Tropical Shipping

Who's the employer? This sounds familiar.

Good Day, Insurance on used cars is dependent upon the age of the vehicle. Also, for your personal items, you may be able to get insurance coverage for replacement called FPA. Please call Seven Seas Insurance at 1-800-471-7732 to ask them directly because they offer the Marine Insurance with Tropical Shipping.

Who's the employer? This sounds familiar.

I'm not sure if I want to go there right now. What I will tell you is that they were real gung-ho to get me there and now that I'm ready to make the move, they are starting to be evasive about the shipping which is part of the relocation package and want to cut costs at my expense.

We shipped a 20 foot container to STX in 2005 through Crowley and was told at the time we could not get insurance on the container contents because we loaded it ourselves. Because the items had not been boxed and loaded by a professional company, and no independent invoice of contents or condition of contents, there was no way for insurance company to know if the items were properly boxed and secured in the container so they would not insure the contents. Obviously I do not know if this is Tropical's logic or not regarding insurance but it sounded reasonable to me at the time. We packed carefully and had no damage to anything. We did not insure our vehicles either (shipped via Sea Star) and they had no damage, although there was someones cars fender trim in the backseat of one of our vehicles when I picked it up, so obviously damage does occur to some cars during shipping.

We shipped a 20 foot container to STX in 2005 through Crowley and was told at the time we could not get insurance on the container contents because we loaded it ourselves. Because the items had not been boxed and loaded by a professional company, and no independent invoice of contents or condition of contents, there was no way for insurance company to know if the items were properly boxed and secured in the container so they would not insure the contents. Obviously I do not know if this is Tropical's logic or not regarding insurance but it sounded reasonable to me at the time. We packed carefully and had no damage to anything. We did not insure our vehicles either (shipped via Sea Star) and they had no damage, although there was someones cars fender trim in the backseat of one of our vehicles when I picked it up, so obviously damage does occur to some cars during shipping.

The company does all their shipping with Tropical and says they have to use them and them only. According to the company, Tropical will be doing all the packing etc. but they will not insure the shipment. Damage from cargo shifting is one thing. It's another if a container is washed overboard in a storm or the ship runs aground and sinks. It happens. At the end of the day, someone loses everything without insurance.

This a all to familiar scenario. Your concerns are valid and I don't blame you one bit. This seems to be a regular practice of some of the businesses here. They rope you in and at the last minute disappoint you and try to make you cover the cost using these tactics.

I don't know about the personal items, but if the car is financed (with a balance still owed to a stateside company), your car must by insured here before it even arrives. The catch 22 to that is, no one will insure it until it's sitting in front of them. When we shipped everything with Flemings in January 2010, they insured everything during transport. Something sounds fishy. I would try to make sure everything's correct and legal before you load a thing. Good luck!

This a all to familiar scenario. Your concerns are valid and I don't blame you one bit. This seems to be a regular practice of some of the businesses here. They rope you in and at the last minute disappoint you and try to make you cover the cost using these tactics.

The car has clear title so that's not an issue. They insist on using Tropical. It seems Gymrat may have a point. Everything was fine until it came time for them to pony up the dough. I can't afford to lay out the shipping costs and find out when I get there that they will not reimburse me because I did not use their shipper. Apparently it has something to do with their method of payment.

Hi WGAF, those who are saying that this situation sounds familiar are likely referring to This Discussion where a very similar situation arose.

Hi WGAF, those who are saying that this situation sounds familiar are likely referring to This Discussion where a very similar situation arose.

Thanks for the heads up. I've read the Highlander's original post and it is cause for concern. This is exactly what I'm talking about. As previously stated, everything was fine until it came down to the wire and time for them to pony up the dough. You get the sob story about how they can't find reliable talent and after they rope you in they must figure you're committed and try this trickery to get you to pay instead of them like promised.
I am surprised at the reaction of some of the replies. Some did not seem to care about the Highlanders feelings or what he or she went through to try to work it out and to have it fall apart at the last minute. Yes a year was a long time to wait for both parties. But after waiting so long why did they start playing games with the shipping at the last minute. I can only imagine being in his shoes getting so excited to move to the VI and have a house get in the way. It must have been a hell of an effort on his part to try to sell a house in this economy. And to make matters worse, some sat in judgement and even antagonized the person. I would have been equally angry.

this whole situation seems so bizarre. we have gotten insurance on containers shipped through tropical, and now also for items shipped with VI cargo, which is now owned by Tropical. We've also gotten insurance on containers not shipped with Tropical, and in all cases the insurance was actually wrotten by another company, an insurance company. Perhaps the employing company doesn't want to pay for the insurance...you might approach it from that angle...if you pay etc.
As far as using Tropical, perhaps the company has a negotiated rate or arrangement with them, and would not want to deal with another co. and have to pay higher rates...or does not have a credit line with them or whatever...we have several 'preferred vendors' we deal with in our business for those reasons. Often household goods shipments require prepayment before shipping to the VI.

I offered to pay the insurance. Tropical said they will not insure the shipment. I even offered to hire a different shipper that offers coverage and the company reimburse me after I arrive.. The company insists on Tropical because they have to use their method of payment. If I could afford to pay for it myself I would. It would be worth writing it off as a job expense. According to my accountant I would get most of it back.

It would be worth writing it [the moving expenses] off as a job expense. According to my accountant I would get most of it back.

You can deduct moving expenses from your income tax, but that's not the same as getting most of it back. With a deduction, you effectively get back (or avoid paying in taxes, really) a percentage of your moving expenses equal to your marginal tax rate, which is probably between 10% to 28%. At most, it's 35%.

At this point it does not look like it's going to happen. I can't afford the shipping costs on top of other expenses. Besides, this makes me nervous. If they're going back on their word now, what are they going to try to pull once I'm there?

They a rip off company to deal with anyway. Misdiagnosed my car problem-statesider, not local mechanic. Thought I would be impressed he from AK. Hit me high charges that made no sense.

Got a local recommendation from someone that has been using him for about 20 years.
Correctly diagnosed my car problems.

Friend shipped parts down that I needed.
Local mechanic did a lot of work on my car for a fraction of the cost and a great job!

Going back to the local mechanic than that company/dealership.

Good friend comes from same island as mechanic so that helps too 😉

They can get good talent if they want to. As long as they continue to conduct business the way they have been, then that's what they get.

If dealing with the same female concerning your shipping, don't remember her name off-hand. Heard thru the coconut vine, she not well liked. She not very nice and friendly.

Even with good talent I won't go back. In my opinion, they overcharge you and owner is greedy. Only thing I like is he hires locals.

http://www.acttirestaffing.com/JS/joborder.asp?JOID=17762

Job link posting. I believe this this is one WGAF is speaking of. Correct me if I am wrong.

94% customer statisfaction rate. I in the 6% that is unsatisfied big time! Never going back, for true.

BTW, in their home page Caribbean Auto Group-Service Dept. They have competitive pricing. What they don't add is shop fees and other hidden fees that hike up your bill.

Hey Beachcomberstt,
I Just opened(www.actirestaffing.com) I couldn't find anything about shipping tools!:S

Lizard

Yeah...says relocation package, etc. in bright red, but doesn't go into details and in the title. Have to contact company for more details. This all according to the job advertisement.

This is not a job where you are moving from one town to another or one state to another. So, its a difficult move for anybody, especially someone with a family. Just saying.

Do we have mechanic type schooling on island? That would be a good idea for our young men or women to learn a trade and be hired locally, for example, for Caribbean Auto Mart. Then the owner doesn't have to try to recruit auto techs from off island. Maybe the owner of the company should start a mentoring program. Or am I asking for too much?

The automotive repair and technology facility at Complex was astonishing when it was built. Dynamometer, frame straightening, state of the art auto body and paint shop, as well as the standard bays with lifts, teardown and rebuild stations-- the works.