Friday, February 11, 2011

Steps to Success in Shipping your Automobile

By Tom Kearns


Most of our endeavors can be taken in steps - first baby steps then on to a final full run. You can't play football without a goal line and a ball. You can't knit without needles and yarn. One must have the proper tools to reach a successful ending to the job at hand. Let us stretch this concept to shipping your car. First step is to decide which auto transportation company to use and how to go about this.

From stage one to the final stage of finalizing a deal, there are definite best practices to involved. Stage one is research the auto shipping companies. Read articles, visit auto shipping websites, network with people who have had experience with auto shipping companies. Once you have a basic understanding of the industry and general knowledge of the auto shipping services available, you can enter into the next stage of narrowing it down to a few service providers or brokers from which to obtain pricing quotes.

If you have determined that shipping your vehicle is what you want to do, it is time to get your documentation together. You will need a driver's license, registration, proof of insurance and your vehicle specifications to get the process underway. Once you have chosen your auto transport company or broker, you will need to hone up your negotiating skills to reach the final pricing.

Price will depend on distance traveled, shipping container used, weight of the shipment and the time frame allowed for pickup and delivery. There will also be miscellaneous expenses involved. Once the deal has been set between you and the auto shipper, review in detail the terms and conditions of the contract paying special attention to the cancellation fees and insurance options. Be sure all your questions are answered to avoid surprises along the journey.

You will now have the times and dates of the pickup and delivery of your vehicle and can begin your vehicle preparation. You will need to check engine function, gas levels, security features and the overall condition of your vehicle - make an actual checklist for you and your shipper to sign off on. Now your vehicle is ready for pickup and once that is accomplished, you need to follow up with the car transport company and the vehicle's receiver so you can ensure a smooth trip for your car.

Check in with the shipping company to make sure all is well and there are no further details to take care of. When you have been given confirmation of delivery and the condition of your car is satisfactory, you are expected to pay the remaining balance of the invoice. Wrap it all up with a thank you and positive feedback - you may be back. Follow these steps and all should flow smoothly.

Following these steps will help alleviate any problem that may arise, leaving you and the shipper less stressed. Auto shipping is a complex business requiring much knowledge and expertise, so do not rush the numerous decisions that must be made. Perform background checks, question anything you don't understand and pursue those questions until you feel comfortable that they have been correctly answered. As noted, auto shipping is a complex process with many bends in the road. Make sure it bends your way when handing over your vehicle to an auto shipping company.




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