You’ve decided you want to engage the services of an auto transporter to have your new purchase delivered to your driveway from the other side of the country. Now the only question you have is: “How do I choose a good auto transporter?”
There are a few things that you should take into consideration before making your choice. In today’s world everything seems to come down to price. Such is the case with auto transport. The price should Abe competitive but not too cheap. Remember, you get what you pay for. If you find a company that is head and shoulders below the going rate of their competitors, chances are they are cutting corners somewhere along the lines. Cheaper isn’t always better. Ask if there are any additional fees that might not be listed in the standard material. Always make sure you get a written quote that is binding and shows all prices in total including tax.
Make sure that the company has insurance to cover any damages that might occur during transport. You should check to see what type of insurance the company holds. If something were to happen during transport, would your personal insurance be billed first or would the transport company’s be the primary insurance.
Payment structure is something that is of a concern as well. Many vehicle transport companies will require either a portion of the fee up front while others may require payment in full prior to transport. You should be sure to choose a company that has a payment schedule that you are at ease with.
As with any service provider you should always ask for references of other clients. Call or write to these clients and ask them how they would rate their experience with the company. Testimonials are a great way to find out what kind, if any, problems or unknown situations have arisen in the past. You may also check with other organizations that rate businesses to see how they stack up against the competition. Remember that a single bad review doesn’t make a company a bad one. Check to see how long the company has been in business and how many clients they deal with throughout a typical year and do some basic math to help you in determining if a company is worth your trust. It is difficult to place your trust in someone new to the industry or who has only been around for six months.
Ask about their policy on cancellation fees and the necessary amount of time to cancel your order without incurring any charges. This topic should be covered in your contract, so you might have to be sure that you read the fine print. Another important consideration is a guaranteed delivery date. You should be able to have a reasonable expectation of when your vehicle will be delivered. A final inspection upon delivery may require your presence and you don’t want to take time off for work and not have an on time delivery.
If you follow these suggestions, then you should have no problem in finding and procuring a quality vehicle transport company to take care of your next out-of-state purchase. Also see: How to Ensure Auto Security while Shipping
How to Ensure Auto Security while Shipping
Shipping an automobile is an event that most of us will only do once or twice in our lives, if at all. Since this service is rarely needed, it can be a source of worry and cause concern. The largest purchase many will make in their lifetime is a home; the second largest purchase for many Americans is an automobile. Everyone knows the importance of finding reliable and trustworthy service people to work in your home; how do you go about doing the same for your cars? The best way to find a reliable company to move your vehicle is in many ways similar to hiring a plumber or electrician.
A key source of information on a company’s dependability is word of mouth. The issue here is how do you find people who have experience with an automobile moving company when the service is used so rarely by the average American? You could look at testimonials on a company website, but these sources can easily be controlled by the company. A better place to look may be an independent company rating website. These agencies are independent and usually very accurate in their reporting. You may go to the website and, for a small fee, see how many companies in any area stack up against each other. Individual testimonials are also available to peruse. While it is important to look for a good score and positive feedback, you should also keep your eye out for special distinctions a company may have such as being complaint free for a year. This should be seen as a small investment in both the security of your automobile and your own peace of mind.
Another important item to confirm with any company you may be considering in moving your car is that of insurance. Looking into a company’s reputation and ratings will help minimize the chance of your vehicle being damaged, but it does not negate the possibility. Many things can happen even to careful, competent workers on a cross country move. Is the company you are considering insured? If the company is not insured, you trust them with too much.
Any company not carrying insurance will, of course, have to pay for damages out of their own pockets. People will always spend their own money more frugally than someone else’s, just look at Congress. If the company is spending their own money, they have tremendous financial incentive to find a good reason to not pay for your claim. That is not the case when a company has insurance writing the check. Make sure that the company will pay for damages without a deductible being passed on to you. Always confirm insurance.
A final point to highlight is longevity. How long has this company been in business? The longer they have been around, the better chance they are in treating customers the right way. Many companies fail in the first year or two because they don’t have the system in place to take care of customer concerns. Looking for time in service is possibly the best way to insure the company has been satisfying the majority of their clients.
So look around, do your research, and find out beforehand all you can about a company you are trusting with your automobile. Do all this and you should be driving your car in your new neighborhood in no time.