Step By Step Car Transport Guide
|
Car Transport is not a complex and stressful service if done correctly. It has to be planned carefully and each detail must be taken in account in order to have a successful experience. Things like weather, time flexibility, car models, money budget, and expectations are important factors that come in to play when planning a car transport. Read over this simple guide and make sure these details have been taken care of. Use as your own check list of needed to ensure a great transport service.
|
There are a couple things you must take care of before booking your transport in order to ensure you are getting exactly what you need. One of the biggest mistakes customers do is that they assume an agent knows exactly what's going on, what they need and what they expect. Unless your agent is a psych, make sure you communicate with him and let him know exactly what you need.
However, throughout our experience we have come to know that many customers don't know what questions to ask and are lost when it comes to booking their service, there for we decided to help them out and do this small but concise list of things you must check and ask for before booking. Check the Dates. Before you start to shop around for possible car transport companies and prices, determine which dates you plan to have your vehicle moved. Different dates call for different prices and different measures as car transport also is determined by seasons. If you get an estimate 2 months prior to actual shipping date, don't be surprised price may change, estimates are giving accordingly to market prices at the moment, hoping these prices will stay the same for the time you wish to ship. When you have a better idea of exact dates call and verify this price will be the same or what will be the difference. Check Reputation and Prices. When you start shopping around, check other customer's reviews. This will help you determine whether this company will be able to offer you the service you are looking for or not. Also you can see what type of reputation they have and if you will go through a hassle when booking through them. Also, when price is given, write it down in a piece of paper and compare. Incredibly low prices are immediate red flags, as they usually mean later fees will be charged or a bad service is guaranteed. Stick to the average and guide yourself by customer reviews and how the agent handles himself during the call. If he answers all your questions, provides all proof of proper operating documentation ans such. After you have gone through this simple check list and chose your company, start the questions: Ask What is Included in Fee. Make sure you ask your agent what is included in the quote he provided. Ask if you will be charged extra fees, taxes or deposits beside that fee. Usually prices are all-inclusive final price, however it won't hurt to double check to avoid hidden fees later on. Ask What Type of Carrier they Offer. If you need an enclosed carrier or need a special accommodation to transport your car, make sure you tell your agent. Car Transport services are done in open carriers, unless requested differently. Each carrier has different prices so make sure you ask final price once you request change of carrier type. Ask About Insurance. Although it is required by law that each carrier have insurance to cover for each car they carry in order to operate as a company, ask about their insurance. Request a copy of form for your records in case of any accident or damage. Make sure it is current and up to date and ask how much of the incident it will cover, partial or full coverage. Ask About Packing Car. One of the biggest mistakes done by customers is that they load up their car with personal belongings. Yes, its is your car, but this is not a moving company. Carrier's need to stick to certain weight restrictions and checking points. A loaded car will not only add weight, but also cause inconveniences at check points. Ask your agent what are their policies and if these items are covered by insurance. Most likely they won't but you can plan ahead and buy insurance for your items if needed. Ask about Cancellation Policy. Many customers pass this question very lightly and when the moment of truth comes they complain of being cheated. Every single company has their policies, either for refund on retail or cancellation for services. Usually all these terms are stated on the contract provided to customers to sign. Truth is 90% of them will not thoroughly read them. If you signed on it, you agree to it and you abide by it. For better understanding ask about it before you encounter stressful situations and extra fees |
After you have successfully passed though the previous checklist and have proper answers to all the previous questions, and have chosen the company that will serve your car transport needs, it is time to prep your car for transit.
Like before, there are a couple things you must ask in order to take care of them properly and others you need to check to have car ready. Lets start with the questions: Ask what are their regulations in order to transport a car. Most companies will provide what they need customer to do prior to having car picked up. Things like amount of gas in tank, disconnected batteries, disconnected alarm systems, and removed personal items are a must before car is picked up. Ask your agent what are their regulations in order for you to take care of these and avoid delays and misunderstandings. Ask how payment works. Before signing any contract or providing any card information ask how payment works. Typically an initial deposit is done the remaining balance is paid upon delivery to the driver. Ask what form of payment driver accepts as most of them only take cash, money order or cashier's check. Some companies also offer the possibility of paying all upfront or upon delivery. According to what they offer, chose what will be best for you. Once these questions have been taken care of, start to check off your list and have car ready to be shipped. Check your car thoroughly. For insurance purposes it's recommended you wash your car and check it thoroughly inch by inch for scratches, dents and marks. If it's possible take pictures for your record. This will help you keep a record of how car was before being picked up and how it was delivered. In the case any damage has occurred your pictures will serve as proof for insurance claims. Check the weather. Once you get closer to the shipping date, check the weather. This will help you prepare and plan ahead in the event of any delays. Bad weather conditions call for bad road conditions, and off limits for carriers. For car protection and driver safety, they will not drive in such conditions and will have to wait out any storm. This will cause delays either for pick up or delivery times, and customer's full understanding is needed. Check car is Running. Most of the times the cars that are being shipped are new cars that have been used prior to shipment and are in perfect conditions. Sometimes these cars have been sitting for a while and being sold to other owners and shipped. When this is the case make sure car is running. If it's not contact your agent immediately and let them know of this detail as inoperable cars have different fees and most importantly need different equipment in order to be mounted on carrier. Check you have driver's information. Once your booking is complete and you have a confirmed driver. make sure you get driver's information so you can contact him directly. DO NOT constantly call driver and bombard him, use this number wisely. Drivers are not meant to deal with customers besides giving pickup exact times, certain updates along the way and exact delivery times. You need to complain or need constant monitoring of where your car is, call dispatch or your booking agent. You do not want to aggravate the driver, remember he has your car. This works just like a restaurant, if you constantly nag at the waiter, guaranteed your food will be spit on. Again, use this number wisely. Check inside of car. Once agent has provided all regulations pertaining to taking things in your car, make sure you stick to them and abide by them or your car will either not be taken or extra fees will apply. Check your car and make sure no personal belongings other than ones that must be there are removed. Losses are purely customer's responsibility. |
Click here to get a quote online
©All rights reserved to AA Car Transport LLC - https://AACarTransport.com - 1-(800)-516-3440