Five Tips To Help You Save On Car Transport |
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Johan Stevenson
20 September 2012
Moving to a new location is often regarded as one of the most stressful events that can occur in a person's life. While it's true that the emotional goodbyes are the biggest contributor to the stress of this situation, most people fail to realize that the cost of moving is also key to the negative emotions attached to this event. After all, relocation does entail a lot of money, from hiring furniture moving companies to purchasing moving boxes and wrapping materials, to even buying new furnishings for your new home. You can try reducing the cost of moving by looking for ways to lessen your expenditures on car transport. Listed below are five tips to help you:
Choose your transport company wisely. The best way you can save on car shipping is by choosing a transport company that offers lower rates than its competitors while still providing good service. You can do this by listing a few auto shipping companies in your area and comparing each one's attributes. Be careful, however, not to focus solely on the rates since car shippers that offer very low rates may provide bad service. Check into each company's performance by looking into records for complaints filed against each company as well as user feedback posted on websites and forums.
Hire a broker. Hiring a broker may seem like just a waste of money; however, this can actually help you save more. A broker is adept at negotiating deals and not only that-a broker also has a large network of contacts and industry experience. Having knowledge on the ins and outs of the car shipping industry can help you in finding the best company to work with.
Select the right kind of carrier. There are three different kinds of carriers used for shipping-open, closed soft-side, and closed hard-side-and each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The open type offers a much cheaper shipping option but comes with the risk of damage to your car. The closed soft-side trucks, on the other hand, will offer better protection for a little bit more. Hard-side trucks are, of course, the best among the three in terms of protection.
Consider the date and location of delivery. The season when you will be shipping may affect the cost. For instance, shipping your car during the rainy season may lead you to pay higher rates. This is understandable since rain increases the risk of accidents on the road. On the other hand, terminal-to-terminal delivery can cost a lot less than door-to-door shipping.
Inquire about discounts. If you really want to save more, then try asking the shipping company about special discounts. More often than not, reputable car transport companies offer discounts for people who frequently use their services such as military workers and college kids.