| Automobile
Shipping and Auto Transport Tips:
Understanding
Automobile Shipping,
summary page.
Automobile
Shipping Door-to-door
When
Scheduling Automobile shipping
Methods
of
Payment for Automobile shipping
Shipping
Method
Insured
Properly
Before
Pick-up
Pick-up
Releasing
Your Automobile
Delivery
Accepting
The Automobile
Should
Damage Occur duing Shipping
Dealing
With Shipping Disputes
Automobile
Shipping
Door-to-door
:
What it Means
All of the quotes that you will recieve
through Auto-Car-Transport.com directory are for door-to-door
car shipping. Door-to-door should have an asterisk after
it, as it does not always mean a truck will be able to pull
up to your front door. Door-to-door means that the truck
driver will get as close to your specified pick-up or delivery
spot as he can legally and safely get. Large towns and cities
often restrict large trucks and prohibit them from entering
into some residential areas. Automobile shipping trucks
can be up to 75 foot long, and drivers will need lots of
room to maneuver and turn around. When access to your residence
is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees, speed
bumps or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet the
truck at a large parking lot nearby, such as a grocery store,
school, or shopping mall.
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When
Scheduling shipping: Having Realistic Expectations
The most important issue for people to understand about
the process of automobile shipping is that this industry
is not like UPS, Fed-Ex or even the Postal Service. Pick-up
and delivery dates are estimates, typically not guarantees
of pick-up or delivery dates. Unforeseen problems from mechanical
break downs, traffic, and weather all contribute to delays.
Ironically, the biggest delays for automobile shipping companies
are typically caused by their own customers. Customers fail
to show up on time, try to change pick-up or drop off locations
at the last minute etc. Patience is required, and most transporter
companies want to get your vehicle to you as soon as you
do. Make sure you have realistic expectations about when
your vehicle will be picked up and delivered. Back
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Methods
of
Payment : Be Ready
While some automobile transport companies may not require
payment in advance, others require a deposit (10-25% of
the total cost) prior to shipping. If a deposit is given,
the balance remaining is always required at time of delivery.
You will need to have a CASHIERS CHECK or CASH ready when
the truck arrives. Some transporter companies may allow
you to pay with a credit card upon delivery, but this is
not common. Back
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Selecting
a Shipping Method: Open or Enclosed
Open car trailers are either partially or fully exposed
to the elements. There are many different types of open
trailers, ranging from small three car carriers to the large
11 car carriers that you often see on the Interstate. Enclosed
trailers are protected from the elements, and your vehicle
is basically shipped in a mobile garage. Having your automobile
shipped enclosed is typically a 25-50% premium over having
it shipped on an open trailer. Most cars can be shipped
either on an open trailer or in an enclosed trailer. It
all depends on what you want to spend. Back
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Insured
Properly
Your automobile should be insured against damage and theft
by your automobile shipping company. Make sure you request
a copy of the automobile shipping company's
insurance coverage before you finalize shipping and check
to see if there is any deductible you will be required to
pay if damage should occur. Everything pertaining to the
car shipment should be in writing. It is likely that your
personal automobile insurance policy may
cover your vehicle in transit; and we recommend that you
contact your insurance company to verify this coverage.
Auto-Car-Transport.com
highly recommends that you remove any personal items from
your automobile when it is shipped as they will not be covered
by the automobile
shipping
company's insurance, and may not be covered by your auto
policy or your home owners insurance.
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Before
Pick-up
Steps to Prepare your automobile
for
Shipping
Wash your automobile
thoroughly even it will be shipped on an open trailer. You
want to be able to note any chips, dings, nicks or other
cosmetic damage accurately. Back
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Remove
any personal items from your automobile
.
Most automobiles
shipping companies are not licensed and thus cannot legally
carry any personal items in automobile
they transport. It will also not likely be covered by insurance.
Shut
off and or disable the car alarm. It is impossible to be
well versed in all of the alarm systems available today,
make it easy on the company and disable it.
Don't
top off your gas tank, keep it low, in between 1/8th to
1/4th of a tank as this saves quite a bit of weight which
the shipping companies appreciate.
Please
make sure to secure or remove any loose parts or specialty
items from your automobile
such
as ground effects, spoilers, fog lights. If you have wide
mirrors fold them back and lower and remove the antennae
if possible.
If
possible, always ship convertibles with the top and secured
properly. Try to seal any holes or open seams in the top
to prevent air or moisture from causing damage. If you cannot
raise the top, you should attempt to cover it with a secure
fitting tarp that can resist high winds.
Make
sure the battery is charged, that the tires have proper
inflation and top off all of the fluids on the vehicle and
let the drive know if there are ANY leaks.
Automobile
leaking oil and especially brake or transmission fluid should
NEVER be on the top of a two deck open trailer. This is
to prevent leaks onto the paint of vehicles below.
Prepare
a careful list of any operational problems or steps necessary
to start, stop, or drive your vehicle on and off of the
trailer.
Do
a Thorough Automobile
Inspection: Document Its Condition
In order to ensure any claims of automobile
damage are accurate and enforceable, make a complete
report of any pre-existing damage your automobile
may have. You may want to go as far as taking pictures (and
dating them) of the vehicle prior to shipping it. Back
to top
Pick-up
Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your
meeting spot is clearly defined and easy to get to for both
parties. Remember the size and maneuvering restrictions
for the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery
for not only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers
whose automobiles
are sitting on the trailer. Back
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Releasing
Your Automobile
:
Do the Paperwork
Prior to leaving your automobile
with the
automobile
shipping company, be sure you receive an original inspection
report. This report provides pick-up and delivery information,
the automobile's
current mileage, and most importantly documents the condition
of your car at time of pick-up - pre-existing scratches
and dents, cracked glass/mirrors, general paint condition,
etc. Keep this report and use it when you receive your vehicle.
If you will not be receiving the automobile,
you should send a copy of this report to the person who
will be. Back
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Delivery
Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your
meeting spot is clearly defined and easy to get to for both
parties. Remember the size and maneuvering restrictions
for the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery
for not only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers
whose automobiles
are sitting on the trailer. Back
to top
Accepting
The Automobile
:
What to Look For On Delivery
When your automobile
arrives, make sure that you do a slow, methodical inspection
of the vehicle with a copy of the original inspection report
in hand. Look for any cosmetic or discernable mechanical
damage that was not noted in the original report. Make sure
you look underneath the vehicle as well. If there is any
damage not on the original inspection report, note each
incident of damage as exceptions and be sure the driver
signs it. Shipping companys suggest never accepting a vehicle
if you cannot clearly inspect it. Avoid accepting your vehicle
at night, unless you can view it under good lights. Back
to top
Should
Damage Occur duing Shipping: Steps to Take
Automobile
shipping is typically worry free, and the vast majority
of vehicles are shipped with out incident or damage. However,
damage does sometimes occur and it is important to understand
that process of receiving compensation for the damage. If
damage occurs, and you feel it is directly attributable
to the shipping process, note all damage on your inspection
report (see item above), obtain the driver's signature,
and contact your automobile
shipping company. The automobile
shipping company should then work with you to reimburse
you for verifiable damage done to your car. Back
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Dealing
With Disputes: Who to Contact, What to Do
If for some reason you feel that you were not treated properly
by your automobile
shipping company, Auto-Car-Transport.com
recommends that you first try to work it out with the company
directly. Most companies should work quickly to help resolve
any issues. State your case politely, yet firmly as they
will likely respond much more quickly if they feel you are
reasonable and would like to resolve the issue with minimal
fuss. If this tactic does not produce results, you may opt
to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. You
may also wish to contact The U.S. Dept. of Transportation
(http://www.dot.gov). The DOT is the regulatory body that
governs auto transport companies, but will rarely get involved
unless you have a court ruling against the company in question.
Auto-Car-Transport.com
is not responsible for, nor do we get involved in disputes
between our customers (consumers, vehicle dealers, and automobile
shippers). Back
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2003 Auto-Car-Transport.com
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