Warren Buffett once said that price is what you pay, but value is what you get. That statement truly applies to car shipping. If you are planning to ship your vehicle and wondering about the shipping cost, knowing what elements truly impact pricing is a must.
Car shipping is just like any other market where prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, and actual costs of freight shipment. However, some customers focus on the lowest price, sometimes due to a lack of knowledge about the price constituents, and sometimes out of greed.
The lowest price is not always the best value. Preowned Auto Logistics applies this mindset. They offer quotes that reflect the accurate market, unlike many other shippers who may offer lowball quotes and you may end up paying more.
The mathematics of distance and geography
Distance is the most significant factor in car shipping prices, but the relationship is not simple. Typically, shipping a car 500 miles costs more per mile than shipping a car 1,500 miles. Because longer trips help break down the fixed costs into more miles.
For example, busy routes like New York to Miami have many carriers, which add to the competition leading to affordable prices. Remote areas have the opposite scenario. A carrier going to rural Montana typically goes back empty; therefore, it has to factor in the cost of the deadhead lane.
Geography also affects rates beyond just distances. Traveling distances may also have seasonal effects of closure, weight limitations, etc. Carriers must receive these charges for their time, gasoline, insurance, and so on.
Key Factors That Influence Vehicle Shipping Costs
Here are some essential factors that determine your vehicle shipping cost:
- Distance and route: The distances and routes of transport will have a deep impact on the total costs. Transport prices may increase for longer or more remote journeys due to higher fuel and labor costs.
- Vehicle type and size: The type and size of the vehicle being shipped will also influence the cost. Larger vehicles or specialty vehicles may require additional equipment or accommodations, which can increase the shipping cost.
- Transport method: The cost will also depend on the mode of transportation selected, such as enclosed or open auto transport. Although enclosed transport is usually more costly, the vehicle gets maximum protection.
- Pickup and delivery: Specific preferences for delivery or delivery services, such as door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal services, may impact the total cost. Door-to-door delivery can be more convenient as well as more expensive.
- Seasonal demand: During the busiest shipping seasons, the cost of your shipment also varies according to demand. Driver and carrier availability can impact shipping times; demand is typically higher in the summer.
- Fuel costs: The fluctuation of fuel costs and general market conditions may impact the cost of transport. Higher fuel prices or other external factors can result in increased shipping rates.
- Insurance: The total cost will also include the insurance coverage level and extra services like vehicle tracking or expedited shipping. If you include higher-level service coverage, i.e., vehicle tracking or expedited shipping, it will raise the total cost of shipping.
Tips to Get the Best Value on Car Shipping
Get quotes from several auto transport companies: If you reach out to several companies, you can compare prices and services and get the best value for your budget.
Book early to lock in lower pricing and availability: Booking car shipping services as early as possible increases your chances of locking in lower pricing and availability. That, too, is during peak periods as the demand is high.
Be flexible with your dates to get off-peak pricing: Upon receiving pricing for your specific dates, check to see if you have some flexibility with pickup and/or delivery dates. Off-peak periods may have lower pricing compared to the peak season.
Select the correct type of transport for your vehicle and budget: It is crucial to understand the kind of transport that fits your vehicle and budget. Enclosed transport can be more expensive than open transport, but it may be preferable to add protection for valuable cars. Open transport is available at lower prices for standard vehicles.
Ask what is included in your quote: When you receive your quote, take the time to ask the applicable company what is included in the quote you received, whether the quote includes insurance, tracking, taxes, and/or any additional fees that can change the overall quote for your car shipping service.
Common Mistakes That Can Lead to Higher Costs
#1. Choosing the cheapest quote without verifying the details
Selecting a vehicle shipping company based on the lowest estimate without confirming their legitimacy and reputation might be pricey. If a quote is much lower than others, the company may be a scam or lack insurance or licensing to protect your vehicle. You will have to pay for repair, lost or damaged vehicles if the shipping company does not insure them.
#2. Not disclosing the vehicle condition (i.e., not operable)
Another costly mistake is failing to disclose a vehicle’s condition, e.g., neglecting to inform the car shipping company that a vehicle is inoperable. If that happens, the customer may incur unexpected fees for special equipment or services to transport the car safely, which slows the delivery process.
#3. Last minute booking and especially at busy times
Last-minute service bookings, especially during peak seasons, can be expensive! If you book an auto transport company in the busy season without prior notice, you will have to pay more to get last-minute service. Planning and booking services far in advance will assist you avoid excessive demand prices on services that require ample notice!
#4. Assuming that all services are included in all quotes
One common misperception is that every quote includes all services. This assumption can cost you money. Consider this: not all quotes will include all you need, which may result in unexpected charges later on. Before proceeding with your quote, you should carefully review and check the services included. In the absence of your examination and verification, you may incur additional expenditures and delays when hiring a service.
Why Choose Preowned Auto Logistics for Transparent Pricing
At Preowned Auto Logistics, we know how aggravating hidden fees and vague pricing can be when it comes to shipping your preowned vehicle. For this reason, we set out to give our customers clarity and provide them with pricing so that every customer knows the cost of shipping their preowned vehicle upfront.
No hidden fees!
When you choose Preowned Auto Logistics, you can be confident there will not be hidden fees waiting for you at the end of the shipping process. We strive to provide you with an honest and detailed expense quote to allow our customers to make informed shipping decisions without hidden surprises.
Dedicated account reps!
Our dedicated account representatives flood with knowledge to allow our customers to break down all aspects of each fee related to the shipping of their preowned vehicle. If you need clarification on a specific charge or pricing – our reps are right there to inform you and help you feel assured in your shipping decisions.
Proven customer satisfaction!
Preowned Auto Logistics has provided clarity in its pricing since its inception 25 years ago. You can read testimonials from satisfied customers who have worked with Preowned Auto Logistics to ship their vehicles. In addition, pricing transparency and customer satisfaction matter the most! When you choose Preowned Auto Logistics for pricing transparency, we can demonstrate our values of honesty, integrity, and, ultimately, customer satisfaction above all else. No more hidden fees or ambiguity – choose Preowned Auto Logistics and have the confidence to ship stress-free!
Conclusion
The vehicle shipping cost varies and depends on several factors such as distance, vehicle type, and pick and drop-off locations. Preowned Auto Logistics is the best choice for pricing transparency since we value honesty, integrity, and fairness. We know clients need pricing transparency when buying a car. Preowned Auto Logistics offers open, seamless pricing for preowned vehicles. Let us help you locate the right automobile at the right price without surprises or fees. Our clients receive fair pricing for their next preowned automobile from Preowned Auto Logistics.