Common Auto Transport Misconceptions
A lot of first-time auto transport customers come into the experience with misconceptions about how the whole thing works, and this can be frustrating for everyone involved when the bubble bursts and reality comes flooding in.
Shipping a vehicle is not like shipping something through the post office, nor is it like when you purchase something off of Amazon or eBay – it’s a much different ball of wax, one that you should try to understand before you simply jump in, because there are a lot of common misconceptions about shipping a vehicle that first-time customers tend to share, and in this blog post we’ll strive to dispel the most common thereof.
Perhaps the most common misconception is how long it takes. Most first-time customers think it’s as simple as calling up a company, booking an order, and then a day or two later the carrier will arrive to pick the vehicle up.
That’s not how it works, at least not when it comes to interstate auto transportation services. Sometimes it can, but that generally happens only when there are plenty of trucks in a given area. On the whole, pickup will take anywhere from 1-7 days from the day you book your shipment, and generally falls within the 3-5 day window.
But sometimes it can take longer, and this is something you need to keep in mind – there are only so many trucks to traverse this country, and there are hundreds upon thousands of different routes that all demand service along. Give yourself time – you generally want to book your transportation services at least ten days from when you actually need it picked up.
Another common misconception is the price – a lot of people think that auto transportation is not nearly as expensive as it can be, but more importantly that a lower price is better for your shipping services, because it’s not.
When you entertain quotes from different shippers to transport your vehicle, you’re basically deciding on which bidder you want to do business with. In true American fashion, many people think the lowest bidder is the best around, but when you ship a car it’s really not.
Low prices can lead to longer pickup windows, well beyond the normal pickup timeframe that a lot of shippers give out. Keep that in mind – while booking with the highest bidder may see you overpay, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to shipping a car.
There’s a lot more to learn, and we’ll likely add more in the future to our General Information blog series, so keep our blog bookmarked.
If you’re interested in shipping a vehicle, take a minute to also fill out our free online auto transport quote request form – when you do, you’ll get a free, instant quote directly from us. We work with top-rated carriers and ensure they’re fully licensed and insured. If you have questions about our services, or would simply like to speak to someone, you can contact an agent any time at 800-930-7417. They can answer questions, give you a quote, book your shipment, and much more.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
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