ELIAS SERVICES
BackLocated at 937 SW 122nd Ave in Miami, ELIAS SERVICES operates as a multifaceted business offering solutions in both the travel sector and international shipping. This dual focus creates a distinctly varied customer experience, where the quality of service appears to depend heavily on the specific task requested. While it is categorized as a travel agency, a significant volume of customer feedback centers on its parcel and cargo services, painting a complex picture for potential clients.
Travel and Ticket Booking Services
For those seeking assistance with travel planning, there is evidence of highly effective and professional service. At least one detailed customer account highlights an exceptional experience, particularly in securing flight tickets. In this instance, a staff member named Marisela was praised for her kindness, professionalism, and efficiency. She successfully located and booked flights after the client had struggled to find options at multiple other agencies. This suggests that for core tourism services like flight booking, ELIAS SERVICES has capable personnel who can deliver prompt and satisfactory results, positioning them as a potentially reliable travel agent for your next trip.
A Tale of Two Services: The Shipping Dilemma
In stark contrast to the positive report on travel arrangements, the feedback regarding the company's shipping services is overwhelmingly negative and warrants serious consideration. Numerous clients have reported significant issues that cast a shadow over the reliability of this side of the business. The problems are not isolated incidents but rather a pattern of recurring failures that have caused considerable distress and financial loss for customers.
Common Issues with Package Shipments
A deep dive into customer experiences reveals several critical areas of concern for anyone considering using ELIAS SERVICES for sending parcels, especially internationally. These issues include:
- Severe Delays: A recurring theme is the extreme delay in package delivery. Customers report being quoted delivery times of a few weeks, only to have their shipments take several months to arrive, if at all. One client sent a package they were told would take 15 days; more than two months later, it had still not been delivered.
- Lost Packages: Multiple reviews mention packages being lost entirely. In one case, a shipment sent in November was confirmed as lost by the following April, indicating a lengthy and frustrating claims process.
- Poor Communication: Clients frequently express frustration with the lack of clear and consistent communication. Reports describe receiving a "new story" each time they inquired about their package's status, leading to a sense of dishonesty and distrust.
- Inadequate Compensation: For packages that are lost, the resolution process appears to be unsatisfactory. One customer who lost a package was offered only a "minimal part" of their money back after waiting five months for a resolution, suggesting that insurance or guarantees may be insufficient.
- Critical Failures with Sensitive Shipments: The most concerning reports involve the failure to deliver urgent and essential items. One client sent medicines and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic that had not arrived over two months later. In a particularly tragic account, another customer sent urgent medical supplies for their ailing father, who unfortunately passed away before the long-delayed package ever reached him.
Evaluating the Overall Experience
The business holds an overall rating of 3.8 stars from 16 reviews, which might seem average. However, this numerical score masks the severe disparity in service quality. The single detailed positive review focuses squarely on the international travel booking service, while the multiple detailed negative reviews are all centered on the shipping service. This suggests that while the company may be competent as a travel agency, its logistics and parcel handling operations are fraught with significant operational problems.
Potential customers should approach ELIAS SERVICES with a clear understanding of this division. If your goal is to book vacation packages or find competitive flight tickets, the agency might provide a positive outcome. However, if you need to send a package, particularly one that is time-sensitive or contains valuable or essential items, the documented history of lost items, extensive delays, and poor customer support should be a major red flag.
Practical Information
For those wishing to visit in person, ELIAS SERVICES is located in the West End area of Miami and features a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Their operating hours are from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays. The business is closed on Sundays. Before engaging their shipping services, it is highly advisable to ask detailed questions about tracking capabilities, insurance coverage for lost or damaged goods, and guaranteed delivery timelines to mitigate potential risks.