So, you’re finally ready for your car to be picked up and delivered to your requested destination. One of the most important things that you will want to do is be on time to meet the car transport driver. As mentioned in my previous articles about truck maneuvering restrictions, if you live in a residential area that restricts trucks from entering, your car will have to be picked up in another location. Hopefully, you live close to a shopping center or vacant parking lot where trucks can easily load up your vehicle. But, if your car is inoperable, this could present a problem for you. You will have to make arrangements to have your car towed to a location that will allow large commercial vehicles to enter.

And lastly, make sure the car transport company gives you all the paperwork that you need such as an original inspection report. This type of report contains vital information such as your car’s current mileage and info about the condition of your car at the time the driver picked up your car. Remember to keep this document because you will need to use it when your car is delivered. If someone else will be picking up your car, simply fax or mail them a copy of the report prior to the day of arrival.

By now you’re probably tired of reading about car transport preparation tips. The following is a quick list of reminders on what to do and want not to do when preparing your car for pick-up.

-The main reason why car transport companies ask for their customers to wash their cars is so that the driver can easily notate any exterior damage beforehand such as: nicks, scratches and dings. -If your car has loose parts such as spoilers, fog lights, etc, don’t forget to remove or secure them. Also, if your car has an antenna, remove it if you can.

-If you own a convertible, make sure that you secure it properly. If your convertible top is disabled and you are unable to raise the top, make sure that you cover securely it with a fitting tarp.

-Lastly, don’t forget to charge your battery if it is not charged. Make sure you repair all leaks such as oil, brake fluid or transmission fluids ahead of time. Leaking fluids is a hazard and can damage other vehicles that are being shipped.

If I was given a share of stock for every person who I’ve met who actually believed that a car shipper’s service is the same as Fed-Ex and UPS, I’d be invited to Donald Trump’s next golf tournament as a V.I.P. guest. Many people have pizza and fairytale expectation’s when it comes to car shipping. That’s okay if you didn’t know, we all make mistakes.

Let me shed a little light on how it works for those of us who may not know…

Number one, car shipping or car transport is nothing like Fed-Ex or UPS. You have to be present for the delivery of your vehicle. Postal shipping will usually give you an exact time frame of when your item will be delivered – not with car shipping. You will be given an estimated timeframe with car shipping. With UPS and Fed-Ex, you know how much your item is going to cost. For example, if you are sending an envelop over night to a V.I.P. guest to a annual golf tournament, you know immediately how much it will cost. With car shipping, it doesn’t work that easily. You will receive an estimated quote of how much your vehicle shipping order will cost. Understanding how auto shipping works will save you a lot of time, money and grief.

They are considered the middleman in the auto shipping industry.  Auto shipping brokers takes a portion of the fee that you will be charged for shipping your car; this is one of the reasons why many people prefer to do business directly with an auto shipping carrier.  So, why would anyone want to deal directly with an auto broker?  Brokers take the hassle out of searching for an auto broker plus they can transport your car when you want it and for the price range you want.  Brokers have direct access to a carrier network and can find a truck traveling in your desired direction with an open availability slot. You can usually find auto transport brokers that offer competitive pricing either lower or equal to your budget.   

The difference between a broker and a carrier is an auto shipping carrier is a trucking company that will physically transport your car.   An auto transport carrier deals directly with people who want to have their vehicle shipped.   Car carriers normally rely on auto shipping brokers to drive traffic to their business. Carriers are usually under staffed or lack a solid budget to market their services to the public on a grand scale.   Several transport carriers depend on local advertising, word-of-mouth and Internet for the bulk of their business. 

Unless you specified that your car does not run to your car shipping company, you could be charged additional fees.  For example, if your car suddenly becomes inoperable during transport, you could be charged by the driver anywhere from $150 to even $250.   So, how can you help avoid this from happening?  Just make sure that your car is in good running condition beforehand.    I can barely begin to tell you how many stories I’ve heard of people who shipped their cars and they were charged extra because the car suddenly broke down during transport.    Also, if you think that you can save money during transport by not telling the company that your car is inoperable, you can be charged the additional fees of $150-$250.    To avoid any surprises, tell the car shipping company in advance if your car is inoperable.