Posts Tagged ‘Auto Shipping’

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The Importance Of The Auto Inspection In Shipping Your Vehicle

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

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!

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

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

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

Report any damages as soon as possible. If you find anything that is wrong with your car, truck or van, reporting it immediately will avoid any confusion as to how the damage got there. This will in turn give you a much better chance of getting it fixed.

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.

If the car did suffer damages, the shipping company will normally allow you to get your own estimate from your usual auto shop and have it repaired there. If you don’t have a usual auto repair place, a dealership is generally a good bet.

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

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

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Automotive | No Comments »

Auto Shipping: Save the Environment First, Money Second

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Though, actually, contributing to the reduction of the industries which contribute to global environmental collapse in many cases means less expense on the services these industries provide. It is one thing to be a Hi-Tech theoretician and be excited about the possibilities of emerging technologies like super crystals or nano-microchips. It is another thing entirely to be an insatiable consumer who understands next to nothing about the technologies, but who eagerly acquires all and any of them, as long as they are the latest word in fashionable hardware. All those people who buy the latest generations of cell phones so that they can listen to music without ear phones while walking in a noisy street or riding a noisy bus are about as interested in technology as they are interested in music.

The case is the same with car users. With many cars are a luxury item; with others they are a critical status item. As many as a quarter of car owners worldwide do not own vehicles out of necessity, but as a way to conform. To won a car is not even always convenient or sensible, yet people will own cars, work double jobs and double shifts just to buy a second-hand Suzuki Esteem which they can then take out to the club around the corner.

By derivation, the same is true for related services. Promising industries like the Auto Shipping industry begin by offering real enough benefits. They work to perfect themselves, their services, and, inevitably, their marketing campaigns, and soon become not simply the sensible service to take advantage of, but a status symbol. When the symbol is generalized enough, not only the major names in the field, but even the smallest and least successful companies benefit from indiscriminate consumerism.

Despite certain measures to reduce the effect of heavy goods vehicles on the environment, heavy carriers increase in number as shipping industries grow in potential and popularity. Technologies are being invented to improve auto shipping, but the technology has not yet been invented which could undo the damage a single ro-ro ferry does to the sea and air in the course of a single job.

It may seem that environmental problems are not as yet apparent enough in the world for individual consumers to worry about. But the opposite is true. Heedless consumerism distracts from actual events only slightly outside the field of auto shipping by sea and land. Invasive species introduced by large cargo ships are estimated to cost the U.S. dozens of billions of dollars per year. Ballast water spreads bacteria, cholera of various strains, toxic algae, and voracious pests like the the Zebra Mussel. A single load of ballast water from a freight carrier can spread within a matter of years enough pests to destroy fishery, agriculture, tourism and recreational industries.

That the future of the auto shipping industry seems bright, one must realize, is not merely because the business takes its natural course, but because its marketing is successful. Before we know it, governments may impose technical and performance restrictions and charges for use on roads, vehicle types, and mass services precisely because business, right now, seems good.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Cars, Environmental, International | No Comments »

Preserving the Environment: More Important than Excessive Profits

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

It is most unfortunate that reducing the pollutants that industries spew into the environment leads to increased cost of the products and services they provide. Techies tend to get excited about the possibilities of upcoming technologies such as super-crystals or nano-microchips.  These things are innovative and bring out the curiosity of the technologically inclined.  The other side of this, though, is the trendy consumer who must acquire everything new and shiny because “everybody who is anybody” has one.  There are a lot of folks walking around with the latest in wireless cell phones listening to music without earbuds who don’t give a whit about either the technology involved or even the music.  They are fashionable.

Car owners tend to follow the same pattern.  To many of them, a car is a luxury item, while to others it a symbol of status, an achievement to display.  There are approximately 25% of car owners worldwide who own their vehicle not out of necessity, but because “everybody has one.”  Some own cars even though it is not sensible or convenient to do so.  Yet these same people will do anything, even work multiple jobs so they can show that they own a car, whether used or new, or Kia Rio or Mercedes XL.  Why?  So they can drive around the corner (instead of walk) to the hottest club.

This phenomenon can also be applied to auto related services, like auto shipping.  This is an industry that began by satisfying a genuine need.  They are constantly working to enhance their services, and with this, their marketing strategies.  They soon became much more than a sensible service providing industry, and are now something of a status symbol.  When this symbol becomes standardized sufficiently, not just the major names in the industry, but even the small fry benefit from rampant consumerism.

There are measures in place to reduce the effect of heavy cargo carriers on the environment.  But these measures are fighting against a rapidly increasing shipping industry, with continued growth in both potential and popularity.  Innovative technologies are constantly emerging in the industry but there is no technology as yet to reverse the damage to the sea and the air caused by just one ro-ro ferry in finishing up just one job.

You might think that an individual need not worry about global environmental matters.  But the truth is to the contrary.  Unchecked consumerism detracts from the side effects on the periphery of auto shipping by sea and air.  Little thought is given to invasive species introduced by these mega-carriers that cost the United States alone many billions of dollars annually.  Cholera and its many strains, bacteria, toxic algae, and hungry and destructive pests like Zebra Mussels are spread by ballast water.  One load of this water from a cargo ship can circulate in a few years a sufficient number of vermin as to be fatal for fisheries, agriculture, tourism and recreational industries.

Successful marketing is just as much responsible for the bright future of the shipping industry as the need for its services.  Because business is currently good for the industry,  governments are sure to impose technical and performance restrictions, surcharges for roads, vehicle models, and related services.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, Environmental, moving | No Comments »

Problems and Perspectives in Shipping with Closed Containers

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

For most people, the only consideration of getting their car from here to there is to drive it.  But now there is another option, that of shipping your vehicle by using a recently developing industry, that of auto shippers.  There are many burgeoning reliable companies available now who will ship you car long distances, domestically or internationally.  Shipping your auto has become easier, cheaper, more widespread and more secure

If you have just bought a car overseas, won a car lottery or are relocating far, far away, you do not have to give up that prized possession just because you can’t drive it to its destination.  You will no longer have to suffer the expense and monotony of driving your car to its final home, even if that is, in fact possible.  You will not have to subject yourself and your car to possible damage, wear, tear and stress, or vandalism and theft.  You will not have to learn a foreign language.  What you will do is call a shipping company.

In early August of 2007, the French company CMA COM, S.A. ventured into the container shipping business.  CMA COM, S.A. is the third largest shipping company in the world.  They stated that at least four light vehicles, no matter what make or model, could be loaded into each of their containers.  They declared that cutting edge technology was responsible for their entry into the container shipping industry.  This technology enabled door-to-door shipping – from factory conveyor to the destination distribution center – with absolute safety.

Even with the increasing popularity of this method of transportation, the jury is still out on the future of the industry.  This is due to the highly complex nature inherent in each shipment, risks involved and the burden of responsibility.  This means that only the largest transportation companies that have the resources in technology and the funds available to solve any problems that may occur, will be able to survive in the business especially where large-scale projects are involved.

The shipping company must be an experienced, qualified specialist to be entrusted with handling a cargo of expensive vehicles where even the slightest damage to them may lead to a financial nightmare for the company.  An operator with a regular shipment schedule will need to hire a crew of permanent workers that have shown themselves to be skillful and gentle when dealing with the precious cargo.  Such workers don’t come cheap.

The future of the container shipping business will be decided by their ability to fully develop a national and international enterprise.  Generally, international shipments are the ones requiring containers for the long-distance, large-scale operations.  Should a country have roads in good condition throughout and a good number of car manufacturers, the more effective, quicker and cheaper open carrier mode can be standardized.  Pretty much all countries are working on the condition and safety of their roads, but the improvements will take several years if not decades to complete, putting the popularity of this method way into the future before it is deemed safe enough for auto transport on any scale.

A business must be quite large to be able to take advantage of the cheapest options.  There is much riding on whether car manufacturers can, in the future, transport their vehicles across borders directly to large metropolitan cities and commercial/industrial complexes

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, Enclosed Auto Shipping, Enclosed Car Carriers | No Comments »

Save Money with an Auto Shipping Professional

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Hardly anyone can get away without owning a car these days.  It may be convenient in a major metropolis to walk to most places, however you still can’t walk everywhere your business takes you.  Public transportation can be just as iffy, either it is basically nonexistent or it doesn’t go where you want to go.  Thus, most families own at least two automobiles.

If you and your family are moving to a town far away from where you now live, you are probably thinking of driving your cars yourself to the new home.  It seems like the obvious thing to do.  You should probably think again.  Auto shipping companies are professionals who are capable of moving several vehicles at once over long distances, saving you the trouble, stress, and cost of driving one or two vehicles across long stretches of road.  The auto shipper is expert in transporting any type of vehicle safely over long distances and offers you a choice of many services to best suit your needs and pocketbook.

If you are not naturally a planner, this is the time you need to change that.  You need to make careful preparations based on your circumstances.  Figure the cost of driving those vehicles yourself including fuel, wear and tear on the car and you (and quite possibly other drivers in other vehicles) and the cost of food and lodging on the road, especially over long distances.  Compare this total with an estimate from a reliable auto shipper and you will undoubtedly hire the carrier.

The cost to you to hire a shipper depends on several factors.  Chiefly the cost is made up of the distance to be travelled and the dimensions and weight of the car(s) being transported.  For really long distance shipment, the professional carrier is usually the smartest and most economical method to choose.

The standard transport company will offer some basic service plans.  Cheapest of these is the “economy guide” which will load your vehicle(s) only if there is enough space on the carrier to do so, with first come first served being the rule.  If you want your car to be among the first to be loaded on the truck, you will pay for that convenience.  The higher the priority you demand, the more it will cost you.  This method is good only for the most financially challenged or those to whom delivery date is not an issue.

Next to “economy guide” in price is shipment by open carrier, which leaves the car open to inclement weather conditions, road conditions, flying debris, and possible damage by other vehicles on the carrier.  A safer choice and more expensive one is the closed carrier which avoids the aforementioned hazards.  There is also “Full Service” available with both open and closed shipment that guarantees door-to-door service of pick up and delivery on specific dates.  You can minimize costs somewhat by reducing the weight of the vehicle.  Remove any objects that can be removed from the car, do not load any personal belongings and make sure the tank is as low as is reasonable –these are some ways to lower the car’s weight and thereby the price.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Auto Shipping, Car Shipping, Car Transport, Cars | 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 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 »

Great Methods To Choose A Car Shipping Carrier

Friday, December 4th, 2009

When moving, persons often think of the household goods, but what about the cars. Unless you are willing to drive those cars cross country in the move, you are going to need to find a car shipping company.

The best way to find that company is to find the company you are interested in and go directly to the company’s website for a quote or to find one of the websites that will allow you to get five to ten quotes from one web page. For the most accurate quote, you must be sure that all the information has been entered correctly. The automatic quotes you receive will be for standard passenger vehicles which are operable. Cars that have been modified or that do not run increase the cost of shipping.

Be careful about choosing the lowest price. Some companies give a very low quote, but do not yet have a carrier that will agree to the quote. Without a carrier, the vehicle will not be moved. You will then start to hear about additional costs so that low quote may cost more than the originally higher quote.

Check out any company you are considering by doing an internet search. Also check with the Better Business Bureau and ask around. You may have friends or co-workers that have used a company and can give you their own personal review.

If you are dealing with a broker, be sure that he is bonded. The carrier you use should be insured and licensed.

Once you have done your research, you are ready to book the order. Make sure that the company sends you a confirmation by e-mail or fax. Read everything regarding the move that is sent by the company before signing contracts. Remember that when you order using the internet, the e-signature is just as binding as your actual signature.

Prepare your vehicle for transportation. Remove any personal or valuable items from the car. Many carriers require that you have less than one-quarter tank of gasoline, since this will decrease the weight of the vehicle and increase their fuel economy as they transport your car. In addition, you will not be allowed to fill the car with any moving goods. Wash your car before pickup so that all of the dings and scratches are easily visible at the inspections.

The carrier will make an inspection of your vehicle when they pick it up. They will make a note of any damage to the vehicle and ask for your signature on the form. You should be given a copy of the form at this time. Keep this form until you get your vehicle back.

Once your vehicle has been delivered, you will perform an inspection to be sure that it is in the same condition as when it was picked up. Take your time with this inspection, because once you have signed this form, you will not be able to make any further claims about damage to the vehicle. If there are additional damages, the carrier needs to sign the form and you need to get a copy of the form.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Transportation, moving, relocating | No Comments »

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