Transport Tips#2: Scheduling and Dealing with Car Transport Company

Scheduling Pick Up and Delivery Dates

1. Schedule your auto transport at least 4 weeks before move, giving enough time to arrange for a car carrier to pick up your vehicle.
2. If you are promised exact dates, get it in writing and state the remedy if service is not performed on promise dates.
3. If you are not available on agreed time, arrange an alternative authorized party such as neighbor, friend or relative you can trust to transfer the car to the transporter.
4. If you need an exact date for pick up, most car transport companies can pick up your car and hold it at a terminal for an additional charge.
5. Check if the delivery is door to door, if not, then get the details of delivery and pick up so that you can plan for picking up your vehicle at an appropriate place and at appropriate time.
6. Make sure the necessary route for pickup or delivery is accessible by the carrier. Common problems include narrow streets, government regulations and low hanging overhead objects.
7. If the pickup or delivery site is non-accessible, an alternative site such as nearby local shopping center or large parking lot should be considered.

Dealing with Car Transport Company

1. While some car transporters may not require payment in advance, others require a deposit, or full payment in advance. If a deposit is given, amount due is always required at time of delivery – often times with a cashier’s check or cash (COD).
2. If full payment is required prior to car transport, consider using a credit card so that charges may be disputed if circumstances warrant such actions.
3. There are a couple of things considered by a car transport company before they quote you: distance, vehicle size, delivery location or specialty enclosed transport request.
4. Distance. The more miles the more dollars you will have to cough in terms of your car shipping cost.
5. Vehicle size. If it is a truck, you will definitely pay a couple of hundred dollars more than when you are shipping a comfort car.
6. Delivery location. If you intend to pick it right at the terminal or their defined location, then it is cheaper. If you want it nearby your home, then that would incur an extra cost on your part.
7. Enclosed car transport costs more but may be well worth the expense. This is especially true of transporting specialty vehicles because enclosed car transport protects the car from weather elements and provides an added measure of security against potential theft.
8. If the vehicle is not operational you’ll pay extra for winching services and some car transport companies may not be able to accept your shipment.
9. Get a broker. They deal with so many companies that they always know where the next deal is. Often times, there are moments when the truck has one space for an extra car ready to take off. Yet it will use the same fuel if it is heading to your location of delivery. So, rather than move with an empty space, they might as well transport your car for peanuts.