Archive for the ‘logistics’ Category

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

Monday, August 8th, 2011

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you need Hartford Auto Shipping, San Jose Auto Shipping, or auto shipping to anywhere in the United States, check out MetroGistics.com.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

Auto Shipping: Moving To A Greener Environment

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

Due to the increasing evidence of our planet’s destruction by environmental pollution and the growing concern among nations, industries have stepped up their efforts to operate in an increasingly environmentally clean manner with large established companies in wealthier nations leading the way. The public awareness has increased to the extent that the waiting list for hybrid cars is growing longer and longer.

Landfill waste and energy consumption is reduced through green homebuilding, which seems to have caught on. Cities start campaign such as those meant to reduce electricity consumption by up to 80% through replacement of regular light bulbs for more effective and economic innovative illumination. One can see great transparent plastic containers in public squares half-filled with discarded bulbs or batteries.

Auto shipping companies are not an exception to this general shift towards urgent attempts to restore and stabilize a near-depleted world: a fairly young, recent, and one of the most innovative and distinctive industries in the history of modern civilization, they have been acutely attuned to modern problems and have been engaged in the campaign to reduce global warming for years now, without much pomp and fanfare.

Perhaps it is because they realize how tremendous and industry they currently are and what tremendous potential they still possess, and what they might mean for the near, exponentially-developing future, and probably because of recent investigations into the monstrous environmental pollution by carrier ships and trucks, perhaps because of this and their desire to survive as a mega-industry the collapse of which can incur a full-blown crisis, that they have fairly long since decided to be on the only one right side of the struggle, the environmentally safe side.

It is estimated that a single fairly large auto shipping company can save up to three million gallons of fuel, which means more than 38 million pound less greenhouse gases in our immediate atmosphere. And the number of expanding auto transport companies worldwide is enormous, many of them already gigantic corporations. Their number are likely only to grow with time and globalization.

Lets do the math. The benefits to our environment of eco-friendly auto shipping companies is staggering. Take a hypothetical case of only one auto shipping company per state, the national savings would amount to around 150 million gallons of fuel and approximately two billion pounds of greenhouse gases not pumped into our atmosphere. If only even half of the auto shipping companies would unite their efforts and support green technology, the result would be to make tremendous progress towards a greener environment.

Obviously, there is an incredible number of personal vehicles being driven on the roads today. There is no one industry that can save us all. But those industries taking the lead in environmentally clean practices should be very proud of their achievements and will stand as an example to other industries to become future-oriented as well. These green industries just may make the transition to becoming technologically and environmentally innovative while remaining in the upper echelons of the industrial world.

To read more about Auto Transport or Auto Shipping please visit MetroGistics.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

A Look at the Role that Vehicle Shipping Carriers Play

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Ok so you have a vehicle that needs to be transported from one spot to another. The notion seems pretty straightforward but now you must find a carrier service to send your vehicle on its way. But, and a major but at that is; what is an auto shipping carrier? Here is your answer.

The carrier

Transporting your vehicle to your required destination is, in general, what an auto shipping service does. Your vehicle can be shipping across country or internationally. Online services and in person help is available. Your car, boat , or motorcycle can be shipped to any destination you need. Carrier companies exist in vast numbers to fit your every accommodation. Cars, boats, motorcycles, heavy equipment which includes industrial, construction and farming machinery, bulldozers, and cranes can be shipped using an auto shipping carrier. Your RVs and SUVs can also be picked up and delivered by carrier companies.

Services to cater to every demographic such as corporate, dealer relocations, and other specialized services are provided by auto shipping carriers. There is specific transportation that carriers have for ATVs, antiques classic and custom vehicles, also for race cars and yachts. Inquiring about their information on these offerings is important; especially because these items are special to you.

To transport your vehicle, carrier companies have a nice selection of traditions. Amongst the many offerings available to you and your auto travel are open and closed shipping services, freight, LTL, boating and flight shipping. A move to start the quoting action is taken once you’ve made your choice.

Auto carrier companies will directly deal with their customers but they do depend on brokers for much of their business. They do not exactly have huge budgets for their advertisements so they use newspapers, the internet, and, most importantly, word of mouth to escalate their business and revenue.

A plus is that they do try to establish great customer service. Low grading from word of mouth can be a huge deficit to their existence. On the other end, be prepared to have kindness and efficiency. Pay close attention to all the details, do not be swindled, asking for references and looking for any faults they may have is crucial.

Most likely you will be able to get free quotes, so that is another good thing. In fact, it’s probably time to take your business elsewhere if the carrier you are working with will not offer a free quote. When figuring out what carrier to use this part seems the easiest amongst all workings in investigating. A quick and easy online system is something most companies have, while finding the carrier most suitable for you this allows you to roam around free. Calling the auto carrier directly is simple if the online quote system confuses you. A well-located number will be posted on their website. It’s always a good thing to have a free number to call.

An auto shipping carrier can take you no matter where your vehicle needs to end up.

To continue to read about Vehicle Shipping or Auto Transport please stop by our vehicle shipping blog.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

Understanding the A-Z of Auto Transport

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

The super-car world was very recently surprised when Russia launched a new and unique brand of super sports cars, the very first Russian sports car, coyly christened Marussia (a popular pet female given Russian name and a play on the English word “Russia,” to make sure everyone knows where this beauty is coming from), released in two models – B1 and B2 – and manufactured in limited numbers.

Now that it is a collector’s item requiring careful auto shipping, you don’t want this baby battered by hail, handled roughly, or brutally exploited while you’re not present.

How then to make sure your Marussia gets from Moscow to Minneapolis in one virgin piece? The basic things to consider is how to choose an auto shipping company, which truck type to use, which service to order, and insurance.

Regarding companies, don’t just plump for the first company you come by. The best way is to prefer perhaps costly but well known companies, trusted names you heard or read about. There are many obscure businesses out there, often on their way to sure bankruptcy, posing as experts but merely looking to swindle you out of as much money as they can before they close. Do not develop paranoia either – there are plenty of decent and reasonable services out there. Do some research, see which companies get the most references and recommendations, ask around.

In terms of trucks, you have the general choice between open and closed carriers. Open carriers are often seen hauling vehicles within or between cities; they are numerous and often used. Closed carrier shipping is costlier. But you want to take into consideration the distance your car is to travel and the brand of the car: an exotic auto is perhaps better transported in a closed carrier which prevents exposure to harmful elements as well as prying eyes.

Next you need to decide if you prefer to drop off the vehicle at a company terminal or you want the truck to pick it up from your place. From the terminal it may take the car much longer to be shipped and when it reaches its destination terminal it must be picked up by the owner, it’s a slower and more aggravating service. Having the car picked up from your garage is better. The mileage and any pre-existing damage can be checked by you and the driver, this way when the car is delivered to your destination any damage not on the signed list will be the responsibility of the company. Door to door shipping is provided by most companies.

Companies offer cargo insurance for each vehicle they transport: any damaged to the car while it is handled by the company will be compensated. Moreover, trucking companies usually arrange for liability insurance of a minimum $800, 000 which takes care of damage to large number of handled cargo.

Good, lasting companies do not find it profitable to endanger the property of their clients and make sure you are insured. Beware of fishy organizations which even so much as hint at reluctance to offer adequate insurance or neglect to mention it.

For additional news and information about Vehicle Transport or Vehicle Shipping please stop by our vehicle transport blog.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

Ship Your Auto Safely and You Won’t be Sorry

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

The auto shipping proves by its rapid expansion that it is an efficient and safe industry with which to do business. At the same time along the way the industry has accumulated valuable experience with regard to technology and methods of operation.

It also means, however, that many new independent companies are eager to compete. It does not mean, however, that all of them have the experience, the resources, nor even the decency to ensure safe auto shipping. In many cases, as in any other business industry, many of the numerous existing auto shipping companies are simply the result of an increasingly commercialized society. Business today is the prevalent survival style and many people are eager to start a company, whether because they really are competent to do so or because they are simply incapable of doing anything else.

Some of these businesses will prevail despite all odds, but many will fail because they refuse to learn the business or understand the capitalization required for success in the business. Those few that remain because of luck and some beneficial ties rather than true business acumen will hang on as long as they can given the competition but undoubtedly will not remain in business very long.

It is not always easy to tell when one of these new companies will close. Their sales pitch and competitive pricing can be very convincing as to their reliability and safety. It will not make your day to entrust your vehicle to a company that sends it to the wrong destination with half of the accessories missing and no insurance coverage.

Hopefully you have time. Otherwise, you will not be able to ensure the safety of your vehicle. If you so much as merely consider the remote possibility of having to ship your car sometime next year, take the time to carefully research the current market.

If you plan your auto shipping in advance, you can also book the shipment in advance which will save you money. Even the major shipping companies will charge high prices for an urgent order, no matter how simple, because they have to allocate emergency personnel and equipment to your job. Given more time, your job will fit into their standard mode of operation allowing them to quote a more reasonable price for their services.

Businesses do not like to decline offers, especially when dealing with individual private car owners, and are likely to take your order even if they know they are unlikely to complete it satisfactorily. Urgency increases the risk of delay and damage.

Of great importance to you is the company’s licensing and insurance coverage. Thoroughly inspect their Certificate of Insurance and their MC license. If the insurance coverage offered does not meet your needs, ask for additional coverage. They should have no trouble meeting your insurance requirements.

A sure sign of the competence of any company is their customer service attitude. They should show eagerness to satisfy you and initiative in bringing out what is most important to you. The dependable, quality company will have no reticence in showing and explaining their insurance coverage or their licensing to you. If they see that their standard insurance coverage is inadequate for your needs, they will advise you to purchase extra. If these points are not covered in your discussions with them, find another company.

For more information on Auto Shipping or Car Transport please check out our auto shipping blog.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

Sifting Through Auto Shipping Quotes to Find the Very Best

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

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.

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.

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.

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.

For more on Car Shipping or Vehicle Transport please visit our car transport blog.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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.

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.

Understanding Auto Transport

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

If you are not relocating either to a distant state or abroad, you will have no reason to explore the companies involved with auto shipping.  Ah, but if you are making a long distance move, you will want to be sure that your precious, pampered car, boat, motor cycle, or SUV arrives safely and on time.  After all, you have spent money and time making sure that vehicle looks cherry and runs like a charm, and you want it there when you arrive at your destination so you won’t be without transportation.

What Does Auto Shipping Entail?

Basically and simply, it is a method of getting your car from where it is to where you want it to be without driving it yourself.  Fortunately, there are many companies that offer the convenient service of doing just that.  They have fleets of carriers in all shapes and sizes.  One will surely fit your vehicle whether you are relocating domestically or internationally.  You can also opt to have your vehicle delivered to your door.  If you live in one of those rare municipalities that have a local auto shipping company, good for you.  You can walk right in and arrange for shipping with a representative.  This is probably not the case, however, there are numerous companies online that offer many services, such as flexible modes of shipping as well as flexible schedules.  Most of these companies also pride themselves on their excellent customer service.

Two Types of Shipping Carriers

Whether you are transporting a recently purchased vehicle to your current location or are transporting your old friend to a new one, you will need to know what type of shipping carriers are available. There are two main types of carriers.

  1. The open vehicle carrier is the most commonly seen and is a great option for most people.  It will give your vehicle service at the most economical price.  Remember though, that “open” is precisely what it is.  You have often seen those huge trucks with their huge trailers rambling down the road with a load of 12 or 14 or more automobiles.  One of those vehicles could be yours if you opt for this type of carrier.  And, you can see that the disadvantages of this least expensive method is all those other vehicles which can cause yours harm, inclement weather conditions, flying debris, and theft, if not of your car itself, of the GPS, fancy stereo or other electronic gizmos that are dear to you.  There is much less chance of any of this occurring if you go for option #2.
  2. The enclosed vehicle carrier is, yup, enclosed.  Your precious vehicle will be lovingly laid to rest in its own little bed for a safe journey to its destination without fear of debris, harm from other vehicles or theft.  More attention and care will be lavished on it when loading and unloading.  Of course, this being the real world, there are two distinct downsides to this mode.  1.) The cost can be from 25% to 100% more expensive than the open carrier mostly because considerably fewer vehicles can be carried at one time.  2.) There are only a few companies that have closed type carriers available in their fleets.  Even finding an enclosed carrier can be very difficult and  time consuming if not downright impossible.

You have now received a basic education in auto shipping.  You are able to do your research armed with your newfound wisdom and find that perfect company and carrier for your needs.  Good job!

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

Why is Some Auto Shipping More Costly Than Others?

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Some of the cost of shipping your auto has to do with how many slots on the truck are required to ship it.  Carriers charge per slot, the more, the pricier.  An enclosed truck costs more to purchase than an open one.  Your shipping charges will therefore go up if you require an enclosed one.  Also, the enclosed vehicle cannot carry as many vehicles per trip, upping the cost to you.

Carriers are prohibited by law the overall weight they are allowed to carry at any one time.  A reliable, law abiding trucking company will be forced to impose additional fees because they can carry fewer vehicles.  Some cars are just plain built heavy and nothing can be done about that.  But for your normal average-sized auto, weight may be reduced by removing all personal belongings and any custom add-ons before you ship it.

The cost on a specific date you choose to ship will be influenced by several variables like the cost of fuel, the weather conditions, and the competition.  Not everyone is aware that if a different date is selected, the cost will go down even given the same services.

Almost all companies operate a fleet of trucks that carry more than one vehicle for more than one customer.  For this reason, it may not be possible for your car to be shipped on a specific date on a specific truck.  If you insist on this, and the company has the truck  available to honor your request, it will cost you more.  Your cheapest bet is to be flexible as to time and carrier type.

If the company is very large, you may actually be able to get your car shipped alone on one truck, which as mentioned above, will cost you.  However, you will get the advantage of a safer, speedier delivery and on the required date.  If you are not pressed for time, though, make arrangement to ship your car on a multi-vehicle carrier, which will save you money.

Overseas shipping is apt to cost more because of taxes and the different relationships of foreign countries.  It may also require more than one form of transportation to get your vehicle from A to B.  If it requires transport by air, rail, road, water or a combination of any of these, it will cost you more and require increased insurance and other fees.

If all of this preparation to arrange for shipping rather than drive it yourself (if that’s even a possibility) in order to cost you less scares you, it may be that you are unfamiliar with today’s auto shipping industry.  The industry is not just a growth industry, it is a huge global business.  The amount of services offered to the customer may seem to you overly detailed but it ensures that you can make comparisons among the companies and select the one most suitable to your needs.

Because of the number of companies in operation today, the competition forces them to be flexible with their charges, though this is somewhat less true of foreign businesses.  Most companies offer free quotes and similar services, some offer money-saving coupons or deals within certain states or boundaries.  Don’t just concentrate on the big dogs in the industry.  The young dynamic upstarts  should also be considered in your comparison shopping.  No matter which companies you choose to deal with, negotiate for the best price you can get and don’t feel you can’t decline offers that you feel are inflexible.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.