We live in an era of instant gratification. We want everything now. We frown at the very thought of having to wait. The demand for instant results is sipping into every corner of our lives.
What does it have to do with shipping a car? Well, shipping a car is not like shipping a package. You cannot order overnight delivery (or maybe you can, but that is a rare premium service that costs extra).
How to schedule your car shipment?
In general, it is easy to schedule a car shipment. Call a car shipping company, discuss your needs, and book your service. Other than that, however, the process entails a bit of preparation and waiting.
Auto transport depends on factors management cannot control. Although we go above and beyond to provide the fastest service possible, you will have to wait some days. This wait time is reasonable and totally justifiable.
Pick-up window and first available date
When you contact a car transport company to place an order, you will have to provide a date when your vehicle is ready for pick up. The date your car is ready for shipping is your first available date. Does it mean your car will be picked up on that exact day? Not necessarily.
Although a car transporter will do their best to schedule your vehicle for pick-up as soon as possible, the standard pick-up window is one to a few days from the date you have your vehicle prepped for transport.
How do you know when is the pick up date?
There is a reason why you have to provide your e-mail address and/or phone number where you can easily be reached when you place your order.
Once your vehicle is assigned to a carrier, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with an estimated pick-up date and we will also call you. Remember the word estimated, please.
Most of the time those e-mails also contain a trucker’s phone number. The truck driver usually calls 12 to 24 hours before the actual pick-up day. On the day of the pick-up, a truck driver will call you a couple of hours in advance to let you know the exact time.
Why is it that difficult to pinpoint the exact date?
Truck drivers drive all over the country picking up and dropping off their loads. Although most of the time things go smoothly, anything can happen on the road to throw the drivers off their schedules. Also, unless you are shipping a vehicle in a small, enclosed container, your car will be shipped on an open car carrier with a few other vehicles. This means other customers can delay the truck.
The location also plays a big role in your vehicle transport. If you need to ship your vehicle to or from a remote area, it may take longer to assign a carrier. It is always easier to find a trucker willing to take your car to and from big cities, like New York or Chicago, than to or from a remote village somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. If this is your case, the trucker will most likely have to go out of his way just to serve you, therefore you may have to wait longer.
Can I get a guaranteed pick-up date?
If you are willing to pay a premium price, then yes, it is possible to get a guaranteed pick-up date. You will have to make special arrangements with the car shipping company. The carrier will put the delivery of your vehicle on the priority list and rearrange their route and schedule to accommodate your specific needs. Therefore, you will have to make it worth the effort by paying extra for expedited service.
It is important to learn how to ship a car first and then do it. Remember that preparation, patience, and communication are the key factors to a stress-free car shipping process. We go above and beyond to make sure you and your car have a positive car shipping experience. To get a quote and ship your car with us, call (818) 850-5258, or fill out the online quote request form. Thank you.
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