Archive for August, 2009

What Is The Difference Between An Auto Shipping Broker And An Auto Shipping Carrier?

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

And in this corner of the ring is the auto shipping broker…his opponent in the opposite corner is the auto shipping carrier.  May the best fighter win.  Let’s get it on.

Who are the Competitors?

The auto shipping carriers are as numerous as baby bunnies.  These businesses provide a convenient service for vehicles on the move, for car dealers and for customers with specific requirements.  Most find that contacting one of these carriers online may be the only way to go as they are all over the place and a face-to-face contact with them is unlikely.  Even so, it is not very difficult to obtain quotes and rates either online or by telephone.  Excellent customer service is usually their stock in trade.  The rates quoted to you will include the cost of insurance which is imperative for the well being of your vehicle.  The auto shipping carriers will offer you several options by which to ship your vehicle or equipment of any sort.  Your vehicle can be transported in an open or enclosed environment, by truck, rail, freight or boat, and these are just some of the services they offer.

On the other hand, auto shipping brokers are individual agents operating as the middleman between you and the car hauling company.  These brokers are widely used by both the trucking company and the individual shipping his vehicle.  They definitely do ease the burden of both parties by bringing the clients and revenue to the shipping company and by handling the gory details of the move for the customer.  The customer shipping the vehicle also enjoys the freedom of not being tied down to any one shipper and has a variety of companies and prices from which to choose.  The customer can actually talk to the broker providing direct communication.

And the Winner Is….

The major factor separating the broker from the carrier is that brokers don’t own vehicles or transportation systems.  The carrier companies have their own shipping utilities and so the cost to them is somewhat less, which makes the cost of dealing with the carrier directly somewhat less for the customer as well.  The broker provides a valuable service to you by locating the companies for you and getting your vehicle picked up and delivered to you without difficulty.  The carriers have a problem in that are undoubtedly not local to the customer shipping his vehicle and so the customer must rely on strictly the services offered by the carrier.  With the broker scenario, the customer receives full disclosure to a plethora of options without being married to any one company.  The broker, then, becomes the responsible party for the timely and efficient delivery of your vehicle to its destination, relieving you, his customer, of this burden.

If you choose a broker instead of the carrier itself, you will get various quotes and rates and select the one you want.  The broker also can take advantage of immediate interaction with the carrier’s drivers.  Or so the promise goes.  In reality, this is not always true.  Most carriers do not have the equipment to communicate directly to the driver.  Brokers, if they can communicate, are working with one shipper at a time.  Contrast this to the carrier/shipper companies who have a huge supply of trucks or other drivers domestically, internationally or both, which hampers communication significantly.The carrier will most often drop off the vehicles at a terminal expecting you to pick it up there.  A broker gives you door-to-door service as an added convenience.

It was a fair fight.  The winner depends upon your needs.  Everyone wins this one.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Auto Shipping Brokers Versus Auto Shipping Carriers

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Ding, ding, ding… In the left corner is auto shipping brokers, in the right corner is auto shipping companies; let’s fight fair…GO!

Competitors in the ring

Auto shipping carriers are like offspring rabbits. There are so many out there it is crazy. They provide a large and convenient function for traveling vehicles, dealers, and special needs customers. You can basically do it all online or call for immediate contact; a slight problem is doing an in house meeting with them for most of the shipping companies are far away from your local area. Although this may be, it is pretty easy to take care of the quoting and rates online or over the phone. Most carrier companies have excellent customer service. Included in their rates is insurance which is imperative for your vehicle safety. They present an abundant way of travel convenience for your vehicle or equipment. Offering your vehicle to be transported via open or enclosed, by truck, LTL, freight, or boat; these are just some of the available services.

Auto shipping brokers are specific individuals who work as the middleman between you and the shipping company. They are the most widely used in dealing with auto shipping for both parties. This being due to the fact that they make the customers life easier and they bring more clientele and revenue to the shipping companies. They allow the curious customer much freedom in that they never have to be tied down to one company. Brokers give the patrons a variety of companies and prices to choose from, as well as direct communication.

Who is the winner?

The main difference between broker and carrier is brokers do not have their own trucks or transportation systems. Carriers have their own shipping utilities, and the cost is somewhat less expensive. Brokers are the people that find the companies for you, and get your vehicle picked up and delivered. A major problem for carriers is that their transportation services are far away from the customer and you can only use their services, but with a broker you are allowed full disclosure to a multitude of options without being tied down to any one company; as well as the benefit of relying on your broker to get the carrier to your destination quickly and easily.

Brokers are able to get your various quotes and rates and then accommodate accordingly. Brokers have the benefit of immediate interaction with the trucking or shipping drivers; it is promised with most carriers that this can happen but the reality of it is not always true. The fact is that most trucking or shipping companies don’t have the equipment to communicate directly to the driver. Plus, brokers, during communication, are working with one shipping service at a time. While the carrier companies have an abundant amount of trucks or other drivers spread around the USA or internationally, thus causing inherent lack of communication. Most carriers drop off the vehicles at terminals, yet working with a broker you have door to door service at your disposal; making it all much more convenient.

The fight was a good one, but it all depends on your standards of competition. The one you pick will be the winner, so choose away!

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Why It Is Important To Inspect Your Vehicle Before You Ship It

Friday, August 21st, 2009

If you are about to become a customer of an auto shipping company, prior to deciding on a specific one, you will probably first ask how much will it cost and when can I expect to arrive at its destination. Good questions, both.

But another factor that should be considered is the safety and well being of your vehicle. You want that car or whatever wheeled transport in the same condition at the end of its ride as it was in the beginning. So, to be safe you must put it through a thorough inspection together with a representative of the chosen shipping company.

  • You must inspect the entire vehicle top to bottom. Make notes of every little and big ding and get the shippers representative to sign off on the document before its departure. Get a copy of this agreement. This is the “before” picture of your vehicle. Speaking of pictures – take pictures. Take a lot of pictures so when you see your vehicle again, you can compare notes as well as pictures should any damage be sustained that you want to claim.

  • You will also want to inspect the functionality of the vehicle to make sure that the lights work, the turn signals, and everything else that should function normally when you turn the key. Take pictures inside as well. Things can get knocked around and you don’t want to have to pay to fix these yourself.

  • Don’t forget the glass in your car. A little chip in the windshield may not be annoying now, but oh boy, when it turns into a big crack, you’re in trouble. Take pictures. Check and get pictures of all the windows in your car.

Should you find damage at journey’s end, the following tips will help you set it right.

  • The first thing you must do is report any and all damages immediately. This will avoid confusion as to where and when the damage occurred and will give you a much better shot at getting it fixed and paid for by someone other than yourself.
  • Take pictures. These along with the pictures you took before your vehicle’s journey are the best proof of evidence you can offer to the claim department of any insurance company.
  • If the car did suffer damages, the shipping company will normally allow you to get your own estimate from your usual auto shop and have it repaired there. If you don’t have a usual auto repair place, a dealership is generally a good bet.

By following these steps, you will have a good chance of making certain that the vehicle you shipped out will be in the same shape at the end of it’s trip as it was in the beginning. This is as it should be.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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The Importance Of The Auto Inspection In Shipping Your Vehicle

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

When considering the shipment of your vehicle, several important questions must be asked and answered in order to decide on the shipping company that is the right fit for you.  Questions such as how much will it cost to get the vehicle from here to there and how much time will be involved in the transportation.

Also of prime importance is the safety of the vehicle from the beginning of its journey to the end.  You want to receive the vehicle at the end in the same condition as it was in the beginning.  This only happens if you take the important step of a thorough inspection of your vehicle before you hand it over to the auto shipping company.  Some key points in the inspection follow.

  • When making your thorough inspection of the vehicle, do not do so alone.  You must have a representative from the shipping company doing the inspection with you so both agree and sign off on the condition of your vehicle before it is shipped.  List all damages whether inconsequential or not.  You will then know at the end if any damages you see then were pre-existing or brand new.  Get a signed copy of this agreement before you leave the inspection site, and take pictures!. Take lots of pictures!
  • The functionality of your car now should be the same as when you drive it at its destination.  Check every functional aspect (turn signals, head lights, tail lights, etc.) of the vehicle with the representative and get a sign off on this too, as well as a copy of the agreement for you.  Make note of any items attached to the interior that may become knocked about during the journey.  Take pictures of the interior as well as the windows.
  • Windows are prone to damage when being shipped along with whatever else may be in the auto transporting vehicle.  Check all windows and the windshield thoroughly for preexisting cracks and holes.  A little crack may not have bothered you before but don’t let it go unnoticed at this point.  A small chip can escalate into a big crack that will definitely bother you now.

Okay, so what do you do if you do find damage to your vehicle at journey’s end?

  • Foremost, you must report any damages immediately.  Immediate reporting will stop short any confusion as to how the vehicle sustained the damage.  You will then have a much better chance of getting it fixed and not at your expense.
  • Again, pictures are terrific.  Take as many as you can from as many angles as you can.  This is one case where a picture is really worth a thousand words.  There is no better proof to substantiate a claim than photographic evidence of damages.
  • Get a reasonable estimate of the repairs required.  The first thing an insurance company’s claim department will ask is “How much?”  Many shipping companies will allow you to get your own estimate and have your vehicle repaired at your usual auto repair place, whether it’s a dealership or a trusted auto shop.

Hopefully, your vehicle will not sustain any damages at all.  But better to be safe than sorry.  By following the above before-and-after-journey steps to inspect your vehicle, you will not go wrong no matter what folly occurs during shipment.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Auto Transport – The Importance of Auto Inspections

Friday, August 7th, 2009

As an auto shipping customer, there are several important questions that we ask ourselves, concerning our vehicle when deciding on the right auto shipping company. How much will it cost to ship my car, truck, or van from point A to point B? How long with the transport take?

An important factor that we all should also consider is the safety of our vehicle. You want to make sure that your car or truck arrives in the same condition at its final destination as it was in at its origin. In the transportation world this doesn’t always happen. That’s why it is so important to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle when you turn it over to the auto shipping company. Below are a few key points to keep in mind when inspecting your vehicle:

  • Before and after shipping, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the entire vehicle with a representative from the shipping company. That way you can both agree and sign off on any existing damage before departure, and any new damage that may have happened during transport. Make sure that you get a signed copy of the condition report before turning your car over to the driver.
  • Check the functionality of your car as well as the body. A lot of people will take a look at the body of their car and assume that everything is fine. Make sure that you turn the car on, test the lights, turn signals, and everything else. Things can get knocked loose during transport and it can be a hassle to try to get these things fixed by yourself.
  • Check your windows and windshield. A small crack or chip on your windshield may seem like no big deal, but don’t let it go unnoticed. Small chips turn into big cracks. This is a real problem even if it seems minor at the time of inspection.

If you do find any damage on your vehicle make sure to follow these tips below:

  • Report any damages as soon as possible. If you find anything that is wrong with your car, truck or van, reporting it immediately will avoid any confusion as to how the damage got there. This will in turn give you a much better chance of getting it fixed.
  • Take pictures. Take a lot of pictures. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and there is no better proof of claim than photographic evidence of damage.
  • Get a valid estimate for repairs. One thing that the claims department will want to know is “how much?”. Many auto shippers will let you get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice so make sure you choose wisely. Dealerships are generally a safe bet.

To ensure that there was no damage caused to your vehicle during transport, always do a thorough inspection before and after shipping. If you do find any damage make sure to report it immediately and take photos of the damage. Noting any damage sooner is always better.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Steps to Take to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipment

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Common sense and a few tips can make the rather daunting task of shipping a vehicle run more smoothly.  Follow these steps to make sure that vehicle shipping results in a calm, cool and collected experience for you.

First off, start with a clean car.  You together with your shipper will want to inspect your vehicle thoroughly before the pick up to record any pre-existing damages to your vehicle.  This is very important for an easy and accurate final inspection at the end of the trip.

If your car is not in running condition, you must notify the shipper of this.  Better though is to get it in running condition with battery charged and a small amount of gas in the tank.  The shipper may need to drive it from one place another, although this is unlikely.  Car hauling companies will probably have other means of transporting a vehicle a short distance.

All exterior attachments must be removed.  Bike racks, luggage racks, spare tire covers, non-retractable antennas and so forth can be easily knocked off the car and can harm other vehicles on the carrier.  Also any personal belongings such as removable CD players, GPS, CD cases, etc should be taken out of the car.  Anything that can reasonably be removed from the car’s interior should be before its journey.  The shipping company’s insurance carrier is undoubtedly not responsible for any of the contents of the vehicle, just the vehicle itself.  So leaving personal items in the car is risky.

Do not ship a vehicle that leaks any fluid whatsoever.  Fix those leaks before you ship.  Leaky fluids can cause harm to other vehicles stacked on the carrier, to the carrier itself, and not of the least concern, to the environment.  Show the same respect to others as you would want them to show to you.

Have all your keys ready to hand over to the carrier.  These may be the ignition key, the trunk key, the door key, the glove compartment key and the gas cap key among others.  Put them all on one ring so none of them get separated and lost from the pack.  Also disarm, or better yet, disconnect the alarm system if there is one.

Shipping your vehicle does not have to be a nightmare if you follow these simple steps.  Have a nice trip.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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