Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay.
Let’s face it, we’re all always looking for the best deals whenever we’re making any transaction, in our shopping, or in paying for services. According to Forbes Advisor, shipping a car from Los Angeles to New York City (about 2,790 miles) costs an average of $1,650.
Shipping a car across the country is one of the biggest expenses you’ll face, but it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think. So, how do you save money on car shipping? It is possible if you know what to look out for. This article provides the top 7 tips to save money on car shipping in 2022.
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Get a binding quote
It is only routine that people research multiple services and get different quotes to determine the cheapest car shipping companies. However, many car shipping companies are known to play smart with their quotes. When car shipping companies provide quotes to their clients, they usually quote a low price initially.
This is usually done to draw in more clients. But when the time comes for you to make the payment or even worse, during transit, they introduce are additional charges that come in and make the original quote seem like an illusion.
That’s why it is important to get a binding quote. A binding quote ensures that the original price cannot change on any condition until the vehicle is successfully delivered.
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Ship your Car in the Offseason
The busiest shipping months are during the summertime, from May to September. You will be competing with other customers who require cheap shipping services during that time.
Shipping companies often raise their prices because of higher demand. Try booking your shipment between October and December to save money on cheap auto transport. When the demand is low, you can get a great deal on the price.
Many companies will even offer benefits such as free pick-ups and discounts during those months, saving you more money overall.
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Reduce your Vehicle’s Weight
Another car shipping price factor is the vehicle’s weight. That’s why you would typically get a lower price by reducing the weight of your car as much as possible. That’s why you should clean out your car before you have it shipped.
Remove anything that is not needed for travel in your car. You can also make sure to remove any unnecessary parts from your vehicle before shipping. If you are shipping a new vehicle, consider not having certain parts installed until you arrive at your destination so that they don’t add extra weight to the car and cost more in shipping fees.
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Reserve your Booking Early
Some economics goes into vehicle transport pricing. Auto transport companies adjust their pricing based on supply and demand, which is only normal. The farther your intended shipping date, the lower the demand; therefore, the price would surely be lower.
The best way to get the best rate for your date is to book as early as possible, many weeks before the date, if you can. More so, the earlier you book, the more carriers would be available to you, and the shipping company can plan better. This helps you avoid any of the extra fees associated with late planning.
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Use Shipping Terminals
Using shipping terminals can save you money on car shipping. A shipping terminal is a centralized location where you can drop off your vehicle and pick it up later. Since shipping companies charge by distance too, every mile they spend transporting your car adds to your shipping cost.
The only advantage of home-delivered car shipping is convenience. However, it leads to a higher cost, especially if you live in a remote area. If you don’t mind driving a few extra miles, the cheapest option for you would be to get your car to and from the terminal before and after shipping.
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Use Open-Carrier Transport
Transport conditions are a considerable factor affecting the price of car shipping. For instance, you can choose whether you want your car shipped with an open carrier or an enclosed carrier.
In general, the former is much cheaper because there is little protection beyond basic precautions. Unless you’re shipping a luxury vehicle, your car should be safe as far as there is no mishap during transit.
In any case, despite that enclosed carriers are usually offered as premium services, it may be beneficial if you’re shipping a high-end vehicle.
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Hire an Auto Transport Broker
Auto transport brokers are in the best position to get your car shipped for a lower price because they have access to hundreds or thousands throughout the country.
Only use reputable brokers, though. You don’t want someone to rip you off or give you wrong information. Make sure they’re licensed and insured because this means they’ve passed specific state requirements on being a broker, as well as proving they have insurance just in case things go wrong while transporting your car.
Conclusion
Having a car shipped to you can seem like a daunting and potentially costly task. The process is more straightforward with the right amount of preparation; however, knowing where to look for the best deals on car transportation means saving money and being prepared. Do your homework and check their reviews online before making a final decision and signing any contracts.
AUTHOR BIO:
Daniel Moayanda is a Digital Marketing Expert/Consultant, & Founder of NNON Movement. He’s also a Guest Contributor to InfoSecurity Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Dzone, SAP, etc.
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