Towing Issues: Damage after shipping/towing, rear tires, honda civic

Question
Hi,  

I recently had my 2001 Honda Civic shipped from LA to Chicago, and I've noticed that it's now much harder to change gears, especially from first to second.  Sometimes, I have to jiggle the stick around to get it in gear.  And it sometimes slips out of gear.  I suspect the damage occurred during shipping.  All I saw in LA was them towing my car away on its rear tires.  After two weeks, upon delivery, it was driven to me (from somewhere local) in Chicago.

Do you think my suspicions are justified?

Thanks,
Cliff

Answer
Well this issue brings up some points which are hard to answer...

First of all do you know if it was "trucked to you" or could it of been "driven to you"...

Most of the time when you encounter hard to shift issues then it is cause of improper shifting... When it is towed or trucked then it is usually just driven a short distance (maybe in the 20 to 50 feet range) and as such it is hard to do damage internally in the transmission when it is on a truck secured properly.

But I would be talking to the shipping company and claiming damages as it sounds as if they might of done something wrong..


PS  do you have a condition report from when it was picked up and listing the mileage and is there a report at the destination which lists it also ???  any major differences in mileage ?