In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for companies that ship cars from one place to another in recent years. With the abundance of car carrier companies now available, choosing the right one can be a challenge. After all, how can you be sure you’re picking an authorized company that will provide quality service?
There are a few tried and true ways to ensure that your chosen car shipping company is reliable and safe. Here are the traits you should look for during the research phase, including obvious elements like pricing and delivery timelines, as well as a few that may surprise you.
Positive customer reviews
One of the easiest ways to understand a cars carrier company’s legitimacy and overall customer service is the reviews left by previous customers. Read the reviews on websites such as the Better Business Bureau or through search engines like Google to gain a sense of the company’s timeliness and problem-solving capabilities.
These reviews should also give you an idea of how satisfied the customer was with the state of the cars they’d shipped. Did it arrive in good condition? If it didn’t, how did the company respond?
All in all, positive customer reviews are an excellent way to get a clear picture of the experience you are likely to have with that particular company. Furthermore, the more positive reviews there are, the more trusted that company is.
Reasonable and honest prices
After gathering a few quotes from cars carrier companies, it can be tempting to go straight for the cheapest option. However, that may not be your best bet for a couple of reasons.
A reputable company has a large volume of costs to take care of, from paying employees to maintaining licenses, upkeep of their vehicles, and paying for insurance. The prices they charge should not only reflect the quality of services they offer but should account for all of the costs for doing business.
That isn’t to say it should be ridiculously expensive, either. The price should be both reasonable and fair.
It is also essential that, in addition to providing you with a reasonable and honest price, the carrier company be transparent about all costs associated with the transportation. Companies that offer below-average costs could be trying to lure you in but have potentially hidden fees they’ll surprise you with later on.
Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide you with a specific quote prior and offer you itemized receipts for all costs afterward. The last thing you want is a hefty bill waiting for you when you go to sign for your vehicle, so ensure that you’re dealing with a transparent company before signing any contracts.
The company should be registered
Any legitimate transport company will be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ensuring the registration numbers the company provides are genuine through the organization’s websites can help weed out scammers or other unreputable companies.
Insurance coverage of Cars
In addition to being registered with the appropriate authorities, a legitimate cars carrier company will be able to provide you with a specific insurance policy. A good insurance policy should absolve you from any responsibility should something happen or if the vehicle incurs damages during transport.
Diverse service offerings
It is also vital that a good cars carrier company offers different transportation services. Experienced companies with the right equipment and talent should be able to help you transport motorcycles, heavy construction equipment, and more, suiting a variety of transport needs. Auto transport services also come in varying price and protection levels, such as open transport or enclosed transport.
An easy-to-use website
A factor many don’t consider when hiring a cars carrier company is how easy their website is to navigate. An easy-to-use website is a sign of the company’s trustworthiness and ability to keep up with the times. Not only should the website look modern, but the information should also be clear, concise, and readable.
When it comes to site navigation, the customer should quickly find the pricing, a comprehensive list of the company’s services, contact information, and other pertinent information without a struggle.
Speak to a company representative
Speaking with a company representative can not only help you build a relationship with the company, but it also allows you to ask questions and converse with a person rather than a chatbox on a website.
You’ll also be able to gauge the professionalism and level of customer service the rep provides during your call or in-person meeting, which can give you a good idea of whether or not to choose them.
Before you go
Hiring the right company to transport your vehicle is an important decision. Always make sure the company you choose is transparent, reasonably priced, and offers a wide range of high-quality services that will fit your unique transportation needs. Shipping your cars should be easy and worry-free, and the right company will be able to make that happen.
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