Category Archive: Auto Transport Services

Aug
29

Broker VS Carrier

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At the risk of really stirring up a fire storm, it is important that we compare the obvious and sometimes not so obvious differences in your selection of a carrier or a broker to transport your vehicle.  Auto transport and shipping is indeed a very specialized form of truck shipping and you should know all of the in’s and out’s in order to do it right.

First:  You need to know that there is a difference.  Most brokers do not own or operate their own trucks.  Most carriers operate trucks but are not brokers.

So, what is the difference, and which is best?

There really is not a best.  Just a best for you.  To determine which it must be you first need to understand their functions.

A carrier picks up and delivers vehicles.  That is his forte’ and most do it very well.  Many of these individuals are great drivers but not necessarily great business operators.  Again, their expertise is in the actual driving, picking up and delivering.  In an effort to be sure that I don’t impugn some really great business operators out there, understand that these descriptions are for the purpose of comparison and not to make broad blanket descriptions of the abilities of individuals.  This being said in defense of those carriers that are in fact good business operators as well.

A broker on the other hand, is going to be a good business operator (if he plans to be in business for any period of time) because the auto transport business is a very competitive business.  He may or may not own and operate trucks, but he will work with and manage the deliveries of thousands.

With all of that established, which do you choose and why ??

Typically, you get more services and better prices with a broker.  A broker is going to do all of the insurance, bonding, licensing, and permit checking for you.  He will negotiate the pricing and pickup/delivery instructions for you.

Most importantly, he will select the driver/carrier that will transport your car.  As you can imagine there are nice guys and some not so nice guys in all industries.  If a broker can’t stand to work with someone, you probably can’t either.  Reputation and attitude mean everything when you are paying someone large sums of money to transport a vehicle worth large sums of money.

Most importantly a broker is a source of information that will be more objective than a carrier.  Simply because he is more distanced from the actual issues and can maintain a more objective attitude.  Selecting a broker provides a layer of insulation between you and the carrier.  Should an issue arise, you won’t have to be the one dealing with it directly, as you have a broker.

Brokers compete with carriers for your business, so the pricing will be as good if not better.  The broker will have to locate and negotiate with the carrier on your behalf, without the carrier knowing your identification until after he is committed and has taken assignment of your order.

Are there good carriers ..?  Of course.  Are there good brokers ?? Most certainly.  Most of the carriers and brokers you will come into contact with are very honorable and efficient individuals.  This comparison is not made to discover faults, but instead is provided to compare traits and services.

You can find examples of both at www.best-transport-quotes.com.

Hope it has been of some assistance.

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Aug
16

How To Save Money And Ship Your Car/Truck Safely

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Save Money

For most folks, shipping an automobile or other vehicle can be a daunting task.  Why, you ask?  Simply because like most things we have never done before, we really don’t know our way around the task.  Not many people have had reason to ship a vehicle on many occasions.

But, it’s not something you need fear.  The industry is tightly regulated by the federal government and it’s competitive enough that the really bad guys tend to get washed away over time, like most industries.

The auto transport industry is peopled by mostly great folks.  Honest and hard working, this is what they do and for the most part they do it very well.

But, like all areas of business, there is a way of getting around and a language to speak.  That is what this article is all about, sharing information on how to do those things and do them as inexpensively as possible.

The very first thing you need to do is get some pricing so that you will know what to expect.  The way to do that is to go to your computer, do a google search for auto transport or car shipping.  This search will produce

the usual organic material in the center of the page, but more importantly it will show you the little rectangular text ads along the right side of the screen.  Look for one that says something like “Free Quotes” or “Get 10 Free Quotes”.  You are looking for an ad that will provide you with pricing from more than one trucking company or broker.  When you click on it, you will be asked to provide the basic information on your shipment as well as some contact information on yourself.  Go ahead and provide what they ask for and within a short period of time (usually just a few minutes) you will not only see several emails with complete quotes attached, but also you will probably receive a couple of phone calls from the more ambitious ones.  If you provide your phone number you learn, if you don’t then you miss out on the education provided by conversing with the experts.  You choose.

Just a word here, if you want to ship your car safely and inexpensively, you are simply going to have to communicate with the folks that want to do business with you.  They can’t read minds, and the only way they are going to know what you want to do is by communicating.  A lot of people these days don’t want to be bothered, but a little bother is certainly worth the safety and cost savings a little comparison can accomplish.  Once you have made your selection of companies, simply request that the other companies stop contacting you.

So, what are you looking for in the quotes?  Price is right up there at the top of my list. Make sure the companies you talk to are licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have all of the proper insurance and bonding.  One way to accomplish this without doing it yourself is to simply select an Auto Transport Broker.  They do all of this background checking for you at no extra cost, and then they hire the trucker.

Once you have had a chance to talk with a few companies, and listened to their sales pitches, you will be well armed in the search for the company that can please you.  A good place to get lots of competitive quotes is www.best-transport-quotes.com.

More on hiring Auto Transport Brokers vs Carriers later.

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Aug
03

Various Ways To Transport Your Vehicle

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Most of us wonder how a car/vehicle is transported ?  Is it on a truck or train or driven ?  This short article will mention and discuss some of the various manners in which auto transport takes place, and some of the reasons for the different modes of transport.

There are several options available when it comes to auto transport, depending on time available, your budget, and the area of the country you are shipping to or from.  Even the type of vehicle you are shipping plays a large role in the selection.

Some of the choices might be open trailer, enclosed trailer, dolly, flat bed, and even train transport.  Each method of course has it own positives and negatives.

Let’s take a look at each and figure our which one just might work for you;

The open carrier:  For those of us shipping “typical” cars, that is the family sedan style of vehicle that you normally see on all the highways, the open carrier is probably the best.  This is the standard of the auto shipping industry and is typically less expensive than an enclosed truck, while still offering the protection and utility of professional transport.

The open carrier is the one you see constantly going up and down the highways usually carrying 6 to 10 cars on it.  This is the industry standard.

The enclosed carrier:  Do you have a classic collector car … or an expensive luxury vehicle ?  Or, perhaps you just purchased a new car and the worry of weather and possible scratches or incidental damage caused by sticks or rocks is just something you don’t want to be concerned with.  The enclosed trailer provides additional environmental protection for your car by enclosing it completely in a “van” or “box” type trailer looking in appearance much like a standard freight trailer.  More expensive to use, but definitely more protection for your car.

The dolly:  This is the little two wheel carrier that you can rent at the truck and trailer rental facilities to utilize to move your car yourself.  Or, you can hire a transport company driver to do it for you.  One pulling vehicle towing one dolly with your car attached to it.  Simple and cheap with no special license required (normally).

The flatbed truck:  This style of auto transporter typically isn’t going very far.  For distances of up to about 200 – 300 miles normally, this can be the quickest and most practical method of moving your vehicle.  No multiple pickup and delivery schedule to contend with just load one car and go.  The drawback is that if you are going very far this can get rather expensive.

The train:    Train transport is environmentally friendly and very cost effective, but has somewhat limited availability.  So, unless you live near a train line which offers train transport of cars, it is probably not a method which could normally be taken advantage of.  The Auto Train and other rail options are available but don’t expect a “hurry up” situation here.

By requesting your quotes you are offered the above services through several trucking/transport companies at their very best price.  So you get to compare service and price without spending a dime.  Compare and then choose the one you are comfortable with.

Quotes from www.best-transport-quotes.com come only from properly licensed and insured companies eager to do business with you.

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Jul
25

How Long Does It Take For My Car To Be Shipped?

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How long does it take for my car to be shipped?Just how long does it take for my car to be picked up … transported … and delivered when I use an auto transporter ?

This is a really good question as we all get anxious when our valued vehicle is not readily available.  The answer to this mystery lies in the methodology of car shipping.

First, you must understand that in most cases the time factor has more to do with how soon the car can be picked up instead of how long does it take after it is on the way ..  A google search will assist in finding a Broker/Carrier, and then check with your selected carrier to be sure you understand the time frame to insure that there are no mis-understandings.  A good suggestion here is to get in writing the times and schedules promised so that you can be assured that companies quoting your needs are acutely aware of your time requirements and needs.

Next, you need to be aware that Truckers/Carriers typically utilize a “lane” system of identifying routes from point A to point B.  The busier lanes usually have many more trucks on them than do the slower lanes.  An example might be going from Jacksonville, Florida to San Diego, California.  The truck would utilize I-10 all the way …. It’s a very fast and busy lane and you could count on rapid service.

Slower lanes would be less busy road in less busy areas of the country.

Other factors that must be considered is the speed limit, the number of scales along the route (truckers are required to stop at each one) and any construction that might slow traffic down along the way.  Most folks are aware that the Federal Government has many requirements on drivers as to how many hours per day and week they can drive.  They even couple this with mandatory “down” time between driving shifts.

Weather, season, and even things like fuel availability also share in the time needed for moving your car from its pickup spot to its final destination.

With all of the above taken into consideration …. How do you figure out the time needed for the trip …????

A good rule of thumb is to simply figure on a 350 mile per day average and most of the time it will be close.  This is a mileage and route based industry which makes it a little simpler.

When you “book” your car with the Broker/Carrier of your choice be sure and discuss this with your driver or agent.  Many of the more “cutting edge” companies can now provide live tracking to enable you to actually find out the exact location of your car at any time.

 For a “FREE” selection of quotations totally without obligation, simply go to www.best-transport-quotes.com and select from a choice of really great company’s and drivers, all competent to earn your business.

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Jul
21

What if my car is damaged during transport?

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Damaged car while transportIf you are not prepared. This can be a scary moment.  But, it doesn’t have to be.  During the time that you are screening and comparing quotes is the proper time to put this issue to rest once and for all.

Any trucker/carrier participating in auto transport is required by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) to have insurance.  But the real question is do they have it ??

You can check it out yourself online at the website for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

If you are dealing with a Carrier (Trucker) you can simply ask them to fax or email you a copy of their insurance.  If you are working with a Broker just ask the Broker and he will be glad to advise you.  This is part of the service that a Broker is always happy to provide.

 But, what do I do if my car is damaged during car shipping ?

Answer:  When the car arrives at it’s destination, do not sign the bill of lading until you (or your representative) and the driver inspect the car together.  If damage is present that was not there when the car was shipped, note it on the bill of lading before signing and get a copy.  Ask the driver for his proof of insurance (you are looking for cargo insurance not liability insurance) All you need do is file a claim with the Carrier’s Insurance Provider along with a copy of the bill of lading that shows the damage (signed by both you and the carrier) and an estimate of repairs from a body shop.

 Upon discovery of damage and while still with the driver, it is always a good idea to make a call to his insurance company and simply ask them how they would like to proceed.  They will direct you in how to file a claim with them and you will find that the insurance company will be very pleasant and helpful as they really have no reason to be otherwise.  If you can’t reach the insurance company representative it’s still not the end of the world, call your Auto Transport Broker, he can help.

Don’t forget:  Household goods being transported inside your car are not supposed to be there (by rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and are not covered in the driver’s insurance.

 Although kinda scary light damage is not unusual during auto transport and is handled in a rather routine manner.  You will be taken care of and your car will be fixed and guess what ????   This problem too will simply go away.

 If you request your car shipping quotes from www.best-transport-quotes.com you can rest assured that all carriers have been checked out during the quote process.  They will always be the good guys. Count on it !

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Jul
18

How Much Does It Cost To Ship My Vehicle?

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COST TO SHIP MY VEHICLE?

WOW, NOW THERE IS A LOADED QUESTION !

However, with the information available to you on the internet, we not only have answers but we can also supply good reasons for those answers.

 First you must understand the reasons for the variety in prices in the industry of shipping vehicles.  And believe me there are several.

 *  Firm costs:  Start off with the cost of a tractor/trailer rig which in today’s world can run up around $500,000.00.  Add to that insurance of about $10 – 25,000.00 per year, fuel costs of over $4.00 per gallon (these trucks will average 3 – 4 miles per gallon) maintenance, repairs, tires, and depreciation.  Don’t forget to include the cost of licensing, permitting, and paying a driver and you are starting to get the idea.  Operating an auto hauler is a very expensive proposition.

 *  Marketing costs:  OK, now you own a auto transport rig, but in order to make money you must find customers.  This typically can run several thousand dollars per month.

 In the auto transport industry you will find there are several different schools of thought on pricing auto shipments.  There are high dollar individuals who simply won’t move their truck unless properly compensated.  Also, you will find the folks who really want the volume and therefore kind of have the Walmart mentality.  They try to provide you with super low prices in order to stay very busy.

Somewhere from top to bottom and everywhere in between you will find that price that you approve of.

 The secret to first discovering the range of prices is to compare several.  After doing that, either call or wait to be called (if you provide a phone number).  You can also simply provide an email address and most will be happy to forward information in a prompt manner.

 Shipping a vehicle is one area of business where being smart really pays off.  The American Trucker has a reputation for being an independent spirit.  This translates into a wide variety of pricing for the same job when compared among several carriers.  It doesn’t mean anyone is wrong or right. It just means that there are several prices available.  So do your homework.

 Just a word about differences in business methodology.  Some brokers expect a deposit up front and some don’t.  Both are correct, they just don’t agree and that’s perfectly OK.  Most want final payment in the form of a cashier’s check or money order, and that is the norm for trucking.

 When researching prices, the best way is to simply do a google search for auto shipping quotes or auto transport prices.  You will see several opportunities to select a pricing source, so simply select one and provide them with your shipping information.

After you receive your quotes from be sure and ask the questions you may have concerning any range of topics.  If the broker you are speaking with and considering truly wants your business, he will be happy to answer your questions completely.

 Really great quote providers only recommend the “Good Guys” so understand that most of the pre-screening has in fact already been done.  A service that further enhances your auto shipping experience.

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Jul
13

Can I place household and personal items in my car when I ship it by carrier??

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shipping car with items inside
A Question about Auto Shipping …..

Can I place household and personal items in my car when I ship it by carrier ??

This question requires an answer based upon several facts and situations and many different answers are given by many different people.  Although, truthfully, there is only one real answer and it is determined by the Carriers insurance company and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the D.O.T.).

1.  The insurance coverage that your carrier has will not cover items loaded inside your car.  This “cargo” insurance is for his cargo… not yours.  So, if that lamp you place in your car bounces around and breaks your car radio you lose, as it is not insured ..

2.  The law (in this case, a rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) says that no household goods may be transported inside your vehicle.  The reasons behind this are primarily due to licensing.  Your transporter/carrier is licensed to transport automobiles and vehicles, but not to transport household goods.  He would have to be licensed as a household mover to be in compliance. This would require filing the appropriate forms, obtaining the proper bonds and insurance, and paying the proper fees.

3.  Another reason not to load your vehicle with household goods when shipping by an auto transport carrier is weight.
Your auto shipper will have to cross the scales many times while in transit to your destination.  Although the common thought would be “my stuff only weighs a couple of hundred pounds” remember, your car is one of up to 10 on his truck ..  A couple of hundred pounds multiplied by 10 turns into a couple of thousand pounds.  This becomes a fuel burner and a “scales buster”.  When a carrier exceeds his allowable weight on the scales, he pays a major fine and penalty.

So, with the above listed reasons in mind, the answer to your question is emphatically no.

I know, some auto transport brokers will tell you it is OK for you to load “a few items”, “up to 100 lbs”, “not over 200 lbs” or some other figure. So, are they right ?  No, in spite of their attempts to capture your business by being agreeable. They can’t change the law.

When you are advised to break the law, the advisor quickly goes into hiding when you get caught.

Use top-notch carriers and brokers who sincerely want to do business with you in a fair, safe, and completely legal manner.

When you decide to ship your vehicle, go to websites offering quotes and fill in the information requested.  You will then receive quotes on shipping your car from several of the great trucking companies  recommended.  There is never an obligation, select the one you want, or select none.  Having seen the quotes will make you a much better shopper.

Some good advice, be safe, be smart, and pick a reputable Broker/Carrier.

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Jun
25

Basic Steps in Auto Transport

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basic stepsThe shipping of a vehicle means different things to different people. To some, it’s an object – simply a car, a boat, an RV, ATV, or motorcycle…to others, it’s a very personal thing like transporting a cherished family member.

When you choose a Carrier for auto transport, first and foremost select based upon a comfort level that is good for you. Although price is important, other important issues surface in this all important selection process.

•Insurance: Is the carrier properly insured?
•Licensure: Does the carrier possess proper licenses & permits?
•Safety Record: Driving record does matter..
•Reputation: Is this carrier going to project a professional attitude?
•Equipment: Having and maintaining a safe and modern truck is very important to the transportation process.

Your selection of Brokers that only use and utilize Carriers that meet a strict code of ethics and conduct is extremely important. Auto shipping is a serious business and only serious companies and individuals need to be involved.

Properly insured means having liability insurance as well as cargo insurance coverage, to not only cover your vehicle, but also any possible exposure to liability that may come along in the process of moving your vehicle. Most top companies today carry a minimum of $250,000.00 in cargo insurance and at least $1,000.000.00 in liability is standard.

Required and mandatory licensure is very important. Being licensed through the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and having all of the state and federal permits (including registration with the DOT) is not only expected but necessary. The minimum required will be a Motor Carrier Authority Number (a license), a DOT number (licensing) and each state requires permits (expensive) just to utilize their highways for transport.

A safety record indicating that the driver is a careful professional is critically important to you as a shipper. Shipping is important but getting your vehicles there safely is even more urgent.

Drivers/Carriers build reputations. Some are good and some not so good. The reputation a driver/carrier has will tell you volumes about what to expect in terms of agreement, compliance with contracts, and an ability to simply “get along” with the driver/carrier you select. Choose carefully here, if you feel uncomfortable with a driver/carrier, simply talk to another one that makes you feel better about the process. There are review sites on the web where the past performance of various transport companies can be reviewed, complete with details and stories of experiences listed by previous customers.

A successful company or driver is going to have modern well maintained equipment with which to move your vehicle. Stay away from those using “junk”. For the most part the safety and reliability of a large rig will have a lot to do with it’s age and visable condition. If it looks worn out it probably is. Successful Carriers pride themselves in top equipment and you will be able to tell the difference.

When you request quotes from brokers, such as www.best-transport-quotes.com, only companies that meet or exceed the above descriptions will be contacting you. Your safety and total satisfaction is after all what this entire program is really about.

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