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Tried and True Methods for Finding a Great Car Shipping Service Provider

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Home  |  Car Transport   |   Tried and True Methods for Finding a Great Car Shipping Service Provider

Your car is very important to you and is necessary to transport you and your family. That’s why choosing the right auto shipping service provider is such an important decision. There are a number of auto shipping companies out there, all claiming to provide the best service at the best price, so how do you know which one to choose? The truth is, not all auto shipping companies are created equal and finding the right one requires a great deal of research and planning. You want to be sure you are handing your car over to a service provider that is trustworthy and reputable. In order to help you navigate this process, we have compiled a list of features and qualities that you should look for in a car shipping service as well as tips for researching them to find the right one. 

Look for the right qualities. Every car shipping service is essentially selling the same general service, so it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding into the company’s brand to be sure they are who they say they are. You want to look for a company that is reliable, trustworthy, experienced, and qualified. 

Never base your decision on price alone. You have certainly heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for” and this is definitely true when it comes to auto shipping. If you notice a company that is advertising a drastically cheaper price, this could be a red flag that something is not right. Instead of searching for the cheapest price, look for the company that offers the best quality service at the best price. 

Research the company. Most people begin their search for auto shipping companies online. The websites should include basic information about the company as well as customer reviews. If you come across a company that seems to offer the services you need, it’s time to do a little additional research. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints about the company. You can also search online for other customer reviews. You should also call and speak to a representative from the company who can answer your questions. This is also a good time to ask for references so you can be sure you are working with a company you can trust. 

Get a quote and compare pricing. While it may be difficult to provide you with an exact price, most reputable companies should be able to give you a quote for the services. Make sure you understand the types of services being offered when you receive your quote. For example, is the quote for enclosed or open transport, terminal or door-to-door to shipping, etc. Once you have a quote, you will be able to compare prices with other companies. 

Verify proper licensing and registration. Before selecting an auto transport company, you want to be sure they have all of the required licensing, registration, and bond information. It is required that all auto transport carriers be registered with the United States Department of Transportation so you should check to be sure they have the proper MC and US-DOT numbers. You can also research the company using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Here you will be able to see a safety record for specific auto transport companies. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Car Moving Questions

The hardest thing for people researching car moving companies to understand is that the prices they are getting are not hard and fast gaurantees, but rather ESTIMATES of what one company thinks it will take to get a vehicle moved promptly versus another company's opinion of what it will take. Don't be fooled, there are not carriers committed to take your vehicle at these quoted prices, the company you choose will still have to get to work getting a carrier to commit to move it at the price they quote you.

Your total price breaks down into two parts, the broker's fee (or 'deposit' as everyone calls it) and the carriers fee (your COD amount) Make no mistake about this, EVERYONE YOU ARE GETTING SALES CALLS FROM IS GOING TO BROKER YOUR MOVE. In this industry, there are brokers who try to fool you into thinking that they are the actual carriers and there are an equal amount of carriers who sell themselves on the fact that they have a truck or two but are not being honest about the fact that they broker out 90% of the orders they book. Here is a quick easy way to tell, if a company takes an up front fee, whether they call it a deposit or any other name, they are a broker. Carriers do not take any payment until the vehicle is delivered.

In our opinion, you are crazy to do so. Have you ever been paid up front for the work that you perform for your employer? Why would you pay a fee up front when there are reliable and trustworthy companies like ours that won't ask for it until we provide you with your carriers details?

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will be between one and two weeks. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

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