What Exactly Is Auto Shipping
Dec 6, 2009 More Saving
Most everyone has a treasured vehicle to take care of so it will behave nicely on the road. We do everything we can to keep it looking good and running smoothly and reliably. There may come the necessity at some time to get our pampered pet to a faraway destination due to relocation or just plain moving away. You don’t need to worry, though, that you will be without transportation once you get there. Here is why.
What Does Auto Shipping Entail?
Basically and simply, it is a method of getting your car from where it is to where you want it to be without driving it yourself. Fortunately, there are many companies that offer the convenient service of doing just that. They have fleets of carriers in all shapes and sizes. One will surely fit your vehicle whether you are relocating domestically or internationally. You can also opt to have your vehicle delivered to your door. If you live in one of those rare municipalities that have a local auto shipping company, good for you. You can walk right in and arrange for shipping with a representative. This is probably not the case, however, there are numerous companies online that offer many services, such as flexible modes of shipping as well as flexible schedules. Most of these companies also pride themselves on their excellent customer service.
Two Types of Shipping Carriers
Whether you are transporting a recently purchased vehicle to your current location or are transporting your old friend to a new one, you will need to know what type of shipping carriers are available. There are two main types of carriers.
1. The open vehicle carrier is the most commonly seen and is a great option for most people. It will give your vehicle service at the most economical price. Remember though, that “open” is precisely what it is. You have often seen those huge trucks with their huge trailers rambling down the road with a load of 12 or– or more automobiles. One of those vehicles could be yours if you opt for this type of carrier. And, you can see that the disadvantages of this least expensive method is all those other vehicles which can cause yours harm, inclement weather conditions, flying debris, and theft, if not of your car itself, of the GPS, fancy stereo or other electronic gizmos that are dear to you. There is much less chance of any of this occurring if you go for option #2.
2. The enclosed vehicle carrier is, yup, enclosed. Your precious vehicle will be lovingly laid to rest in its own little bed for a safe journey to its destination without fear of debris, harm from other vehicles or theft. More attention and care will be lavished on it when loading and unloading. Of course, this being the real world, there are two distinct downsides to this mode. 1.) The cost can be from 25% to 100% more expensive than the open carrier mostly because considerably fewer vehicles can be carried at one time. 2.) There are only a few companies that have closed type carriers available in their fleets. Even finding an enclosed carrier can be very difficult and time consuming if not downright impossible.
Now that you know what auto shipping is, and what types are out there, it is time to do your research and figure which is best for you. Good luck!
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Tags: auto, auto shipping, auto transport, automotive, autos, car, car carrier, cars, Logistics, More Saving, Moving, Relocating, Shipping, trucks
What Is The Difference Between An Auto Shipping Broker And An Auto Shipping Carrier?
Nov 26, 2009 More Saving
And in this corner of the ring is the auto shipping broker, his opponent in the opposite corner is the auto shipping carrier. May the best fighter win. Let’s get it on.
Who are the Competitors?
The auto shipping carriers are as numerous as baby bunnies. These businesses provide a convenient service for vehicles on the move, for car dealers and for customers with specific requirements. Most find that contacting one of these carriers online may be the only way to go as they are all over the place and a face-to-face contact with them is unlikely. Even so, it is not very difficult to obtain quotes and rates either online or by telephone. Excellent customer service is usually their stock in trade. The rates quoted to you will include the cost of insurance which is imperative for the well being of your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers will offer you several options by which to ship your vehicle or equipment of any sort. Your vehicle can be transported in an open or enclosed environment, by truck, rail, freight or boat, and these are just some of the services they offer.
Auto shipping brokers, on the other hand, are specific individuals acting as the carrier’s agent. These people are the ones most often used when dealing with both you and the shipping companies. They not only make you, the customer’s, life easier, they bring more client traffic and therefore revenue to the auto carrier companies. You as the customer are offered greater freedom as you do not have to be tied up with just one company. Your broker chooses from a variety of companies and prices for you and also has the advantage of direct communication with the shipper.
So Which One Gets the Prize?
The carrier companies have their own trucks or transportation systems, the brokers do not. This is the difference between the two competitors, who are not really competitors at all, but more like coworkers. Dealing with a carrier in lieu of a broker can be somewhat less expensive. The brokers, however, do much of the work for you and have knowledge of the shipping companies at their disposal as well as the ability to provide the convenience of door-to-door car delivery. If you contract directly with a car carrier, you are locked into the services they provide, not the widespread list of services that a multitude of carriers can provide the broker, and therefore, you.
Brokers also uncover a plethora of rates and quotes out there in the industry and can offer you the best they found. They will probably have better communication with the drivers but this is not a guarantee as most carriers do not have the communication equipment to talk directly to the drivers. An added advantage with choosing the broker scenario is that the brokers are communicating with more than one shipping service at a time. The far flung domestic and/or international scope of the shippers have an inherent lack of communication with the various components of a shipment. As previously stated, the carrier will normally drop off their vehicles at terminals, whereas the broker will deliver it to your door - definitely a convenience.
It was a fair fight. The winner depends upon your needs. Everyone wins this one.
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Tags: auto, auto shipping, auto transport, automotive, cars, Logistics, More Saving, Moving, Relocating, Shipping, trucks, vehicle shipping, vehicle transport
Ensure Your Own Peace of Mind by Shipping Your Vehicle in One Piece
Nov 16, 2009 More Saving
The last thing you want is to hastily trust your car to the first trucking company you come across, sign a contract on faith, have your car picked up already that day, and then, in Paris or Pompei, have the shipment delayed and finally the vehicle delivered with damage you can never prove wasn’t there in the first place.
Good companies might inform you on how best to submit your property for transportation themselves, but it is best to be self-informed, save time by preparing your car beforehand, and make sure the busy clerk doesn’t forget a point or two: the responsibility for any overlooked issues will rest wholly with the client.
When your car is concerned, it is better to be fastidious than a careless slacker: occurrences of scandalous customer service involving expensive cargo are not uncommon. Before admitting a company clerk to you car, inspect it yourself minutely, with particular attention to the motor: it is better to be fully aware of the motor’s condition before shipment, so that later you will not have to wrack you brains about a bunch of wires you never before noticed and suspect conspiracy unnecessarily.
It is better to remove any removable customized accessories, radios, alarms, mirrors, etc. Make sure not to leave in plain sight inside the car any precious or even not so precious objects which might invite a break-in (some people think nothing of breaking into a car to steal a false Zippo). Check the tires for air and wear. Any damage that remains unrepaired upon submission should be listed in the agreement and signed by both parties. A company official will likely want to check the car himself in your presence, but don’t be afraid to nag them with a host of small detail - good carrier companies will only be glad to oblige their customers and a display of vigilance might deter bad companies from carelessly handling your property.
Any reasonable person would be insane to pay all of the insurance policies insistently offered over the phone and by mail. While buying insurance against damage and theft from the company is a good idea.
Inquire beforehand if the company offers the insurance you prefer whether it’s primary or excess. The primary insurance policy will cover damages independently covered by your regular auto insurance. What your regular coverage insurance doesn’t cover your excess policy will. Be sure you know exactly what is and isn’t currently covered.
There are companies that specialize in shipping exotic vehicles. Their carriers are specially designed to handle antiques or classic cars. It is advisable to have an insurance contract which will cover everything that is dear to you about the unit.
Taking digitally-dated photos of your car prior to shipping is a good idea. Inspect the car with the truck driver and inspect the car for apparent damage immediately. This should be done in the presence of the driver or official at the destination. If any new objectionable damage is found a claim should be filed immediately.
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Tags: auto, auto shipping, auto transport, automotive, car, car carrier, Car Shipping, cars, Logistics, More Saving, transportation, truck, trucks, vehicle, vehicles
Auto Transport - Why It Is Important To Always Inspect Your Vehicle
Oct 20, 2009 More Saving
When considering the shipment of your vehicle, several important questions must be asked and answered in order to decide on the shipping company that is the right fit for you. Questions such as how much will it cost to get the vehicle from here to there and how much time will be involved in the transportation.
Also of prime importance is the safety of the vehicle from the beginning of its journey to the end. You want to receive the vehicle at the end in the same condition as it was in the beginning. This only happens if you take the important step of a thorough inspection of your vehicle before you hand it over to the auto shipping company. Some key points in the inspection follow.
Before and after shipping, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the entire vehicle with a representative from the shipping company. That way you can both agree and sign off on any existing damage before departure, and any new damage that may have happened during transport. Make sure that you get a signed copy of the condition report before turning your car over to the driver.
Check the functionality of your car as well as the body. A lot of people will take a look at the body of their car and assume that everything is fine. Make sure that you turn the car on, test the lights, turn signals, and everything else. Things can get knocked loose during transport and it can be a hassle to try to get these things fixed by yourself.
Check your windows and windshield. A small crack or chip on your windshield may seem like no big deal, but don’t let it go unnoticed. Small chips turn into big cracks. This is a real problem even if it seems minor at the time of inspection.
If you do find any damage on your vehicle make sure to follow these tips below:
Report any damages as soon as possible. If you find anything that is wrong with your car, truck or van, reporting it immediately will avoid any confusion as to how the damage got there. This will in turn give you a much better chance of getting it fixed.
Again, pictures are terrific. Take as many as you can from as many angles as you can. This is one case where a picture is really worth a thousand words. There is no better proof to substantiate a claim than photographic evidence of damages.
If the car did suffer damages, the shipping company will normally allow you to get your own estimate from your usual auto shop and have it repaired there. If you don’t have a usual auto repair place, a dealership is generally a good bet.
Hopefully, your vehicle will not sustain any damages at all. But better to be safe than sorry. By following the above before-and-after-journey steps to inspect your vehicle, you will not go wrong no matter what folly occurs during shipment.
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Tags: auto, auto shipping, auto transport, automotive, cars, Logistics, More Saving, Moving, Relocating, Shipping, trucks, vehicle shipping, vehicle transport
The Ins and Outs Of Free Shipping
Jun 28, 2009 More Saving
The surge in online stores and an increasingly more budget minded consumer have resulted in a much more competitive market. Consumers are no longer willing to pay top dollar for a product. They are now shopping around to find the best deals. Businesses have had to make a number of marketing changes in order to attract customers. One such change is implementing a free shipping policy.
A recent survey by PayPal and comScore revealed that 43% of people surveyed didn’t pay for items in their shopping carts because shipping charges were too high. As well, according to a Harris Interactive (2008) survey, 60% of those surveyed claim free shipping is a reason they are more likely to shop online. Offering shipping for free can drastically increase store sales. In attempt to lower their shipping costs, many retailers will store their products in a number of warehouses in various locations across the country and ship their orders directly to the customers. Other companies are negotiating shipping prices with air freight companies in an effort to obtain better rates.
There are a number of ways that businesses use free delivery as an effective sales and marketing tool. A company may offer shipping free of charge for orders where the total purchase price is above a specified amount. Another fee shipping option companies will employ is offering the customer a shipping rebate in the form of money, a discount on their next order, or a coupon or gift certificate. They can also offer free shipping on specified items. Some retailers will even offer shipping for free on all items. The goal is to increase sales which will offset delivery cost losses. Other companies will provide free delivery to their members or as part of a rewards program. Sending electronic coupons to a customers email providing shipping deals on a customers next order is another effective method of increasing sales. As well, businesses may offer free delivery throughout the country including directly to ones door step.
Providing free delivery is an effective way to obtain repeat customers. Most online retailers and a growing number of traditional retailers that offer free shipping are offering it as free ground shipping. However, there now appears to be a new trend of offering better free delivery service. Some companies are offering free 2 day shipping and free overnight shipping.
The benefits of providing shipping free of charge include a reduction in the number of abandoned shopping carts, assists in the marketing a new product, improves customer loyalty, encourages shoppers to make a purchase, and helps sell excess products.
Internet shopping is one of the fastest growing retail sectors. Online shopping is one retail area that has not been affected by a slow economy and increase in gas prices. Consumers are drawn to shipping offers because they feel they are getting a good deal compared to driving to a local store. Studies have shown that customers are more likely make a purchase if free shipping is offered. More consumers are not only demanding free shipping with their orders, they are expecting it. Offering free shipping in a variety of forms is an effective marketing and sales technique that most businesses are now using. In order to compete for your business, retailers that have never offered free shipping will have to start offering it. It appears that the free shipping trend is here to stay.
About the Author:
Consider using air freight to get your package to the desired destination on time. A shipping company can answer all of your postal inquiries.
Tags: business, Cargo, cars, company, Courier, Free Shipping, International Shipping, Logistics, More Saving, Organizations, Shipping, Shopping, transportation, travel, trucks
International Shipping And Online Shopping
Jun 25, 2009 More Saving
When you shop online, you can get some great deals, because the vastness of the World Wide Web increases competition among retailers. If you do not like the price at one retailer, you simply click over to another. Soon you will find the item you need or want at a truly bargain price.
When you find the perfect item at the best possible price, you add it to your cart, pull out your credit card, and start to make your purchase, pleased with the low price. Suddenly, you see that shipping charge. Little did you know, the retailer you were shopping is not located in your country. You are forced to pay excessively high international shipping charges. Suddenly your “great bargain” is not so great.
The Cost of International Shipping
International shipping costs more because it costs the retailer more to send you the item. Any time an item crosses borders, the shipping rates get inflated. Even if you are shipping from the United States to Canada, which is not really a large distance, you will pay more. Always look at the shipping charge before you pay.
Inflated Charges
Some retailers will charge inflated shipping charges, simply because they know you will expect to pay more for international shipping. Research the shipping cost on your own before you pay. While you can expect to pay some sort of handling fee to cover time and mailing supplies, if the cost for international shipping is way higher than it appears to be if you were to ship the item, consider looking for a better deal at another retailer.
Not All Retailers Offer It
Online retailers target specific countries. Australia, the U.K, the U.S., and Canada are all targeted by online retailers. If you are shopping outside of these targeted markets, you may find that some retailers will not ship to your location. American retailers are particularly guilty of this, and many do not offer any international shipping at all, even to these other major markets.
Before you begin shopping on a particular website, check to see whether or not they offer international shipping. Most online retailers will have a page outlining their shipping policies. If they do not appear to offer international shipping, ask before you start trying to make a purchase.
Shipping Is Non-Refundable
On most websites, shipping is non-refundable. If you are not happy with your item and paid a lot of money to have it shipped internationally, you might be able to get your money back for the purchase price, but you will have lost the money you spent on shipping. Make sure you are confident on the quality of the item before you buy.
Make Sure a Deal Is Still a Deal
If you know you are going to have to pay international rates for shipping on the item you are purchasing, make sure that you are still getting a good deal. Sometimes the cost of shipping will eat up any potential savings you might be receiving on the item’s purchase price. If the shipping rates are too high, consider paying a little more for the purchase price at a retailer with local shipping rates. You might end up saving more money. Remember, when shopping online, whether shopping locally or internationally, the shipping rate must be figured into the purchase price as you make your decision about whether or not to buy an item.
About the Author:
International shipping is now available on most online shopping platforms. Find shipping rates to your home and get the best deal!
Tags: business, Cargo, cars, company, Courier, Free Shipping, International Shipping, Logistics, More Saving, Organizations, Shipping, Shopping, transportation, travel, trucks