How To Hire A Car Shipping Firm Or Company

To look for a reliable car shipping company to hire, get on your fingers and toes. There are so many car shipping companies in the Internet to choose from. Simply search for the keywords and you'll get so many hits. Be careful, though, because there are a number of incompetent and illegitimate car shippers that are taking advantage of the Internet.

The car shipping industry has grown in leaps and bounds after the success of e-commerce. Searching for auto transport companies is easy, as well as contacting them, closing a deal and paying for their services. However, most complaints and fraud incidents are filed by customers who closed a deal with a shipper over the worldwide web. This is why you should not just search with your fingers on the keyboard, but also get on your toes and go visit the shipping company office in person.

From a list in the Internet, choose auto transport companies within your area. Identify at least three to choose from. Visit these companies to make sure they are legitimate shippers and not just a subcontracting company. Exchange smiles and handshakes. Hire a car shipping firm with friendly staff members. If a problem arose along the process, you might want to talk things through with friendly people.

Ask questions to see if they know what they are talking about. Explain clearly where you want your car delivered, when, using what method, and how much you are willing to pay. Ask what services they offer and how well they can meet your expectations. Ask about the shipping method; ask about their route and timetable; ask about their legitimacy; ask for their license number as issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT); ask about their shipping insurance policy and make sure that they cover all kinds of damages from bumper-to-bumper and even theft; and ask about their payment scheme.

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An illegitimate company will demand that you make your payment through MoneyGram or Western Union, since these forms of payment are untraceable. Also, a scammer might ask for 100% down payment. Don't close a deal before visiting all three companies in your shortlist. If you are not convinced by any of them, repeat the process. Look for potential car shipping companies in the Internet and this time also from the phone book or business ads.

Finally, if you think you have found a reliable auto transport company that can satisfy your shipping requirements, close the deal in person. Never settle a transaction or pay through the Internet. This is not E-bay. You are not only paying them money, you are also potentially giving away your car to them. After signing a contract and the Bill of Lading, your car shipping company might ask for a 50% down payment. This is fine. This is normal practice, and you can pay in check, cash or through the bank. The other 50% is paid in cash after your car has been delivered at the final point of destination.