Proven Ways to Speed the Pick up When Hiring Auto Shipping Carriers

Auto shipping industry functions by well-established rules, which are basically the same regardless of the auto transport company you choose. First the shipping details are arranged, such as contract, estimated shipping time, payment details, etc., and then auto shipping carriers is assigned to pick up the vehicle. The vehicle pick up window is an estimated period in which the car will be picked up for shipping.

Factors which influence the pickup window duration

The pickup window is an estimate made by the carrier based on a series of factors, which include the total number of vehicles they have to load, the traffic conditions and the current weather. Here is how each factor can influence the estimated pick up date.

Number of Vehicles– If the driver has to load eight vehicles on the truck; it can get very challenging to pinpoint a specific date of when he will load each individual vehicle. If all the vehicles that the driver has to pick up are located within a 25 mile radius they can be loaded within two days, if they are farther away it can take longer.

Traffic conditions– If the vehicle is located in urban location traffic can certainly affect the pickup time. Usually, the driver will give the customer a time range of when they will be there in order to compensate for any unexpected traffic delays.

Weather conditions– Adverse weather conditions are likely to extend the vehicle pick up time. Be sure to plan ahead if you are on a tight schedule.

Ways to decrease the pickup window for auto transport

Auto transport pick up times can be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the factors mentioned above. Below are some tactics that you can try to speed up the pickup times of your vehicle.

Inform the carrier that you are on a schedule

The first thing you can do is talk to the booking agent and inform them about the necessity of having your car shipped in a certain period. When your car is booked for transport, you will receive an estimated pickup and delivery date. Inform the broker or auto transport company that your vehicle must be picked up within a certain date. This will allow the broker to book your shipment with a carrier that will pick up the vehicle within those date ranges.

Ask about nearby terminals where you can transport the vehicle

Part of the delay in the car’s pick up may be due to the inaccessibility of vehicle’s current location. If the vehicle is outside the carrier’s regular routes, in a remote town or in a highly crowded part of the city, there is a chance that the carrier will give you an extended pick up window. To reduce the waiting period, ask about nearby hubs where you can transport the car. If there are no hubs around, try to establish a meeting point along the carrier’s regular route where you can drive the car and from where the carrier will pick it up. While this does not work every time, there are cases in which you can save lots of time. Certainly, the carrier will be happy to pick up the vehicle from a more accessible location leaving both parties satisfied.

Ask about alternative auto transport options

When the pickup time is longer than you expected, you can ask if there are any alternatives that are available that will speed up the process. For example, use an alternative route which is common for carriers and can be adapted to reach your destination. Even though it may be longer than the initial route, it may save you time as the car is collected faster. Long waiting periods for car pick up can be annoying, especially when you are on a tight schedule. In the hurry to get the car shipped, don’t forget to check the reviews of the auto shipping company. Look online for the testimonials by the past clients to assess their service levels. You must be very careful when selecting the company as the safety and security of your vehicle depends on it.

Source: Auto Shipping Quotes