December 2016 by Marc Gammiero
Please be careful if you plan on using Show Freight International for your upcoming Tradeshow. I work for a men's clothing brand and needed to ship samples to for an upcoming tradeshow in Las Vegas. I've had some bad experiences using other Freight companies in the past due to theft, so I was looking for a new option this year. Conveniently, a representative from Show Freight contacted me and gave me an estimated quote for their services. I provided the Sales Representative with the total peices being shipped, the dimensions, and the estimated weight. I was quoted close to $350 for their services based on Weight of 300lbs., Fuel Charges, TSA Security Surcharge and a Convention Center Pick Up charge. I thought this was a great rate, so we agreed to use their services. When it was time to ship, we actually shipped one less trunk than we expected, and the total weight was only 188lbs. Initially I thought this would actually reduce the overall charges.When I got to to the show, my trunks were in the booth, and everything was accounted for. I then left the trunks in the booth to be picked up and the next day I received a bill from an outside party for a $450 bill for storage costs. This obviously took me by suprise because this was never explained that an outside party was responsible for storing the trunks at the show.This wasn't the last suprise because when the product arrived back at our showroom and I reviewed the invoice, it totaled to over $1,000? When disputing the bill with their customer service, they explained that on the quote (IN THE FINE PRINT at the bottom of the page) it "clearly" states that additional charges may apply. When explained the additoinal charges, they included $150 each way because someone had to get out of their truck to pick up the trunks from my showroom, the additional weight of a pallet was included in my overall weight (which was not included on the estimate even though it's a neccessary addition they need to include for everyone?), and a lift charge fee because we didn't have a loading dock at our showroom- for 50lb. trunks? Not sure how many places have loading docks?I was charged nearly $800 over what they estimated, knowing very well that I would most like incur these additional charges without anything being explained when given the quote. When disputing the invoice it was justified because they had provided these additional charges in the fine print at the bottom of the page. I explained that this was very misleading, and that $800 in additional fees should have been explained by their sales rep. Customer service disagreed and was unwilling to work with me in anyway.I will never use this company again, and for anyone else in the industry who is shipping for a show, I would highly recommend that you don't either.
