Frequently Asked Questions
What is
the normal transit time?
The time it
takes to get from the pick-up to the drop-off can vary, depending on the
amount of miles we have to travel. The normal transit time is usually
somewhere between 8 and 10 business days. This is considering the optimal
circumstances where we have been given two weeks notice of your shipment
dates. 8 to 10 days is an average, but it could be a little less or a
little more, depending on what order your vehicle(s) was loaded in. For
example, if your vehicle was the last one loaded, and the first one
delivered, then it wouldn't take quite as long. However, if your vehicle(s)
was the first one loaded, and the last one delivered, the transit time may
be closer to two weeks. Please try to plan your transport around this
information.
What type
of truck will my vehicle travel on?
Most of the time, your vehicle will be transported on an car
hauler with room for 8 to 10 cars. These are the types of trailers used to
transport new cars to automotive dealerships. The trucks are quite a bit
longer than a conventional moving van or a normal semi trailer. Urban
areas are most often accessible for pick up and delivery service to your
doorstep. Keep in mind that because of the height of these trucks, and the
lack of maneuverability, they sometimes can not always travel onto rural
streets, especially areas off the main roads that have low hanging trees
or low clearance bridges. It may be possible for you to use a local
service with a smaller truck, if we encounter any restrictions in reaching
the exact location for your pick-up or drop-off.
Do you
really deliver door-to-door?
In almost all cases, your vehicle(s) are picked up from the
desired location, usually your home, and dropped off in the delivery spot
of your choice. We say "in most cases" because we cannot travel into a
neighborhood that is not suited for a truck of this size, as it
could compromise the cargo and possibly your vehicle. The best rule of
thumb we can provide is this: If you live on a main road that is at least
two lanes wide, with no low bridges or low hanging trees, and the streets
leading to that area are also as accommodating, then we can pick-up and
deliver your vehicle(s) right to and from your door. When our professional
driver gets close by, he will call to confirm your exact location and then
will be able to assess your accessibility. For the safety of your vehicle,
the driver may suggest to meet in a nearby shopping center or supermarket
to load/unload your vehicle. It is always up to the driver's
discretion as to where they will drive the truck, since the driver is
responsible for both the safety of the transport truck, and the
transported vehicles.
Will my
car go to a terminal?
The use of a local flatbed service can depend on your pick-up and
drop-off locations. If your area is not accessible, we may use a local
service to accommodate the needs of your area. A terminal service is only
used in rare cases when access to your location is limited, or where
scheduling conflicts occur. Any and all terminal services that we use are
still fully licensed and insured.
How does
it work?
Once your order has been placed, your shipment will be scheduled
according to the dates on your order form. After a truck has been
assigned, you will get a call either from the truck driver or from the
flatbed service in order to schedule a pick up/delivery time and day. A
condition report is done on pick-up right on the bill of lading. The
person turning the car over and the truck driver both sign this report and
a copy is given to the party delivering the car. This same bill of lading
is presented upon delivery of the vehicle at its destination and you
should compare the car to the report thoroughly at that time. If, for some
reason, you feel that some damage has occurred, you must note it on the
report before you sign it and before the driver leaves. No claims will be
honored if the damage is not noted at the time of delivery and
acknowledged by the driver.
Can I put
things in the trunk?
No, your car and its trunk compartment must be free of all
personal belongings. There are several reasons for this. The primary
reason being that the Department of Transportation does not allow for the
transportation of “personal items” in a vehicle that is being hauled
by an “Auto Carrier”. The fine for violating this law is up to $10,000 per
occurrence. The second reason is that any personal items in the vehicle
are not covered by the carrier’s insurance. Also, all trucks have weight
limitations that they must comply with. The excess weight of a customer's
personal items placed within the car being transported can put the
carriers transport truck over its weight limitation, and cause additional,
and sometimes, costly delays.
How much
notice is needed?
We realize that everyone's schedule is different. There is no set
limit on how much notice you are required to give. With that said, keep
the following in mind: Giving us around 2 to 3 weeks notice will help
insure that the carrier can be scheduled to accommodate your requested
pick-up and delivery time frames. It is also possible that we may be able
to assist you with a transport need at a moment's notice. For instance, if
you need a vehicle moved immediately, we can arrange for a local terminal
to get your car picked up, and sometimes as soon as within 24 hours. It is
also possible for you to drop off your vehicle at a terminal if for some
reason you cannot wait. The rule of thumb is generally that the more time
you give us, the better our chances of securing your spot on a truck to
meet your required time frame.
What forms
of payment are accepted?
All carriers accept cashiers checks, money orders, cash and most
major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express). You
can also pre-pay your transport in full via personal check, money order or
cashiers check, if done so before your schedule date. Usually a deposit of
$150.00 is enough to reserve your placement and any form of payment is
acceptable. If you use a credit card for the deposit, the balance will be
due C.O.D. with cash, money order, or a cashiers check at the time the
vehicle(s) is delivered. No credit cards will be accepted upon delivery.
Ultimately you will need to pay the freight charges in full before your
vehicle(s) is delivered. It is not possible to withhold a portion of the
money due upon drop-off due to subsequent damage to your vehicle. All
claims are handled separately once the auto transporter has received the
signed bill of lading noting any damages.
There's
been a change in plans... What do I do?
Changes are not a problem. Dates and addresses can be changed just by
giving us a quick call. There will usually be no charge for an address
change if it is in the same city or adjacent town. Dates can be changed
at no cost for up to one month after the original booking date so long as
the change is made in advance of the driver coming to pick up your
vehicle.
In the event of a cancellation, we will return all of your deposit except
for $200 non-refundable if the cancellation is made after a driver has
been booked. All this and more information is listed on your Shipping
Order and Terms and Conditions.
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