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Buying a Car Out of State: Tips to Get it Shipped

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Home  |  Car Transport   |   Buying a Car Out of State: Tips to Get it Shipped

Long distance car buying has become very popular and it comes with many advantages. One of the best things about buying a car online is that you have access to such a wide range of new and used inventory all over the country. It’s a great way to find the exact make and model that you are looking for at the right price. Thanks to the internet, it’s possible to find the best car to suit your needs even if it’s a few states away. Once you find your dream car, you may be wondering how to get it. The good news is that car shipping makes the process of buying a car long-distance easier than ever. While you may have some reservations due to inexperience with the car shipping process, this guide will help you navigate the ins and outs of the auto shipping industry. Consider these useful tips for shipping a car that you purchased out of state. 

Why Shipping Your Out of State Car is a Smart Option:

The first question that will pop into your mind after finding your perfect car will likely be, “How do I get it?” At first, you may consider flying to the location to pick it up and then driving it back yourself. However, you will soon find that shipping the car is a much simpler and more convenient option. Additionally, it will likely end up costing you less than purchasing a plane ticket and paying for gas, lodging, and food. Furthermore, you probably won’t be keen on putting several hundred or even thousands of miles on the car you just purchased. Whether you have found a car a few states away or across the country, shipping is by far your best and easiest option.

How to Go About Having Your New Car Shipped:

After you purchase your vehicle, the next step is to arrange for transportation. Here are a few important steps you should take to ensure safe and easy shipment of your new vehicle: 

  • You should start by confirming the date that your vehicle will be ready for pick up. This allows you to book a date with your carrier. 
  • Research trusted auto shippers that specialize in long distance auto transport. Be sure and research the auto shipping company thoroughly to ensure you are working with a company that is trustworthy and reliable. Check to make sure the company is properly licensed, registered, and insured. You also want to check customer reviews as well as the Better Business Bureau for additional information regarding the company’s performance history. 
  • Consider the shipping options for your vehicle. You will have the choice between open or enclosed transport. Enclosed transport is a great option for brand new or luxury vehicles that you don’t want exposed to the outdoor elements. However, this option will cost a bit more. Open transport is the cheapest option and is the most common among auto shippers. You will also have the option to choose between door-to-door delivery or terminal-to-terminal delivery. Door-to-door delivery is the most convenient option, though it does come at additional cost. 
  • Once your vehicle arrives, you will have the chance to inspect it upon delivery. Examine the car closely, as this is your only chance to make note of any concerns or discrepancies. Once the inspection is complete, you are ready to sign the Bill of Lading and start enjoying your new car!

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest Answers to Your Car Shipping Questions

Yes, we always ask for your specific pickup and delivery addresses, if the carrier can get right to the addresses you provide, they will. If the addresses that you give us are not safely accessible for a Multi-car carrier, however, you will need to make arrangements with the driver to meet at a nearby location where the carrier can safely get in and out.

People do it all the time (rarely for free) but the official answer is no.

Not what you wanted to hear, we know, but that is the honest answer.

We are not licensed to broker the shipment of household goods and, likewise, no car carrier that operates in the USA is licensed to transport them from state to state either. Despite what you might be being told by other car shipping companies you may speak with.

Remember, at the end of the day we're all salespeople, and the true answer to this question is not a great selling point.

You will hear a lot of companies tell you that you can put up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but that is not entirely true. That fact is that items of that amount are fairly common and the department of transportation is probably not going to split hairs and fine the trucker over items of that amount, provided they are not over their weight limit. They could fine them, however, if they see a vehicle stuffed full of personal items so the car carrier will most likely try to negotiate something with you to cover themselves against any costs they could incur. It's not something we can build into your contract though.

We have a short and helpful video on this topic in our user videos.

Only in rare cases and car carriers will usually charge a premium to make it happen.

All dates given by car carriers are typically estimates and projections.

For this reason (and to keep your cost down) we ask that you build in some flexibility and give us the earliest possible date you would be WILLING to release the vehicle, even though it may not be your preferred date.

We'll put you in direct contact with your car carrier and the driver will also typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pick up and delivery (they won't just show up unannounced, and if they do we want to hear about it). However, car carriers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other factors that can and do throw them off of their pickup and delivery projections from time to time.

If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will average 7 to 10 days. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

Yes!

Even better, we do not even ask for payment until we have you confirmed for pickup by a safe, reliable, fully insured, direct car carrier. If for any reason you do not ship your car with the carrier that we arrange for you, there is no fee.

The fees paid directly to the carrier however, (in most cases, their fees are not paid until your vehicle is delivered) are not directly controlled by us, so any requests for a refund of the carrier's portion would need to be addressed with the carrier directly.

Of course! And you are always backed by our Damage Free Guarantee policy.

Part of what you pay us for is to verify that the car carrier that we put you on is covered by the proper amount of insurance and that everything is up to date.

There is never any additional cost to you for this coverage, and their insurance is always primary.

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