Having car shipped...price and how does it work? Reliable?

Dackz · 01-28-2009, 01:28 PM

I am going to have to scour the nation for the exact car I want...so I will either have to go get it...or have it shipped. Within about 1000miles I can go get it, if there is an airport close enough. Out of that, I would need it shipped.

How does it work? Whats the price? Are these things reliable? Do they drop it off at my house or do I meet them somewhere?

Also....whats peoples opinions on getting a car not test driving it? I mean, since its under warranty still, I can take it to the dealer, but whats the general thought on it? I mean, I have drove the cars, just not exactly what I wanted.

Thanks for the info!

2kaccordocoupe · 01-28-2009, 01:38 PM

My co-worker purchased a car from Virginia and had it trucked to Niagara Falls it cost a couple hundred bucks. We drove down and picked it up. No problems as it was a CPO.

If you do a private sale I persoanlly would want to drive it however with CPO you know it certified and you have warranty.
That being said if you get private with factory warranty you still have some piece of mind.

abcommercial · 01-28-2009, 01:51 PM

I've done both at least once. How to handle depends on circumstances, such as price, miles, warranty. For example, a CPO from a dealer with low miles is going to be a fairly safe bet because it had to be in a certain condition to begin with to be certifiable and even if neglected, a low-mile car probably won't have too much damage.

I bought an older Nissan truck on eBay and took a red eye flight from Houston to Atlanta to pick it up. I talked to seller on phone about condition to satisfy myself it was in good condition (no accidents, fully disclosed as a smoker car, had records, etc.)

I transferred a lease on a 2007 Audi and had it shipped to Dallas. It was about $600 to ship. There are plenty of transport companies you can find online, or just ask a dealer you trust for a referral.

I sold a 2002 Audi on eBay and the buyer paid $100 for an independent inspector to come look at the car before he flew down to get it.

I sold a 2003 VW on eBay and the son flew down to look at it personally before driving it back to Arkansas.

Just to give you some ideas.

iqwertyi · 01-28-2009, 02:31 PM

Avoid Town & Country Auto Transport AT ALL COST!!!

My brother went with Ameri Freight, which had really good reviews online.
Unfortunately, they sub contract their work and we happen to get Town & Country Auto Transport.

He was transporting his car from San Diego to Miami. He got quoted ~$800 and 5 working days. Their truck broke down half way (which we can understand), the problem was when they stopped responding to our calls on the status. It took us ONE MONTH to eventually get the car here AND WITH A BROKEN WINDOW!!!

They said they would take care of it. Which as I recall we never saw the check.
Reported them to BBB and took it as lesson learned.

Just trying to pass the word so no one else suffers like we did.

MoreCowbell · 01-28-2009, 03:05 PM

Shopping for my car, I was presented with several options for delivery of a car at another dealership:

1) Dealer would have it flatbedded - Dealer picked up cost.(this is preferable)
2) Dealer would have it flattbedded- A fee of about $500 would come out of my pocket (MAYBE reasonable depending on the deal you negotiate)
3) Dealer would send driver to pick it up and drive it to the dealership - Dealer paid fee. (i'd avoid this at all costs)
4) Order the car from the BMW Catalog. I did this once. It's sent via UPS, unassembled and comes in about 8-10 large boxes, and one large sack of bolts, screws and 2 allen-wrenches. They give you instructions, similiar to what you'd get at IKEA. (Some people love this, but it's not my cup of tea)

Either way...good luck!!!

Dmitriy@AUTOcouture · 01-28-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

I was presented with several options for delivery of a car at another dealership:

Not anymore with the sh*t me and you put the dealers through.

SoYank · 01-28-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Shopping for my car, I was presented with several options for delivery of a car at another dealership:

1) Dealer would have it flatbedded - Dealer picked up cost.(this is preferable)
2) Dealer would have it flattbedded- A fee of about $500 would come out of my pocket (MAYBE reasonable depending on the deal you negotiate)
3) Dealer would send driver to pick it up and drive it to the dealership - Dealer paid fee. (i'd avoid this at all costs)
4) Order the car from the BMW Catalog. I did this once. It's sent via UPS, unassembled and comes in about 8-10 large boxes, and one large sack of bolts, screws and 2 allen-wrenches. They give you instructions, similiar to what you'd get at IKEA. (Some people love this, but it's not my cup of tea)

Either way...good luck!!!

The problem with option 4 is, the instructions are either written in German or translated by a Japanese.

Dackz · 01-29-2009, 07:20 AM

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll talk to the dealer I get it from an see who they might recommend. I'm just iffy on the deal though. Like if they break a window do they have insurance on it?

Also, do they bring the car to my house or do I go meet them somewhere?

babino · 01-30-2009, 04:54 PM

I'm in the middle of waiting for a car I bought sight unseen... but I did have someone local check it out for me. I got a good deal so it was worth a small risk to me. That said... the problem started once it was picked up for delivery.

I was supposed to have my car on Monday or Tuesday and here it is Friday and I won't likely get it until next week. The transport company didn't know the driver had another stop to make... so once he got to the other stop HUNDREDS OF MILES IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, the truck broke down with my car in it.

Recommedations:
1. Know the exact route the driver will be taking and each stop before yours.
2. Don't risk an uncovered truck - it costs double in some instances, but your risk goes way down.
3. Get the insurance conversation out of the way before you commit to the deal.
4. Forget about your car until you see it in your driveway because you will lose a lot of sleep... if you could only see the bags under my eyes.

They should bring it right to your house if you request. Just make sure they can get the truck in and out of your neighborhood. Good luck.

01-28-2009, 01:28 PM	#1
Dackz Hates Speed Limits 111 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northern CO iTrader: (4)	Having car shipped...price and how does it work? Reliable? I am going to have to scour the nation for the exact car I want...so I will either have to go get it...or have it shipped. Within about 1000miles I can go get it, if there is an airport close enough. Out of that, I would need it shipped. How does it work? Whats the price? Are these things reliable? Do they drop it off at my house or do I meet them somewhere? Also....whats peoples opinions on getting a car not test driving it? I mean, since its under warranty still, I can take it to the dealer, but whats the general thought on it? I mean, I have drove the cars, just not exactly what I wanted. Thanks for the info!
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01-28-2009, 01:38 PM	#2
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	My co-worker purchased a car from Virginia and had it trucked to Niagara Falls it cost a couple hundred bucks. We drove down and picked it up. No problems as it was a CPO. If you do a private sale I persoanlly would want to drive it however with CPO you know it certified and you have warranty. That being said if you get private with factory warranty you still have some piece of mind.
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01-28-2009, 01:51 PM	#3
abcommercial Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 237 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I've done both at least once. How to handle depends on circumstances, such as price, miles, warranty. For example, a CPO from a dealer with low miles is going to be a fairly safe bet because it had to be in a certain condition to begin with to be certifiable and even if neglected, a low-mile car probably won't have too much damage. I bought an older Nissan truck on eBay and took a red eye flight from Houston to Atlanta to pick it up. I talked to seller on phone about condition to satisfy myself it was in good condition (no accidents, fully disclosed as a smoker car, had records, etc.) I transferred a lease on a 2007 Audi and had it shipped to Dallas. It was about $600 to ship. There are plenty of transport companies you can find online, or just ask a dealer you trust for a referral. I sold a 2002 Audi on eBay and the buyer paid $100 for an independent inspector to come look at the car before he flew down to get it. I sold a 2003 VW on eBay and the son flew down to look at it personally before driving it back to Arkansas. Just to give you some ideas.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2009, 02:31 PM	#4
iqwertyi New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Avoid Town & Country Auto Transport AT ALL COST!!! My brother went with Ameri Freight, which had really good reviews online. Unfortunately, they sub contract their work and we happen to get Town & Country Auto Transport. He was transporting his car from San Diego to Miami. He got quoted ~$800 and 5 working days. Their truck broke down half way (which we can understand), the problem was when they stopped responding to our calls on the status. It took us ONE MONTH to eventually get the car here AND WITH A BROKEN WINDOW!!! They said they would take care of it. Which as I recall we never saw the check. Reported them to BBB and took it as lesson learned. Just trying to pass the word so no one else suffers like we did.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2009, 03:05 PM	#5
MoreCowbell Lieutenant Colonel 490 Rep 1,700 Posts Drives: 24 i5M60 23 X740 23 Vette Z06 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	Shopping for my car, I was presented with several options for delivery of a car at another dealership: 1) Dealer would have it flatbedded - Dealer picked up cost.(this is preferable) 2) Dealer would have it flattbedded- A fee of about $500 would come out of my pocket (MAYBE reasonable depending on the deal you negotiate) 3) Dealer would send driver to pick it up and drive it to the dealership - Dealer paid fee. (i'd avoid this at all costs) 4) Order the car from the BMW Catalog. I did this once. It's sent via UPS, unassembled and comes in about 8-10 large boxes, and one large sack of bolts, screws and 2 allen-wrenches. They give you instructions, similiar to what you'd get at IKEA. (Some people love this, but it's not my cup of tea) Either way...good luck!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-29-2009, 07:20 AM	#8
Dackz Hates Speed Limits 111 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northern CO iTrader: (4)	Thanks for the help. I guess I'll talk to the dealer I get it from an see who they might recommend. I'm just iffy on the deal though. Like if they break a window do they have insurance on it? Also, do they bring the car to my house or do I go meet them somewhere?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2009, 04:54 PM	#9
babino Lieutenant 27 Rep 567 Posts Drives: 2021 G80 M3 Comp Join Date: May 2006 Location: UT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW G80 M3 [0.00]	I'm in the middle of waiting for a car I bought sight unseen... but I did have someone local check it out for me. I got a good deal so it was worth a small risk to me. That said... the problem started once it was picked up for delivery. I was supposed to have my car on Monday or Tuesday and here it is Friday and I won't likely get it until next week. The transport company didn't know the driver had another stop to make... so once he got to the other stop HUNDREDS OF MILES IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, the truck broke down with my car in it. Recommedations: 1. Know the exact route the driver will be taking and each stop before yours. 2. Don't risk an uncovered truck - it costs double in some instances, but your risk goes way down. 3. Get the insurance conversation out of the way before you commit to the deal. 4. Forget about your car until you see it in your driveway because you will lose a lot of sleep... if you could only see the bags under my eyes. They should bring it right to your house if you request. Just make sure they can get the truck in and out of your neighborhood. Good luck.
	Appreciate 0 Quote