Auto Transport & Car Shipping Tip #5

Ask About Auto Shipping Discounts
Most people probably have never had to use auto shipping services before and it's easy to get overwhelmed in the quest to find out how the industry works and to get the best deal possible from the best auto shipping company. Safety, trust, honesty and dependability are keywords in the auto transport business. Customers are often unaware of all the discounts available to them and some of these discounts can notoriously lower car shipping rates. Some common discounts could include:

*Military Discounts
*Multiple Car Discounts
*Round Trip Discounts
*Senior Citizen Discounts

King of the Road is proud to offer all of the above mentioned discounts and many more. Keep in mind that not all auto transport companies will offer these discounts, especially if they are already providing low car shipping rates, but it never hurts to ask about them.

www.kingoftheroadtransport.com

Auto Transport & Car Shipping Tip #4

Research and Compare Reputation and Services
Once you have received your rates, it’s time to investigate the companies  a little deeper. In this day and age, Google may be the best tool when you need to find information about a company. Check reviews sites such as transportreviews.com or transportrankings.com, as well as the BBB for complaints and unresolved issues. Go over all the rates and services. What does the price include? What services do they offer? Are they licensed, bonded and insured? What kind of reputation do they have? Do they charge money upfront? There are many options in the auto transport industry and -if you do a little research- you will find the company that best suits your needs. Our aim is to always be your choice and we are committed to provide the highest quality of service every time you ship with us. 

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Auto Transport & Car Shipping Tip #3

Beware of Low Car Shipping Quotes
When it comes down to pricing, there are some things you will need to keep in mind and be careful with. The most important will be: Do not automatically go with the cheapest price you receive. If you received a car shipping quote that substantially lower than the rest, that should raise the first flag. As in any other aspect in life, if it´s too good to be true, then it probably is. Rates could vary for several reasons. The most common are:

*Higher/Lower "deposits"
Broker's fees (commonly and widely known as "deposit") can and will vary depending on the company providing the quote. Higher quotes not always mean faster or better service, but you definitely want to stay away from unbelievably low quotes (see our tips below to know why).
*Higher/Lower considerations on what the carrier pay should be

Low paying vehicles WILL NOT ATTRACT CARRIERS, so make sure you do not instantly go with the lowest quote you receive, and always find out how much the broker's fee is. In this industry, you want to place yourself somewhere in the middle-to-higher end of rates.
*Honesty
Pricing your shipping honestly is, arguably, the main key for auto shipping success. We do not overcharge nor do we low-ball your move. Higher prices usually mean higher broker' fees, and really low prices will simply not get your vehicle moved, as in this industry we all work with the same network of carriers and no matter who the broker is, the trucker's fees will remain the same. Why would a carrier take the same vehicle for less just based on which broker is offering it? Our "secret" is to come up with attractive rates for the carriers while still remaining affordable for you, a price that will move your vehicle promptly, by a top-rated carrier, without the need to empty your pockets out.
*Expertise
Experience is essential when pricing routes, as there are many variables to be considered in order to accurately come up with the best rates available. At King of the Road, our staff is hyper-knowledgeable and has many years of experience in the auto transport industry. Some factors considered when pricing are:

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*Distance Between Origin and Destination
*Type of Vehicle
*Desired Carrier (Open or Enclosed)
*Specific Locations
*Operability of Vehicle
*Lead time (we recommend booking at least a week in advance)
*Availability of Carriers
*Number of Cars You Want to Relocate
*Schedule Flexibility
*Pickup and Delivery Preferences
*Time of the Year
*Auto Transport Company Reputation
*Current Gas Prices​

*Tolls
*Weather​​

www.kingoftheroadtransport.com

Auto Transport & Car Shipping Tip #2

Get Multiple Auto Transport Quotes

To get the best deal possible, you will need to obtain at least 3-8 shipping rates from different companies. Just type "car shipping" or "auto transport" in Google, Yahoo, Bing or any other search engine of your preference and fill out one of the quote request forms, you will get anywhere between 3 and 10 different quotes.
Get a quote from King of the Road now!

Auto Transport & Car Shipping Tip #1

Never pay anything upfront.

Do you think it is fair for a someone to get paid for services that weren't provided yet? Neither do we, and that is why we will only charge our fee once we get the job done as promised. Although you may be required to provide a credit card at the time of booking, nothing will be charged until your vehicle is on the truck and on it's way. Whichever transport company you choose, always make sure you carefully read their contract as well as their terms and conditions in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

www.kingoftheroadtransport.com

Choose a Car Shipping Company

When it comes to choosing an auto shipping company to ship a car, it is important to consider all the factors beyond the transport's fee. Ask if the price is all-inclusive. Many auto transport and car shipping companies will give you an attractive, super low rate to get your business and your "deposit" (just a fancy way to call the Broker´s Fee for arranging the auto transport) only to turn around and ask you for more money or hit you with hidden fees. King of the Road Transport only works with fully licensed, bonded and insured auto shipping companies that offer door-to-door, non-stop, one truck auto transport and are top-rated withing the auto shipping and car transport industry. Do not pay the deposit upfront, ever. Simply because you should not have to pay until your broker actually does what he is hired to do, which is getting your vehicle picked up by a reputable, licensed and insured car mover company. Ask around about the auto transport company's experience and reputation. You can find some of this information through the Better Business Bureau's website, state incorporation records and online customer reviews. You may also want to ask friends and family if they have any personal recommendations. Determine if the car shipping company has a pickup window. This is important, because if they don't, they can take forever to pickup and deliver your vehicle. You want to know when to expect your car to be shipped.
 Talk to the shippers, ask questions. Here are some things you should ask about: Licensing Bond/Insurance Extended Damage Protection Payment Terms Transport Windows and Time Frames Extra or Hidden Fees Ratings Testimonials BBB Accreditation and Rating Cancellation Policy Pick the best value based on how well the company meets previously mentioned factors and the cost of their service, combined.

A few auto transport tips

Car shipping and vehicle transport companies can never guarantee a specific pick-up or delivery date or time. Unforeseen problems like traffic or breakdowns can cause potential delays. Patience and preparation are essential and will help both you and your car mover to have a positive experience. Nevertheless, King of the Road is well known for accommodating very specific shipping dates and deadlines, as well as complicated schedules and logistically challenging moves. Just talk to one of our car shipping experts and we will put our company to work hard and meet your car shipping needs.

Don't forget to clarify payment terms. Most auto transport companies will require you to place a deposit, around $150-$250, before shipping. We DO NOT agree with these practices as we do not believe in getting paid unless we provide you with excellent service. Sadly, there are many car shipping companies out there looking for a quick buck, oftentimes using "bait-and-switch" offers where their price is super low and they promise whatever you want promised. As usual, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

BEWARE OF LOW QUOTES. If you chose to pay anything in advance, do so with a credit card in case charges need to be disputed later and thoroughly read their car shipping agreement before you pay anybody anything. Once again, KING OF THE ROAD STRONGLY SUGGESTS NEVER TO PAY ANYTHING IN ADVANCE, as we believe the only honest way for a broker to earn their money is by actually rendering great car shipping services. If you have any last minute questions about car shipping, ask your driver. Confirm the terms of your contract and make sure your driver has your correct contact information. Before you car is loaded on the trailer, note the odometer reading; though your car may be driven a little in order to load or store your vehicle, there should be no major mileage discrepancies when the car is delivered.

Auto Transport Prices 101

Getting numerous auto transport, car shipping or motorcycle shipping quotes? Overwhelmed by it? Don't know where to start? Read below to learn more about auto transport & motorcycle shipping quotes and rates and what do they mean for you.

Factors Considered to Determine Car Shipping Prices

• Distance Between Origin and Destination
• Type of Vehicle
• Desired Carrier (Open or Enclosed)
• Specific Locations
• Operability of Vehicle
• Lead time
• Availability of Car Shipping Carriers
• Number of Cars You Want to Relocate
• Scheduling Flexibility 
• Pickup and Delivery Preferences 
• Time of the Year
• Auto Transport Company Reputation
• Current Gas Prices

Based of the above factors car shipping prices can fluctuate and vary.

There are plenty of delivery options that the car transport company will offer you, options like enclosed carrier, open carrier, door to door, terminal to terminal, etc. Depending upon this delivery option car shipping prices can also change. In case you are looking for a quick pickup or delivery of your car then also some of the car transport companies can ask for a higher pay.

Once you decide to ship your car the first and foremost thing that you need to do is ask the car movers about payment. There are two fees associated with the car transport: The broker's fee (widely known in the industry as "deposit") and the Carrrier's fee (mostly known as COD). Most auto transport brokers charge their deposit on a credit card you provide and the remaining balance is paid directly to the carrier upon delivery, in the form of cash, cashier's check or money orders. Some brokers allow you to use your credit card to pay the full amount for shipping your car, and then turn around and take care of carrier payment themselves. Whomever you may choose, make sure that, as King of the Road does, no fees are charged until your vehicle is actually picked up and on it's way. Really, why would you pay a company anything until they provide the services they were hired for? If any car movers you have been talking to is asking for money upfront, or can't tell you when your vehicle will be shipped, our recommendation is to look elsewhere. Never pay anything upfront. we can't stress that enough.


www.kingoftheroadtransport.com 

What to expect from your car movers

What to Expect From Your Car Movers

Auto transport and car shipping companies are rarely able to provide specific pick-up and delivery times. Unforeseen problems like traffic or breakdowns can cause potential delays. Patience and preparation are essential and will make sure both you and your car movers have a positive experience.

Clarify all payment terms before signing anything. Most auto transport companies will require you to place a deposit, around $150 to $250, before shipping. King of the Road does not charge anything until you vehicle is actually picked up and on its way.

Confirm the terms of your contract and make sure your driver has your correct contact information.

The Delivery

At the delivery point, the driver should inspect the vehicle and note any damage on a form called Bill of Lading (BOL). Make sure you review this with the driver and you agree with what's written.

Any remaining balance will be due upon delivery, usually payable in cash or cashier’s check only. It is highly unlikely that an auto transport company will accept a personal check or credit card at the delivery point.

After the Vehicle Shipping Service

In the unlikely event that your car has arrived with new damages, you must follow the following steps:

Make sure the damages are noted on the BOL, demand a copy and notify you broker immediately. Then your broker should give advise and guide you throught the insurance claim (although, in most cases, damages are covered by the auto transport carrier "out-of-pocket", as it prevents the isurance premiums to go up). King of the Road offers extended gap protection (Afta Plan). Click here to learn more.

For most car shippers, once the car is delivered the vehicle shipping process is completed. Many times you car shipping broker will ask you to write a review on some review site dedicated to the auto transport industry. Please take the time to share your positive feedback as it helps the companies identify the areas they need work at and lets other potential clients how well (or bad) the broker and carrier did. Check out our reviews here.

www.kingoftheroadtransport.com 

About Auto Transport Trucks and Drivers

About Auto Transport Trucks and Drivers

Besides actually transporting your vehicle from point A to point B, your car shipper deals with a lot of other responsibilities, like keeping in touch with all parties, perform inspection reports etc. Loading and unloading your vehicle is also the car mover's responsibility. This is a challenging task the driver will have to perform. Just like a Tetris game or a puzzle, the car mover will have to plan -a lot of times on the go- for all pieces to fit perfectly, analyze all pickups and deliveries and decide which position each vehicle will occupy on the rig. He needs to take into consideration locations, times, vehicle size, scheduling and other factors. 

Most large auto transport and car shipping trucks carry 8-10 vehicles. The cabin can support up to 3 vehicles on top and the rest of the vehicles are placed on the double-deck trailer using hydraulic ramps. These ramps can be lowered or raised to properly and safely load, fit, transport and unload all vehicles in an organized pattern. Obviously, the first vehicle loaded cannot be the first car delivered, or the entire trailer would have to be unloaded in order to get to it, then loaded again.

Some cars are loaded backwards and others are driven straight onto the truck, to properly maximize the available space while meeting overhead clearance, maximum allowed weight and, of course, this should be done in a logistically smart way. Please be patient with the driver during loading and unloading, he wants to do it safely, fast and carry on with his day just as much as you do. Depending on the drivers experience, vehicle type and condition, location or weather, loading or unloading a single small or midsize car from an auto transport truck could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours.

Typically, the car mover will pick up and deliver right at your driveway or front door. However, this is not always possible. Due to certain factors such as weight or size restrictions in your neighborhood, sharp-cornered streets, low hanging branches, residential areas or cul-de-sacs, the driver may ask you to meet him in a nearby location, likely one with a lot of open space and light (maybe a supermarket or department store parking lot nearby) so the loading/unloading of your vehicle can be done in the safest manner. This is completely common and unavoidable. Most honest brokers would warn you of these possible scenarios.

www.kingoftheroadtransport.com