Car Shipping Mistakes
May 8, 2018
Choosing to have your car transported instead of driving it to its destination yourself may be necessary for a number of reasons: You might need to have your car there ahead of you; you may be traveling a long distance and don’t want to do all the driving yourself; or you may have a vintage car that you don’t want to risk on the road. Whatever your reason, transporting your car may be the best choice. Yet even if you decide to have your car transported because it seems less risky, you still need to be careful. There are many big mistakes that you can make when having your car transported that could seriously dent your wallet — let alone your car. Here are some of the worst mistakes you can make when transporting your car and how you can avoid them.
Not Doing Your Research
Not all car transport companies are created equal. Check with someone you know and trust for a reference, and be sure to check online review sites for background on the companies you’re considering. It’s always a good idea to look into at least three or four options before making a decision. If you don’t, you’re running the risk of choosing a company that won’t be as respectful to you or your car as you need.
Choosing the Lowest Bidder
You get what you pay for — if you choose the lowest bid, you may get the least amount of service. Be suspicious of companies that turn in a bid much lower than the others. While it may seem like a steal, there’s a good chance that the company may be withholding some information about additional fees it charges. Although cost is an important component when choosing an auto transport company, reputation is far more important. Therefore, make sure you’re paying attention to a company’s reputation as well as its bid.
Handing Over a Deposit When Placing Your Order
The majority of reputable auto transport companies won’t ask you for a deposit before they schedule a pickup date or take possession of the car. If a company asks you for a portion of the fee at the time you place your order, or asks you to sign a contract, be wary. This is another instance in which knowing the reputation of the auto transport company can mean the difference between choosing correctly and making a potentially huge mistake.
If you’re choosing to have your car transported somewhere, chances are, it’s because you’re being extremely cautious. Make sure you take extra precautions when choosing the auto transport company you’ll be trusting with your vehicle, as well.