Win, Lose, or Drive
Sometimes the car of your dreams just doesn't exist in your little pocket of the world. Sometimes your fantasy vehicle is sitting somewhere clear across the country: cold, lonely and waiting for you to pump it's engine. In these cases, you may have to call upon the expertise of an auto transport company. Here are a few pointers to help you get that vision of beauty from point A to point B with a minimum of hassle:
- The Price is Right - There are many auto transport companies, and they all offer different services and pricing schemes. You are going to have to do your homework. Send some emails out. Make a few phone calls. They are going to want some information from you in order to calculate a rate. They'll be looking for origin and destination points, the type of vehicle to be transported, the date of transport, and what service you'll be requiring. Some companies deliver the car right to your door, and others drop it off at a nearby terminal location. Have all of this information handy and take notes. Also, be prepared to pay a twenty-five percent deposit to get things rolling.
- Deal or no Deal - Go over the contract with a magnifying glass and take verbal promises with a grain of salt. If it's not in the contract, then the company is not liable. Look for a clause stipulating the amount of money the company owes you should it not live up to it's side of the bargain and deliver your car within the specified time frame. If you can't find this clause, move on to another company.
- Press Your Luck - Get everything insured in case something goes wrong during the transport. Believe me, it's worth it. Make sure the company provides you with all pertinent documentation, and find out if they offer primary or secondary insurance. Auto transport insurance covers any damage done to the car during transport, so you are in the clear if you find any new scratches or dents on your baby once you get it home. However, the insurance does not extend to items left in the car pre-transport so make sure your laptop is safe at home.
- Concentration - Once your car is delivered, do not drive it away until you have given it a thorough check for damage. Go slowly and keep an eye on the mileage differential, roof and bumper condition and the correct placement of exterior gadgets like radio antennae. If you find anything you think is off, make a list and have the transporter sign off on it. This way you will avoid later "he said, she said" problems regarding the insurance.