If you have been searching the Internet for the best classic car of your dreams or looking for a unique and hard-to-find model that is not available in your local car dealership here is some good news. As more buyers have turned to buying cars from other states with the help of eCommerce websites like eBay or Craigslist, car transport has seen a dramatic rise in their business.
More companies are competing for your business, and the increase in competition has led them to lower their price rates. The bad news is, like any booming business, some of these shippers who jump the vehicle transporting bandwagon are less reputable compared to others.
That is why it is imperative to choose yours properly. The United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the FMCSA has reported a sudden increase in accusations and complaints against car transport companies.
To know more about this industry, you can check out websites like https://shipcar24.com for more information.
Choosing a wrong business can increase your odds of paying extra for no particular reason, credit and debit card rip-offs, damage on the vehicle, delivery delays, or a combination of the reasons mentioned above. The good news is, there is a lot of tools available today that you can use to help you find and choose the right vehicle transporter. Alternatively, if you are a Car shipping provider, you can bid for the jobs that work for you on onlne shipping platforms like Shiply and get loads of work from potential clients.
Doing your due diligence in researching companies and knowing what to look for can make a big difference. It can make the experience a lot easier and smoother, as well as save you money and the headache of dealing with bad transporters.
The first thing you need to do is to know how the business works. Traditionally, there are two types of car transport companies. Commercialized and more established companies who have their own trucks, people who you can speak to on the phone, and people who drive the car and carry your vehicle to your desired destination.
These types of companies usually use enclosed trailers to ship the cars, use well-maintained and modern equipment, put importance on customer service and often the first choice for people who are buying high-end super-cars or valuable classics. They are also the more expensive companies because you know your vehicle is secure and protected during transport. Usually, they will ask at least a 50% additional payment for shipping costs.
You can also use a transportation broker, and there is a lot of them to choose from. Looking for a car transporter on the Internet will give you a lot of hits, most of them will be for brokerage firms. Brokers will work with any number of independent operators or owners who are looking for vehicles heading in the direction they are going or along their company’s regular route.
They will quote you the price of the transport services they are offering over the phone or via the Internet. They will make money by taking a small percentage of their quoted price rate. It is usually charged to a credit or debit card, with the balance due to the truck driver by certified check or cash when the vehicle is delivered.
While this costs less, compared to other options, it is crucial to do your due diligence and research when the broker you are planning to hire. Because they are working with a lot of different contractors, there is a big chance that problems will arise and finger-pointing on who’s to blame will be very frustrating. Regardless of what type of company you are choosing, you need to make sure that you are dealing with a respectable and good organization.
All transporters and brokers need to be registered with the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as the Department of Transportation. Make sure they have legitimate registration numbers within their company website. If they are not posting their registration numbers, there is a big chance that they are up to no good.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration site also lets you check the company’s safety records and other relevant information on a company by typing their Department of Transportation or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration numbers at https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx.
Car owner forums are another source of information, recommendation and gripes. You can also find review sites or social media posts that can help you look for the best transport company. The BBB or Better Business Bureau website is also an excellent place to look for relevant information.
You need to remember that every business is very competitive and that you are most likely to get different quotes, some of them reasonable, some of them not. At the end of the day, all you need to do is research every possible scenario when it comes to car transportation. Make sure that you know how it works and how much the company you are planning to hire is asking. Do not be afraid to ask every company near you for a quote. The more choices you have, the more chances you will find the best car transport services that suit your needs.