Buying a car online offers many benefits - you can find great deals, avoid pushy salespeople, and choose from a wide selection of vehicles - all from the comfort of your home. However, the process of shipping the car to its destination can be complicated. With the help of a reliable auto transport company, though, the whole thing can be made as stress-free as possible. Here's how.
There are several car shipping companies available, and each offers varying services. To make sure you find the right company that meets your needs, it’s important to do thorough research, as well as check online reviews and testimonials. Here are a few tips for selecting the right car shipping company:
The car transport industry is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Any registered company should have a DOT and an MC number, so make sure any company you contact is licensed. The FMCSA provides hotline numbers for customers to check registration and proof of insurance.
Make sure any car transport company you contact is insured. This will protect you against any liabilities should anything happen during the shipping process. The level of coverage varies by company, so it is vital to understand the kind of coverage it provides. Again, use the FMCSA resources to check their insurance.
Check customer reviews and complaints — and look out for pain points in customer reviews. If you see more critical reviews than positive ones, you’re likely to have a similar experience. You can find reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website or their Google profile.
Check the services and pricing of various shipping companies. Use their online quote tools to get an idea of how much you will be required to pay. Most companies don’t require an initial deposit for quotation requests; they only ask for a down payment after the carrier confirms your request.
The cost of shipping varies by company and depends on certain factors and options you choose. Factors that affect shipping costs include: size and weight of the shipment, delivery destination, type of shipping service, delivery date, and any additional services requested. This can be done over the phone or online and requires an initial deposit.
However, there’re a few additional things to consider:
The greater the distance, the higher the cost, and vice versa. Shipping companies consider the distance to pick up the car, as well as the distance to the destination.
It is cheaper and faster to transport your car on an open carrier, but this leaves your car open to road debris and weather conditions. Enclosed carriers, however, are more expensive due to the level of protection they give; they can cost up to 40 or 60 percent more than open transport.
Door-to-door delivery usually costs more than terminal-to-terminal transport. On some occasions, however, terminal services can be hard to find, as the carrier may have difficulties when finding storage at the terminal. In such cases, the cost of the terminal service may rise. With door-to-door transport, your car will be shipped to your address; with terminal services, the car will be transported to a destination terminal where you will pick it up.
Once you have made the order, the company will prepare for pickup and assign a driver to your car. They will then contact you to arrange for pickup. Coordinate with the dealership to hand your vehicle to the car transport company. The carrier may need certain documents to successfully deliver your car. These include the vehicle's registration and title, insurance, a copy of your driver's license, and the car keys. Coordinate with the dealer to hand over these documents as well.
Your car will be inspected at pickup, and you will be required to sign the bill of lading. Ask the dealership to sign it since you will not be there to do it physically. Call them to confirm the details before allowing them to sign. The bill of lading details the vehicle's location, condition, and final destination. It also serves as both your receipt and proof of contract.
From here, your car will be on its way to you. You will need the bill of lading when the car arrives, so ask the dealer to send you a scanned copy. At delivery, inspect the car against the bill of lading with the transport crew. Once everything checks out, you will have to take care of the remaining payment.
Shipping a car you bought online is not as difficult as it seems. It all starts with finding a reliable auto transport company, making your order, and coordinating with the dealership or seller to hand over your car to the carrier. Your car will then be shipped to you without any additional expenses and inconveniences associated with long-distance travel.
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