Finding a quality, affordable car shipping service involves more than looking for the cheapest price point. As most know, when you pursue the least expensive option, the company often cuts corners somewhere. That’s true with the auto transport industry as well.
The objective is to become informed by visiting a reputable provider’s site like https://www.roadrunnerautotransport.com/cheap-car-shipping. Regardless of your budget or circumstances, these companies can offer details on finding ways to save money with your car shipment.
Whether moving across the country or to a city within your state, we’ll look at tips with the intent to save money as you go through the transport process. When better informed, the decision-making process is easier and more straightforward.
Tips On Saving Money with Auto Transport
When relocating across the country or even to a city within the same state, you’ll have one car, maybe more, that needs to be moved along with all your household effects.
Moving the household alone is a massive undertaking. Figuring out how to budget moving the car from one location to the next is added stress. Find out how much out-of-state car shipping costs by visiting https://www.movingapt.com/how-much-does-out-of-state-car-shipping-cost/.
A priority well before the move occurs is to research reputable auto transport websites to gain insight into how car owners can save money on car shipping. Many providers will give tips and advice on the least expensive, albeit efficient, way to move your vehicle. Here are a few to get you started.
Open carrier
A primary consideration when transporting a vehicle is the transport method and whether you prefer an open carrier or an enclosed trailer. If you want to save money and are moving a daily driver or standard vehicle, the open carrier is the most budget-friendly of the two options.
Some shipping services don’t have enclosed trailers. Open carriers make up the majority of the circuit, are commonly used by most auto transport companies, and are favored by drivers and car owners.
The enclosed trailer runs roughly 35 – 50 percent higher in cost but is also typically reserved for valuable vehicles.
Choose terminal-to-terminal delivery
Many carriers have terminal sites countrywide where car owners can drop off their vehicles for transport and pick them up once delivered. This is terminal-to-terminal delivery, a low-cost option compared to door-to-door delivery. The terminals are typically found off the primary interstate close to a large city.
Because the driver doesn’t need to come directly to you but can travel to a more convenient terminal, you benefit from the savings. The downside to this option is that there are few terminal-to-terminal ports. Finding one can take some time and could be a considerable distance from you.
When dropping the vehicle off ahead of your scheduled departure, you could encounter storage fees, which are daily fees. This will need to be considered when determining whether this is genuinely a more affordable option than the door-to-door delivery service.
Work with an auto transport broker
An auto transport broker helps clients find the best prices based on a vast network of carriers they regularly work with throughout the country. Sometimes, a quote sounds too good to be true, and in most cases, that’s true.
A broker will offer an unbelievable quote to get the business but then find it challenging to locate a carrier to meet that price.
When they find themselves in this conundrum, they will either ask you for additional funding or hold your order until a carrier agrees to transport it for that price. That could mean a low-quality job.
When working with anyone on a business transaction, you must use your instincts to recognize a good deal from one meant just to garner business.
Ship off-season
Most car shipping service providers will recommend that car owners try to transport their vehicles in the off-peak times during the year. Prices can go up considerably when there’s a high demand, but they can be considerably lower when there’s little activity.
According to auto transport companies, the slowest period for car shipping is between December and February. Usually, during the holidays, drivers take time off with their own families, leaving few trucks on the road to haul cars.
The busiest times are typically between May and September, with the summer months, particularly July, having the highest demand and price point for the year.
Spring and fall have periods when the demand rises, particularly as the snowbirds make their moves. Go here for guidance on streamlining the car shipping process.
Final Thought
Some transport companies might range a little higher than others. Still, these same carriers will also ensure that your vehicle is delivered on time and safely, offer superior customer support, and help you set up a package that fits your budget and meets your service needs. These are the quality companies you’ll want to work with.
