Auto Transport Dos And Don'ts |
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Johan Stevenson
11 September 2012
There might come a time when you will need to hire auto transport services. This is especially useful if you are moving to a distant location and you own more than one car, or if you're a car dealer and you have to transport some of your vehicles to a car show in another state. Whatever your reasons for availing of services from auto shipping companies, there are still a few things that you have to consider to get great service. Listed below are some dos and don'ts that you should follow whenever you hire vehicle shippers:
Do take time to research your options. Shopping for the best car transport company in your area is beneficial in many ways. First, you can get a guarantee for quality service; and second, you can avail of discounts that are offered only by a few companies. Knowing your options can help you rest easy knowing that your car is in good hands and that you are getting good value for your money.
Don't just hire the first company you find. This is a mistake that most people commit, and while it's possible that you may pick a good auto transport company on your first try, it's more likely that you'll end up with one that doesn't offer great service. It's also very likely that you'll end up paying more.
Do book your shipping early. Booking early makes it possible for you to choose the date you desire, which makes the whole process that much faster. Besides having more freedom when it comes to choosing shipping dates, booking early lets you avail of some discounts, or even select shipping options that will help you save money.
Don't wait for the last minute to book your transport. This will only cause stress for both you and the shipping company as you try to find available options for your car. If you can't avoid late bookings, try to hire a broker to make things easy for you.
Do check your car's condition and maintain or clean it before shipping. Most auto transport companies inspect cars prior to shipping, but it's always best to make sure of their findings. This doesn't mean that you don't trust the company; it's only a measure to ensure that damage sustained after shipping is accounted for .
Don't ship damaged cars or leave your belongings in it. Most transporters will agree to shipping a damaged car, but for a certain fee. However, it's better to be sure your car is in a good enough condition for transport. On the other hand, leaving belongings in your car can cause damage to your car or to the item itself. The car shipper is not liable for such damages since leaving personal materials in the car prior to shipping is actually against the law.