Did you know that in the prior five years leading up to the pandemic, the vehicle shipping services industry was on an accelerated uphill trajectory?
According to ibisworld.com, the market size was valued at a cool $12 billion, and there were nearly 5000 businesses across America.
Although things may have come to a halt in 2020 due to COVID, consumer confidence has returned, and the vehicle industry has bounced back, which entails that shipping a car is pretty much as safe as it was before the pandemic.
What does all of this mean for you?
It means if you just purchased a car out of state, and are in need of auto transport, that the doors are open for business!
And in this post, you will learn the complete guide that will help simplify the car shipping process.
If you’re ready to learn how to transport a car you just bought so you can hit the road in your dream vehicle, then keep reading.
Why You Should Ship a Car From Out of State
New car shipping from out of state can be a very beneficial and smart move. It may not seem that way on the surface, but it has its advantages.
For example, one of those advantages is the price.
There are certain parts of the country where there are more vehicles than there are people who are fit to buy them.
Due to supply and demand, this puts these vehicles at a lower price range and makes them very attractive to out-of-state buyers who are actually qualified to make the purchase.
This occurrence has become so prevalent that dealerships are finally taking advantage of it.
As a result, more and more dealerships are posting their catalog online for people in other states to see, and this is causing the new car shipping market to expand even further.
Compare the Shipping Prices
Be sure to allocate a certain amount of money for your purchase. Once you have your budget, you’ll have a better idea of what company’s services you can afford.
And it’s paramount to have this sorted out because as you probably know, new car shipping is not cheap.
The costs can depend on a few elements.
One of them is the size of your car as well as the distance that you’re shipping it.
In addition to that, the costs can also differ due to other variants.
For instance, the time of the year you’re shipping can affect the price. The route or direction the delivery takes can play a role, as well as the method of shipping you pick.
Another factor is the company you choose, a new car delivery company may be a bit cheaper than a more established one due to experience and reputation, so that’s something to keep in mind as well.
Due to these and other factors, it can be hard to put an accurate price tag on your shipment.
But by doing your own research, properly comparing prices, and asking the right questions, you can get a general ballpark answer that may actually be much better than you think.
Choose the Right Auto Transport Company
The auto transportation industry is filled with plenty of companies that can assist you. And whether they’re transporting cars for dealerships or for individuals such as yourself, they will do a great job.
But be sure you do your due diligence and pick one that has the best track record of happy customers and smooth deliveries.
You want a shipping service with experience, picking a new car delivery company might not be the wisest decision, for obvious reasons.
Long distance shipping can be stressful, especially when the item in question is a motor vehicle!
And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a first-time car buyer, or have long been acquainted with vehicle ownership; the anxiety will be the same.
To help quell those nerves, you have to pick the right auto transport company, one that you can trust to get the job done right.
Decide on a Method of Shipment
Once you have the right auto transport company in mind, you can now decide on the shipping system. If you’re shipping domestically, there are two methods to consider.
Enclosed Carrier
Enclosed shipping is the superior option out of the two — and if you have the means to do it — is highly recommended. This option offers protection for your car against the elements.
This is because your vehicle will ride in an enclosed trailer (alongside other vehicles) that is fixed to the back of a semi-truck.
Typically, this is the method carrier companies employ when transporting cars for dealerships.
The enclosed trailer will shield and safeguard your car for the duration of the journey.
Although this option will cost extra, it is well worth it, particularly if you have purchased a nicer (or more exotic) vehicle that you’d like to keep in mint condition for as long as possible.
Open Carrier
Generally, open trailers have two metal shelves that open up to make way for as many as nine or 10 cars. They all get placed firmly on the trailer in an accurate and orderly fashion.
However, they’re not as secure as their enclosed transport trailer counterpart due to the fact that they don’t have walls.
This also puts them in direct contact with the elements; rain, sleet, snow, etc.
These two options for new car shipping will both get the job done, but it’s up to you to decide which one is most suitable for your needs and budget.
You can get a more detailed look at the costs of shipping a vehicle by using a car shipping cost calculator.
Can I Drive a Car Home That I Just Bought?
In all states, you have three days (maximum) to drive a car you just bought without registration back to your home. You must have a property assigned title, as well as proof of insurance.
It’s also recommended that you drive the car straight home and remove the seller’s plate from the back as well.
Can I Drive a Car Without Plates if I Just Bought it New?
This is really dependent on what you’re driving it for. If you just bought it and now you’re cruising around for the fun of it, then no.
However, if you just bought it and you’re simply driving it back home from the seller, then yes. In that case, you would be fine to drive a new car without plates.
Furthermore, every driver (regardless of the state they reside in) must have a back license plate.
One of the few exceptions to this rule is when you’re driving home after buying the car.
Do Dealerships Transport Cars?
Although it’s not exactly common knowledge, many dealerships do offer new car shipping to your home. This is a perk that can alleviate unnecessary wait times at the dealership.
So how do you take advantage of this? Ask for it. Plain and simple.
It may take a little bit of negotiating to make happen, but generally speaking, dealerships will deliver.
Make the appeal before you make the purchase, be flexible with the logistics (dealers won’t be able to deliver during peak work hours), and be respectful. Making a delivery is more work, and a salesman is more likely to do it for a kind and friendly customer.
How Do Cars Get Transported to Dealerships?
Transporting cars for dealerships is a process. It begins when the car is fresh from the assembly line, it then goes through one final examination referred to as vehicle processing. This is to upgrade or install additional features.
Things such as lights, mud flaps, safety features, and other kinds of technological additions will be added.
In an attempt to prevent any damages, the vehicles may also get wrapped in a safeguarding material known as a wrap guard. This fends off any scratches, dings, or markings that could potentially occur on the car.
Once that final step has been taken, the car is then shipped off to the dealership.
Learning how to haul cars for dealerships can give you keen insight into how shipping companies will haul your vehicle.
Reasons to Ship Your Car Instead of Drive It
When it comes to new car shipping, some people would rather go to their new car themselves and drive it back home from the seller. And while there’s nothing wrong with doing that, it’s a much better idea to ship it instead.
Here are a few reasons why:
- For safety reasons, it’s better for both you and the vehicle
- It will save you time
- It will prevent unnecessary mileage on your new car
Additionally, the difference between the prices of shipping and driving is not much.
But once you add in the rates of food, gas, hotels, and whatever else for the trip, you’ll end up spending more money unnecessarily to drive it back.
So unless you’re willing to pay the extra cash in exchange for a road trip, then shipping your vehicle is the better option.
Patience is a Virtue
Unlike an Amazon Prime package delivery, there’s going to be a little more waiting involved with getting your car delivered. And that’s to be expected.
After all, you’re transporting a two to three ton motor vehicle, not a 5-pound delivery package.
Typically, U.S. deliveries can take up to a month until they arrive.
This is true if you’re shipping for personal use or if you’re transporting cars for dealerships.
The Comfort Afforded by Shipping a Car
At the end of the day, shipping a car is much safer and more secure than many people think. Don’t be intimidated by the vast distances your vehicle has to travel to get to you.
It will be properly handled and managed by professionals who know what they’re doing.
So you can rest easy knowing your car is in good hands until it arrives at your driveway.
If you enjoyed this article and have any further questions, get in touch with us today.