There are endless auto transport providers out there, it seems. How do you choose the best auto transport service? Your vehicle is an asset that should be protected; you can’t trust just anybody to take your car on a long journey, when you won’t be there! Have you ever heard that saying “you get what you pay for?” Shipping a car is just the same! Shopping for the lowest car shipping rate probably isn’t the best idea. At least, not if your vehicle is important to you, and we bet it is. Think of the inconveniences you face when your car is in the shop! How do you get to work? How do you pick up the kids from school?

The bottom line? Service matters. Things like regular updates and communication about the whereabouts of your car, and reliable pick-up and drop-off dates are just the beginning. Beware of hiring just any auto transport company that promises deals too good to be true. Check out one of our previous blogs to make sure you’ve got a reputable car shipping company that you’re dealing with.

Here are five things you can do to make sure you won’t face added charges when you’re booking auto transport. You might even get a discount!

Tips for Auto Transport Service

NEVER EVER PAY A DEPOSIT FEE

A reputable auto transport company is not going to ask you to pay a deposit. Why? Basically a deposit is a way to “trap” you in. Once you’ve put money down on a booking for auto transport, you’re stuck – even if you get into it and have a terrible experience even before your car is picked up. With no deposit, if you find another provider or decide that company isn’t right for you, you are free to cancel at any time without losing money.

BOOK EARLY

We can’t stress this enough. It is true that some situations cannot be avoided like a last minute trip or a car you purchased online that needs to be picked up within a week. We understand these situations and are certainly able to meet just about any time constraint. However, do whatever you can to avoid upcharges for quick turnarounds in auto transport. Best thing you can do if you want to save? Book your car shipping at least two weeks ahead! You’ll be sure to get a good rate.

BE FLEXIBLE

We know this can be hard to do if you have to get out of town or you have a 24-48 hour window where we can pick up your car. If you have any kind of time constraint at all, be sure to tell your auto transport company up front when you request a quote! And just as an added FYI, you DO have to be present when an auto transport company is both picking up and dropping off your car. Can’t be there? Ask a trusted friend who knows the condition of your vehicle to handle it for you. If you’re in a situation where you can be flexible with your timing, offer up a range of days for pick-up or drop-off. It may save you dollars if you allow us to strategically plan with the carriers for a more efficient route!

ASK FOR A DISCOUNT

There’s no harm in requesting a discount! Are you a member of the military? Do you have more than one car you’ll be shipping? Ask for a 10% discount or a free gas card. (Hey, perks are perks!) If you’re a snowbird or a college student and you know you’ll be booking auto transport again in the spring, tell us! Anyone who comes back to use our services repeatedly deserves a great rate. Our team’s primary concern is always for you to have the best experience. Work with us, and we’ll be happy to work with you!

Be sure your car is in working order

Can we ship a car that isn’t running? Yes, we can. But if your car does not run, it takes us more time to load your vehicle onto a trailer and take it off again. There will be an extra charge for the added time and effort it takes to ship your car. If you need repairs, it may be a good idea to get those taken care of (just so your vehicle will run!) to save those dollars in shipping costs. Not sure if it’s worth it? Go ahead and ask us for two quotes – one for the running vehicle, and one if the car is not in working order.