Maintaining and keeping a vehicle safe while moving to another side of The Country is a challenging task, and shipping a vehicle adds to the hassle. Shifting because of a new job or for a new family situation is challenging for anyone. Vehicle shipping is one of the challenges that can be solved by proper planning and scheduling ahead of time.
This is used to serve the purpose of this article. The article is exclusively meant to aid someone with their vehicle shipping. There are many things to handle, like choosing the right car transporter. We will discuss the prep work that is needed for accepting time orders, shifting the vehicle to preallocated locations, and handoff procedures to ensure the vehicle is safe, is in the right secured place, and is delivered on time.
Decide if Shipping or Selling Brings Greater Benefit
To achieve a more streamlined car transport system, consider this query: Is the car worth the cost of transport?
Older cars, especially with high mileage, would cost much more to transport; the better option is to sell the vehicle and reinvest in an upgraded vehicle at the new destination. You may be thinking, “Where Can I Sell My Car for the Most Money?” Fortunately, there are many used vehicle purchasing platforms and local car dealerships willing to buy used cars instantly, which makes the whole thing really convenient.
Besides, if you choose to keep the vehicle, go to the next step in order to make the most appropriate car shipping choices.
Pick the Best Vehicle Shipping Strategy
Most car shipping companies use two methods: open and enclosed transport.
- Open transport: the most economical and usual option to ship a car. The car is transported by a multi-car carrier and is exposed to outside conditions.
- Enclosed transport: much more protective, prevents the car from getting wet or getting soiled by dirt and other particles. Best for high-end, antique, or valuable cars.
Unlike the open transport method many love, enclosed carriers tend to offer a better solution for clients who have concerns about the exposure and security of their shipments. Make sure to ask the carrier you choose about their options, cover policy, and estimated timeframe for delivery.
Identify Trustworthy Car Shipping Businesses
How to choose a reliable car transporter from the plethora of options available?
Considering the following points:
- Licensing and registration: Ensure the company is registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
- Customer reviews: Try to find reviews on Google, the Better Business Bureau, and specialized car shipping review sites.
- Experience: Find a company that focuses on long-distance or cross-country car shipping.
If you have an urgent need for cars to be picked up and to be towed from or to constricted spaces, a company with express towing services will be of great assistance.
Book Well in Advance
Especially in the peak moving months of spring and summer, car shipping slots tend to become fully booked very quickly. Ideally, orders should be placed between 2 and 4 weeks in advance.
Make sure to tell the shipping company: Confirm the scheduled time for pick up and delivery. Make sure to provide multiple contact options. Notify them regarding the non-working status of the vehicle and its urgent towing assistance.
Orders can be arranged in advance, which ensures the car is retrieved and sent according to the owner’s planned schedule.
Prepare Your Car for Transport
It’s time to get the car for the shipping service. Wash the car and clean the exterior of the vehicle. It facilitates detecting scratches and dings. Document its condition by taking pictures of the vehicle from all sides and make a record of the damage. Remove all personal effects and belongings since car carriers normally do not allow personal items to be left inside the vehicles. Disable the alarm system to assist in noise control during the shipping period. Make sure to leave a quarter of a tank of fuel, which is enough for driving, but not for the weight of the vehicle.
If your vehicle transport company provides a virtual inspection report, make sure you check it, sign it, and that it is completed prior to departure.
Knowing your estimated time of arrival (ETA) regarding your shipment is extremely crucial. Distance, route, climate, and other external factors impact shipment delivery. In some cases, shipment delivery time can take more than the guaranteed time. The factors affecting shipment delivery time pose no restriction when service providers operate outside the borders. These external factors determine whether the service is profitable or not.
Having other service options is an additional perk for consumers. The options for shipment delivery include ‘Door to Door’ and ‘Terminal to Terminal’ access. The consumer is free to choose and utilize any of the options. The door-to-door service enables the service provider to collect and drop off the vehicle at the consumer’s residence. The terminal-to-terminal option gives the consumer the freedom to collect and drop the vehicle at predetermined terminals.
Although the shipment service is available, vehicle moving is part of a larger logistical relocation task. With the example of a customer flying to a new city, the delivery of the car can be scheduled to arrive at the same time as the customer.
A customer operating a moving vehicle is likely to arrive at a predetermined terminal in a forward motion. In that scenario, the customer can dictate when the vehicle is delivered.
The scheduled vehicle shipment should always be a few days before the actual moving date. This ensures that disruption to the moving plan is minimized as much as possible.
Vehicle Delivery Reception and Vehicle Inspection
At the current moment, the vehicle is expected to have reached the destination:
- Carry out the vehicle inspection and assessment with the carrier present.
- Review the current state and the condition with the photos taken alongside the inspection report.
- Report any new damage to the transport company, along with other identified discrepancies.
- Do not sign the bill of lading until the vehicle has been thoroughly assessed and you are satisfied with the current condition.
Rest assured, the transport company with a favorable reputation will personally guide you through this every step and will ensure you are comfortably taken care of before their departure.
What to Do If You Have a Change of Schedule, e.g., Destination, Start Date
If you have a change of schedule with start dates, moves, or plans, contact your preferred company as soon as possible.
Some goods and service providers are more flexible and allow even the addition of fees to cancel or move your schedule. Most will not have any mercy. Change of address restrictions apply, and in the event the carrier is unable to deliver to their scheduled address, a local express towing service is on standby to complete the final leg of delivery.
In taking the initiative and responding quickly, travel, extra costs, and stress can all be alleviated.
Final Thoughts
Moving from one part of the country to another is associated with a whole new list of challenges, which can be simplified with the right partner. Steering a partnership with the right company will guarantee that your vehicle is delivered at the right time.
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