Important car
shipping facts.
What is
the normal transit time?
The time it takes to get from the
pick-up point to the destination can
vary, depending on the distance. The
average transit time is usually 7 to
10 business days. This is
considering the optimal
circumstances where we have been
given two weeks notice of your move
dates. 7 to 10 days is an average,
but it could be a little less or a
little more, depending on what order
your vehicle(s) was loaded in. For
example, if your vehicle was the
last one loaded, and the first one
delivered, then it wouldn't take
quite as long. However, if your
vehicle(s) was the first one loaded,
and the last one delivered, the
transit time may be closer to two
weeks. Please try to plan your move
around this information.
What type of truck will my vehicle
travel on?
Most of the time, your vehicle will be
transported on an car carrier with room
for 8 to 10 cars. These are the types of
trailers used to transport new cars to
auto dealerships. The trucks are quite a
bit longer than a conventional moving
van or a normal semi trailers. Urban
areas are most often accessible for pick
up and delivery service to your
doorstep. Keep in mind that because of
the height of these trucks, and the lack
of maneuverability, they sometimes can
not always travel onto rural streets,
especially areas off the main roads that
have low hanging trees or low clearance
bridges. It may be possible for you to
use a local service with a smaller
truck, if we encounter any restrictions
in reaching the exact location for your
pick-up or drop-off.
Do you really deliver door-to-door?
In most cases, your vehicle(s) is picked
up from the desired location, usually
your home, and dropped off in the
delivery spot of your choice. We say in
most cases because we cannot travel into
neighborhoods that is not suited for a
truck of this size, as it could
compromise the cargo and possibly your
vehicle. The best rule we can provide is
this: If you live on a main road that is
at least two lanes wide, with no low
bridges or low hanging trees, and the
streets leading to that area are also as
accommodating, then we can pick-up and
deliver your vehicle(s) right to and
from your door. When our driver gets
close by, he will call to confirm your
exact location and then will be able to
assess your accessibility. For the
safety of your vehicle, the driver may
suggest to meet in a nearby shopping
center or parking lot to load/unload
your vehicle. It is up to the driver's
discretion as to where they will drive
the truck, since the driver is
responsible for both the safety of the
transport truck, and the transported
vehicles.
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Will my car go to a terminal?
The use of a local flatbed service can
depend on your pick-up and drop-off
locations. If your area is not
accessible, we may use a local service
to accommodate the needs of your area. A
terminal service is only used in rare
cases when access to your location is
limited, or where scheduling conflicts
occur. Any and all terminal services
that we use are fully licensed and
insured.
What is the process?
Once your reservation is placed, your
transport will be scheduled according to
the dates on your agreement form. After
a truck has been assigned, you will get
a call either from the truck driver or
from the flatbed service in order to
schedule a pick up/delivery time and
day. A condition/vehicle inspection
report is done on pick-up right on the
bill of lading. The person turning the
car over and the truck driver both sign
this report and a copy is given to the
party delivering the car. This same bill
of lading is presented upon delivery of
the vehicle at its destination and you
should compare the car to the report
thoroughly at that time. If, for some
reason, you feel that some damage has
occurred, you must note it on the report
before you sign it and before the driver
leaves. No claims will be honored if the
damage is not noted at the time of
delivery and acknowledged by the driver.
Can I put things in the trunk?
No, your car and its trunk compartment
must be free of all personal belongings.
There are several reasons for this. The
primary reason being that the Department
of Transportation does not allow for the
transportation of “personal items” in a
vehicle that is being transported by an
“Auto Carrier”. The fine for violating
this law is up to $10,000 per
occurrence. The second reason is that
any personal items in the vehicle are
not covered by the carrier’s insurance.
Also, all trucks have weight limitations
that they must comply with. The excess
weight of a customer's personal items
placed within the car being transported
can put the carriers transport truck
over its weight limitation, and cause
additional, and sometimes, costly
delays.
How much notice is needed?
We realize that everyone's schedule is
different. There is no set limit on how
much notice you are required to give.
With that said, keep the following in
mind: Giving us 2 to 3 weeks notice will
help insure that the carrier can be
scheduled to accommodate your pick-up
and delivery time frames. It is also
possible that we can assist you with
last minute transport. For instance, if
you need a vehicle moved immediately, we
can arrange for a local terminal to get
your car picked up, and sometimes as
soon as within 24 hours. It is also
possible for you to drop off your
vehicle at a terminal if for some reason
you cannot wait. The rule of thumb is
generally that the more time you give
us, the better our chances of securing
your spot on a truck.
What forms of payment are accepted?
All carriers accept cashiers checks,
money orders, cash and credit cards.
Express). You can also pre-pay your
transport in full via personal check,
money order or cashiers check, if done
so before your schedule date. Usually a
deposit of $150.00 is enough to reserve
your placement and any form of payment
is acceptable. If you use a credit card
for the deposit, the balance will be due
C.O.D. with cash, money order, or a
cashiers check at the time the vehicle(s)
is delivered. No credit cards will be
accepted upon delivery. Ultimately you
will need to pay the freight charges in
full before your vehicle(s) is
delivered. It is not possible to
withhold a portion of the money due upon
drop-off due to subsequent damage to
your vehicle. All claims are handled
separately once the auto transporter has
received the signed bill of lading
noting any damages.
If there has been a change in plans so
what should I do?
Changes are not a problem. Dates and
addresses can be changed just by giving
us a call. There will usually be no
charge for an address change if it is in
the same city or adjacent town. Dates
can be changed at no cost for up to 30
days after the original reservation date
so long as the change is made in advance
of the driver coming to pick up your
vehicle.
In the
event of a cancellation, we will return
your deposit except for $150.00
non-refundable if the cancellation is
made after a driver has been booked. All
this and more information is listed on
your Shipping Order and Terms and
Conditions.
