So about a month ago after I got done with my program at Georgetown I moved back to Nigeria. I decided to ship my XF along with 2 other cars (Highlander and Honda mini van). So my cars were finally cleared and the I got the container from the port yesterday. Well suffice to say my Jag got messed up. Trunk, fenders and rims, hood arrgh.

I have attached a couple of pics. They aint pretty.

So why am I posting this? Well partly to vent, but more so as a heads up to anyone who may want to ship multiple cars in a container (I used a 40ft HC). Make sure your loader knows what he/she is doing and under no circumstances should you let them suspend your car using chains... ever! No matter what assurances the freight loader gives.

 

Sorry to hear about what happened to your ride .

 

Wow....what a mess!

I'd be going nuts.....obviously not very professional at what they do. I assume you'll be compensated and the car will be like new when finished?

 

That's BS... who secured the cars in the container? We ship heavy equipment worldwide and what they did is ridiculous! Running chains through the wheels? WTF?

The thing a lot of people don't understand is that those containers see a lot of movement on the ocean. If whatever is inside isn't secured, it bashes around like a pebble in a soda can.

I'd go after the company that secured the vehicles, for sure.

 

No manufacturer ships cars in containers without locking down the suspension. Shipping blocks are usually put in the coil springs but the body needs to be chained down, not the wheels (or up in your case). gross negligence by the shipper.

 

I lived for 3 years in Port Harcourt.

While that totally sucks what happened to your car, here are a few thoughts:

- Because labor rates are so low (monthly salaries are around $30/month) it's dirt cheap in Nigeria to get body work done versus US or UK, so it can be fixed cheap
- Your car is probably going to get that level of damage on a monthly basis given the way they bump and grind in traffic over there (everyone drives like Ricky Bobby, by the time they pull in to park they're usually upside down and on fire)

So it's all good.

But heck, get the shipping company to pay for this one!

 

The problem I have is, I can't go after the shipping line, because they didn't do the loading. Another party did, so for i've sent an email to the guy that did the loading and took the container to port and i am waiting for a response.

I got a quote from one of the best body shops in the capital and the guy says 3 grand and he'll have to repaint the whole car with the exception of the roof. I called my dealership and asked them for the parts (Trunk lid, and fenders) which will run me about 750 (trunk lid) 800*2 (both fenders). What sucks is to ship it here the cost of the shipping alone is greater than the costs of the parts themselves.

lotusespritse[QUOTE - Because labor rates are so low (monthly salaries are around $30/month) it's dirt cheap in Nigeria to get body work done versus US or UK, so it can be fixed cheap] [/QUOTE]

There is some truth to that, but you get what you pay for. I had another mechanic look at it and he said he can do it for a grand. But seeing how bad the trunk is crushed I don't know if he can fix it the way i want. Plus things in Abuja cost a lot more than in PH. BTW what years were you there?

So my questions are should I just pay to have body work done or order new parts? The new parts will run about 850 more not including labour and a new paint job for the parts. Is it even possible to get the trunk looking how it original through a body shop?

JimC64 The guy says it'll look perfect, but then again every sales man would say that. Regarding compensation, I am trying to see what can be done.

 

I cant believe someone would ever suspend a car in a container for shipping. Even if the used load straps to suspend the cars they would just be swinging around inside the container.

hopefully you can go after the idiot that loaded your cars for you. Good luck!