Shipping a car from one dealership to another can be like maneuvering through something of an intricate maze, but with the aid of expert advice it becomes easy sailing. If you are a dealer and need to ship vehicles for clients, or if you just want the lowdown on what it is like shipping cars directly to your door (with images) then this blog post will explain in detail as it’s an important thing that many may not know how exactly works. But first off, how do you get those wheels rolling to wherever they need to be?
Understanding Car Shipping Options
Choosing the right shipping option is like picking the best lane on a highway; it can make all the difference.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
When you Ship Car from Dealership, it basically follows two main routes: open transport and enclosed transport. Open transport is like riding a bike without a helmet, it’s cheap but your car will be exposed to the elements. And enclosed transport is the luxury sedan of shipping; your car stays protected from weather and road debris, but it usually costs significantly more.
- Open Transport
Open transport is the most common and budget friendly option. Cars are loaded onto an open carrier, like those often seen on highways. This option is safe, but cars are still exposed to elements and debris.
- Enclosed Transport
This is a more expensive option. Enclosed transport involved shipping inside a container, but this one is closed, leaving it safe from exposure to debris and the elements. This is a popular, albeit costly option for more valuable and luxurious vehicles.
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal
Consider how convenient you wish your shipping to be. The variety of this convenience comes in two flavors: door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal. The former is a bit of a premium, while the latter requires a bit more legwork but is less expensive.
- Door-to-Door
This is when the carrier picks up and drops off your car at the specified address. It is big on convenience and saves the hassle of having to pick up your own car. However, as stated above, this is the more expensive option.
- Terminal-to-Terminal
This is when most of the legwork is done by you. You’re responsible for picking up and dropping off your car at the designated terminals. This requires more effort on your part but is the more affordable option.
Choosing a Reliable Car Shipping Company
Choosing a car shipping company has quite a few factors to keep in mind. Here’s a general way to find the one that fits your needs.
- Research
Get a list together of potential companies. Look at their online reviews, ratings, and testimonials. Check their history with places like the Better Business Bureau (https://www.eztexting.com/what-does-the-better-business-bureau-do) to ensure their reliability and trustworthiness.
- Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t settle on the first quote you see. Find more, a lot more. Get different estimates from several companies and compare them against each other. Keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always better. Find the quote that makes their affordability and cost viable for you.
- Check License and Insurance
And of course, make sure the company is licensed. Check their listing and see if they are licensed by places like the Department of Transportation (see more here), and also ensure that they have proper insurance coverage.
Preparing for Shipment
And now we come to the actual preparation of shipping your car. Before you hand those keys over, make sure to go over these steps.
- Inspect and Document
Make a thorough inspection of your car. See if there are any dents, breaks, or any other kind of damage. Whether or not there are, take pictures and make notes on the car’s condition prior to shipping. This is important to have in case any disputes arise about its condition upon its delivery.
- Remove Personal Belongings
Take any personal items out of your car before shipping it. Most companies aren’t liable for any items left inside, not to mention any extra weight can increase the shipping cost.
- Maintenance
This might be obvious, but of course make sure that the vehicle is running in good condition. This includes things like checking tire pressure, battery and fluid levels, etc. Also, be sure to turn off any alarms so that they don’t go off during travel.
Conclusion
Car shipping to and from a dealership isn’t as hard as you might believe. Sure, it may seem difficult at first, but when you have the information at hand, you will be surprised how simple it can be. Make sure you understand your options available, prepare your car, and have the right company to service it. This all protects both you and your vehicle, having the latter ready when it arrives at its destination. So, with all this in mind, godspeed and safe travels!
