[rxter]

Clearly this is not a current event, but the "non-968" section is closed so I put it here.



Anyway I am getting ready to move a car from Boulder CO to San Diego - 1000 miles or so. I plan to use a covered carrier. Any recent (say within the past year or so) experiences good or bad that you all can share? I'm not looking to save $100. I'd rather pay a little extra and have the car show up unscathed.



Also looking for advice on how to verify that the gent on the selling end does not take my money and keep his car. When I shipped to Frank I thought - hmmm now I have his money and his car - not a good place for Frank. Of course I sent the car along but it did make me think of the level of trust required for this sort of transaction. I'd rather trust and verify. I called AAA but they can't help.



Thanks

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[MB968]

Have no current experience, though there was a recent post that dealt with the same subject. If you have ties to a reasonable size local company (or if a family member, or acquaintance does) they are often shipping cars for new hires, or for people moving to other regions. When I moved my PGT from Ohio to Oregon 7 years ago, I used the shipper that our company used. Adds a degree of insurance as they won't want to piss off someone with connections to one of their customer companies.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Ask Blau. He had some difficulty. Can you say sales agreement? Could fly out there buy it and have the shipper ready to take it. Trust in business transactions can be overrated unless you know the individual.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[GRBoomer]

Don't get suckered into low prices. I shipped my Volvo V70R 6 speed from NC to MN last year. Not a very common route. The cheap carriers put you on a waiting list hoping a independent trucker picks it up - or rather leaves you hoping. Then after two weeks they ask if you want to upgrade for $200. With the extra money it entices the pickup. This is the way their system works. I do not remember the carriers. We dropped that service and got another one at full price and the car was picked up within 3 days.



The more traffic and more common the route, it would be easier to tap into a trucker passing through. It is really easy for me to ship from Chicago to Minneapolis. My wife did not have problems shipping her M5 from TX to MN because it is a straight shot up I-35.



Covered carriers may be a little better customer service wise.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i'll see if i can find the names of the 2 companies that i had hired to pick up the blue car. both of them failed to show up. i ended up flying to cleveland to get it and drove it home.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rxter]

Interesting stuff gents. If I ship I'll not use a broker to avoid the problem that Boomer had (love the "upgrade" trick) and go with one of the big names that is advertised on Mecum/Barret Jackson.



In the end I'll likely get on a damned plane and pick it up as I am just nervous about the trust thing.



"Trust in business transactions can be overrated unless you know the individual" - well said.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Matt968]

The transporters that advertise in Excellence and PCA Panorama are very good.



Could you do a wire transfer of the $ on the same day the transporter shows up to get the car... in addition to having a signed

Bill-Of-Sale.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[tamathumper]

I had a previous P-car shipped and it was damaged. The front air dam got bent all to shizzle, and the doors both got scraped. I won't do it again.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[blau]

Stay away from Dependable Auto Shippers. They took my car for a joyride and delivered it slathered with mud-spray from the joyride, scratched almost every panel, and with no bat•wing <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> and the front bumper pulled loose. It was shipped un-covered. Luckily, we were being moved by my wife's company and they fought to get it all paid for.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[JTP]

I had the option to have my car shipped. I opted to fly up and drive it myself, glad I did.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jfrahm]

In general I think you are better off driving it. Let me know if I can help locally. I had a car shipped from GA and I was not thrilled by how the tied it down, and I do not trust the people who transport them. The couple who did the transport said they'd take whatever car was easy to get off the rig into town for dinner sometimes.



That being said I am probably going to ship a 928 up here from TX and if it was a little less of a wildcard I'd probably drive it, race seats, boomy X pipe and all. Maybe I'll locate a stock driver's seat.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968ster]

Here are a few tips. If a two level carrier try to get the top most forward space. This will assist in preventing these two problems.

1. I once received a pristine 968 Cab shipped across country with oil on the gray top, windhield and hood from the severely leaking car above it. the problem is only somewhat less if you get one drop of oil. How many cars don't drop one drip on a 2500 mile 6 or 7 day trip?2. Ever seen a truck driver put a Porsche on a ramp? Bye Bye clutch. In the front position. He puts it on once and takes it off once. Otherwise it can be on and off 3 or more times which also means re tie down three times which means more opportunity for straps, chains and other restraints to bang your paint your wheels and your pocketbook.

Here are some other tips. Arrange your insurance including comprehensive and collision before the trip not on delivery. Buy $100 deductibles until car arrives and inspection complete then increase them to $500 or even $1000 after the major risk is over. Call your broker and make him at least verbally tell you that the coverage applies during the haul then he can't deny coverage if something goes wrong. Don't even bother to have the hauler specifically insure your vehicle but DO make sure he is insured by requiring a certificate in advance. His insurance on your rig is useless and costs you, not him, money.

Hire a big guy like Interstate or someone who advertises in Panorama or other car publications. If they are offering horrible prices then at least make sure you hire someone who is actually doing the haul, owns the business and is maybe even driving the rig. Do not farm out to a broker because when the damage comes you won't even have anybody to talk to. Get reference from forum readers or other Porsche or car people before signing a contract. Side benefit. If you are dealing with the owner he may allow you or the seller to drive the car up the ramp.

As to sending the money before delivery ask the seller to trade places with you and deliver prepayment. When he tells you how crazy you are gently point out that you are actually crazier to trust a stranger and ask how he would remedy the situation or what he would do if situation were reversed. I once concluded one of these by meeting halfway (Amarillo) and eliminating the hauler. Another was resolved by sending half the money. Most of mine had resolution because they had known refernces in PCA or the Forum or elsewhere. Discussing the subject with seller can usually solve it because he doesn't want to lose the deal either. Sometimes you have to wing it and that can be ugly for a few days.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Inkedupfatboy]

I own my own 20 foot flatbed and pick up so I just went and got my own car. I have hauled autos from Florida to Boston, Florida to North Carolina and brought back a parts car from PA to Florida. It still makes me nervous - lol



Good luck!!



Ed

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.