Archive for December, 2009

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Shipping Your Auto Can Save You Money

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Most families are of the two-car variety.  Even though in some large cities walking makes more sense than driving, you will probably not be able to walk everywhere you need to go and the public transportation is either nonexistent or is woefully inadequate.

If you or a member of your family is planning to relocate, driving your car(s) yourself to your far off new home may seem convenient, but oh my, what a hassle.  Think auto transport company.  These companies exist to transport many vehicles at once over long distances, saving stress on both you and your car as well as being economical.  Your car will be provided with some protection against bad weather, bad road conditions, and vandalism or theft.  Auto shipping companies offer many services for any type of vehicle and are specialists in what they do.

The first thing that needs to be done is, not surprisingly, plan your car’s trip.  Compare the differences in cost between driving, possibly more than one vehicle yourself versus hiring a company to do it for you.  Auto shippers charge by distance and dimensions of the vehicle.  You can figure the cost to drive yourself and then compare the cost against a reliable company’s estimate.

There are further considerations that affect the pricing.  The date you want your car(s) to be delivered as well as condition and type of vehicle all play into the charges.  However, if the destination is far, far away, whether your car is an old clunker or a sleek, sexy new one, hiring a professional, reliable auto shipper is the wise and budget-friendly way to go.

Standard transport companies will offer various plans of shipment services at various prices.  The cheapest being the “economy guide”.  This is something of a crap shoot, though, because your vehicle will only be loaded if there is enough room for it on the carrier – first come first served.  To get your car into a priority shipping time slot, you will have to pay more.  The “economy guide” plan is only for the truly financially strapped and/or those who really don’t give a hoot when their vehicle arrives at its destination.

The next most economical mode of transport is the open carrier.  The car will be exposed to damage from weather conditions, road conditions, flying gunk from the air and the road, and possible theft and vandalism.  You can do more to protect your vehicle from the above at a greater price, of course, by transporting it via a closed truck.  You can also go with “Full Service” which will guarantee timely pick up at your doorstep and delivery right to your new home.  This option will set your wallet back even more.  You can minimize the charges by doing everything possible to eliminate extra weight from your car by not packing any personal belongings, removing everything you can and shipping it with only enough fuel required for the journey.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, Automotive, Car Shipping, auto shipping quotes | No Comments »

Save Money with Auto Shipping

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Nowadays it becomes more and more of a necessity for any adult to own a car. While in big bustling cities it may be increasingly more convenient to get by on foot or by means of public transport,  many prosperous towns have wretched bus service and are generally so planned that without a car it is near impossible to do even your essential shopping. As a result the average family owns at least two cars.

When moving, driving these on your own may prove too much trouble and money, even if initially it may seem like the more convenient thing to do. Auto transport companies are designed to efficiently ship a number of vehicles at once, eliminating the need to drive each of the cars separately, preventing fuel expenses and wear, and providing a certain degree of protection from hostile elements, theft, and vandalism. Carrier companies specialize in shipping any type of civilian vehicle, providing a selection of services to ensure the best accommodation for your property.

If you have no proclivity or the possibility to plan carefully, it may be best to go safe with a reliable auto shipping company. But it is best to plan carefully in accordance with the circumstances. Some cars cover more distance with less fuel. The precise distance to your destination and the gas mileage of your car may decide whether to go by carrier or by car. Gasoline costs may be more than $20 for every hundred miles or so. If you have more than two cars and something like 500 miles to drive, fuel costs alone may add up to more than a $1000.

The cost of shipment likewise depends on certain parameters. The distance and date by which the vehicles are to be delivered, as well as the type and condition of vehicle, decides the cost of transportation. But in most long-distance cases, whether your car is old or new, to hire a professional carrier is a sensible and economic thing to do.

There are several basic service types offered by standard transport companies. The “economy guide” is the cheapest of these, but the vehicle is only loaded if there is enough space in the carrier, in accordance with previous orders for the service. The more you pay, the greater priority you receive, the more likely you are to be shipped. Only if you are in financial strain or do not care to make sure the vehicle will be shipped should you favor this service.

Open transport is the next cheapest means and is transportation by an open truck, where the car, over long distances, is open to sun and hail. Closed transport is auto transport in a closed carrier which does not allow damage by sun or rain, but which is much more expensive. “Full Service” guarantees timely pick up and door-to-door delivery, but costs still more. Money is partially repaid to the client if service is unsatisfactory. Cost may be further reduced if you minimize the weight of the vehicle by removing any loose objects, tools, even seats, and by leaving the tank near empty.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Transportation, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport | No Comments »

Auto Shippers Can Be A Great Choice If You Need To Transport A Vehicle Across Country

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

There are situations where you may need to get a motor vehicle from one point to another and for whatever reason you are unable to drive it from point A to point B, or perhaps you simply do not desire to drive it. Whatever the reason may be for this you prefer to get the vehicle there without driving. Auto shippers provide a great alternative to driving this vehicle from A to B.

Auto shippers allow you to eliminate excessive wear on a vehicle and still get it to the point you desire to get it to. A popular reason for this is a situation where you need to fly to a location and later send for your car. Whatever the reason auto transporters can provide the necessary service to move a vehicle from A to B for you.

Not only can traveling long distance place unnecessary wear on a vehicle it can also be time consuming and cost you additional expenses. When you calculate the expense for lodging in food as you travel from A to b you may determine that it is actually more economical for you to have the auto transport move the vehicle for you.

You may want tom ask around your friends to see if any of them have ever used an auto shipper. You can also check internet forums. Many cities have internet forums that consist of members that live in that area. Often these web groups will provide suggestions for different services including auto shippers.

Auto shippers use many different methods to transport a vehicle from A to B. One way that is becoming increasingly more popular is to use a train to transport your vehicle. Trains can often transport faster and for a smaller fee.

You will need to keep a couple basic rules in mind when shopping for an auto transport service to move your vehicle for you. The first rule is to make sure they are willing to provide you with a free estimate. If they cannot or will not provide you with an estimate then you need to consider another service. You may also want to look elsewhere if the service you are talking to is not willing to provide you with proof of insurance and bonding. You want to make sure that the transporter you use is able to cover the damages in the event of an accident.

It is also a good idea to know what type of carrier your auto transporter will be using. Many auto shippers will use flat beds, these are great if you have a vehicle that you do not need to have cover and you are not concerned about getting dirty or possibly hit by small objects that get lifted off the road.

If you are shipping a car that is rare or exotic you will most likely want to use auto shippers that will use a closed carrier. Many auto shippers can provide the transport of several vehicles at a time. These services will commonly use multiple car carriers like those used by car manufacturers to ship new vehicles to the dealership.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, logistics, moving, relocating | No Comments »

Auto Shippers Can Be A Great Choice If You Need To Move A Vehicle Long Distances

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Many occasions arise when it is more feasible to use a professional service to transport a vehicle form one state to another. You may need to move and you are pressed on time, so you fly and then have the vehicle transported by an auto shipper. Auto shippers are in business for this very reason.

By using an auto shipper you can eliminate unnecessary wear and tear on an automobile that would be inflicted on it as a result of a long distance drive. Auto transporters also come in handy if purchasing a vehicle in another state. Regardless of the reason auto shippers can provide an excellent service that may be more affordable than you might think.

Traveling across country or from one state to another can be both time consuming and expensive. You not only need to pay for the gas you need to cover hotel expenses and food when traveling. This trip can cut into your work schedule and may require time you simply do not have. These factors make using an auto transport mo0re affordable than transporting the vehicle yourself.

When shopping for auto shoppers it is a good idea to ask around. You may know a friend who has used a service or perhaps you know someone who knows someone who provides this service. Another way to get references on auto shippers is to check with internet forums that have members in your areas. Some of these forums can be a great way to find someone who is in the business or knows someone who is.

There are many ways that auto shippers move vehicles from one area to another. But one way that you may not have considered is traveling your car by train. This method can be less expensive and often faster than using a truck service. Train services can be located on the internet.

The first thing you will want to do when you locate some auto shippers is to ask for a free estimate of the anticipated cost. Most auto shippers will gladly provide this information. It is also important to inquire about insurance and bonding when talking to an auto shipper. Make sure they can cover the expense of the vehicle if something should happen while it is in their care. If they are reluctant to provide you with this information then you need to find another auto shipper.

You may also want to discuss the method that the shipper will use in transporting your vehicle. Some transporters strictly used enclosed car carriers, while others use a flat bed or a conventional car carrier like the manufacturers use to transport new cars to a dealer.

When transporting a rare or exotic automobile it is a good idea to find auto shippers that will provide an enclosed carrier. If you are not concerned with the vehicle being exposed to the elements and dirt and other debris that may come in to contact with the vehicle during transport then you may want to find a small auto shipper who will use a flat bed. These independents can often be the most economical choice.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Carriers, Auto Transport, moving, relocating | No Comments »

Auto Shippers Can Be A Great Choice If You Need To Move A Vehicle Across Country

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

There are many times when it is a better idea to ship a vehicle from one location to another. These events include a move across the country or from one state to another. They may also involve moving a car to a child who is in college, or transporting a fine vintage or exotic automobile that you would rather not drive across country. Auto shippers exist for these very occasions.

Shipping an automobile can be a good way to limit the wear and tear on a vehicle. They can also be a great way to get a car from one destination or another when you need to fly. No matter what the reason you can be assured that chances are there are several auto shippers in your area that can provide expert shipping service.

Shipping a vehicle across country can often be cheaper than driving a car across country. When traveling long distanced you need to take into consideration the amount of time you will need to a lot yourself. You will also need to consider the amount of time it will take you to drive and the hotels and meals that you will need along the way.

All of these factors can make using auto shippers a more feasible and practical choice than driving the vehicle from one point to another yourself. There are many auto shippers who are reputable and economical.

The best thing to do when looking for an auto shipper is to ask friends if they have ever used anybody or if they have ever hired a service. Another way to find reputable auto shippers is to check the internet. Often you can find local forums where members who live in your area may be able to provide advice.

While most auto shippers will use tractor trailers or car carriers there are also trains that provide these services. Transporting of a vehicle using a train can often be a quicker and more affordable way to transport a vehicle. To check out the availability of a train auto transporter in your area you can reference autos by train on the internet.

When searching for auto shippers it is always a good idea to call for a free quote. Most auto shippers will be glad to give you an estimate of the cost that will be incurred to transport your vehicle from one point to another. When interviewing these companies it is also a good idea to ask if they are fully licensed bonded and insured. Don’t be afraid to ask for evidence of this. If a shipper gets offended by this question then they don’t deserve your business anyway.

It is also a good idea to ask the auto shippers you are considering hiring, how exactly they intend to haul the vehicle. It is important that you know how they intend to transport the vehicle. You may have a preference of how your vehicle is shipped. If it is a rare or exotic automobile you may desire for it to be transported in an enclosed car carrier. You may also prefer that it be carried on a large flat bed trailer. If you have several vehicles to transport you may want to hire a service that will transport all of your vehicles on one car carrier.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Transport, Automotive, moving, relocating | No Comments »

The Significance of Brokers and Customer Responses in the Auto Shipping Industry

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

You may be interested in a particular company to ship your auto to a distant location and find that they are rather tight about relinquishing certain information, which rightly causes you to be suspicions.  Moreover, you are not sure what to ask in order to allay your suspicions.  This is why you need the services of a broker.  He is able to verify insurance policies, licensing, track records, official documents and records that you can’t get at, as well as the company’s reputation within the industry and with its customers.

A broker will select from a sea of companies,  reputable companies of all sizes and with varying services and show them to you for a final decision.  It would not be good business sense for a broker to offer you a company to contract with that would not lead to your satisfaction.  The broker has better access to the information that concerns you most.

A very popular website to help you in your search for auto shipping brokers and/or companies is Transportationreviews.com.  You can find customer reviews on the site above and beyond what the broker may provide.  A good way to analyze the customer responses is to measure the positive reviews against the number of cars shipped out in a week, month, or year.  But remember, the lack of negative responses doesn’t mean there is no one out there with a negative experience.  People tend to write only good reviews for publication and deal with the broker or company directly to get satisfaction from either a real or perceived unhappy event.  A bad review may also be coming from a chronic whiner who is never satisfied with any service provider with whom he does business.

Full customer satisfaction is the goal of any worthy enterprise and the heart and soul of his business.  But while 100% positive responses are not a sign of total reliability, neither are 100% negative responses significant proof a company is completely undependable.  You should pay the most attention to whether the nature of the complaint is major or minor and if it reoccurs with any degree of consistency.  You will have to perform this analysis yourself, the website won’t do it for you.  Remember any negative comments could be coming from someone for whom the company bent over backward to please, and there was just no pleasing this irrational hothead.

What you don’t want to see is a company with a large variety of bad reviews.  True, a company may have a weak link, but otherwise be of sterling reliability and reputation.  On the flip side, a company that doesn’t appear to be doing anything right by its customers is not the one to deal with.  They may be badly managed or constantly cash poor or both.

Nonetheless, customer response is only an early phase of your investigation and one of the very few you can research yourself without a broker.  By hiring a broker, you will be able to take advantage of the information he can uncover that you can’t, not just cryptic customer reviews but official documents and records as well as professional experience, industry knowledge and advice.  You will avoid the tedious details involved in industry bureaucracy and endless negotiations to set a price.  A good broker is an effective negotiator who will save you money while charging a nominal fee, usually between $100 and $200 dollars for their services depending on the complexity and time restrictions your particular job entails.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Transportation, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport, auto shipping brokers | No Comments »

Brokers and Customer Responsiveness in Auto Shipping

Friday, December 18th, 2009

When dealing with a company yourself, you may get that feeling that all is not right but don’t have  enough knowledge of the industry to ask the right questions in order to satisfy yourself of the company’s reliability.  This is where the broker steps in.  Brokers have the whereabouts to check out a company’s insurance, reliability record, the reputation within the industry as well as with past customers.  They can also verify that they are licensed in order to do what they do.

The broker’s decision will be made on the company’s past performance, whether it has industry longevity or not.  The broker will then give you a choice of several companies that have passed this initial test.  You will have much better access to information that is pertinent to you so you can make an intelligent decision on which company best suits your needs.

A website worth noting is Transportreviews.com.  You can research brokers and companies on the site and aside from what the broker tells you about the company, this site allows to look into customer reviews.  You can determine from the site how many cars are shipped per month and compare the number of positive responses with the negative.  You will undoubtedly uncover way more positive reviews than negative, because human nature is such that if they have a negative experience, they will deal directly with the company and/or broker to come to a solution.  But, at any rate, you can compare the magnitude of the company’s business with the rate of happy customers.

As in any industry the company that is of merit will work very hard to satisfy the customer – that is it’s livelihood.  Some customers will shower praise on a company even though some minor mistakes were committed.  This is certainly not rare and is not too meaningful if the overall response is good and there are several good responses noted.  And as good customer reviews are not 100% reliable, bad reviews do not mean you should shun the company entirely.  The negative responses could come from people who just generally complain about everything all the time, even when fully compensated by the company.

If you encounter customer complaints of wide variation, this could be very meaningful.  A dependable company may have a weak point, or have run into one of those genuine cranks.  However, the company that dissatisfies myriads of people in many different ways is a company to avoid.

Whatever, the online reviews are just one area to be examined that doesn’t require a broker’s services.  The broker, though, is able to obtain customer responses and analyze them more expertly than you, and can also view official documents and records that you cannot.  The broker is also bringing to you the advantage of his experience and professional knowledge.  They will take the burden of onerous detail and fee negotiations off your hands.  They will undoubtedly be able to negotiate more effectively and that will save you money, considering they only charge between 100$ and 200$, depending on the time-frame and complications of your particular job.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Brokers, Auto Transport, Automotive | No Comments »

Auto Shipping: Brokers and Customer Response

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

A company may be unwilling to produce the information required for you to feel secure in contracting them, but though you suspect something fishy you might not know what to look out for and how to ensure dependable service. A broker’s job is to verify current insurance, track record, general reputation with the industry and past customers, and the validity (and in some cases the reality) of their MC license.

A broker makes the decision to use the carrier company if its past performance record is good (in most basic business terms there is absolutely no reason why even the smallest starting company’s record shouldn’t be 100% perfect; mistakes may not be avoided, but any company worth its name compensates its customers to ensure full satisfaction). And though it doesn’t make sense for a broker to contract a company other than with a satisfactory record (lest it may lead to his own customer’s dissatisfaction), with a broker you yourself will have better access to most or all pertinent information, allowing you to make the final decision.

A good place to look for companies and brokers is the much used Transportreviews.com. Besides what the broker might provide, on the site you have access to customer response. The way to appraise customer response is to compare the magnitude of the company’s activity (do they ship 10 or 100 cars a month, etc) with number of responses, and the number of responses with the number of negative responses. Often, when a company simply does its job competently enough or even well, a customer may either not appreciate the fine work or just not bother to leave a thank-you comment. But most people are more than ready to complain, especially when their cars are concerned.

Now, as I have already said, any worthy company works to satisfy customers fully. So that you often may find responses praising the service despite some initial mistake: this is normal customer-company relationship. Still, just as one or two positive responses (which makes for a 100% perfect record on the site) are not proof of reliability, so negative responses are not necessarily a sign of absolute unreliability. Pay attention to the type of complaint (major or minor: the site does not, of course, distinguish these) and to recurrent complaints. A particularly ill-tempered customer may complain even if the company acted in the best way and fully compensated the client.

A wide variety of complaints may be as bad or worse. A company might not have one particular tricky angle figured out, but be otherwise competent. But a company which dissatisfy in a number of related fields is probably badly run or hasn’t the budget to cope with basic requirements, or both.

In any case, online responses are only preliminary precautions that you can take without broker services. A broker is more reliable and will procure not just ambiguous customer responses but official records and documents, as well as bring his or her personal professional knowledge and advice. They will save you the headache of bureaucratic procedures and ineffective negotiations. Good brokers take between $100 and $200 for a job, depending on time-frame and magnitude.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Brokers, auto shipping brokers, logistics | No Comments »

More or Less on Pricing Auto Shipping

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Whether that car you need to relocate to a distant location is a classic collector’s item or the family minivan, you are probably looking for an inexpensive yet secure method of transport.  One of the best ways to do this is via an auto shipping company.  This remarkable service saves you the time, trouble and money of driving that vehicle yourself thousands of miles.  The price of gas these days is enough of a deterrent, let alone the wear and tear on you and your vehicle.

The auto shipping industry is becoming popular for those very reasons.  Nonetheless, selecting from the many companies and their services, whether large or small is not without risk.  You need to be aware of the companies insurance coverage, past experience, and previous performance with your type of car, particularly if it is somewhat exotic in either model or size.  You will also need to find out what criteria they use to determine pricing.

Clearly, all companies will start the price structure with the model, the travel distance and the exact sites of pick up and delivery.

The road less travelled in this case will cost you more, due to remote, hard to find services, and the time and energy the company must put forth to keep your car safe from the various road and weather conditions that could harm the vehicles on the carrier.  This will cause the company to add services (and charges)  not normally encountered on well-traveled routes.

If your vehicle is abnormally heavy, large, or odd-sized the cost will increase because the carrier can load fewer vehicles.  Many esoteric cars, and particularly vintage, classic and collector’s cars are of nonstandard dimensions, but also require unusual tender loving care, regardless of weight or size.

Obviously, whatever the car, you want it insured for its journey and your usual policy will probably not cover this.  You will incur an added, but absolutely necessary cost by buying coverage from the company you select.  Just like your regular insurance carrier, they will offer various coverages at various prices.  You want to lean toward the expensive coverage to be absolutely safe.

One other determination aside from the above is whether your car is drivable or not.  If the car cannot be driven on and off the carrier, special trucks will be dispatched to take it to the carrier, it then must be pushed or towed to its spot, and the entire procedure must be repeated at its destination.

Better to have an operable vehicle and hire the carrier giving them as much advance notice as you can before your required shipment date.  If you give the company only a few weeks notice, the price will increase, and if because of your car’s pre-shipment condition it becomes damaged along the way, oh boy, are you in for some sticker shock.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Car Transport, Cars, car carrier | No Comments »

How to Price Auto Transport: More or Less

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

The cheapest way to get that classic car or family sedan transported over many miles is by auto carrier.  Auto shipping offer a safe and inexpensive way to get your car to its new location.  You know the cost of fuel today as well as the possible cost of car maintenance and repair of driving your car yourself long distances.

For those in the know, and there are more and more of those all the time, the auto shipping industry is a first choice for vehicle transportation.  The customer nonetheless assumes some risk when hiring even the most reliable and most experienced auto carriers.  One must be cautious and diligent in their search.  You must review insurance policies and past experience and performance with shipping similar vehicles, especially if yours is exotic.  Hauling an expensive, custom, or vintage car requires different safeguards than that Ford Taurus.  The pricing aspects of such vehicles will also differ substantially.

Pricing is determined by the manufacturer and model of the vehicle, the distance to be transported, the drop-off and pick-up sites and your required time-frame.

If you require remote sites for drop-off and pick-up that may require special services and absolute locales, this rather than distance may become the most important pricing factor, as it becomes mandatory for the provider of transport to know about special conditions that may be encountered along the way.  The reliable company will be able to inform you of various road and weather conditions that your vehicle will be facing and the harm that they may cause.  They will also know exactly how to carry your car to its destination without suffering injury and should inform you of these technicalities as well.

If your vehicle takes up more space that a normal one, that will cost you because it reduces the number of paying customers’ vehicles  that the company can handle on a single carrier.  The expensive vintage or classic cars that are usually a collectors’ pride and joy have odd dimensions that will not fit normally on a carrier and will also demand more loving care in transport, even if of standard dimensions.

The amount of insurance necessary to cover your vehicle in transport is also a consideration.  Your regular policy may not cover the odd conditions that the car might meet in transit.  The auto shipping company will have its own insurance carrier and you need to research the policies offered to pick the one most pertinent to your vehicle.  It is undoubtedly not the cheapest option that will meet your needs, especially on the vintage model.

If your car is not drivable, then preparations must be made to have a truck pick it up from a location you state rather than the standard terminal, and shove it or tow it to its location on the carrier.  Same service is in effect when it reaches its destination.  These circumstance requires a separate truck and separate service from the norm.

A fully operable vehicle is, of course, the preferred one to transport.  No matter, you need to hire the auto shipping company as early as you can before the shipping date, and try for off-season if possible.  The longer you hold off on deciding on a transport company, the costlier it will be for you.  I’m talking here well over a month in advance.  If your car’s prior condition results in damage while in transit, besides the inconvenience of waiting for the car to be repaired, the final price could spiral out of sight.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Transport, Automotive, Classic Cars | No Comments »

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