Shipping a classic-avoid the bull!

[mikejpss]

Recently bought a 73 on eBay ,will be shipped this week.
In the meantime the anxiety level was enough to drive a grown man mad trying to find someone to transport the car!!! There were many lessons to learn from this adventure being the simple minded person I am and trusting to anyone that makes a promise. Sad reality is that nowadays, promises don't always mean what they used to mean.
The biggest lesson learned here was that there are more "brokers" out there than there are transport companies. Once you send off for a (free) quote, be prepared to be bombarded with emails from anyone and everyone . This is where the fun only begins.
If anyone out there plans to have a classic shipped, send me an email and I will be glad to share my experience and give some free advice. Maybe I can save you some grief, or at least let you know what you're in for. It ain't no fun .....I am not trying to advertise for any one company, but I surely can rat off on the bad ones !!!

 

[howard]

I just bought a 73 that was in another province as well. I guess I was pretty lucky. The seller was very helpful on his end getting things loaded up.
I spoke with 2 companies, one insisted the car had to be picked up and delivered to a Dealers lot, offered no insurance or guarantees due to the age but the price was cheap...I said no thanks.
I called another one Hansens, they provided an on line quote, included full insurance for purchase price and delivered door to door. even though it was a 10hr drive it took a nerve racking sleepless week to get the car.
Mine was delivered on an open trailer which was ok, but If it had of been a 1 of 2 ZL1 Vette I would want an enclosed trailer.
Its a anxious time waiting for the delivery but its over now and nice and warm in my garage.
Here are a few photos of it..
http://www.piczo.com/CoopersGarage?g=10967483&cr=4

 

[KANE]

.....I am not trying to advertise for any one company, but I surely can rat off on the bad ones !!!

Me too.

I tried to ship my own car from NC to KS about six years ago. The broker agreed to take my money and then... nothing. For three months... nothing. I heard "your car is next!" or "its the snowbirders- they are booking all the trucks ahead of you". The pick-up date changed 5 times. Lots of BS.

I ended up arguing with the manager to get my money back. He wanted to try to keep some of the money for a "cancellation fee"... even without providing me a service! They weren't going to give me all of it because I cancelled. What a crook! Only when I threatened to get a lawyer did he give in and refund my money. ad

 

[fine69]

Recently bought a 73 on eBay ,will be shipped this week.
In the meantime the anxiety level was enough to drive a grown man mad trying to find someone to transport the car!!! There were many lessons to learn from this adventure being the simple minded person I am and trusting to anyone that makes a promise. Sad reality is that nowadays, promises don't always mean what they used to mean.
The biggest lesson learned here was that there are more "brokers" out there than there are transport companies. Once you send off for a (free) quote, be prepared to be bombarded with emails from anyone and everyone . This is where the fun only begins.
If anyone out there plans to have a classic shipped, send me an email and I will be glad to share my experience and give some free advice. Maybe I can save you some grief, or at least let you know what you're in for. It ain't no fun .....I am not trying to advertise for any one company, but I surely can rat off on the bad ones !!!

I just bought a 1972 Rally Sport Camaro and I need to have it transported from Augusta GA to Maryland. I received a quote from a transportation company, and have not yet worked out the details. The alternative is to fly down there and drive (or trailer) it back up to Maryland.

 

[JJS]

I just bought a 1972 Rally Sport Camaro and I need to have it transported from Augusta GA to Maryland. I received a quote from a transportation company, and have not yet worked out the details. The alternative is to fly down there and drive (or trailer) it back up to Maryland.

Did you get a quote from DAP (Dependable Auto Shippers)? They are as good as it gets! -John

 

[Scott Winebarger]

Did you get a quote from DAP (Dependable Auto Shippers)? They are as good as it gets! -John

What kind of money are these people charging?

Maybe I should change my profession... I have a truck and a trailer.

Heading out to NC from Illinois at the end of this month , anyone need anything moved ?

 

[KANE]

...Heading out to NC from Illinois at the end of this month , anyone need anything moved ?

:L

That is funny!

 

[huk_finn]

Did you get a quote from DAP (Dependable Auto Shippers)? They are as good as it gets! -John

Yep, I had good luck with D.A.P.. I had a couple cars shipped from california to illinois. Door to door,,,open truck (car hauler), last one was a van. I think the price for that was around $900. That van (full sized) had the tall fiberglass roof too, (over sized load charge). Think I remember D.A.P. had a way to track your car shipment too

 

[jdp6000]

Best one you will ever find...

http://www.oakwoodtransport.com/default.htm

I've used them, friends have used, etc.

Jim

 

[joe1975]

I went thru the same crap rented a U-Haul drove up to St.Louis pulled it back trailer rental $200 plus gas 2 years ago trailer was well designed pulled well The part I didn't like about shipping company were my car would be dropped off in Harvey at what ever time and the cost I thought was way out off line

 

[81kix]

What kind of money are these people charging?

Maybe I should change my profession... I have a truck and a trailer.

Heading out to NC from Illinois at the end of this month , anyone need anything moved ?

Yeah my Husband otfl

 

[fine69]

Did you get a quote from DAP (Dependable Auto Shippers)? They are as good as it gets! -John

They quoted me $550 to my door. However, I have not yet received all the details, but I suspect there will be additional costs.

 

[mikejpss]

??

DAS was the first one I contacted since they are attached to eBay, they responded within 5 days to pick it up at thier terminal. The seller was good enought to trailer the car 100 miles to the terminal. When DAS arrived to pick it up, they claimed the parking brake did not hold well enough. Don't they chain the car down, I asked????
There would be an additional $300 charge for this, coupled to the base $785 charge I had already paid up front.
The seller said the parking brake worked ok when he delivered it.....
Just dont like that kinda deal where I'm stuck with an open checkbook and at thier mercy.
The second broker wasn't listed with the BBB , when I called thier phone number that was faxed over with a contract, the phone was disconnected.
Broker number 3 says the car will be picked up Tuesday in Indianapolis and delivered to my door on Thursday- we'll see.
Oh, the fun has only started.
Guys, if you have a trailer and a truck big enough to pull a car or two, you can make a few bucks......

 

[MRANT212]

Fed-Ex custom critical transport...Very cost effective and the service was outstanding...Shipped my 71 from Chicago to NJ door to door with no issues or problems. Go on their site and the quote you see is the price you pay!

Anthony

 

[JJS]

They quoted me $550 to my door. However, I have not yet received all the details, but I suspect there will be additional costs.

There are no hidden costs, and that sounds about right. It cost me over $1k (enclosed carrier), but that was from Oregon to Boston a few years back, so $550.00 sounds about right for the distance they'll be transporting your car. The only additional cost is ~$100.00 to have your car transported on top of the carrier. I highly recommend that you do this, since they don't pay for damages cause by leaking fluids. If a car on top leaks something on the car beneath it, it's your problem. They are extremely professional (this is all they do) and they'll take good care of the car. -John

 

[Scott Winebarger]

Yeah my Husband otfl

Too Funny !

 

[Pseudomind]

How much you willing to pay? :L

Do you want the dollar-two-ninety-eight package

or the

buck-three-ninety-five deluxe package? (This price includes duct tape)

Plus the bit for the gov'nor

Yeah my Husband otfl

 

[JohnZ]

The absolute #1 rule in choosing a transport outfit is:

DON'T EVER USE A BROKER!!!!

You never know who will show up with what to haul your car; brokers are in it to get the cheapest hauler they can find while charging you as much as they think you can stand, to maximize their margin. If you want Ronnie Redneck and his Rusty Rig to haul your car, call a broker!

Deal direct with a reputable hauler - not a broker.

 

[mikejpss]

??

Thanks JohnZ, now I won't be able to sleep till it gets here.
Wish I could fast forward the next few days and get this over with....
:L

 

[fine69]

There are no hidden costs, and that sounds about right. It cost me over $1k (enclosed carrier), but that was from Oregon to Boston a few years back, so $550.00 sounds about right for the distance they'll be transporting your car. The only additional cost is ~$100.00 to have your car transported on top of the carrier. I highly recommend that you do this, since they don't pay for damages cause by leaking fluids. If a car on top leaks something on the car beneath it, it's your problem. They are extremely professional (this is all they do) and they'll take good care of the car. -John

The company that gave me the quote is B & M Auto Transport located in
Swansea, SC ( www.bandmautotransport.com ). I am told they are reputable.... I maaay still take the chance and drive it home.

This is a pic of the car (attached). I know it's not one of the coveted 1st generation Camaros, but I like it.