7 Things an Auto Shipper Doesn’t Want You to Know
Few people move their cars frequently enough to become proficient at it—and all too often, knowledge comes at an enormous expense. There are certain things that some auto shippers would rather you didn’t know, and we’ll discuss them here.
Door-to-Door is Always More Expensive Than Terminal Service
This assumption makes sense. After all, delivery to your front door requires additional effort, and those efforts don’t come cheap, right? Not always. Even if an auto shipper saves fuel and time by dropping your car off at a shipping terminal, their fees may offset those savings. If you live in an inaccessible area, terminal fees may be less than those incurred with door-to-door service.
It’s Better to Deal With a Carrier than a Broker
This one should be under serious reconsideration. If you deal with the carrier directly, you may find customer service lacking. It’s best to find a shipper that provides top-notch customer service and regular status updates. Carriers have limited routes in limited areas each week, and when routes fill up, they offer later shipping dates. It may require additional work to find a dependable and available carrier that’s there when you need them.
You Can Save by Taking the Hubcaps Off
This one’s an urban legend, and it’s just not true. The myth may have originated from the fact that removable parts must be removed before overseas shipping. However, hubcaps and other accessories don’t have anything to do with the cost of hiring an auto shipper. Carriers have to meet strict weight standards, and additional items are not insured in transit.
The Lowest Price is the Best Deal
Many things affect the auto transport quotes you’ll receive. Be careful when you’re comparison shopping, as the lowest price isn’t always the best deal. Some companies add on surcharges after they take your (non-refundable) deposit. When you shop around, be sure to make accurate comparisons. If a quote is substantially higher or lower than average, it’s worth a little extra research. Instead of basing your decision solely on price, look for companies that guarantee safe, on-time delivery.
Quotes are Always Accurate
When shipping a car, you should always be on the lookout for inaccurate pricing. In many cases, too-high or too-low quotes are wrong because the delivery or pickup location was recorded incorrectly. Differences in city names may be minor, but they can add up to hundreds in additional costs. Before taking a carrier up on their quote, ensure that the pickup and destination ZIP codes are correct.
Distance Determines Shipping Cost
While distance is relevant, people often find that they’ve paid more to ship a car than a friend or neighbor has paid. Customers should also consider the pickup and destination locations’ accessibility, as carriers charge more if they have to depart from their main route. It pays to be flexible with pickup and delivery dates as well.
Online Quotes are Always Reliable
A system’s value can be measured by how it responds when the unexpected happens. Test the carrier’s quote system by asking for quotes for a variety of circumstances, and toss out quotes that seem artificially high or low. Every shipping need is unique, and successful transit is a combination of the right carrier, time and place.