How To Get The Best Out Of Your Classic Car Shipping
Although it may not be the largest segment of the automobile transport industry , it is an important part. People who ship classic cars understand how important it to maintain them. Classic cars can appreciate in value over time, even though most cars lose value quickly. This makes classic cars even more valuable and easier to ship.
These are some tips to help make the most of your classic car shipping.
Select open or enclosed transport ASAP
It is easy to choose between enclosed or open auto transport. Open shipping is more common and cheaper in this industry. Because there are so many open trucks, it's easier for people to locate them. Transport enclosed is usually more costly and is best for luxury vehicles.
The choice of classic car shipping is more complicated. Our advice is to choose an enclosed transport vehicle if your vintage vehicle has appreciated in value.
Although this is not a definitive guideline, it can be a useful one. Many classic cars, such as a 1974 Mercury Comet, aren't very valuable. As an aside, I bought it for $600 in 2013 when I was a teenager. It is probably even worth less now. So, a car such as that will almost always work on an open transportation truck.
enclosed is a good option if you have a classic car that you love to show and maintain in perfect condition. Although enclosed transportation can be more costly than open, it is worth the extra cost if your vehicle is. It is not always a good idea to search for affordable auto transport quotes to purchase a classic vehicle.
Buy another set of keys
This is something that many people forget to think about, especially with the advent of key fobs and computers in every car. It's a good idea to have a second set for classic cars and be able to give the extra set to the truck driver.
Today's cars come with two sets. It is extremely rare that you only receive one key when purchasing a new vehicle. Even used cars come with both sets of keys.
Classic cars, however, are an entirely different. The Comet only came with one key when I bought it. Although I didn't ship the Comet, I do know that I would have preferred a backup set just in case the one I gave to the driver was lost.
Although it is not always possible to simply "get another set" of keys, it is important that you do so. It's possible for things to happen, and if your carrier loses your key for any reason, you may lose your spare. It will make all the difference to have a second key.
This doesn't only apply to classic car shipping - it applies to any vehicle that you need shipped.
Review every company you are considering.
This tip is applicable to all car shipping, but it's especially important for classic cars. Auto transport reviews can be one of the most valuable pieces of information a customer has these days. These reviews tell a compelling story about the company in question. Shippers who have good reviews work harder to maintain positive reviews. Companies that don’t care as deeply...well, they don’t care as much.
Only top-rated carriers are preferred by good companies. They offer competitive pricing and work hard to ensure that customers receive what they want. It's not perfect. For example, the car transport industry is known for moving vehicles beyond their preferred schedules. However, most companies are able to meet their customers' needs.
Reading reviews is a great way to find the right company. This is especially true of companies that specialize shipping classic cars. There are not many classic-only shippers. Simply because there aren't enough classic cars being transported, there is not enough to warrant that.
Reviews will reflect a company that treats their customers with care. We are a good example! We only work with the best shipping companies, and we do everything possible to make sure our customers receive the services they need.
Although it can be tedious to read reviews, it is a great way to find the right company for transporting your vehicle.
Inspect, inspect, and inspect
Each vehicle being shipped must be inspected at pickup and delivery. You and your driver should do this together as part of the shipping process. In some cases, like when the driver is not available for pick-up or delivery, the driver will be responsible for identifying damage. They do most of the time, particularly reputable ones. Any damage done before shipping is considered pre-existing. However, damage not noted on the pickup inspection report will be considered as occurring in transit.
There have been horror stories of customers missing delivery or leaving damage unmarked. This makes any claim for damage more difficult to prove. This is more common with terminal shipping, and is why terminal shipping slowly disappears. There have been stories about carriers generating pickup reports at delivery in order to cover damages sustained during transit. We don't take this lightly.
This can't happen if you or someone trusted is present at pickup and delivery. Inspections are a standard part of modern vehicle transportation, with door-to-door being the most common method. These inspections are part of the standard operating procedure. Some carriers won't accept loads if the customer isn't there to inspect the vehicle. This reduces their liability and ensures fair handling.
The Bill of Lading includes an inspection report. The Bill of Lading, or BoL, is basically your inspection report, shipping information, and receipt wrapped together into one document. It makes it much easier to handle any damage claims by having your signature and that of the carrier on the BoL.
Check that everything works.
Although classic cars are beautiful, they can be unpredictable. Vehicles that have been sitting for years won't start. They will need some TLC to get running again. It is easier to ship vehicles that are running because it is much easier to load them onto a truck. A winch is required if a vehicle cannot be driven onto a truck. Not all carriers include a winch in their trucks.
You should make sure that your vehicle is working properly before you go. You don't need the radio to work. All you have to do is make sure it works. It is easy to test the radio by turning it on and driving it.
A working starter, properly inflated tires, and a functioning transmission are all you need. It is often cheaper to ship a classic vehicle than it is to fix it. A new battery costs only $50, while shipping an in-operable vehicle will run you about $200. You can save money if you can get it to run for less than $200
This allows lower car shipping costs, which is always a plus.
We can move your old vehicle, regardless of its condition. Call us to get started or complete our online form.