Seaorne International
Complaint 246674 Details

I approached Seaborne International Incorporated on March 3, 2013 to get ocean freight quote to ship some product samples to UAE and Seaborn was clearly made aware of the nature of the products because, we provided descriptions about each product along with the exact measurement, weight and volumes for each item as provided to us by the manufactures. Seabone then sent me a total quote for $1276. After Seaborne picked up the products they claimed the weight changed form 1917 LBs and 1.27 Cubic meter to 2,427 Lbs and 2.9 cubic meters because, the products were placed on pallets. First of all they requested that we place the product on pallets before they provided the original quote. Second the wood pallet weighs 30 to 42 IBS so if we take the higher weight of 42 LBS, the total weight for the 3 pallets is 120LBs but they added 500 extra IBs and they increased the volume from 1.27 Cubic Meter by 228% to 2.9 Cubic meters. I just don't understand how the 3 pallets increased the volume by 228%. Third, are all the manufacturers wrong and don't know the weights and shipping volumes for their products they provided to us which they have been exporting for many years, I really doubt that.
Also I was quoted $2750 total including all paperwork and from another shipper for half a container which is 20 (55 drums) where as I only shipped 3 drums, 2 (25 IBs bags) and 8 (5 gallon buckets) with Seaborne. Basically after Seaborne had the products in their warehouse, they changed the price to $1733.50 based on their claim that the weight and volume changed. Then after the products were loaded on the vessel they changed the price again to $1978.50 claiming that the cost for the certificate of origin is $344. Again if they claim they have been in business for 30 years how come they didn’t know the cost for the certificate of origin and they also said they ship to UAE on regular basis. Again the only explanation for this is just dishonesty, lies and being crooks. Also I told Steve Robinson who is the company owner that we only pay one week before the shipment arrives destination and he didn’t reject. Now after I paid the already inflated invoice he sent another modified invoice asking for $100 more because, he claims that the total was supposed to be prepaid which is a contrary to my verbal agreement with Seabone to pay one week before shipment arrival to destination.
Stave Robinson told me it take 33 days for the shipment to get to Sharjah but after the had our products that was changed to 45 to 60 days.
In conclusion people shop for quotes in order to select the best deal but not to be scammed by a shipped who changes the prices not once but three times after they had our shipment. Simply they wanted to twist our arms because we had no option but to pay otherwise they could have simply denied having our products in their warehouse. We ended up paying $801 extra and the 33 dasy delivery time changed to almost 60 days.
Here are some of changes they made on the invoice:
In the original quote Seaborne quoted $75 for certificate of origin but when they sent the invoice they increased to $340
The showed $206.93 for consolidation which was not part of the original quote
Documents cost was $125 but you increased it to $225
Ocean freight was quoted at $225 but they increased it by 300% to $615.
Another $100 was paid because Seaborne refused to release the shipment and asked for another $100 because they breached or payment term and claimed that payment was supposed to be made 60 days ago.
They are twisting my arm after they already picked the products and sent them to port. If we didn't pay now they will not send the original documents and the UAE port will start charging storage cost.

Supporting evidence can be provided.