[s-cars] Vehicle Shipping recommendations?

Mon Jun 19 14:11:16 PDT 2017

Hey Jim,

I've shipped several cars in the past - and the key thing here in Ian's email is no matter what shipper you call - they are ALL brokers and tied into the same dispatch system that every truck/driver uses. If they aren't up front about that - stay away. The "important things" noted below are all true - some shipper websites will spell these things out, others won't.

A few other things:

- The amount they quote you is really a bid that's put out on the dispatch system. Then they'll see if there's any takers. If not, you'll have to up the "bid" till there is. A good broker will work with you and set the right expectations right from the start. As stated below - be wary of really low bids.
- Pick up and drop off points are important, and will affect the price and schedule. The more remote the location, the price skyrockets - especially if there's no chance of another pick up nearby after your car is delivered. For instance: I've had cars shipped from Los Angeles to the east coast. But since I'm in northern VT, when I have a car shipped across country it's anywhere from $1200-$1800, as long as the drop off is in a populated area (Boston/Manchester/Springfield is typical for me for the delivery location), Getting it to VT will easily double, if not triple the price. The key is flexibility. Shopping malls and hotel parking lots are favorites.
- Also as stated below. A hard, set schedule won't happen.
- The deposit isn't really a deposit - it's the broker fee. pure and simple. They should be clear about this. Once a quote is accepted by the driver and communicated to you, than it's pretty much between you and the driver. You pay the driver directly. Some brokers may follow up, but few do.
- Don't sign ANYTHING until you've fully checked out the vehicle. Once you do, you've released the driver from any liability. Get a lot of pictures from the dealer beforehand, especially noting any existing damage.
- In my experience, drivers never accept credit cards, So it's cash or cashier's check. With the advent of mobile payment systems this is changing, but don't expect it.

Cello

> On June 19, 2017 at 3:45 PM "I.S. Gall" <isgall at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Jim,
>
> I've used Steve Craig (a broker) several times in the past and have
> had good experiences going point to point, most recently when I
> shipped a 4kqt from Seattle to Santa Fe this past April.
>
> Several other listers have used him with good results as well.
>
> I’ve pasted an email from him below that I’ve previously sent to the qlist.
>
> His contact info is:
>
> Steve Craig
> carandtruckshippers at gmail.com
> 888-577-5400
> AAA Discount Auto & Truck Transporters
>
> Ian
>
> _____
>
>
> Hello,
>
>
> My name is Steve Craig, and I want to thank you for your auto shipping inquiry!
>
>
> Before you consider any company, make sure they are licensed and check
> to see how long they have been in business. Ask them for their MC# and
> go to http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_carrquery.prc_carrlist.
>
> Enter their MC# (our's is 425579) in the field that says DOCKET (not
> USDOT) NUMBER and click SEARCH. On the next screen click on HTML, then
> at the bottom of the page click on AUTHORITY HISTORY. You will see the
> date they started business. Is it a company with less than a couple of
> years experience? If they aren't listed, they are operating illegally.
>
>
> Please reference Quote # when you call me, and I will forward to you
> the necessary paperwork.
>
> Direct 951-284-0190
>
> Toll Free 888-577-5400
>
> Here are a few important things you need to know about shipping your vehicle.
>
>
> 1. DON'T PAY ANY MONEY UNTIL A TRUCK IS ASSIGNED. DON'T LET THE
> BROKER CHARGE A SERVICE CHARGE FOR USING A CREDIT CARD. DON'T PAY A
> NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. MAKE SURE YOU CAN CANCEL AT ANY TIME WITHOUT
> PENALTY.
>
> Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover regulations states to
> the merchant that they are not permitted to charge a card until the
> service has been performed.
>
> We don't charge your credit card for the deposit until we have
> dispatched your order.
>
> THEY CAN'T LEGALLY CHARGE YOU EXTRA FOR USING A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD.
>
> 2. Is the broker offering you different levels of service? Why are
> they charging you a higher deposit for each level? It's because they
> are keeping the extra money.
>
> If you want your vehicle to ship faster, make sure the broker is
> offering ALL of the extra money to the truck. More money to the truck
> is the key.
>
> 3. Is the broker or trucking company promising you a specific pick
> up or delivery date? If they are, be careful. It is obvious that a
> specific day or time is impossible to promise due to the nature of the
> business, i.e., road conditions, delays with other pickups or
> deliveries, detours, driver illness or mechanical problems. If
> someone is making a promise or guarantee to you, have them put it in
> writing!
>
> 4. The trucking company carries the insurance, not the broker. All
> of our truckers are licensed, fully insured and have a ZERO DEDUCTIBLE
> to the customer.
>
> 5. If you get a rate lower than ours, or the rate is the same but the
> deposit is higher, be careful. A higher the deposit leaves LESS money
> for the truck. A truck must get a certain amount of money per mile.
>
> Some brokers quote prices that are way below the amount a truck needs.
> They hope for a trucker that is in need of one last car to complete
> his load. Trucks will rarely accept a car that is priced too low.
>
> That means your car just sits. The key is HOW MUCH IS GOING TO THE
> TRUCK! DON'T EVER, PAY THE FULL AMOUNT TO THE BROKER.
>
> We don't charge your credit card for the deposit until we have
> dispatched your order.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Steve Craig
>
> 888-577-5400
> AAA Discount Auto & Truck Transporters
>
>
>
> * Door to Door defined: Due to truck restrictions in some cities,
> narrow streets, low hanging branches, tight turns or speed bumps, you
> may be required to meet the truck at a shopping center, major street
> or other convenient location.
> --
> I.S.Gall
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 19, 2017 at 11:25 AM, Jim Fleischer <jim at almgt.com> wrote:
> > Hey all,
> >
> > I may have found a vehicle that suits my needs (2006 Touareg V8 w/62K), unfortunately it is in NY. Looking at getting it shipped to Colorado, never shipped a car before but read plenty of other’s experiences. Anyone have a good recommendation of a shipping company they have used recently? Any idea what I should be looking at as far as cost?
> >
> > The current owner of the car is a guy named Jim Donick, he campaigns a 1951 Allard J2, also has a 1950 Allard K2…..seems like a decent guy, definitely into the vintage car scene and seems like a good option to buy a car from. Car was serviced by Mainly Benz in Poughkeepsie, NY. Here is a link to the ad….
> >
> > https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/6181205588.html
> >
> > Seems like a great option for what I need. Anyone familiar with this guy or the shop? Just curious before I figure all of this out. Thanks!
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Jim Fleischer
> > ’95 urS6 avant
> > ’04 Allroad 6MT
> > ’06 Touareg?
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > S-CAR-List mailing list
> > http://audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
> > http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
> _______________________________________________
> S-CAR-List mailing list
> http://audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information