Shipping a car can be a costly and stressful process. However, with the right approach, saving money on car shipping is possible. One effective way to do this is by getting a discount on the shipping cost. Many people are unaware of how to negotiate or find car shipping discounts. Still, by following a few tips, it is possible to reduce the overall cost of transporting your vehicle. In this blog post, we will explore eight top tips and tricks for getting a discount on car shipping. It will help you save money and have peace of mind.
Focus on finding a local company over the popular national ones you might encounter online. A shipping company focusing on regional ones is way more affordable than the national ones. Most of them offer discount rates making them competitive. Here are four benefits of choosing a local shipping company:
- Offer personalized services: Local shipping companies often provide more personalized service as they have a smaller customer base, allowing them to focus on meeting each client’s specific needs.
- Faster transit times: Local shipping companies often have a better understanding of the local transportation infrastructure. It allows them to navigate routes and regulations more efficiently, resulting in faster transit times.
- Lower Costs: Local shipping companies tend to have lower overhead costs than popular ones, allowing them to offer more competitive pricing for their services.
- Flexibility: A localized company is often more flexible in its approach, allowing them to adapt to your specific needs and requirements.
Terminal-to-terminal car shipping services are when a shipping company transports vehicles from one designated terminal location to another. The vehicle owner drops off their car at the originating terminal, and the carrier transports it to the destination terminal, where the owner or their representative picks it up. Most people that select this option live in areas with limited access. However, it is an ideal option to save money on transportation costs by avoiding door-to-door delivery fees. These services are:
- Convenient
- Cost-effective
- Reliable for those looking to transport their vehicle.
Research and choose a reputable carrier with a strong track record for on-time delivery and secure vehicle transport.
Timing is everything if you are in no rush to ship a car. Car shipping services may be cheaper during certain times of the year or under certain circumstances. For example, prices may be lower during the off-season when demand for car shipping services is lower. Additionally, prices may be lower for shorter distances, as there is less time and fuel required to transport the vehicle.
The peak car shipping season is between April and September. It results in high car shipping rates compared to the winter season. Also, shipping multiple cars at once can be more cost-effective, as the transportation costs are spread out over various vehicles. Therefore, call your shipper to determine which months are ideal for shipping your vehicle.
Choosing an open carrier instead of an enclosed carrier can also lower prices. Open carriers are essentially large flatbed trailers that can accommodate multiple vehicles simultaneously and require less specialized equipment. Enclosed carriers, on the other hand, are fully enclosed trailers that protect cars from weather conditions and other potential hazards on the road.
These carriers are ideal for luxury and exotic vehicles and classic cars that require extra protection. However, enclosed carriers are more expensive than open carriers due to the added security and protection they provide. Therefore, an open carrier option is more ideal than an enclosed one to cut your shipping cost.
The majority of shipping companies are more likely to offer clients with flexible pick-up and delivery dates a discount. Most of them operate within 1-5 business working days. Therefore, being too strict on shipping will become costly for you. Remember many factors can affect the timeline of your shipment, such as:
- Poor weather and bad road conditions
- The carrier availability.
- Traffic and unforeseen circumstances
Driving a car yourself is a cheap way of shipping your vehicle. It reduces the need to hire a professional car shipping service, which can be costly. Additionally, driving your car allows you to control the entire shipping process, from when you want to leave to where you want to stop and how fast you want to travel. It means you can tailor the shipping experience to your needs, making it a convenient and cost-effective option. However, it’s essential to consider the distance of the journey, fuel costs, and potential wear and tear on your vehicle before deciding to drive it yourself.
Getting a discount when shipping a car requires research, negotiation, and planning. Asking for discounts or negotiating the price can help lower the cost of car shipping. Timing, driving the vehicle yourself, and choosing open-air shipping would be effective ways to save shipping costs. Stay flexible and talk with your shipping company to see how you can save.
If you are ready to book your vehicle transport or still have more questions, please give Ship A Car a call at (866) 821-4555 to see what discounts are available for your vehicle shipping.
