Factors that May Effect the Cost of Auto Transport

By Tom Kearns

The dimensions of the car to be shipped mean that it will either fit a single slot on the truck or that it will require several slots, raising the price. Moreover, a closed carrier, which costs more in itself, accommodates less vehicles; which means that transportation of a odd sized car in a closed carrier is even costlier.

There is a law imposed on carriers as to the allowed overall weight they may carry at any one time: any heavier than usual cars may be subject to additional fees, because a reliable, law abiding company will have to carry less vehicles and more weight. With some cars this cannot be helped, but the weight of a regular car may be reduced by removing any heavy personal belongings and of the removable upgrades you may have made to your car.

The cost on a specific date you choose to ship will be influenced by several variables like the cost of fuel, the weather conditions, and the competition. Not everyone is aware that if a different date is selected, the cost will go down even given the same services.

Almost all companies operate a fleet of trucks that carry more than one vehicle for more than one customer. For this reason, it may not be possible for your car to be shipped on a specific date on a specific truck. If you insist on this, and the company has the truck available to honor your request, it will cost you more. Your cheapest bet is to be flexible as to time and carrier type.

If the company is big enough to afford it, you may have the option of renting a truck for your one vehicle only, which obviously costs significantly more, but ensures a safer, quicker delivery on the required date. On the other hand, if you are not pressed for time and book your car with a truck carrying another 8 or so vehicles, the service will cost less.

Overseas shipping is highly likely to be more expensive than domestic. Different countries have different rules and regulations. Add to that the fact that more than one method of shipment may be required, such as air, water, rail or possibly a combination of these. This requires more of a concern for safety and insurance.

If all this seems like to much nuance to cost less in time, effort, and money, it is only because you are probably because you are daunted by the prospect of an unfamiliar service. Auto shipping by now is not merely a quickly growing world-wide business, but a huge industry and the amount if detail it offers for consideration to each client only ensures that you can choose, compare, and adjust to finally sing a deal which suits you best.

Because of the number of companies in operation today, the competition forces them to be flexible with their charges, though this is somewhat less true of foreign businesses. Most companies offer free quotes and similar services, some offer money-saving coupons or deals within certain states or boundaries. Don't just concentrate on the big dogs in the industry. The young dynamic upstarts should also be considered in your comparison shopping. No matter which companies you choose to deal with, negotiate for the best price you can get and don't feel you can't decline offers that you feel are inflexible. - 30243

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