Car Shipping - Things To Remember Before And After Delivery |
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Kate Barton
21 July 2012
Getting the services of a reputable car shipping company is highly recommended if you want your vehicle to arrive at a destination in good condition. If you're transferring to another location or a new address during this time, a car delivery contractor eases some of the stresses that come with moving since you don't have to worry about the risks and hassles of long-distance driving anymore. Once you've made sure that you have hired the best car shipping company according to your needs, figured out the total costs, and set the pickup and delivery dates, the next step you need to do is to ensure a smooth, efficient system by employing the following strategies before and after the shipping process.
Prior to shipping, make sure your car is prepared for the long haul. Check the vehicle compartments, trunk and interiors to see to it that all personal effects have been removed. Not only is transporting personal possessions across territories via car transport illegal in most states, these items may just add to the total weight of the vehicle, which is a major factor in determining the total cost of shipping. Likewise, remove detachable items such as toolboxes, extra car seats, cushions, antenna and other parts that may come loose during transport.
Provide documentation regarding the condition of your vehicle before turning it over. Car shipping companies have a specific form that standardizes vehicle inspection. This form is used for noting down information such as current mileage, vehicle details, and description of damages or scratches, if any. If you have a camera on hand, a good idea is to take full-body and close-up photos of your vehicle for a more accurate report.
Contact your auto transport company a day before the delivery date to track down your car's status. It would be best to agree to a delivery date during business hours, so you could easily reach the main office should delivery issues come up.
Arrange your schedule so that you are at home or at the stated destination address during the agreed-upon date of delivery. The car transport crew will not be able to leave the vehicle without the owner or an official representative to sign and inspect the delivery report, and they may just have to bring the vehicle back to the car terminal if there was no authorized person to receive it. On the other hand, if your car will not be delivered to your door due to access or route limitations, avoid nighttime delivery schedules and agree only to public or well-lighted pickup points - an official car shipping terminal is your best choice - for your security and so that you can make an inspection of the vehicle thoroughly.
In the event that you have complaints such as an incurred damage, have the driver sign the delivery report stating the incident and file an official complaint to the main office immediately. For late delivery, check if the car shipping company offers compensation, such as deductions on total fee or rental car services, until the shipment arrives.
Meanwhile, if you have no complaints whatsoever and enjoyed their fast and quality services, a little tip or customer referral won't hurt to motivate the car shipping crew to keep up their good performance!