Customers are normally the cause of delays and that is usually because many do not arrive at the pick up or delivery locations on time. I have heard many stories about car shipping customers that wait until the last minute to handle their business - whether it’s running errands, taking their kid to soccer practice or forgetting their pick-up and delivery date altogether! 

It takes more than just searching a few car shipping Web sites for quotes.  You have to be prepared in advance prior to your day of shipping. Preparation means, preparing yourself to be ‘on time’ for pick-up and delivery of your vehicle. So, make sure that you are on time to meet your car shipping truck.

If you see yourself being late, make sure that you contact the car shipping company in advance …that’s 24 hours in advance preferably.  If an emergency arrives at the very last minute (it happens) make sure that you contact the car shipping company immediately.

We have put together a video that informs some preparations that should be made to protect your vehicle during transport. If you have any questions please comment or post on the forum and you will receive a speedy response from a car shipping expert.

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.

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In other words: Should you hire a professional car shipping company or Joe Schmoe’s Car Shipping Company?

An amateur car shipping company may have the best prices in town but you know the old warn-out adage …you get what you pay for. Perfect example, my father in-law hired a Joe Schmoe car shipping company; someone that he thought would be reliable because he was the neighborhood handyman - a Jack of all trades. My father in-law hired him to ship his car from his home to another state. He offered to do it next to nothing.

On the day of pick-up, my father in-law called to confirm. Joe Schmoe, the driver said: “Cool, let me splash some water on my face and I’ll be there in 60 seconds.” Well, Mr. Schmoe never showed up. After calling him several times, he finally answered the phone and my father in-law rescheduled for the next day.

During pickup, Schmoe actually did a good job of loading up the vehicle. My father paid him the car shipping fee and Schmoe was on his way. Transit time should have taken only 2-3 hours. Ten hours later, Schmoe-Ann, Joe Schmoe’s wife called. She told my father in-law that her husband got arrested for DUI and they impounded his truck, and yes, you guessed correctly – along with my father in-law’s car.

$250 down the drain. My father in-law had to wait a whole week to get his car back. I asked him was it worth the hassle – absolutely not was his answer. He was better off hiring a professional car shipping company. It may have cost him $600 - $800 but at least his car would have arrived to his point of destination safely.

Before you begin your search for a shipping quote, there are a few things that you will need to know from the start. First, you have to know exactly where you’re shipping your vehicle, boat or motorcycle to. Will you be shipping y locally, nationally or internationally? Next, you will be asked where the pickup and delivery location will be as well as the date of departure. You should also know whether you want door-to-door or terminal transport. Knowing the exact city, state and zip code is very helpful. You should also know the size of your car, bike or boat that you will be shipping. For example, you should know the height, width and the length. Keep in mind that your shipping quote is just an estimate. The actual cost of your order may be lower or slightly higher than the given quote.