Auto Transport Tips: Forget What You Think You Know
Okay, this blog post may sound a bit off, but read it through before you judge us. Many customers who call us looking for quotes or for information about shipping their vehicle have some idea of how the industry works, but more often than not it’s skewed or incomplete, and they end up sounding kind of stupid once they realize how things really work. We’re talking about customers who call us looking for specific shipping services, like flatbed shipping, or else demand certain restrictions or accommodations be made for their vehicle. And that’s all well and good, really, because if your vehicle is lowered or has huge tires or something, it’s important to let your shipper know. But once they know, it’s on them to find a carrier that will accommodate you.
If you fill out our free online quote form you’ll get multiple free quotes from reputable and reliable shipping companies. Unless you specify an enclosed carrier, you’re going to get quotes for open transportation services – they’re the standard shipping service in the industry. If your vehicle is not running and you make sure to say so in the quote request form, your quotes will be $150-$200 higher than if it did run, because they require a winch to load or unload that not all trucks have. Anything else will need to be discussed with your transportation representative. But if you tell them your vehicle has to be shipped on a flatbed, they’re probably going to put you on hold and laugh – even if you’re right.
They don’t like being told what to do, but no one likes to be told how to do their job, especially if they are perfectly proficient at it. Auto transport representatives have to know a lot about the car shipping industry, and that includes how to ship specialty vehicles or vehicles with major modifications. They don’t need your input – the only information they need from you is what they ask you. Forget what you think you know about shipping a car, because at the end of the day it’s going to make things go a lot smoother for you. Your representative is going to find the best method of transportation for your specific shipping budget and needs. If they need more information about your vehicle, they’ll ask you. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t tell them if it’s lifted or lowered – they may not think to ask. But don’t tell them what type of carrier you need or that you need it picked up by noon on Saturday and delivered 2,500 miles by Monday morning, because it ain’t going to happen.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
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