If you are shipping a car, you may be eligible for a discount. Many brokers and car shipping companies offer discount promotional rates such as coupons and Internet specials. The best way to find out if these companies are offering discount rates is by searching the company’s website for an instant online quote or by simply contacting them directly via telephone.

Here are a few discounts that car shipping companies are offering:

USA military discount ratesDiscount rates to repeat clientsIf you are shipping more than one carIf you are referred to a auto shipper by another client

Tip: Most car shipping companies allow their customers to cancel and receive a full refund. Many brokers’ deposits are non-refundable.

Although you may be anxious to receive your vehicle after shipping, there are a few things that you should do before accepting it. Check for cosmetic or mechanical damage. The driver will compare the damage to the information that was noted on the condition report. Make sure that the driver doesn’t leave without signing the report! Try to schedule the shipping dates during daylight hours; it is never wise to accept a motorcycle at night if you can help it. If you can only accept your motorcycle at night, make sure it is in a well lit area.

Motorcycle Shipping Tip: If there is apparent damage to your motorcycle, a reputable shipping company should be more than willing to reimburse you for the damage. That’s why its recommended that you invest in motorcycle transport insurance.

Scenario: Your car is delivered; you notice a graffiti tag or broken window on the side of your car. While the driver went in at a rest stop during transit, a group of thugs decided it would be nice to scribble their tag on the side of your mid-night blue 1968 Ford Mustang in white lettering. The driver was unaware of the whole incident. So what do you do now? Let me tell you what NOT to do.

Don’t scream from the top of your lungs at the driver. Just take a breath and remain as calm as humanly possible. Yes, I know it’s difficult. The graffiti tag will probably cost you more than the entire car shipping order to remove. But ranting and raving will get you no where. A reputable company will work with you as fast as possible to resolve any problems. Simply, contact the office (during office hours) and explain your issue as nicely as possible – yet firm. If the company refuses to hear you out and work with you -that’s okay – do the next best thing and contact the Better Business Bureau and The U.S. Dept. of Transportation located at www.dot.gov). I’m sure after they have been contacted by the BBB and DOT regarding your dispute, they will be more than willing to hear you out.

Door-to-Door shipping is not just for cars. If you own a motorcycle, you can have it shipped to your place of business, office or another location. So, that means that the truck driver will travel as close to your requested pick-up or delivery location as possible. If you live in a rural, suburban or urban area that prohibits large trucks from entering, the driver will make arrangements with you for other pick-up and delivery locations.

Motorcycle shipping companies have easy payment terms. Keep in mind that it’s not unusual for a shipping company to ask for a payment in advance with the remaining balance due upon delivery. Some companies require a percentage of the total cost of your shipping order such as 15-25%. Remember, if you are paying the remaining balance upon delivery, you will have to present the driver with a cashiers check (not a personal check) or hard money (cash). Some trucks come equipped with credit card terminals and some are not. Most car transport companies accept major credit cards such as: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Make sure you contact the vehicle shipping company in advance if you are paying via credit card.

Whether you are shipping a motorcycle, boat, truck or a car, on average, it normally takes up to 24 hours for you to receive a quote. See, this is what will happen after you fill out a form for a vehicle shipping quote, a representative will contact you via email or telephone. Depending on how busy the company is will determine how long it will take for someone to get back to you with a quote. That’s why its so important to contact at least 3 to 4 companies rather than waiting for each company to contact you before contacting the next company for a quote. If you need an immediate quote, simply contact the car shipping company directly during their regular business hours. Some companies even offer online chat where you can speak with a representative instantly from your computer.

Important Tip: Make sure that you have all information such as the size, make and model of your vehicle. Remember to tell the representative if your vehicle is inoperable. And don’t forget that the rep will be giving an estimate - not the final cost of your car shipping order.