note, but unfortunately things didn't pan out that way.

    One week ago on 3/6/2019 my 348 was delivered to me in California after being shipped from Georgia on an enclosed transport. This is a purchase I've been saving, planning, and preparing for over the last 3 years, and arranging the deal itself took the better part of two weeks. Shipping then took another week. You can imagine my disappointment when the car showed up with a completely burned up clutch, and had to be pushed into my garage since the clutch doesn't grab enough to move the car more than 1 MPH, and only on perfectly flat ground.

    The dealership arranged and paid for shipping as part of the deal, and it appears that the transport driver damaged the clutch from loading/unloading the car on the ramps of the trailer several times on its way across the country. I had the car inspected and appraised before purchase, and it was confirmed to be completely drivable with no issues. Of course the shipping company is denying they caused the damage, which is expected, but completely ridiculous. If the issue existed beforehand, they would not have accepted the shipment. It would not have even been possible to load the car since the trailer does not have a winch or pulling device. If they did accept the car like that, they would have noted the issue on the bill of lading (they didn't). I also found excessive clutch dust on the inspection cover, and a strong burning smell (the one from when you were learning to drive stick).

    The car even has a receipt for a new clutch and flywheel just 4000 miles ago.

    I am currently pursuing the shipper's insurance to cover the repair costs, but things are of course dragging on and it's killing me not being able to drive the car. It still feels like I don't even own it yet. I have plenty of videos and photos of the car being unloaded showing that it was not drivable, however I only have a written inspection report of the car before my purchase stating no issues, and the insurance company is telling me that is not enough evidence.

    Aside from that, it's a gorgeous car and I've already taken care of a few little things while it's been sitting in my garage.

    The dealership is G.E.A.R.S. in Georgia, and the shipping company is MSP Trucking, Inc, who has cargo coverage through Progressive. The dealership has been somewhat cooperative (ignored my calls at first, had to push them via email for a response) in that they initiated the claim with the shipper's insurance, but they have put all the work on me after that, even though I had no business or contract with the shipping company.

    If this were just a matter of needing $2500 in parts to replace the clutch, I'd have done it and I'd be driving the car right now. But the price of the flywheel for the double disc clutch is astronomical, and given the circumstances, I'm not optimistic that it survived or is resurfaceable. I feel that this needs to be taken care of and should not be my responsibility given the evidence of what happened.

    I'll post updates as things progress. I am currently waiting on a call back from the insurance rep after uploading some photos and videos.

    Anyway, here are some photos. It sure is pretty...
    (If anyone has any experience or advice on how to deal with this, I'd greatly appreciate it.)

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    Clutch dust

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    For scale...

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    My favorite angle so far.
     
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  2. chrisj951

    chrisj951 Karting

    Feb 18, 2015
    194
    Metro Atlanta
    I'm sorry to hear this. You should definitely NOT give up on the transport insurance. Sue them if you have to.
     
    Jasonberkeley likes this.
  3. Ferrari Fanatic

    Ferrari Fanatic Formula 3

    Apr 2, 2003
    1,317
    SoCal
    Dylan, sorry to hear of your negative experience. I could only imagine your disappointment.

    Sad to say, but often times people will not respond until you put some legal pressure on them. They don’t want to turn it over to their insurance until they are forced to.

    Not sure how this would work interstate, but my guess would be it hinges on where the loss occurred. In this case perhaps the loss occurred in California. A quick trip to the Alameda County Courthouse and a small claims is in order.

    Step one is to get a judgment against the transportation company and step two is to actually get your money.

    You can pay a Process Server a small fee to serve your Complaint on the Defedant.

    Once they see they are on the hook and have some liability, their tune may change.

    Seen it quite often in my Real Estate Career.

    Best of luck and keep us posted.
     
    m5shiv likes this.
  4. NMF1

    NMF1 Rookie

    Jun 19, 2018
    24
    Full Name:
    Nick Febonio
    This just happened to my brother at a parking garage. He fixed his car then brought the repair receipts and all the records of his conversation with the parking garage about the clutch they ruined to court.

    The court quickly ruled in my brothers favor and the parking garage was forced to pay. This should be a pretty cut and dry case in court.

    Sometimes just bringing up legal action is enough to get the company to settle.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
    BOKE likes this.
  5. carnutdallas

    carnutdallas Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2010
    1,683
    Dallas Burbs
    Full Name:
    Rob
    Welcome and so sorry that happened. Unacceptable to ship a Ferrari on a non-lift-gate enclosed carrier. They should have known better. I recommend Ken with Gran Turismo for others in the future.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,291
    socal
    Isn't the dealership supposed to provide you with a running car upon arrival?
     
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  7. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,291
    socal
    Too bad you are in Livermore. I bet if the car showed up at the Socal Stooge event we could have that clutch in the car and you could drive it home. A clutch replacement is simple on 348's...like a few hours simple, while telling lies, and drinking beer, and heckling your buddies. Baring that if you ping Mitchel he could probably fix it for you in Norcal for a reasonable fee and among Stooges he is highly revered.
     
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  8. Tarek307

    Tarek307 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 26, 2018
    1,294
    Long Beach, CA & Alexandria,Egypt.
    Full Name:
    Tarek Salah
    I ship cars all the time since i deal in Air Cooled 911's and sometimes those truckers have no idea what they are doing and you can smell the clutch burning- When i got my Modena shipped to me, i arrived to the meeting spot with the trucker and he was wiping the car with freaking dry paper towels on the hood to clean it i went berzerk on him (thank God the car is wrapped with 3m Wrap) i called the owner of the shipping company and they paid for a full detail .

    I think it will be hard to solve your issue unfortunately as these companies some of them have big $$ and won't budge ..If i were you, just get it fixed so you enjoy the car and keep pursuing them through insurance and courts if you have to, but don't waste time not driving the car
     
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  9. Buzzl

    Buzzl Formula Junior

    I would get it fixed ASAP so you can enjoy the car. BTW it’s a beauty. Do as NMF1’s brother did. I think you’ll get your money. If not then go ahead and get pissed for about 30 seconds then get in the thing and drive it. You’ll forget about it once you’re up around 5500-6000 rpm’s.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  10. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    What am I missing... how does a clutch burn up in a car being transported? Is the idea they burned the whole clutch up loading it or does it somehow happen sitting there while the truck is moving?
     
  11. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2002
    6,370
    Toronto / SoCal
    Full Name:
    Rob C.
    As the OP mentioned during the cross country trek the car did need to come on and off the truck a few times and it is in this instance that the clutch got fried. Most Italian exotics do not take well to dragging the clutch and it is possible to burn them out in as little as one really bad engagement. Good truckers are aware of this and either winch cars, drive with much more care, and order the cars in the truck in a fashion that minimizes the in and outs of the 'delicate clutch' cars. While you can balance a Toyota all afternoon on the clutch a Ferrari is a much more touchy machine.
     
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  12. carnutdallas

    carnutdallas Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2010
    1,683
    Dallas Burbs
    Full Name:
    Rob
    Exactly. I hate loading mine on my drive one lift! The ramps are too steep in a car hauler. The proximity of cars are too close and dicey to load. I seriously blame the dealer for that. The moment they arrive with that truck to get car, they should have said no!

    Should have used this:
    https://share.icloud.com/photos/0v0cBNg5WAd6AtLsyplJCQDog#Tampa,_FL



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  13. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,291
    socal
    These truckers are bozo's 90% of the time. I think this is why they demand cash or cashiers check rarely allow credit card payment.

    Since you ship all the time, Do you have tips for a painfree experience? For example use shipping broker to direct to shipper? Maybe it is better to disable the car so it does not run? Then it goes in one place and is not moved around. At destination just winch out with a portable winch?
     
  14. carnutdallas

    carnutdallas Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2010
    1,683
    Dallas Burbs
    Full Name:
    Rob
    No, you need a running car. They charge more for non-op. But you just need quality companies. Reliable and Horseless Carriage charge a lot. But they generally know what they are doing. I have access to shipping clearing house and I put in my order notes what I expect and the equipment I want. I have used Ken with Gran Turismo the last 3 trips and they know their stuff. Reasonable pricing. He operates 5 trucks and has some other guys he will use for “filler” work. I just wait for the drivers I want and work with his cross country schedule. I can hook people up with him. I love Westside Carrozzeria too, but they have a lot of corporate contracts with Rolls, Bugatti and Benz. So hard to get on their trucks.


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  15. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,291
    socal
    I have to ship my racecar from LosAngeles to Virginia International raceway delivered ON a specific date. Another scratch is not going to bother me. It is a racecar. The problem is delivery on a specific date. I can have a flake driver. Not only do I have to race but will only be there for a narrow window of days. Anyone have a reliable referral??
     
  16. carnutdallas

    carnutdallas Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2010
    1,683
    Dallas Burbs
    Full Name:
    Rob
    Ken - Gran Turismo
    (704) 905-0999

    Really hard to do specific dates in the industry, but he would be worth talking to. Tell him Rob in Frisco with all the 355’s referred you. He should remember.




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  17. Ferrari Fanatic

    Ferrari Fanatic Formula 3

    Apr 2, 2003
    1,317
    SoCal
    I have used Intercity Lines on 3 occasions. Jay Leno and Wayne Carani endorsed. Ended up being around a buck a mile and they always did a great job.

    IIRC, it was Intercity and/or Reliable that were delivering a bunch of GT3’s at COTA when I was there in 2016. I still have a cellphone video. What a sight to see !

    They run several trucks nationwide and have never missed my pick up or delivery date.
     
  18. mojocoggo

    mojocoggo Rookie

    Jul 28, 2013
    38
    San Jose, CA
    Full Name:
    Dylan Leff
    Thanks all for the advice and support. I think you guys are right, I was leaning towards getting the car fixed and just enjoying it and then fighting for reimbursement. I would do the clutch myself, but I think it would be more beneficial to have documented findings from a professional as well as an invoice from a shop to establish the true cost of repair. Just can't wait to get it on the road.

    In the meantime, I did manage to fix my clock buttons which had been pressed too hard at some point and broke apart inside the HVAC unit housing, making it impossible to set the clock, which would have driven me insane. I used foam furniture pads on the back of the buttons trimmed to the correct thickness so they don't fall back in again.



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  19. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,741
    North Wiltshire, UK
    Welcome and congratulation on getting your F car. Sorry to hear its turned out to be a nightmare!

    1) get an inspection report stating on the clutch; keep the receipt for the inspection report;
    2) get quotes for its repair; go to Ferrari dealer and specialists; get three quotes;
    3) Give wh ever contracted the transport company an opportunity to fix it. (If you contracted the transport company its the transport company, if the dealer contracted the transport company, its the dealer.)
    4) if they refuse, sue them.
    5) keep all receipts for anything related to the above (this will form part of your claim against them in addition to the cost of clutch repair);
    6) keep a log of all telephone calls, emails, letters etc. Who you spoke to, about what, when etc.
    7) always be polite but frim and to the point.

    A pain in the ass but I'd say its fairly clear and that the insurance company is calling your bluff on the condition report.

    And well done for getting stuck in a fixing the clock!

    Good luck and keep us posted
     
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  20. ILLA NOIZ

    ILLA NOIZ Karting

    Mar 28, 2015
    116
    Concord, North Carolina
    Full Name:
    Drew
    So... you're the one that snagged it while I was getting my funds in order. The dealer was non responsive towards the end of negotiations. I ended up buying a car in Seattle and it was just loaded up on Tuesday. I've been a nervous mess ever since and then I read this post.
    I'm sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing and when your car was no longer available I assumed it wasnt the right one for me. I hope you get it resolved quickly and I will be following to see how things plan out.
     
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  21. jqpd99

    jqpd99 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 25, 2007
    1,827
    Ottawa
    Full Name:
    DFO
    You should know that the 348 clock is a bit of a joke... it doesn't work very well... you'll be constantly adjusting it... I just let mine flash 0.00 and ignore it completely

    DF
     
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  22. bjwhite

    bjwhite F1 Rookie

    Mar 17, 2006
    4,675
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Brian White
    So you bought the silver on black 348ts in Seattle? Wow. I had no idea that car was here....

    Wish I could have seen it first before it left. I’ve actually never seen a silver one in person.
     
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  23. ILLA NOIZ

    ILLA NOIZ Karting

    Mar 28, 2015
    116
    Concord, North Carolina
    Full Name:
    Drew
    Yes. I actually purchased the vehicle without seeing it in person myself. It was a scary thought but it was on the other side of the country... Being that it was being sold by a Ferrari Dealership I felt confident it would be represented well. Plus they have serviced it for the past 10 years and just completed a major in January and put on new tires. I should be ready to enjoy it this summer. Silver was not my first choice (never really considered as they are not common and never popped up while searching the last few years) but I love the look and I also enjoy having things that are not commonly seen.
     
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  24. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Exactly. Don't go to dinner at McDonalds and complain about the food.
     
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  25. mojocoggo

    mojocoggo Rookie

    Jul 28, 2013
    38
    San Jose, CA
    Full Name:
    Dylan Leff
    I saw you mention this car in your thread and was worried it would slip away, but glad you ended up finding another one. I too have been a nervous mess for the last month or so during this process. Hopefully yours arrives in better shape! Looks like yours is on the same model of car trailer, here's to hoping the driver knows what the hell they are doing.

    Hahaha well that'll just add to the charm. But I'd rather have it be wrong than flashing... I was the kid in elementary school who would always set the VCR and microwave clocks at my friend's parents' houses cause the flashing 12:00 bothered me that much.
     
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