Most people believe that shipping a car across the country or state costs a great deal of money. While auto transport rates vary depending on various factors, sometimes clients have to set a generous budget if they are looking to hire a professional auto transporter.
Nevertheless, numerous options for selecting a car shipping service are available online. After simple and quick online research, car owners can find a wide range of auto shippers. Indeed, this variety of choices enables car owners to make the most out of it to get a big price break.
This guide presents the most useful tactics for clients to negotiate the best price with an auto transporter. We’ll cover the following topics:
- Taking the Time to Research
- Demonstrating Flexibility
- Asking for Discounts
- Setting a Fixed Budget
- Comparing Multiple Quotes
- Negotiating Upfront Deposit
- Working with an Auto Transport Broker
Taking the Time to Research
The first step in the process of shipping a car is conducting considerable research. First, clients have to research several auto transport companies, read reviews, check their services and certifications, and evaluate their ratings, safety records, and transparency.
After shortlisting three to four reputable and reliable auto shipping companies, it is important to conduct further research to make an informed decision. The next research involves checking shipping prices, offers and discounts, payment methods, insurance coverage, and, most importantly, each company’s transparency about final car shipping quotes.
The Importance of Researching Auto Transporters
Researching auto transport companies requires dedicating time and exercising patience, and some might be asking why they have to do all of this research in the first place. Simply put, researching auto transporters can save car owners money, time, and stress in the long run.
First, they won’t fall victim to a scammer’s malicious schemes. Researching several auto transporters allows clients, even those shipping a car for the first time, to formulate an understanding of how legitimate auto transport companies present themselves. clients can also see what previous clients had to say about their experiences with different companies.
Furthermore, researching multiple auto transport companies allows clients to compare pricing and services offered, increasing their chances of finding an affordable and reliable service that meets their needs. ; they can learn how most auto shipping companies price their services.
Demonstrating Flexibility
The more clients are flexible with shipping times, locations, and methods, the best auto transport price they will obtain. Here is how flexibility can influence the final quote:
Scheduling Flexibility
Flexibility while scheduling auto transport pick-up and delivery times is rewarding for clients looking to save money on their car shipments. By providing a flexible pick-up and delivery window, clients allow the auto transporter to plan the shipment more efficiently, often resulting in lower costs.
On the other hand, making a last-minute booking incurs additional fees and is not ideal for negotiating the car shipment price. Therefore, expedited car transport service is not viable for those who want to negotiate prices. We also recommend clients avoid shipping their cars at the peak time if possible to save a considerable amount of money.
Location Flexibility
Clients can choose between terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door pick-up and delivery locations upon booking an auto transport service. While the door-to-door service is more convenient, it will cost more than the other terminal-to-terminal option.
Clients negotiating the best auto transport price will be offered the terminal-to-terminal car pick-up and delivery option since it reduces the final cost, saving the carrier the time and fuel needed to reach clients’ locations.
Type of Transport Flexibility
There are basically two main types of auto transport: open and enclosed auto shipping. Clients shipping a regular or family car can choose the open auto transport method, saving them a lot of money since open carriers are more affordable than enclosed ones.
Open-air carriers are lighter shipping trucks, consuming less fuel and providing room for up to eight cars simultaneously. Therefore, auto transport companies charge less for each vehicle shipment. On the other hand, enclosed auto transportation is a premium service for vehicles that require special handling, coming at a considerable additional cost.
Overall, booking the car transport service well ahead of time, being flexible with picking up and delivery times and locations, and the car transport method allows clients to negotiate a reasonable price for their vehicle transportation.
Asking for Discounts
Many auto shipping companies provide special offers and discounts for clients under specific conditions, and people looking to negotiate the auto transport price can take advantage of them. However, learning about the company’s discounts may not be as easy as looking at their website. Some auto transport companies will not disclose discounts unless their clients ask for them.
Therefore, clients can ask the auto shipping company in advance about the discounts they offer and whether they are qualified to obtain one. In addition, if they have obtained a significant discount from another company, they can tell their auto transporter about it and inquire if they are willing to offer the same price cut.
Common Auto Transport Discount Types
Common discounts provided by auto transport companies include those for military personnel, college students, and retirees. Each type has its requirements, but all companies will ask for is proof of legibility, like an ID card.
Some companies also reward repeat clients by offering them special discounts; others give discounts at specific times of the year, especially during the off-season period.
Setting a Fixed Budget
Car owners on a budget have to set their budgets first, which will give them solid ground to start their price negotiation. They can choose what type of car transport matches their budget and needs according to the set budget.
It is also crucial that clients be upfront in communicating their car shipping budget to their auto shipper to allow them to determine what offers they can suggest. Auto shippers may also advise clients to adjust their budget when there are additional benefits for the clients.
Comparing Multiple Quotes
Comparing different auto transport quotes from multiple companies is an important step in the car transport process. Before hiring a car shipping company’s services, clients should request multiple quotes from several auto transport companies to see a significant difference between the given rates.
Obtaining a car shipping quote is simple; clients can use the online quote calculator that most companies have on their websites. They can also call the company’s client service agent directly or visit their office if possible.
The Importance of Comparing Quotes
Comparing multiple car shipping quotes informs clients about the current price range in different auto transport companies, sparing them additional costs. Knowledgeable clients can also negotiate better than those unaware of the market prices.
Moreover, clients can pick the most affordable offer after obtaining multiple quotes. However, cheaper doesn’t always mean better. In some cases, car owners get what they pay for, paying more than they would have with a more reasonable offer.
Negotiating Upfront Deposit
Clients are typically asked to confirm their car transport booking by paying a deposit upfront. While that is how the deal is arranged, clients should be careful when their auto shipper asks them to pay a large deposit in advance.
We recommend car owners ask the auto shipping company they plan to hire about their deposit policies and learn why they must pay a specific deposit before delivery. It is also helpful to ask previous clients about their experience with the auto transport company, including how much deposit they paid.
Working with Auto Transport Brokers
Hiring an auto transport broker to handle the car shipment process from A to Z proves to be the most efficient way to knock down shipping prices. In addition, hiring a broker to take care of the shipment details relieves clients from the stress of communicating with several auto transporters, especially those who don’t have the time to research companies and negotiate with them properly.
How can Brokers Help?
Auto transport brokers have close ties in the industry. They know the ins and outs of auto shipping and are experienced in negotiating prices. After all, brokers make their profits from negotiating the best price.
Furthermore, auto transport brokers usually have a large network of carriers, which enables them to foster competition between auto transporters by offering the car transport order to many carriers. Afterward, the carrier operator willing to take the order at the most reasonable cost will be assigned to transport the vehicle.
Therefore, brokers’ deep knowledge and understanding of the industry, professional experience, and wide network enable them to secure the most competitive auto transport quotes for clients and offer them multiple offers.
Hiring the Right Auto Transport Broker
The right auto transport broker should have legitimacy certifications and licenses from both the FMCSA and the US Department of Transportation, in addition to extensive experience in shipping vehicles. Tempus Logix is a top-rated auto transport brokerage company licensed and bonded with the USDOT and FMCSA to transport all vehicle types across the United States.
The company has over eight years of experience, successfully transporting more than 45,000 vehicles. Tempus Logix works with a huge network of carrier operators, over 25,000, who are highly qualified and experienced and carry insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000.
Final Thoughts
Auto transportation services can sometimes be relatively costly. However, clients can save money on their car shipments in different ways. Following the tactics mentioned in this guide, car owners can obtain a significant price cut.
We also want to remind car owners that their vehicle’s size and weight determine the final shipping quote. So, if the vehicle has any removable parts, remove them to shrink their size and empty the car of all items that could add extra weight.
