Sonic auto transport

I hired Sonic to transport my brand new Toyota Tundra due to the responsiveness of David. My original quote for the delivery was shorter and cheaper than everyone else. Normally I don’t select the cheapest option, but this time I made the mistake and chose Sonic. After paying the initial deposit David informed me I would need to pay an additional $500 and it would take an additional week to get my truck. I reluctantly agreed and anxiously waited for my truck. On 9/3, a week late, I finally received my truck, but I had to drive 45 minutes away from the original agreed upon location. What was supervising was the driver chose to unload the truck in a very busy small location bs the large open parking lot near my house. As expected the driver drove my truck into something and caused over $2700 in damage. Now a month later Sonic is refusing ignoring my calls and texts and refusing to pay for the damage. I fear my only solution to getting my truck fixed is to sue them. I would highly recommend staying away from Sonic.

Service cost: $2700

In Aug 2021 I researched and researched and researched. I needed to find a company that I could trust and have peace of mind that the car would be safe in their hands. After all the research I did, I found Sonic. There are several companies called Sonic so that got a bit confusing. But the one I dealt with had this number, 530-648-9041. I did my homework on them, DOT, BBB, rating sites, all had Nothing negative but Great reviews. I contacted them and spoke with Bob. Then Heather Flores is who took great of care of. Sept 2021: The car was shipping from VA to WA. Heather explained everything that would happen. THE GOOD: 1) they communicated every step of the way. 2) they have their process down, they where efficient and professional. 3) Car was picked up about two days earlier and delivered a few days earlier than originally planned which was a great surprise since I needed it 4) The person who was actually driving the transporter reached out to me and the plan was set of where I was going to meet him since it’s a giant truck can’t just pull it into a neighborhood. 5) the car was loaded / unloaded with care (I still have that video). 6) I Had a great experience, so much so that I am going to use them again for an April 2022 transport of the same car. THE BAD: I wish they had a unique name because there are other companies called Sonic and it can get confusing and you could end up with the one you didn’t intend to use.

Service cost: $1585

Wish I had read these reviews before I signed with these people. Right from the start this Tim Cunningham slips a word in that he'll let me know the final cost even though the contract clearly states $450.00 and this was after he was begging me to sign with them. He even text me after I sign still begging for my business. Now they're a no show and we have people just standing around and this Tim starts arguing with me claiming he might pick up today or tomorrow? REALLY? Claims they move 25+ vehicles a day? I'm done with these people. He tried to say I can't cancel? I warned him not to touch my credit card or I'll file criminal charges.

Service cost: $450

This is the most unorganized, unprofessional shipping company you would not even recommend to your worst enemy. We agreed on a rate, only for the driver to inform me that he had had a brake failure and could not come to pick up the car. I called Sonic and was told that since they are a third-party company (Broker), they have nothing to do with that. In summary, they told me, "We are not responsible for this and do not care what inconvenience this might have caused you." They confidently said to me that there was nothing that could be done. I pay a cancellation fee of $400, or I get a different quote with an additional charge of $505.

I went ahead with the quote. I had to endure stress before my car was picked up with constant calls. I only learned from the carrier about the lack of communication between Sonic and the contracted carrier. Sonic stopped answering my calls and told me to figure everything out. I was charged an upfront fee of $400 even before the driver showed up - 3 days late - to pick up my car (As aforementioned, there was a complete lack of communication between the two parties). I know they would come and write an extended apology essay in response to this review as though they are what they claim to be. Enough of the empty words; you either close down your company and provide opportunities to those who can serve humans better, or you change your completely unorganized and unprofessional service. No one thrives on your empty words.

To everyone out there, do not fall for this scam. THIS IS A SCAM. If it were possible to give a negative star rating, I would not hesitate to do that.

Service cost: $1450

Sonic Auto Transportation signed a contract with us four weeks in advance of our needed shipping date. They were priced similar to other transport companies. We needed my aging mother's car shipped from CA to TX to accommodate her wheelchair. I received confirmation a week out, the day before and the day of shipping. At the time the driver supposed to show up, I got a cancelation notice via text. No one would call me back until the next day. When they finally called, I stressed I needed the car by a certain date, they said they could do it, but it would be double the cost from $1,000 to $2,100. This was true extortion. I have since shipped with another company and had a smooth experience. Do not use this company.

Service cost: $2100

DO NOT HIRE THIS COMPANY.

After booking my initial transport for $1025 and confirming this price and date/time was locked in, I received 0 updates. I called and emailed in the two weeks leading up to my move as I was traveling for work up until the day before I moved from Metro Detroit to Austin, TX and I only had a one day window for the vehicle to get picked up.

The company confirmed the rate and pick up date were locked in. But on the day they were supposed to pick up I was completely ghosted by Tim Cunningham, despite calling multiple times the day before and on that day. Tim 'had an accident on his way to work', and also conveniently left his phone in the car. Cool. Even if that was true, hand the job off to somebody else that can take care of your clients.

After firing them the first time, Tim reached out and baited me into another contract as I was already 3/4 of the way to Texas in my moving van and they all use the same drivers at a rate of +$475 over our initial price. I gave him the opportunity as he said it would be done the next morning. When that date and time passed, I tried to cancel and he gave me the driver's number. I called him and he told me that he spoke with Tim the day before and had told him 'his truck broke down' and he wouldn't be available.

This entire industry is a sham. The fact that they can lure you in with one price and pick up time and are not held to it blows my mind. The entire experience was probably one of the worst and most unpleasant things I've ever had to do as I was simultaneously moving across country. It was very stressful.

All the things I was in control over for my move went flawlessly. Everything that was in Sonic's court was a disaster.

I ended up finding a company to do it within my time frame for $1700 after calling in a favor from a friend. If you need your vehicle moved, call United Road.

I would never use Sonic again--but I feel like the entire industry isn't much better.

Service cost: $1700

They give you a low quote, and then of course they can't find a driver at that price, so a few days before your pickup you get a text from a "driver" that he was in an accident. Then they try to get you to pay the actual market rate for the move plus more money so they can generate a profit. These guys are a bunch of scammers. Stay away. Use a company that actually has vehicles. I found one that does regular routes. You have to drop off your car at a depot and then pick it up in a parking lot at a predetermined time.

Service cost: $650

This is what going to happen if you are dealing with this Sonic auto transports!!

Mark my words!!

1) They give you a low quote (you are happy to see the quote)

2) You sign the contract with all the info, pickup delivery address etc

3) You are happy that the shipping your car is taken care of. (nightmare is about to begin)

4) They say they will charge around $200 at pickup from the credit card and rest to be paid in cash to the driver upon delivery. (sounds fair)

5) They send a link and keep your credit card on file (trouble begins)

6) You put the credit card on their system ( you are now trapped!!)

7) You will try calling them a day or two before to confirm the pickup and get the driver details ( Real hard to get them connected. After lot of attempts they will give you the driver details may be a day before the pickup. But driver will not answer that number.)

8) On the day of pickup you will try calling all your contacts. The initial rep , Sonic customer care , Driver.. But no one will answer your call. If some one answers, they will just say there is a small delay and they will update you in half hour or so.. (THEY DIDNT SHOW UP ON THE PICKUP DATE AND DID NOT EVEN CALL ME)

9) Next day morning they will call you and tell that the truck broke down. But they have managed to find another driver and a truck. But the new driver is charging $250 more.

Now it is the 11th hour and I am left with no other option.

10) If you say you don't need their service now, they say they will charge you a cancellation fee of $200. (TRAP COMPLETE)

I don't know how this company got lot of positive reviews. Deciding to move my car with Sonic was a worst decision. It damaged my whole day with the unpleasant conversation I had with their reps over the phone.

PLEASE MOVE WITH COMPANIES WHICH YOUR FRIENDS ALREADY MOVED WITH AND HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH

DO NOT JUST GO BY THE POSITIVE REVIEWS. (Just like I did )

I hope this review helps at least 1 person from being trapped!!

Service cost: $1400