SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Enclosed Vehicle Transport (BAD experience with Thomas Sunday Transport)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
SL600 (1000 hp), Cayenne S, 996TT EVO GT750, F430 Spyder,A real Ford GT, 08 Gallardo Spyder
Enclosed Vehicle Transport (BAD experience with Thomas Sunday Transport)
My car was picked up June 24th by Thomas C Sunday 
Car Transport Company. The normal industry standard for such a trip (700 miles) is 4 days. The car has yet to be delivered. I sent a professionally worded email to the company (The same email I used to communicate an estimate the week before. The email was not inflammatory, just listed the facts and asked for a manager to respond) but no response. I called 4 times in one day only to be told we will call you back. I am sure my car will be eventually delivered (Not too worried, I am insured) but the point is that almost 20 days has past.
Mistakes happen but NOT communicating with the customer especially to resolve a problem is just bad business. Whats funny is that I read about transport companies doing what they want after you sign on the dotted line but I assumed this company is "cool" since they transport high end vehicles only.
My preference was the two companies recommended by Barrett Jackson Auctions but at the time, pick up was not available for my area.
Car Transport Company. The normal industry standard for such a trip (700 miles) is 4 days. The car has yet to be delivered. I sent a professionally worded email to the company (The same email I used to communicate an estimate the week before. The email was not inflammatory, just listed the facts and asked for a manager to respond) but no response. I called 4 times in one day only to be told we will call you back. I am sure my car will be eventually delivered (Not too worried, I am insured) but the point is that almost 20 days has past.Mistakes happen but NOT communicating with the customer especially to resolve a problem is just bad business. Whats funny is that I read about transport companies doing what they want after you sign on the dotted line but I assumed this company is "cool" since they transport high end vehicles only.
My preference was the two companies recommended by Barrett Jackson Auctions but at the time, pick up was not available for my area.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I am sorry to hear about your experience. I have used Thomas Sunday for everything from my Indycar to my Ferrari's and they have always been perfect, on time and never a problem.
I am surprised that they haven't even returned your call. Did they give you an ETA when the car was picked up?
I am surprised that they haven't even returned your call. Did they give you an ETA when the car was picked up?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
SL600 (1000 hp), Cayenne S, 996TT EVO GT750, F430 Spyder,A real Ford GT, 08 Gallardo Spyder
When I asked how long it normally takes a week earlier while getting an estimate from them, they did say it "normally" takes 4 days but without committing to it. While disappointed that my car has yet to be delivered, my major concern is the lack of communication. When posting this, I was betting that most everyone has had a decent experience with them. My guess is that 90% of all deliveries are problem free and so good customer service is not really needed. However, I am pretty sure that when things don’t go as planned, this company’s culture is not set up to really provide great service.
Additional info: On the 24th, I received a call from the driver on my cell. I just got my cell phone bill and found that incoming number from him. I called him today (since I can’t seem to get an answer from the company) and after pushing him for the truth, he admitted that they had two trucks break down with blown head gaskets. That’s a good reason for being late, but its NOT an acceptable reason to NOT automatically call the customers and give them a heads up. At the end of the day, the true measure of a companies customer service culture is not how a company handles a happy custmer (nothing to handle), but how that company handles a less than perfect situation.
Additional info: On the 24th, I received a call from the driver on my cell. I just got my cell phone bill and found that incoming number from him. I called him today (since I can’t seem to get an answer from the company) and after pushing him for the truth, he admitted that they had two trucks break down with blown head gaskets. That’s a good reason for being late, but its NOT an acceptable reason to NOT automatically call the customers and give them a heads up. At the end of the day, the true measure of a companies customer service culture is not how a company handles a happy custmer (nothing to handle), but how that company handles a less than perfect situation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 3
08 SL55
I got the same story about trucks breaking down when I used them to ship our S8 from Chicago to Charlotte. It took nearly two weeks to get the car and I finally got to Tom Sunday himself and he diverted the truck or it would have been another 3-4 days. My car took a tour of Maine b/f finally making to Charlotte. Like you, I wasn't concerned about getting the car I just got tired of the lack of communication and bs stories.... The down side to sitting on a truck that long is; they usually leave the drivers side window down and when I finally got our car the interior was filthy! Black soot/dust coated everything..... Best of luck.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12
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2003 SL55
The auto transport industry is laden problems and shady business practices. I'm not saying they are all crooked, but some are and they give the industry a very bad name. Most shippers are really just brokers; they don't own trucks and sub everything out to private carriers. Even if you book with a company that claims to own trucks, you are not guaranteed that your car will not be subbed out.
When I recently bought my sl55, I shipped my Infiniti FX45 to my son in Kansas City (I'm in Boston.) I spoke to several shippers and really had to play hard-ball to get the guarantees I wanted. I had the broker put in writing a guaranteed delivery date and a guarantee that the car would not be removed from the truck till delivery. It was picked up on a Tuesday morning at 9:00am in Boston and delivered in Kansas City 2 days later on Thursday at 8:00am. (two days short of my 4 day guarantee)
Always get the name and cell number of the driver who picks up your car. He will be your best contact because once the broker gets your deposit and subs out the job, they are done. Most could care less what happens next.
When I recently bought my sl55, I shipped my Infiniti FX45 to my son in Kansas City (I'm in Boston.) I spoke to several shippers and really had to play hard-ball to get the guarantees I wanted. I had the broker put in writing a guaranteed delivery date and a guarantee that the car would not be removed from the truck till delivery. It was picked up on a Tuesday morning at 9:00am in Boston and delivered in Kansas City 2 days later on Thursday at 8:00am. (two days short of my 4 day guarantee)
Always get the name and cell number of the driver who picks up your car. He will be your best contact because once the broker gets your deposit and subs out the job, they are done. Most could care less what happens next.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
When I asked how long it normally takes a week earlier while getting an estimate from them, they did say it "normally" takes 4 days but without committing to it. While disappointed that my car has yet to be delivered, my major concern is the lack of communication. When posting this, I was betting that most everyone has had a decent experience with them. My guess is that 90% of all deliveries are problem free and so good customer service is not really needed. However, I am pretty sure that when things don’t go as planned, this company’s culture is not set up to really provide great service.
Additional info: On the 24th, I received a call from the driver on my cell. I just got my cell phone bill and found that incoming number from him. I called him today (since I can’t seem to get an answer from the company) and after pushing him for the truth, he admitted that they had two trucks break down with blown head gaskets. That’s a good reason for being late, but its NOT an acceptable reason to NOT automatically call the customers and give them a heads up. At the end of the day, the true measure of a companies customer service culture is not how a company handles a happy custmer (nothing to handle), but how that company handles a less than perfect situation.
Additional info: On the 24th, I received a call from the driver on my cell. I just got my cell phone bill and found that incoming number from him. I called him today (since I can’t seem to get an answer from the company) and after pushing him for the truth, he admitted that they had two trucks break down with blown head gaskets. That’s a good reason for being late, but its NOT an acceptable reason to NOT automatically call the customers and give them a heads up. At the end of the day, the true measure of a companies customer service culture is not how a company handles a happy custmer (nothing to handle), but how that company handles a less than perfect situation.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,152
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From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
Call "Central Dispatch" they will square the company away. If you threaten the company by calling central dispatch they will change the way they think. I had the same problem with another company when having my Range Rover delivered to my front door. It took them 6 day's and I was promised three. I blew a head gasket and threatened them that I would call central dispatch and my car was expedited to 6 days as oppose to them trying to deliver it in 10 days. Central dispatch controls all of the transport companies in the U.S. and from what I am understanding, screwing up with them is like getting a bad credit rating on your credit report. Also I am told that they have the ability to stop a company from transporting cars indefinately. My source comes from a good friend that transports cars. I should of used him instead, LOL but he was pre occupied.
they have no authority at all. this info comes from a 22 yr veteren driver 14 yrs of which were spent hauling cars for the largest car haul co. in north america. allied sysytems
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
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From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
this is the farthest thing from the truth! central dispatch is merely a term in the trucking industry. when a co. has a number of drivers whether owner ops or co. drivers they call "central dispatch" for their next load. this could be someones wife in the kitchen or an entire floor of people working with drivers. central dispatch doesnt control anything outside of its own company. and screwing with them will only get you a dial tone.
they have no authority at all. this info comes from a 22 yr veteren driver 14 yrs of which were spent hauling cars for the largest car haul co. in north america. allied sysytems
they have no authority at all. this info comes from a 22 yr veteren driver 14 yrs of which were spent hauling cars for the largest car haul co. in north america. allied sysytems
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,152
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From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
Really? I hate rumor control. Well when I threatened the company with calling them, they seemed to cater to me a tad bit more, maybe they were playing with me who knows. I hate putting out bad poop to people so I should retract my comment than. Just goes to show you that there is always someone smarter than you out there.
actually i never heard of thomas sunday but there are many many companies. some to definatley stay away from are centurion, waggoneers, das and united road service just to name a few
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
SL600 (1000 hp), Cayenne S, 996TT EVO GT750, F430 Spyder,A real Ford GT, 08 Gallardo Spyder
Car finally arrived (Jun 24th – Jul 14) AND I found out (from the driver not the company) it was transferred from one truck to another. NO calls NO apologies. As I said earlier, even if you had a good experience with Sunday transport, it does not mean they are a reputable company. If they screwed everyone, they would not be in business. They only screw some of their customers.
My only goal here is to let you know about my experience. Draw your own conclusion.
My only goal here is to let you know about my experience. Draw your own conclusion.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
Car finally arrived (Jun 24th – Jul 14) AND I found out (from the driver not the company) it was transferred from one truck to another. NO calls NO apologies. As I said earlier, even if you had a good experience with Sunday transport, it does not mean they are a reputable company. If they screwed everyone, they would not be in business. They only screw some of their customers.
My only goal here is to let you know about my experience. Draw your own conclusion.
My only goal here is to let you know about my experience. Draw your own conclusion.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
