Archive for the ‘auto shipping quotes’ Category

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 »

What Exactly is Auto Shipping?

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Indeed, we all have our treasured vehicle that we groom and take care of; as if it were our pet or perhaps our significant other. In every way possible we take care of maintaining its appearance and upgrading. So, seeing that most of us have vehicles which we love and need in our daily lives it is imperative to know what goes on in the auto shipping world. In the call for our need to travel abroad or move to a distant location may not actually require worry about being “transportation-less” or having our vehicle hurt in any way. Let’s see what we got.

First off what is auto shipping?

In a simple definition, it is basically transporting your vehicle from one destination to another. Seems pretty easy, and it is. Auto shipping is one of the most convenient shipping services to customers. It has carriers of all kinds of sizes and shapes to adhere to your every vehicle requirement. Also there are availabilities with domestic and international destination spots, even door to door service. You can choose to work with an online provider or an in house company to figure out your travel needs and car destination; offering a variety services such as flexible mode of transportation, and, on the whole front, excellent customer service.

Types of auto shipping

If you have purchased a new mode of transportation, being a car, boat, or a motorcycle or need your present vehicle to be shipped anywhere you need to be, it is important to know what types of shipping methods there are. There are two specific types of vehicle shipping:

1)      Open vehicle shipping- this is typically a great option for most consumers; for it is cheap and provides the least expensive method in shipping your vehicle. However, open is exactly what it is. Remember driving on the highway and seeing the huge trucks with trailers connected to it, carrying a variety of vehicles. Well if you choose to go this way that will one day be your car, bike or boat. Though economical the downsides include any destruction from road debris, or elements flying around or from the other cars. Security is also a potential hazard for open traveling vehicles. Equipment such as navigation systems, stereos, and other expensive electronics have a much higher chance of being stolen than if closed away in a private traveling quarter.

2)      Enclosed vehicle shipping- is precisely as it sounds. Your vehicle is tucked away   safely; protected from debris, exposed elements, and above all else other vehicles. As well as secluded from any robbers who are eyeing your vehicles electronic or outerwear candy. Enclosed shipping typically receives more attention and better care when loading into the carrier. Conversely there two major downsides to enclosed shipping. The price range can range from 25 to 100% more expensive, and the availability with this shipping, seeing that most companies are not participating in this shipping method, can be a challenge.

Now that you know what auto shipping is, and what types are out there, it is time to do your research and figure which is best for you. Good luck!

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Shipping Your Vehicle and 1000 Splendid Quotes

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

A very wise Englishman, Benjamin Disraeli, once said something like “the wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages are perpetuated by good quotes.”  This is ever so true with the search for an auto shipper.  You can research companies on the net, give them a call, hire the services of a broker to help select the most competent and reasonable company, but what it all really means is which one has the price quote that best fits your needs.

Realizing that this is true, many companies will publish their terrific quotes on deals right on their home page.  The really good companies, though will want to talk to you before they proffer a quotation on the work involved in your particular case.  So be aware of this.

A bit off the subject, but if you are required to make an advance payment, it is an iron-clad prerequisite that you obtain a contract that ensures a complete money-back guarantee if the services are not up to the specifications agreed upon between you and the shipper.  Some companies will actually take the advance money, hem and haw around, never fulfill the contract expectations, your wonderful car will never reach its destination, you lost your advance money, and you are up the proverbial creek without a paddle (or a car).

There may be some special circumstances you encounter that require a little white lie to further your interests.  Obtaining a quote from an auto shipping company is definitely not one of those times.

You must have an accurate weight and shape of your car to give the prospective shipper.  This is crucial as not every carrier is equipped to accommodate vehicles such as SUVs, off-roaders, pick-up trucks, vans, or even minivans.  Customized changes such as chassis lowering or exotic add-ons should also be related to the shipper as these may interfere with loading your car onto the ramp that takes it up to the truck.  Most carriers will accommodate a non-operating vehicle for an additional fee but you must let them know of this circumstance before they venture a quote.  This also may require special equipment to load.

Pay attention not only to the actual quote but how it was given to you.  Observe the presentation of the quote.  Was it done in a professional, courteous, and customer-friendly manner?  Is this quote compared to the services they are offering abnormally low?  If the quote seems too good to be true, it is.  Obviously you are obtaining quotes from many companies within the industry in order to compare the quotes.  Do obtain quotes from the leaders in the industry.  Even if you don’t choose them, at least you know what the big guys are charging for similar services and this can be enlightening when selecting a company.

By doing all this legwork, you will be much more able to discern the honest operators from the fly-by-nights.  And don’t fail to negotiate a price whether with a big company or small.  Any honest company will not be put off by this and may actually have not quoted you their rock bottom price at first.  So let them know you are shopping around and they may meet the lowest price you found elsewhere in order to get your business.  If not, you still haven’t lost a thing.  You can go with the lowest bidder or not.  It is always a good idea to go with the company with which you are the most comfortable.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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

Shipping Your Vehicle: A 1000 Terrific Quotes

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

To paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli, the wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages are perpetuated by good quotes.  You can conduct your research online, by phone or both, then find a broker to pore over their qualifications and choose the most responsible one with the best historical track record.  Just like the good student you are, you will prepare for your auto shipment and take every precaution while doing so.  Having done all that, in the end it comes down to getting quotes from those companies deemed reliable and deciding on the quote with which you are the most comfortable.

Shipping companies aren’t dumb.  They know you are doing this and will offer TERRIFIC QUOTES as undoubtedly listed on their website.  Watch out for this as a good company will prefer you to ask for a quote so they can knock you off your socks with their generosity and you will pick them as your shipper.

Note:  If the company you are interested in asks for an advance, this is probably okay, just make it abundantly clear that you require them to issue you a contract offering a total refund in case they do not fulfill their side of the bargain.  It is not uncommon for some companies to promise you the moon, demand an advance on your shipment, do not ship the car, take your money and run, and you are stuck.

You can lie on your resume, although it is not a good practice and you know it.  You can make yourself appear to be a CEO when in reality you are the sole attendant in a parking lot.  Requesting a quote is not the time to embellish facts.  You want to submit accurate, very detailed and intimate technical information regarding your beloved vehicle that you are turning over to a complete stranger.

You must provide a thoroughly accurate description of your auto’s weight and shape.  Not every carrier can handle every type of vehicle.  If yours is an SUV, off-road vehicle, some kind of small truck, or a heavy van or station wagon you may have to opt for a special carrier.  If there are any exotic features or customized alterations to your vehicle that may keep it from driving up a truck ramp effectively if at all, this will require special consideration.  Most carriers, for a supplemental charge, will ship non-operating vehicles.  You must, however, inform them of this before the loading day arrives as it may require a truck with specialized equipment to deal with a car that can’t be just driven onto it.

The way the company presents the quote, whatever it may be, is very important for you to get some insight into the quality of the shipper.  Was the quote presented to you in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner?  Does the quote given the services they provide seem too good to be true?  It probably is.  Compare quotes of all companies offering similar services.  Start with the most well known companies in the industry to begin getting quotes and estimating quality and prices even if you do not choose them for your business.  At least you will know what the prominent companies offer and at what price so you can compare this more easily with the lesser known companies.

After conducting your thorough research, you can determine if the company you wish to go with, whether a big guy or not, is honest about prices and services.  Then start negotiating for a better deal.  Tell them you got a better price somewhere else and let them know that you really like that.  A good company will not necessarily offer their minimum price for their services right off the top.  So, even with large, well known companies there may be a chance you can get them to lower their price to the one you quoted them.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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1,000 Great Quotes: Auto Shipping

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Benjamin Disraeli once said that, I’m paraphrasing, the wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages are perpetuated by good quotes. You can look up companies on the net, contact them, hire a broker to sift through them and select the most competent ones with the best records, make every preparation and take every precaution, but in the end it all comes down to asking companies for a quote and making the final decision according to the quote which best suits you.

Companies realize this and many offer GREAT QUOTES already on the home page of their sites. This is something to keep an eye out for: good companies want you to ask for a quote so that they can impress you and win you over.

As a quick aside, if a company requires an advance, make absolutely sure that you are issued a contract which covers a complete refund in case the service is not carried out. A favorite fraudulent technique by not so successful companies is to receive an advance, buy some time, fail to ship the car, and refuse to refund: an easy way to make at least some money with a minimum of expenditure.

Yes, it is better not to lie in your Resume, but in many cases you can use rhetoric to formulate your experience so that you sound as an ideal presidency candidate even if you are just a parking lot attendant. But when requesting a quote it is better to submit accurate, detailed, and even the most intimate technical information about your one and only.

An accurate description of your car’s weight and shape is crucial, since carrier trucks do not accommodate all cars. Heavy SUVs, minivans, station wagons, pick-up trucks, and of-road vehicles must be considered for special carrier trucks. Any exotic features and customized changes (such as lowering the car or otherwise making driving up a truck ramp difficult) will require special service. For a small supplement to the general fee, most carriers are able to ship non-operable vehicles, but it is bets to inform them before hand, because it may take a truck with a specialized ramp to lift a car which cannot be driven.

Besides the actual content of the quoted, consider the way in which the quote is presented to you: try to see how professional, courteous, and willing they are. Compare this insight with the actual service they offer: is too good to be true? Compare their quotes with those of other companies for similar services. Even if you do not choose any of the most prominent companies in the field, it is still better to begin estimating prices and quality with the best, most well known companies.

Once you have conducted this field research, you will be able to tell whether the company that you seem to prefer – perhaps not the biggest name – is sincere about their price and service. And even with a sensible, sincere carrier you can haggle for a better deal. A standard trick is to convincingly suggest that may get a better deal for the same service elsewhere. For the most part, good companies do not offer the minimal price out right, which means that with good companies there is always a chance they might lower their price just enough for you to prefer them over a similar company.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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