looking for an automotive transporter recommendation

I recently used Fedex Passport to move my 308 and had no trouble.

 

I used FedEx Passport too.... the service was ok. Slow to pickup the car and then they zig-zaged around a bit. No way to track the driver and they use big rigs that you have to meet if you live in a difficult area for them to drive. The car arrived in good condition.

I've used Dependable Auto shippers (DAS) too. They use open or enclosed trailers (you pick) that you can track on the net. They ship to a depot and then can put it on a flatbed to your home or you can pick it up at the depot.

All in all I was happier with DAS because they were a bigger operation always available to contact and the car arrived with no problems.

You would think you could contact Fedex on the weekend, but they are closed. Even the drivers have no one to reach. So, in my case, the driver didn't pick up my car on Sat. because he didn't know it was available and ended up going right through the city on to another state and I lost 3 days because of it.

Fedex needs to ramp up IMO.......

 

While the transporter needs to and should carry enough insurance to cover all cars on the truck, you should most definitely have your car insured by you before it goes anywhere.

 

ABSOLUTELY HAVE YOUR OWN INSURANCE.

I have a transport horror story, so trust me, have your car fully insured. I learned much about the cargo industry, specifically that the carriers are usually very underinsured and cargo has specific limitations on the liability they have to cover.

Trust me, you need your own insurance. (BTW, if they try to deliver the car at night, refuse and closely inspect the next day. Night delivery indicates a problem has occured in almost all instances)

RP

 

If you call customer service they can tell you exactly where the guy is from their puter. They worked pretty well for me. Quick pick up. There was a minor mishap but they covered it. They seem to really push the drivers. I could not believe the kind of mileage the guy's covered in one day. UT in the AM in a snowstorm, Vegas for gas up then to Orange County, CA by midnight then they turned around immediately and were headed for Phoenix, AZ.

 

Passport was a little slow to pick up; missed their estimate by 1 day. They were very friendly on the phone, but basically said, "I dunno, not picked up yet" and that was all they knew. But once they picked it up, they were quick. Picked it up in Charlotte in the morning and unloaded it without incident near Boston in the afternoon two days later. So in the end, they did deliver it in the middle of their delivery estimate window. Occasionally they'd send my phone call directly to voicemail though, so I agree they probably need to "ramp up".

 

Passport.......

Yes you can call Passport, but only during normal business hours and not on weekends. They will tell you where the driver is by contacting him not by GPS. Also, they can't tell you that they know which way he is headed because he might be turned around to pickup another car. They will zig-zag the driver around.

DAS

You can track the truck online anytime of the day. They send the truck to a depot so you know it's not stopping by someones' house to pickup another car.

You know, if Passport would fix a few issues they would be my first choice and I told the manager my issues.

 

you should insure your car, alot of transporters only carry $100,000 in cargo to cover the entire load which is law. I own an enclosed auto transport company but we dont go east, only midwest to west cost, but have $500,000 in cargo plus a rider policy to go higher, that would be a good question to ask. A large car like a '58 impala will cost a little more than a small car but your also not going as far. I'd ask if your car will stay on the truck that picks it up, alot of times it can be put in a drop yard and go from truck to truck, not good. Ask if they are going to haul your car or will it be brokered out if that makes a different to you. One other thing to consider is price, the more you pay, the faster your car will be shipped. If you look for a bargin or are talked into a cheap price that is way less than other bids, most likely your car will be listed on a transporter web site and they will of course take their office fee and nobody will haul the car for what is left, I've had people tell me they were quoted 1/2 of what we charge but their car has been sitting for a month and a half!

 

I have used Intercity vanlines to transport my Porsche 993 from California to Georgia, and from Miami back to California. Not a single scratch, the car was plastic wrapped in an enclosed trailer, arrived in perfect condition. Cost was high, but worth every penny. Took a little longer as they make other stops along the way, but they plan out their trip so your car is never moved from the spot it is parked in the trailer.
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I've used Intercity three times. No problems at all and excellent service in my opinion. I would use them again in a heartbeat!

 

They are the best and least expensive out of the others with the same service and attention. I used them now roughly 10 times both in buying and selling cars. Usually their prices are 2/3rds the price of others.

http://www.exoticcartransport.com