Interesting Article on Fuel Prices and Transporting

http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20110509/bs_prweb/prweb8396957

Posted in Auto Shipping, Auto Transport, Auto Transport Carriers, Auto Transport Companies, Auto Transporters, Car Hauling, Car Shipping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questions to Ask Carriers Before You Book Your Order

The decision to use a carrier or a broker is a heated one and both sided present compelling cases. IF you make the decision to go with a carrier over a broker, here are some great questions to ask before you book with them.

 

  • Do you own trucks? This is a simple, yet important question. If you search auto transport or enclosed auto shipping on Google and find a transporter, be sure to ask them this question. If they say no, they are a broker or middle man. This means that they will take anywhere from 20-50% of what you pay to have your car shipped PLUS they will subcontract it to a company that has trucks. This could mean that the time you invest to research to find the right auto transport company could be wasted because they may not be the transporter that physically moves your car. In some cases, dealing direct can save you a lot of time and money.
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Auto Transport Disputes

If you believe that your vehicle has not been taken care of as you were told upfront or if you believe that your  car shipper has not treated you fairly, first contact the company directly. Ask to speak to someone in charge that will actually hear you out, maybe the general manager or even the owner. Explain what happened and give them a chance to hear what you said.  Make sure you give them a chance to let it soak in! There is a good chance that the person on the other end of the phone has not heard the issue you are bringing up to them; above all things, make sure you are being far and unbiased!

Typically, auto transport companies are more likely to cooperate with you if they believe you are trying to work with them and not scam them! Be reasonable, but firm. If all else fails, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in the city in which the car transport company is listed. Other thoughts to consider are transport review sites. There you can share your story and rate the company. If enough people have similar issues, this may effect future business. The U.S. Department of Transportation is another thought. You can find them at dot.gov. Their job is to regulate transport companies, but you need to know that they usually don’t get involved until after the court system has ruled a judgment against the transporter.

There are a couple other possible options…Pursue legal action in small claims court or get an attorney and pursue serious legal action. Keep in mind; unless you are talking about a considerable amount of money involved, this may not be worth it and will probably cost you WAY more than your transport cost you because there will be legal fees, court costs and time.

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Delivery of Your Vehicle

At the time of delivery, inspect your vehicle SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY. Be sure to compare the condition and mileage to your Bill Of Lading or “Original Inspection Report” provided by your car transport company at origination. Be sure to inspect the roof and under the front and rear bumpers. These tend to be areas where damage can regularly occur. If there are inconsistencies, note them as exceptions on the Bill of Lading and be sure the driver signs it. Some people make it a policy to NEVER ACCEPT YOUR VEHICLE AT NIGHT IF YOU CANNOT VERIFY ITS CONDITION – without being viewed and signed by the driver, you have little recourse if damage occurred during transit.

Obviously, if there is damage to your vehicle, it was an accident; make sure to treat the driver with respect and don’t get angry. If you did you homework, you know that they have insurance and all will be well. You do need to know one thing, in some cases, damage to your vehicle will be a surprise to the auto carrier as much as it is to you.

You can be assured that a majority of car transport experiences are worry-free and damage-free! On occasion, a vehicle may be damaged in transit. If this should happen, the car transport company should then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage done to your car.

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Auto Transport Paperwork

Making sure your auto transport is done properly should always be a concern of yours AND the car shipping company you use. To that end, there are some standard paper work that should be seen and exchanged!

  • Insurance – The first is the auto transporters insurance Their insurance is a no brainer; this ensures that your car is covered in the case of unforeseen accidents. Obviously, we should be able to believe them when they “say” they are insured, but its always a good idea to see with your own eyes. We have heard some horrible stories of people that went with the cheapest transporters (who didn’t have insurance) to save a few bucks and it cost them thousands of dollars in the end. We want to make sure this does not happen to you!
  • DOT Authorization - The DOT Authorization tells you that they are authorized and “legal” to do their job. Obviously, there are federal and state guidelines that govern the auto transport world and you need to make sure your transporter is in compliance with those. It also tells you what states they are authorized to work in. When auto transporters receive their authorization, they have to specify what states they are going to work in and you want to make sure that your states are covered.
  • Bill of Lading (BOL) – This is a receipt provided by your driver or car shipping company. This document protects all parties involved and basic, yet valuable information about you and the car (mileage, make and model). This is also where you and the auto transporter will inspect your vehicle for the condition of your car (inside and ouuside) and the damage that exists BEFORE transport. This gives you proof of the condition of the car before and after loading the car on the auto carrier. This a legal and binding document that will be your friend if your car is damaged in transit. When you are transporting a car, remember, the Bill of Lading is your proof of the conation of your vehicle being shipped. Do not give any car shipper your car with out the BOL. Make sure it is completely filled out with mileage, VIN number, plate number, and all else that is specified on the BOL. Remember to ask for a copy of the BOL.

Obviously, auto transport companies have different policies in place when they move cars, so make sure you ask your auto transport driver if there is anything else you need before your car drives away!

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Auto Shipping Checklist

Before you move your car, there are typically some things you need to do in preparation, so your car gets there safe and fast! Here is a partial list! It is important to check with you auto shipping carrier for a similar list of specifics (their recommendations) BEFORE you move your car because each car transport company has different guidelines:

  • Keys: The Department of Transportation requires that the car transport company receive a complete set of keys. Obviously, it is wise to give your transporter a copy of your keys and you keep a copy for yourself.
  • Removable Electronic Device: Items such as cell phone accessories, GPS systems and other removable accessories should be taken with you and not transported. The rule of thumb is this “the more stuff you leave in your car the greater the chance it might disappear”.
  • Antennas: If you have antennas for your CB, radio, or cell phone that can be removed, take them down. When possible, lower your retractable antennas to ensure they don’t get broken off.
  • Spoilers/ Fog Lights: Anything that is removable from the exterior of you car should be taken off. This will help the driver with loading and give you added assurance that your auto accessories will not be damaged.
  • Luggage Racks: If your racks aren’t permanent take them down, along with any bike or ski racks.
  • Gas Level: You should drive your car down to about ¼ tank. This will help with weight and safety.
  • Personal Items: You should also be aware that your personal items are not covered by the transporters insurance coverage. Some transporters allow you to put up to 100 lbs in your trunk.
  • Climate: To avoid problems down the road, make sure your car is properly serviced, especially during winter; if your antifreeze isn’t rated to the proper temps, you wont be happy when it gets to you frozen!
  • Alarms: Disable your car alarms. Bumps and bounces are unavoidable during transport. If your alarm is “set” and goes of during transit, your carrier may not hear it and next thing you know, your battery is dead!
  • Cracked Glass: Take note of any chips, nicks, and scratches in the glass on your car.
  • A Clean Car: Washing your car prior to dropping it off. This will help you and your transporter give a quick and accurate assessment of your cars overall condition.

These things are just a start, but make sure take every precaution to have a safe and easy transport of your vehicle.

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Off Road Rock “Go Truck Go!!!” DVD 1 Mud Bog, Drag Racing, Rock Crawling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM3DBFnNLvA

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A Few Thoughts Before You Ship Your Car

Before you move your car, there are typically some things you need to think about…

  • Typical auto transporters will not allow more than 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk.
  • Inspect your car (inside and out) with your car shipper and note all dents, dings, scratches rips. You need to know that if no inspection is done, then the shipping company probably won’t be liable for any damages. Also, conduct this when you pick your car up.
  • It is a good idea to maintain your vehicle insurance during transport! Most auto shipping companies will not repair damages due to normal road conditions. An example might be if your car were damaged by someone else (other than your transporter) sitting in a parking lot; In this case, the auto carriers insurance MAY not cover the damage because it we not done by the carrier.
  • If you are transporting a classic, custom, rare, exotic, or otherwise expensive vehicle, go enclosed if you can… it will be worth the extra cost!
  • It is a good idea to have your car serviced and the gas tank low (1/4 tank) prior to transport.
  • There will be an extra charge if your vehicle is inoperable, modified, lifted or oversized! It is always a good idea to mention this type of when you are getting your quote.
Posted in Auto Shipping, Auto Transport, Auto Transport Carriers, Auto Transporters, Car Hauling, Car Shipping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Auto Transport

As you are making that decision as to which auto transport company to go with, you need to understand that this industry is not that much different than any other industry! There good great auto transport companies, there are bad auto transport companies and there are ugly auto transport companies.

The decision of who will get to transport one of your most prized possessions should not be taken lightly.

  • Just because a company has a great looking website does not mean they are the best fit.
  • Just because they have a 1-800 number does not mean they are the best fit.
  • Just because they “say” they move a high volume of cars does not mean they are the best fit.
  • Just because they have a fleet of trucks does not mean they are the best fit.
  • Just because they are the “cheapest” does not mean they are the best fit.
  • Just because they are more expensive does not mean they are the best fit

A company can have some or all those things and still not be the right company for you. Just because they are a large company or a small does not mean they are a healthy company!

The reality is that a lot of these guys are really good at sales! They know which buttons to push and ehsn to push them! They are smooth.

There is never a guarantee that you will have a quality auto transport experience every time you mover your car. Remember these companies are run by people like you and me and no one is exempt from bad days! SO…we recommend that you do your homework! Do some research, check up on them, ask a lot of questions and ask for reference, Google them. You might be surprised what you find!

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Understanding Auto Transport Guidelines

In the auto transport world, it is assumed that people understand there are no guaranteed timelines. When you ask for estimated pick-up and delivery times from your car transport company, they can never give you an exact date and time until closer to your move. Without a doubt, you should be able to get a 3-day window for pick-up, but delivery is a little more challenging. The reasons for this are many; unforeseen weather and construction delays, accidents (involving them and others), tolls, potential weight issues at scales and breakdowns to name a few. All of these things can throw a wrench in your “timeline” at any point in the move; even a few miles away from the delivery of your vehicle.

If this is your first car transport, you need to understand that car shippers are typically more busy during certain seasons. Obviously late spring and summer things are quite busy and they drop off in the fall and winter. Additionally, there is what we can “snow bird” season. This is the time when retired families leave there “northern” home and go south for the winter. This season means a lot of repeat business for auto transporters that have been doing this for years and it also means they are extremely busy. During these times, the window may be larger, but the car transport company should warn you of possible delays ahead of time.

If you are promised exact dates, get it in writing and add to the contract a discount of services or a rental car (that they cover 100%) if those time lines are not satisfied. Again, GET IT IN WRITING!!! And remember, everything is negotiable! Some companies will also have a hefty cancellation fee into the contract if you decide to go with someone else, this is something else that you can possible amend up front.

Once the pick-up is made, your car transport company should provide you with a fairly precise delivery date. If the time line you are given does not fit into you schedule, there is always an option to pick-up your car and hold it at a terminal for an additional charge.

Just because you have driven and mapped out the best possible route and you know it takes 13 hours does not mean your car will be there in 13 hours. Typical transporters have more than 1 vehicle on their auto transport trailer and will have to drop those off and maybe even pick up others along the way. Some may have to stop at dealerships to drop off a number of cars and these things take time! They also have paperwork to do on the road (invoices/billing) and are required to follow strict laws that dictate to them how long they have to “rest” and how long they can be behind the wheel. All these things mean getting moved safely and efficiently.

One final thought, here are some “rule of thumb” timelines for when you have your car moved. Again, these are a guideline and not a hard and fast guarantee. You can always get expedited service, but it will cost you!

  • East Coast to West Coast – typically 5 to 14 days
  • Midwest to East Coast – typically 3 to 8 days
  • Midwest to West Coast – typically 3 to 8 days
  • South to the North – typically 3 to 8 days
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