Purchasing a brand-new automobile from a dealership can be really thrilling. However, f the dealership is a long distance off, how do you get it to you? Auto shipping is your best option, at least better than driving it yourself to your location. This article will walk you through car shipments from a dealership.
What is the Process for Shipping Cars from a Dealership?
Generally speaking, shipping your car from a dealership offers more advantages than disadvantages most of the time. You can read this article to learn how car dealerships work. But how is the process carried out? Here’s what you need to know to schedule direct shipment of your new car straight from the dealership.
See also: Choosing the Right Garage Door: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners
Choose an Auto Transport Company
You first must decide on a car transportation business. The hardest and most crucial phase is this one. You are leaving your new automobile with this company; hence you need to make sure they are professional and reliable.
Investigate this using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Then, search for any complaints made to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Then read consumer feedback on review websites. Contact the companies on your list after you are positive about them. Get their quote based on the kind of vehicle you drive and the shipment details.
Choose Your Shipping Strategy
You must choose your shipment method before receiving a final quote. For automobile manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc., you should choose open shipping. You can visit https://www.caranddriver.com/ to see some cars you can get from your auto dealer. For makes like Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Tesla, etc., you should choose enclosed shipment.
Synchronize Between the Shipping Company and the Dealership
You now have to arrange the pick-up of your car between the dealership and the shipping company. Choose a date and time that fit both sides. Ensure that you establish secure communication between both parties.
Plan Drop-Off Date
Arrange the drop-off date with your shipping provider. Depending on the distance your car needs to travel, it can arrive in several days. Having said that, certain vehicle shippers have quick shipping options that can get your automobile delivered sooner. You can choose this option if you can’t wait for your vehicle to arrive.
How Can I Ensure that my Car Arrives on-time?
You rightfully expect your car to show up on schedule. How can one ensure this occurs? Here are some tips to follow:
Plan Ahead for Shipping so Everything is Ready
First of all, you should arrange your shipment far in advance so the transport business can find a driver for your car in enough time. Usually, you should aim to schedule your transport at least a few weeks ahead. If you’re moving the car during the summer, you should schedule earlier bookings because this season is peak travel time.
Make Plans for Delays
Planning for delays is usually a smart idea even if you arrange your shipping far in advance. Things like road closures and weather patterns that can affect the timeliness of your cargo cannot be foreseen. If you start ahead, these problems won’t have as much bad effect.
Arrange a Backup Vehicle
Having a backup car ready to go can help you to make plans ahead should your new car fail to arrive on schedule. You will thus still be able to go about in the interim. This will prevent you from being stranded without a car until your new one shows up.
What You Should Do When Your Vehicle Arrives
When your car shows up from the dealer, the job isn’t finished. There are things you still need to do. Following these five guidelines will help you have a great and successful shipping experience after arrival.
Look for Damage on your Vehicle
You ought to carefully check your vehicle for any damage as soon as it shows up from the dealer. Along with dents, splits, rips in the upholstery, etc., even something as minor as a little scratch has to be noted. Look inside and out for any defects you were not aware of before purchasing.
Record the State of your Automobile
After looking over your vehicle, you should record its state using pictures and videos. Should you find any defects, make sure to carefully record these areas using images and videos shot from several angles under appropriate lighting. These images and videos will serve as evidence when confronting the liable party.
Examine the Bill of Lading
The dealership ought to have sent your driver a bill of lading. This paperwork is a legal contract including your vehicle’s shipment information together with its condition. Check its present state now using what was entered on the bill of lading. Note any differences that suggest damage during the transportation procedure.
Handle Any Problems with the Appropriate Parties
Should you find any problems with the vehicle not mentioned on the bill of lading, you must coordinate appropriate parties to handle them. When Shipping Your Car from a Dealership, this is a very important step. Should damage result from shipping, you could negotiate repairs with the shipping firm and its insurance provider. You should deal with the dealership if damage existed before shipment.
Enjoy your Vehicle
You are ready to enjoy your new car if there are no problems and all on the bill of lading is accurate. The shipping process probably left some quite a bit of dirt on your vehicle. Therefore, make sure you clean it first.
Conclusion
Shipping your car from a dealership is not as difficult as it first sounds. We have covered in this post the information you should be aware of what the process requires. So, go ahead and get that new ride today!
