Scams abound in the auto transportation industry. We will show you how to choose a car transport company, and more importantly, how to avoid the scams of which those who transport their vehicles over long distances are victims.
Steps
Step 1. Find a company you are interested in and go directly to their website to request a quote (do not include your information on a multiple quote website or you will receive emails and phone calls from 20 different companies)
You must enter all the information correctly to receive the most accurate rate. Most of the automatic quotes you will receive are for standard passenger vehicles that are operating. There are cars with modifications (for example, those that are raised, with lowered suspensions, with larger wheels) and other cars that do not have any additional cost for their size, weight and conditions for the carrier.
Step 2. Don't automatically decide on the one with the lowest price
Many companies tempt unsuspecting customers with the cheapest deals. Then they need to find a carrier to physically move your vehicle. If your carrier doesn't accept the low price (and they usually won't), then they won't move your vehicle. Many companies underestimate their clients by convincing them to hire their own company.
Step 3. Research the transportation companies you plan to hire
Learn from other people's experiences using the great source of information available on the Internet. You can start by doing a simple Google search for the company name, or by using a user reviews website. Call many companies, ask your friends if they have ever used a transportation company. Check the quotes, terms and conditions, and reviews posted on the Internet. Make sure they have been on the market for at least a few years. This is a loosely regulated industry, and many undesirable companies pop up under a new name every few years to attack unsuspecting customers over and over again. Make sure commercial agents are endorsed and that the carriers they assign are licensed and insured. Whichever company you choose, try equally to familiarize yourself with their troubleshooting procedures.
Step 4. Decide on the company with which you will use and book the transportation service
Make sure you receive a confirmation via fax or email. Read everything the company sends you before hiring it. Keep in mind that if you make a reservation online, your electronic signature will link you to the company once you click send or accept.
Step 5. Prepare your vehicle for transportation by removing all your personal or valuable items
Car transporters prefer you to have less than a quarter of fuel since it greatly reduces the weight they will have to carry and the less weight they carry, the more they will save on fuel during the trip. The less it costs them, the less it costs you too! It would be a good idea to wash the vehicle before the inspection report that they do at the time of going to look for it. This will ensure that they immediately recognize the condition of your car before transporting it. It would also be a good idea to disable any alarm systems before transporting.
Step 6. Make sure the carrier inspects your vehicle
Upon pickup, the driver should inspect the car for any existing damage. They will always record the damage in a VEHICLE STATUS REPORT. They will ask you to sign it and provide you with a copy of the report to keep as proof. Keep it until the car has been moved.
Step 7. Inspect the car to make sure there are no additional dents, nicks, or scratches
This is your only chance to claim any damages, so take your time. If you make a claim, make sure the carrier signs the vehicle health report and make sure you keep a copy to keep for your records.
Advice
- Read the entire contract before signing it. Beware of hidden costs that are detailed in small print in the contract.
- Check customer services, good customer service determines how well the company communicates with its customers, and if there is good communication between the company and its customers, then a problem is less likely to occur during shipping.
- All companies should make a vehicle inspection report when it is picked up and shipped. Make sure to document the mileage of the car before and after transportation. In the event of damage, it is your responsibility that these reports have been properly updated to prove and ensure that you will get a refund for the damage.
- Make sure you don't choose the lowest priced companies. The companies that have intermediate prices are the most reliable based on our experience.
- Research the company well and make sure they are members of the “Better Business Bureau” (BBB), and are endorsed, licensed and insured.
- Always check and compare the transfer rates, the initial quote that a car transport company provides you is usually only an approximation of how much the full service will cost you, but only some of the companies adjust to their initial estimate. If you really need to know the final cost of the shipment, then request a quote and call the companies from which you have received an offer. Some companies will tell you directly how much the full service will cost, with minimal additional charges. These fees will be higher than the initial quote, but the additional charges can severely affect the price you end up paying.
- Be honest with the company you are hiring regarding any personal items you have in the vehicle. Trucks have a weight limit and in each state they pass through they verify their weight. They could be charged costly fines in every state in which they exceed the allowable weight. Also, most companies will not insure any item inside the vehicle. It is usually best to send your empty car in the truck.
Warnings
- Be very careful not to choose a low-priced company !! These companies will offer you a low price, but you will not be able to find a transport for your vehicle. All commercial agents use the same transport companies. And they usually only carry over to the highest bids.
- Commercial agents have been known to use unscrupulous tactics: JMAC Auto Transport (Marcus Moran), Magnum Auto Transport (tony), Transport Services, New Way Moving Services, Exceptional Auto Transport, Plaza Auto Transport.
- When making a reservation, do not make it through another company as this will make transportation difficult. When two companies are trying to move the same vehicle, most drivers "skip" that vehicle and look for another.
- This industry does NOT offer guarantees. This industry has many factors that could create delays, such as waiting for past customers at the pickup or drop-off location, weather conditions, mechanical problems, and road restrictions for multi-car carriers.