How To Get The Best Car Shipping Rates |
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Kate Barton
22 July 2012
Relocating is exhausting and can be financially expensive. There are a million and one things to attend to, from packing all your things to liaising with landlords to figuring out new routes. There are bills to pay that can accumulate to a huge amount, from small items such as packing tapes and moving boxes, to bigger payments such as bills for the moving companies and truck rentals. Adding on another expense such as car shipping may turn off most people, but the convenience, peace of mind and safety benefits it offers is definitely priceless.
With your car under the hands of reliable professionals, you can then take a less stressful route to your destination - via train, bus, or possibly be driven by a friend - by taking a mode of transportation that will help you sit back, catch on sleep, or attend to other pressing moving day issues. While this may initially mean additional expenses, you might even save money in the long run as you can save on other costs such as lodging for overnight car trip breaks. Some companies even go as far as charging the same or lower than the cost of your fuel expenses if you are driving the same distance. Likewise, there are some strategies you can employ to get more value for your money and avail of the best car shipping rates.
The first thing to do is to get to know the prevailing market rates. This way, you can shortlist companies that offer prices near the published rates and even try to negotiate for a lower price, such as off-peak rates or low-cost routes. However, don't settle with a company just because they offer the cheapest rates; shop around for auto transport companies that offer professional and expert services and reliable delivery at a reasonable price.
When you're asking about the price, clarify everything you need to know about the fees being presented. Inquire about payment details - will they be requiring cash or are credit cards accepted? Is the total cost as it is, or will there be additional fees? Inspect the contract terms, paying particular attention to the fine print. Every aspect, from total car shipping rates, from identification procedures for claiming your vehicle, to pickup and delivery dates, to guarantees and damage compensations should all be written down in an official contract.
Keep a constant flow of communication between you and the car shipping company during the entire delivery period. This may sound too pushy, but just one call confirming the delivery date and a reminder just before the schedule can help you monitor your vehicle's status and can sufficiently let them know how proactive you are as a customer, and may ultimately lead to better service. Besides, you'll never know how your friendly relationship with the staff might come in handy - you might even get the best car shipping rates via a loyal client discount the next time you need the services of an auto transport company.