Should you ship your car via an open or enclosed carrier?

So you need to ship a car and can't decide if you should move it via an open or enclosed carrier. How do you choose between the two?

The most common form of shipping a car is via an open carrier. Probably 75% or more of the car moves around the country are done via an open carrier. This is the type of carrier you see moving to and from a car dealership. It is the most common method of shipping and is the least expensive. It is also more readily available than an enclosed carrier. Keep in mind that you must have at least 3 inches of ground clearance to load via an open carrier.

Shipping your car via an enclosed carrier is a way to ensure your car will not be impacted by outside elements like rain, hail, rocks, and etc. But it is typically $300-$400 more than an open carrier. Most people with a luxury car or classic car should choose this method to transport their car. And if your car has a custom paint job you will want to move it via an enclosed carrier.

Both forms of transporting your car are very dependable and safe, when you choose the right transport company. It will just depend on what kind of car you have and if the extra money is worth moving via an enclosed carrier.

For more information about Shipping Your Car contact Scott

So why are prices all over the board??

This is a very good question and not a simple one to answer. When you place your information on transport websites that send the information to 5-10 auto transport companies you will notice a price differentiation of anywhere from $100-$500. Why?

There are many reasons why this happens. I'll try to hit on a few.

1. If you get a quote from a car shipping company that is $200 or more higher than most of the competition it is likely that company has a larger overhead and must profit more in order to cover their expenses. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but why should you pay for a company to have nicer offices and have catered lunches when all auto shipping companies use the same load boards and carrier network?
2. Sometimes you will get a quote from a car transport company that is $100 or more lower than the majority of the competition. There are a lot of reasons for this. The main reason you get crazy low quotes from transport companies is so they can hook your business. What do I mean by that? Basically what will happen is Company A will quote you $500 then Company B calls you and quotes you $300 and uses the same sales pitch. So you go with Company B because the economy is tough right now. But, what WILL happen is Company B will want an upfront deposit to move your car and it will be non-refundable. And according to their terms and conditions they will have 60 days to refund your money. Most of the time these lower quotes will never move your car. Does that lower price sound good now?
3. Another common reason for getting very low quotes is due to the fact that most auto transport brokers will use an automated system to quote your inquiry. This does not put a human element to your transport request and does not take into consideration that your are located 150 miles from civilization or that you need to move an Escalade not an Escort. If you hit "Submit" on one of the lead company's websites and you get 6 quotes in about 30 seconds this is what has occurred. While some transport companies do quote accurately with an automated system, most don't.
   
4. There are also instances where a company simply misquotes you and under estimates what a carrier will require to move your car. Everyone is human and makes mistakes from time to time.
   
5. Lastly a common reason why you were quoted incorrectly is that you mis-entered your information about your shipment on the website. Maybe you meant Fayetteville, Arkansas but you put in Fayettville, North Carolina. This will greatly affect your quote.

So how can you determine what the best price is and sift through all of this mess? Call on a car transport company that does the following:

1. Puts human eyes onto your quote before sending it. A phone call is usually the best way to get an accurate quote.
2. Has experience in the auto shipping business.
3. Has minimum criteria when selecting a carrier to move your car. Most companies quoting low will take whoever will move the load the cheapest regardless if the carrier has a bad track record. Cheapest isn't always best. 
4. Can be reached via the phone or email. Nothing is worse than to never get a response from an agent. Talk to the transport company before booking an order with them. You have to feel comfortable with them before giving them your car.
5. Is honest, dependable and has integrity. Above all choose a transport company that will answer your questions honestly and not just give you a "yes" answer to get your business. Another thing to keep in mind is if a transport agent says the word "guarantee" HANG UP. He/she can only guarantee the sun will rise and set in this business. There are too many variables in auto transporting to guarantee a pickup or delivery time. If they are saying this they are lying to you 99% of the time.
   

For more information about Shipping Your Car contact Scott

Transporting inoperable vehicles

We get alot of inquiries and questions about moving cars that are considered inoperable (INOP for short) and don't run for one reason or another. Can we move an INOP? YES!!! Typically the cost to move an INOP is about $100-$150 more than a car that does run. But, in order for a car carrier to move an INOP they must first have a winch and the car must roll, brake and steer. If it cannot do those 3 things then you will need to have a forklift available at pickup and delivery to load and unload the INOP car. If a forklift is not available to load your car then a local wrecker will need to come out and load the car and unload the car for an additional fee.

If you're looking to buy a car online as a fixer upper feel free to do so and contact us so we can transport it for you.

For more information about Shipping Your Car contact Scott

How long will it take to transport my car?

When you are transporting a car keep in mind that there will likely be 6-10 other cars on the car carrier. A driver will be coordinating pickups and drops along the way in order to keep his/her carrier full.

Traffic, inclement weather, truck breakdowns, seasonal fluctuations and other unforeseen events may delay the auto shipping of your vehicle. Pickup and delivery dates are estimated but are not guaranteed. If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping in a more timely fashion.

Car carriers are allowed to driver about 500 miles per day, or 11 hours, whichever comes first. So for a coast to coast trip expect the car transport to be about 7-10 days once picked up. A car transport that is halfway across the country will take typically 4-6 days. A transport that is done North and South along the coastlines will normally take 3-5 days to deliver on a car carrier.

The key is choosing the right car transport company to move your car and stay in constant communication along the way.

For more information about Shipping Your Car contact Scott

Top 5 Reasons Shipping is Better Than Driving

1. Save alot of headaches!. Driving across country is very stressful on the mind and body. Especially if you are also moving your entire house. Shipping you car allows you not to worry about dealing with traffic and people on the road!
2. It's cheaper in the long run If you are going to drive your car across country you need to take into account expenses for food, gas, tolls, lodging and possible breakdowns. Sure upfront it may seem like you are paying more to transport your car on a car carrier, but in the long run you are saving $100s if not $1000s. 
3. No miles are put on your car. This is key especially if you are shipping your car coast-to-coast. Adding 3000 miles can greatly add to the depreciation of your car. 
4. You can plan easier If you know what the all-inclusive flat rate is to ship your car upfront there won't be any worries about paying for extra food, repaires and etc. 
5. No need to worry about future breakdowns. When you drive your car across country you risk damaging it from bad roads, debris and accidents. Shipping your car is a much better option. If you want ultimate protection transport your car via an enclosed carriers and protect it completely from the elements!

For more information about Shipping Your Car contact Scott

How is an auto transport supposed to work?

Auto transport is very simple - You should receive a call from the carrier anywhere from 4 to 24 hours in advance of your pick up date. The driver will arrive, review the vehicle with you and load it on the truck. The reverse happens at the delivery point - the driver calls in advance, you'll walk around the vehicle for damage and take delivery. That's it!!!

The key in transporting a car is selecting a reputable transport company. Call us today! 888-614-SHIP

 

For more information about Shipping Your Car contact Scott