Archive for the ‘Motorcycle Shipping’ Category

What Affects Car Shipping and Car Delivery Times

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Car transport times are all approximate time frames. This means that you will be given a time period in which your car or motorcycle will be delivered, but not a specific date. In most cases, it sounds something like “10 to 15 days.” This is because many factors can affect car shipping times, most of which cannot be controlled by the carrier driver. When you book car delivery pick up, remember the following factors that can affect when you’ll get it.

Road Conditions: blocked roads, highway accidents or detours will all affect how fast the truck can make it to its destination. Even heavy traffic can slow down delivery.

Distance is of course the major reason delays occur during car transport. Trucks going through long distances have more of a chance to running into complications than those delivering to the next state over.

Finally, trucks that carry a large number of cars will have to deal with a number of deliveries. If your car is number 10 in the delivery order, you have more chances of running into delays, as the truck will have to deal with maneuvering through streets, dealing with car owners who are not home and other problems.

When To Leave It Behind and not get Car Shipping

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Sometimes, it just doesn’t pay to pay for car shipping. While taking your car along may seem like the best option, you should consider your situation and all costs involved before you decide whether to pay for vehicle shipping or to sell your car.

Car shipping is a bad idea if you’re tight on money. Aside from the obvious car transport fee, you may also incur in additional expenses, such as storage fees or penalties if you miss the delivery truck and your vehicle needs to be taken to storage.

Car shipping estimates vary and you won’t have a guaranteed delivery date. If you’re moving tomorrow and you don’t have access to public transportation in your new town, how do you plan on moving around? Will you rent a car? Consider whether it makes more sense to simply sell the car you have and buy another one at your new location.

Old cars are usually not worth the expense of vehicle shipping.

If your car won’t fit into the environment of your new location, why move it at all? If you own a convertible and moving to Maine, it probably makes more sense to sell it and buy a 4×4 once you get there.

If your car will end up being more a problem than a solution, just leave it behind. Cars are an inconvenience in places like NYC, where parking is difficult and expensive and where public transportation takes you anywhere you need to go. Instead of paying a car shipping company, just rent a car when you need it and sell your old one.

Options for Shipping a Car Cross-Country

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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When it comes to shipping a car your car across the country, there is more than one option to consider.

OPTION 1: Drive Vehicle Yourself

The obvious advantage of this is that you don’t have to pay somebody else to do it. You should, however, consider the costs associated with it, including gas, wear and tear, tolls and food and accommodations along the way. You’ll also be spending a lot of time on the go, which can make you miss work days.

OPTION 2: Open Car Shipping

This is the most common car shipping option, where your car is carried on an open truck along with others going the same way. This is usually the best option if you’re trying to save money and want your car delivered safely and without hassles on your part.

OPTION 3: Enclosed Car Shipping

Enclosed vehicle shipping allows you to ship your car or motorcycle in a closed container, inside a truck. All bikes must be shipped this way, as they need to be secured by cables. Vintage, collectible or particularly expensive cars should also be shipped this way to protect them from the elements. Enclosed car transport service may does cost a higher rate then standard open transporting method.

Getting Your Bike Ready for Motorcycle Shipping

Monday, June 1st, 2009

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Before the motorcycle shipping company arrives to take your bike away, there are some things you can do to prepare.

  1. First off, inspect the bike thoroughly for any noticeable damage. To do this, wash your bike completely, then go over it with a fine comb and search and document any problems regardless of how small like dings, a nicked fender or any other obvious cosmetic problems or damages.
  2. If there is any sort of an alarm on the bike, disengage it for the vehicle transport service. As there are so many alarm on the market today, you will be doing your vehicle shipping company a favor if you simply do it yourself.
  3. Remove obvious items such as saddle bags and fold mirrors in as tight as possible. Fenders and ferring too. Even removing the exhaust pipe is a good idea.
  4. Fill all fluids in the bike to full and check for leaks. Leaking fluid, especially oil, is not good for another vehicle’s paint job if it plops on top of it from a motorcycle above it. If there are any at all, notify the motorcycle shipper.
  5. Ensure that the battery is properly charged as well. Again, document any problems in detail as this may be quite important later if the bike is damaged during vehicle delivery.

Prepare for the Car Shipping Tricksters

Monday, June 1st, 2009

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Like any business, there are scams in the car shipping industry. Before booking with a company, it is wise to understand the common scams that are used on unsuspecting customers.

For example, beware of those car transport companies that try to lure customers with the cheapest rate quote around. When comparing car shipping rates from one vehicle shipping company to the next, be wary of those with deflated prices. In all likelihood, this usually means that the customer will lose some form of service that might be gained for a little more elsewhere.

Another common warning alarm should sound with those car shipping companies who promise unusually short vehicle transport times and on a specific date. Shipping arrival times generally fall within a certain window of days. A verbal agreement will not suffice – Make sure you have it in writing.

Another warning sign is unrestricted cancellation fees. For example, if you pull out of the agreement to ship your car, ask if there are additional cancellation fees.

Insurance is yet another area with a lot of room for misinterpretation. What may be listed as full coverage on your contract may vary considerably from what the company states is full coverage.

Finally, research the car shipping company you’re doing business with. Research their Federal License Number to determine if they have recently gone bankrupt, changed the company name and then began doing business again. Search for a transportation company that has been around for awhile and has proven itself.

Don’t Forget to Read the Fine Print of Car Shipping Contract

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

 

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When dealing with any sort of problem with the shipping of your vehicle, always study your contract. The tendency for most people is to head to the car shipping company office and ask for clarification face to face with an employee. But the problem with this is that sometimes wrong information can be given, either by mistake or on purpose.

The way around this is to verify any questions you may have by consulting the contract and then speaking with your car shipping company rep. Rest assured, when a problem arises on the side of the auto shipper, they will always check the contract first.

Look for a few specific things in the contract. Make certain that the cost of auto shipping, as well as cost for cancellation, is listed. Once the cancellation fee is confirmed, consult with the vehicle shipping company that this fee will be waived if for any reason the company fails to pick-up the car within the time frame listed. Also, double check your dates for both pick-up and delivery.

Another consideration for customers concerns rental cars. In the instance where a car transport company cannot deliver your vehicle within a certain number of days of the stated delivery date, negotiate their picking up the tab on a rental car while you wait for your own car to arrive.