Archive for the ‘Vehicle Shipping’ Category

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Shipping Your Cars

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Auto shipping can be really confusing. Having the understanding of what needs to be done and knowing how to get into it is an asset. The first step to auto shipping is considering where your car is going. It’s easy to understand that the farther your car is shipped the more expense is involved. Keeping this in mind, you need to decide what shipping method you will use to get your car to its destination.

Deliberating – Knowing When to and What

It can be a hassle to ship your car by yourself. It might be worth considering a shipping company or freight forwarding service to handle the details for you. Not only will they give you a quote on the price but they will also take care of everything as well as great customer service. Get quotes from many different companies, this is important in helping with the elimination process. Choosing a good company with little or no complaints is imperative. Do not choose a smaller company just because the cost is less because they might have more liabilities than assets. Make sure a reliable company is elected.

It is cheaper to transport your vehicle using open vehicle transportation but placing your car on a flatbed or truckload is risky. When using open vehicle transport your car is vulnerable to outside elements such as debris, not to mention there is the risk of stolen electronic devices. Enclosed auto shipping, although the cost is more, is safer for your vehicle. If enclosed auto shipping is an option you take seriously you should know that you must predate shipping times because often they are booked up in advance.

Insurance is another vital aspect when auto shipping. Depending on the longevity of the transit and the value of your car, insurance prices vary. Shipping insurance is crucial because of the risk of an accident during the shipping process.

Auto Shipping Tips and Steps

It is wise to thoroughly wash and clean your car, so if it is scratched or chipped it will be more easily noticed. Do not leave personal items in the car, these can be stolen. Be sure to shut off or disable your car alarm. Do not fill the gas tank: more gas means more weight and less weight lowers the price. Fold in mirrors, lower the antenna and remove all specialty items on the car. Make a complete report of existing damages or mechanical problems, use photos if available. Ship convertibles with the top up and make sure it is secure. Top off any fluids and let the driver know if anything leaks. Make sure your tire’s air pressure is where it needs to be incase the car needs to be moved.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Car Transport, Cars, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport | No Comments »

The Auto Shipping Adventure

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Travel Tips and Warnings

Are you still reliving the day that you and your best friend decided to don your backpacks for a full 3 month travel of Europe during the summer after college graduation? Preparing yourself for any mishaps or uncontrolled phenomenon, and planning for months in advance; your mothers probably thought you were out of your minds at the time, but still it seemed alright. Before even setting out on your adventure you felt a big achievement had already been made, and more excitement arose as you made the preparations.

Months of advance planning are required to backpack; packing for the venture, which countries, which cities, which hostels, airport tickets, Euro-rail transports, and money appropriations. Minus the clothes, you must prepare all the same going through the auto shipping industry. You must choose the company or broker, figure the right transportation, pickup and delivery stops; how comfortable is your vehicle’s lodging, which direction you will go, how you will pay, and clothing can be included perhaps.  Your car will need to be undressed of any outside gear and electrical devices; spoilers or any other specific ornaments. Here are some tips and warnings for a safe auto shipping adventure.

Tips

Be forthright with your carrier. An over filled gas tank or any extra “things” in your car can impede the delivery process, and cost the driver additional money during checks.

Do not pay anything upfront. This is a big no-no! Also stay clear of lower-priced companies, their cheap rates could be due to less experience in auto travel; this could result in damages to your vehicle. Make sure of this because your vehicle could be left out in the dust, as companies or brokers will often times go for the highest bidder.

Research the broker or company you are using. Make sure they are registered with the Better Business Bureau, are insured, bonded, and licensed.

Make sure you document and photograph your vehicle. Upon pick up and delivery the company you use should do the same.

Most importantly, before signing read the full contract. Be conscious of small print and hidden fees.

Warnings!

1.) As convenient and secure as this industry may sound, there are no guarantees and it can be very unstable. Mechanical issues, road blocks, and weather are just a few dilemmas that can happen.

2.) Make sure you do not reserve your vehicle with two different companies. If this occurs most drivers will pass on your vehicle resulting in you having to do the whole process again.

3.) A credit card reservation is normal but make sure that unless your vehicle is assigned to a driver they do not charge anything.

In any regard, you must be educated and alert. Just like traveling cross country or internationally with high hopes and a backpack, you will be in more than trouble if not prepared. You can get lost, have your things stolen in an instance, and in a worst case scenario, hurt or killed. All of these are possibilities as to what can happen to your vehicle as well, use the tips and warnings and plan away.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in International, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport, relocating | No Comments »

Backpacking Through the Auto Shipping Adventure

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Tips and warnings during travel

Still basking the very day that you and your best friend decided to throw in your backpacks for a full forward 3 month summer travel of Europe after college graduation? Planning for months in advance, and preparing yourself for any mishaps or uncontrolled phenomenon; maybe your mothers at the time thought you were out of our minds, but it all seemed right. The preparations only led to more excitement and before you even set out on your travel you felt that you already achieved something so big!

Backpacking takes months of advance planning; airport tickets, Euro-rail transports, which countries, which cities, which hostels, money appropriations, and the packing for the venture. Going through the auto shipping world you must prepare all the same, well minus the clothes. You must get the company or broker. Pickup and delivery stops, figure the right transportation; which direction will you go, how comfortable is your vehicle’s lodging, how much are you going to pay, and perhaps clothes can be included. Why? Well you do need to undress your car of any electronic devices and outside gear; spoilers or any other specific ornaments. Here are some tips and warnings for a safe auto shipping adventure.

Tips

Be forthright with your carrier. Any extra “things” in your car or an over filled gas tank can impede the delivery process, and cost the driver extra money during checks.

Do not pay anything upfront. Big no-no! Also stay clear of lower priced companies, their inexperience or cheap rates could be due to less experience in auto travel, thus causing possible damages to your vehicle. Make sure of this because a lot of the times the companies or brokers will go for the highest bidder and leave you and your vehicle out in the dust!

Research the company or broker you are using. Make sure they are insured, licensed, bonded, and registered with the Better Business Bureau.

Be sure to document and photograph your vehicle. The company you use should do the same as well at pick up and delivery.

Most importantly, read the contract in full before signing. Be conscious of small print and any hidden fees.

Warnings!

1) This industry may sound convenient and secure but on the contrary it can be very unstable and there are no guarantees. A number of dilemmas can happen such as weather, mechanical issues, road blocks, and more.

2) When reserving your spot with an auto shipping carrier due not reserve with two different companies. If this occurs most drivers will pass on your vehicle and then you will have to do the whole process again.

3) A credit card reservation is normal but make sure they do not charge anything unless your vehicle is assigned to a driver.

In any regard, you must be alert and educated. Just like traveling cross country or internationally with a backpack and high hopes, if you are not prepared you will be in more than big trouble. You can get lost, have your things stolen form you in a blink of eye and, in worst regards, hurt or killed. This can all happen to your vehicle, so use these tips and warnings as an aid, and plan away.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Car Transport, Trucks, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport | No Comments »

To Deal With Auto Shipping Carriers Or Auto Shipping Brokers? – That Is The Question

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

There are two companies in the ring.  The carrier in one corner, the broker in the other.  Which one are you going to put your money on?

A Background on the Two Competitors

There are many auto shipping carriers out there and they are multiplying like spring rabbits.  These companies provide you with a convenient means to transport your vehicles whether you be a car dealer or an individual with special needs when it comes to shipping a car or other vehicle.  Dealing with the carrier online or by phone are usually the only options open to you because the carriers are far flung and not apt to be local thereby unavailable for a face-to-face meeting.  Even so, it is not too difficult to obtain quotes and rates online or by phone.  One of the main features of a carrier’s business is that the majority of them offer great customer service.  They also include the cost of insuring your vehicle in the quote, which is mandatory when shipping your vehicle.  They also offer more than one way to ship your vehicle to you.  It can be transported via an open or enclosed means, by truck, freight, or boat, to just name a few of the available services.

Auto shipping brokers, on the other hand, are specific individuals acting as the carrier’s agent.  These people are the ones most often used when dealing with both you and the shipping companies.  They not only make you, the customer’s, life easier, they bring more client traffic and therefore revenue to the auto carrier companies.  You as the customer are offered greater freedom as you do not have to be tied up with just one company.  Your broker chooses from a variety of companies and prices for you and also has the advantage of direct communication with the shipper.

So Which One Gets the Prize?

The carrier companies have their own trucks or transportation systems, the brokers do not.  This is the difference between the two competitors, who are not really competitors at all, but more like coworkers.  Dealing with a carrier in lieu of a broker can be somewhat less expensive.  The brokers, however, do much of the work for you and have knowledge of the shipping companies at their disposal as well as the ability to provide the convenience of door-to-door car delivery.  If you contract directly with a car carrier, you are locked into the services they provide, not the widespread list of services that a multitude of carriers can provide the broker, and therefore, you.

Brokers also uncover a plethora of rates and quotes out there in the industry and can offer you the best they found.  They will probably have better communication with the drivers but this is not a guarantee as most carriers do not have the communication equipment to talk directly to the drivers.  An added advantage with choosing the broker scenario is that the brokers are communicating with more than one shipping service at a time.  The far flung domestic and/or international scope of the shippers have an inherent lack of communication with the various components of a shipment.  As previously stated, the carrier will normally drop off their vehicles at terminals, whereas the broker will deliver it to your door – definitely a convenience.

And the winner is?  Everybody!  Just pick the method most suitable to your needs and your pocketbook.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Brokers, Auto Carriers, Vehicle Shipping | No Comments »

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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Posted in Auto Brokers, Auto Carriers, Vehicle Shipping | No Comments »

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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Posted in Auto Shipping, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport, auto inspection | No Comments »

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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Posted in Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport, auto inspection | No Comments »

Things To Do to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

If you have never shipped a vehicle before, you are undoubtedly apprehensive about the task at hand.  There are, however, some steps you can take to alleviate your fears and make the vehicle shipping experience run smoothly.

Start with a very clean car.  You, along with the shipping company, are going to make a careful inspection of the vehicle together so you can note any damage that exists pre-shipment.  Knowing the car’s exact condition at pick up makes the final inspection not only easier, but more accurate.

Make sure the vehicle is running in good order.  The trucker may need to drive your car from one place to another, even though they will likely have other means to this rather than drive it themselves.  The shipper will transport a car that is not in running condition, but make sure you notify them of this in advance.

Anything on it’s exterior that can be knocked off with little trouble or may damage another car in transit should be removed.  These items include such exterior attachments as luggage or bike racks, spare tire covers or a non-retracting antenna.  Do not ship your car with any of your personal belongings such as a GPS, CD holder, removable CD player or anything that can be reasonably taken from the car.  Shippers insurance will not usually cover anything but the vehicle it is transporting, so leaving personal belongings in the car is risky.

You do want any fluids to leak from your car onto another or even onto the truck that is carrying your vehicle.  Make sure all leaks are stopped to show respect for the carrier, the other vehicle owners and the environment.

You will, of course, disarm or even better, disconnect any alarm systems that may be on your car and make sure that the hauler has a full set of keys to your car.  This means ignition key, door key, trunk key, gas cap key, glove compartment key, etc.

Following these few simple, common sense tips before shipping your vehicle will definitely help you to be less apprehensive about the task that lies ahead.  Now, wasn’t that easy?

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, Car Transport, Trucks, Vehicle Shipping | No Comments »

Auto Shipping – My Bags Are Packed But How Do I Ship My Vehicle?

Monday, July 6th, 2009

“How much will it cost to ship my car”? That is a question that is asked thousands of times each day by dealers, wholesalers, collectors and people moving all around the United States. Cost is always a consideration when moving something as important as your transportation. However, it may not be the MOST important question a person might want to ask.

Many times, people deal with car transportation brokers, that is, companies or groups that operate no trucks of their own. These ‘vehicle transporters’ take an order to move a vehicle, hold on to a percentage of what they have charged and then broker the vehicle out on load boards that are posted online and visible to car haulers that have trucks operating and moving around the country. If the price has been quoted or negotiated too low, it becomes unattractive to auto transporters and the vehicle may sit awaiting transport for a long, uncomfortable time. So, an important question to ask yourself is, ‘what is a reasonable price to move this vehicle.’ Cheapest may certainly not be best.

Another thing to consider is insurance coverage on the vehicle and its contents should something unforeseen occur during transport. Accidents do happen and you don’t want to be on the unprotected side if one happens with your vehicle. Important questions to ask are ‘what kind of coverage is provided in case of damage or loss of the vehicle’ AND ‘if this vehicle is to be brokered out to another auto carrier, can I get a copy of their insurance certificate?’ Always try and get a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate showing YOU as certificate holder. This way, if something unfortunate happens, you can file a claim on your own directly to the insurance company.

One more thing to think about is the quality and reputation of the auto transportation company. If you are not involved daily in the vehicle transportation business, you really have no idea about the companies that are. Ask around. Go to a car dealer that ships vehicles regularly and ask them who they use for car transport. Go online, look at reviews and get as much information as possible before you start calling for bids. There are places like safersys.org where you can look at a company’s safety profile. This website is operated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association and can be a valuable resource when trying to find a company to transport your automobile.

So, when you are looking at trying to find someone to ‘ship my car,’ there are several things to consider other than who can do it the cheapest. Do your homework and find a transporter that will take pride in moving your ‘baby’ to its new home.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, Auto Transport, Automotive, Car Shipping, Car Transport, Vehicle Shipping, Vehicle Transport | No Comments »

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