What Is The Cost Of Auto Transport ?
That Question Is Loaded. Wow !
However, with the information available to you on the internet, we not only have answers but can also supply good reasons for those answers.
The first thing you must understand are the reasons for the variety in pricing within the auto transport industry. Believe me when I tell you that there are several reasons.
Base Costs: Starting with the cost of the truck and trailer at somewhere around $500,000.00 or more, you have to add insurance at approximately $10,000.00 to $25,000.00 per year. In addition, add maintenance, tires, repairs, depreciation and the cost of hiring a driver. Don't forget to purchase fuel, which is currently over $4.00 per gallon. Also, remember, this truck gets approximately 3 to 4 miles per gallon on that fuel.
Marketing: The owner/operator of an auto transport rig must now find customers in order to make any money. This can typically cost several thousand dollars per month.
Pricing in the auto transport industry will run the gamit from top to bottom. From those who practice the Walmart strategy of offering low discount pricing in order to encourage high volumes of business to those who would rather charge top prices and not move their trucks unless they obtain them. The auto transport industry certainly has many schools of thought represented when it comes to pricing. There is a price that will meet with your approval somewhere between the top prices and the bottom as you search.
The secret to first discovering the range of prices is to compare several. After doing that, either call or wait to be called (if you provide a phone number). You can also simply provide an email address and most brokers will be happy to forward information in a prompt manner.
Shipping a vehicle is one area of business where being smart really pays off. The American Trucker has a reputation for being an independent spirit. This translates into a wide variety of pricing for the same job when compared among several carriers. It doesn't mean anyone is wrong or right. It just means that there are several prices available. So do your homework.
Some differences in the way brokers do business are deposits. Some require deposits up front and some don't. Both are correct in the way they do things, they just don't agree. Most if not all will want final payment in the form of a cashier's check or money order paid to the driver and that is the normal way of doing it.
When researching prices, the best way is to simply do a Google search for auto shipping quotes or auto transport prices. You will see several opportunities to select a pricing source, so simply select one and provide them with your shipping information. After you receive your quotes from them be sure and ask the questions you may have concerning any range of topics. If the broker you are speaking with and considering truly wants your business, he will be happy to answer your questions completely.
Really great quote providers only recommend the "good guys" so understand that most of the pre-screening has in fact already been done. A service that further enhances you auto shipping experience
Compare auto shipping quotes and compare quotes at auto shipping quotes