Author |
Message |
tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10075 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:37 am Post subject: Auto transport service- experiences? |
|
|
I'd like to hear about actual experiences with cross-country auto transport services. If you've had a Vanagon trucked cross-country, tell me about your experience:
pick-up and delivery
whether your van was running or not
how much it cost you
how insurance was handled
whether you went thru a broker or dealt directly with the shipper
whether it was worthwhile vs. driving or towing
whatever.
Actual experiences only, if you please, either your own or someone close to you. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
TC,
I've had at least 5 Vanagons transported to Seattle - mostly from California. My friend that I do these Vanagon projects with takes care of arranging the transport, so I don't have all the specifics, but we do deal directly with the transport companies.
Pick-up and delivery: All but one of these were picked up at residences and it has worked fine. The companies prefer to deliver to business addresses because it's risky bringing their truck into side roads (your driveway would be a definite no go ) However, the ones I've worked with will deliver to a residence - you just may have to meet them at the nearest acceptable location. Sometimes it has taken as much as 3-4 weeks before a van has been picked up, so it's important to let the owner know they may be keeping their van for a while longer.
Running or not: Most of the vans have been runners, although we did have an 89 Whitestar with no engine brought all the way up from Southern California. Sometimes transporters don't want to deal with non-runners because they are a hassle.
Cost: Most of these vans have cost $600-700 to deliver. We did bring one out from the east coast once and I think that one was $1400. Come to think of it, that was a non-runner too.
Insurance: We've always just relied on the insurance of the transport company. Honestly, we've never lost too much sleep over it. The vans we've bought are often 1500-2500 vans, and the risk of loss never seems that huge.
Broker or Shipper: My friend has always just called the companys directly. I think most are geared for retail customers as well as dealers. Sometimes when you develop a relationship with a small local to you shipper it's a good thing. They can hook you up with another transporter if they aren't able to do the job for you.
Driving or transporting: Unless a van is fairly close by, I don't think it's worth picking it up personally. The time expended and fuel prices both ways or a plane ticket make the transport cost seem palatable. Of course the good thing about picking up, is that you can refuse a vehicle if it turns out to be a roach. Believe me, I've had more than one Vanagon come up that was not what I thought it would be. But I pretty much allow for that possibility when I decide what I'm willing to pay for a van.
Hope this helps. Something tells me you're in the market for a Syncro.
David |
|
Back to top |
|
|
goffoz Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007 Posts: 1486
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
I actually drove a vanagonGL from Chicago to San Francisco for a Auto transport company, back in 87...
I found the add in the chicago paper " Hiring oneway distance drivers must have a clean DMV, valid insurance, no drugs, no pets, no smoking"
thats me
The game was, you payed a $200 dollar bond (CC) for insurance you got a full tank of gas and 5 days to get it there, you delivered it to the owner, they checked it out and signed off...you get your bond back...sounds good
A good deal for a young traveller free transport...right
So I did my part, (enjoyed my first drive in a one yr old vanagon)
The owner did his part, and thanked me for getting there on time....I even ran it through a car wash before delivery.
Now the down side the trans company took my deposit and billed my card a further $150 for damages...so I went back to the owner,and confronted him He denied making any claims...said he would even vouch for me in court, if I wanted....I got him to right me a letter of fact about the whole deal...so I could send it to all the concerned parties
I wrote all the usual demand letters, informed my CC company of the fraud...filed with the DA in both SF and Chicago...but as usual no-one did the "right thing"....and the little guy(me) got ripped off...again
I also found out they charged the owner $400 for the delivery.
talk about doubling up |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10075 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the replies, guys. Keep 'em coming.
Quote: |
Hope this helps. Something tells me you're in the market for a Syncro.
David |
Yeah, and I'll bet you know which one.
Thanks again. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OxygenDestroyer Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2008 Posts: 172 Location: seattle
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I used Auto Shippers America - a broker - to ship our '87 Westy Camper from North carolina to Seattle about 15 months ago. The van arrived fine and we love it, but I don't recommend the shipping company. For about $1200 we got uncovered shipping coast to coast - a fair price I think, but they woefully underperformed on their time estimate. Only a week once they picked it up, but it took them about three weeks to get the darn thing picked up. The driver was fine, but I felt they didn't much care what happened once they had my deposit - took almost three weeks longer than their non-guaranteed estimate. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OxygenDestroyer Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2008 Posts: 172 Location: seattle
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:22 am Post subject: Re: Auto transport service- experiences? |
|
|
tencentlife wrote: |
I'd like to hear about actual experiences with cross-country auto transport services. If you've had a Vanagon trucked cross-country, tell me about your experience:
pick-up and delivery
whether your van was running or not
how much it cost you
how insurance was handled
whether you went thru a broker or dealt directly with the shipper
whether it was worthwhile vs. driving or towing
whatever.
Actual experiences only, if you please, either your own or someone close to you. |
Oh - I forgot the particulars. Yes, the van was running. I believe the trucking company had insurance though I did go ahead and insure the vehicle through my company as well - I had the VIN, title, and bill of sale shipped ahead to me.
Was I frustrated with the long wait? Sure I was. But it was still worth it. It would have cost me $400 to fly out and I'd have had to take pretty much a full week off work to drive back - and the gas would have cost me $300-$400. So I'd have spent a bare minimum of $800 to get there and back even without the lost week of pay. I LOVE driving my van... but NC to Seattle in 4-5 days is not my idea of a fun road trip OR a vacation! Being in the van is great, but I do occasionally enjoy getting out of the thing from time to time. If I had a ton of time on my hands I'd have gone to get it, but anything short of 10 days to two weeks is not enough time to enjoy a 2500 mile trip in my opinion. Hope that helps. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
VanagOnly Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2007 Posts: 81 Location: NYC,NY
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Glad to help
Always pay for the additional insurance.Money was tight so I didn't (what can go wrong?ALOT)First they needed a certain bed for a taller vehicle so it was weeks before it was picked up.Second they must have strapped it down using the carrier bar so by the time it arrived it had snapped the bolts and bent the tin.Cost me plenty to put it all back.Also it arrived looking like a dog that had been lost in the woods for a month.The shipping was from Texas to New York and cost around 850.00,but I felt that once they had my deposit they couldn't give a flying you know what.It arrived weeks later than their estimate and they were full of excuses.On the other hand my sister had her rabbit shipped Seattle to Texas by a guy and a truck,mom and pop sort of company and said they were great.Makes me think using a smaller,local company may get you a more personalized service.
Just expect it to arrive late as weather delays are common and a westy may need to ride on top which I think beat mine up.Forgive my somewhat rantish reply. _________________ 87 Wolfie
Past rides:72 Bus- RIP
72 Volvo 145 wagon-RIP
76 Jeep Wagoneer-RIP
67 Bug Dad's Daily-Project |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mortII Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006 Posts: 65
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
I had one shipped from CA to PA it cost $1200 (1 1/2 years ago).
The van was lost for a period, no one knew where it was. Showed up about a month late. Wasn't a good experience but I'd do it again with reputable company. Just pick a company with good feedback and results. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OxygenDestroyer Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2008 Posts: 172 Location: seattle
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
VanagOnly wrote: |
I felt that once they had my deposit they couldn't give a flying you know what.It arrived weeks later than their estimate and they were full of excuses.. |
My experience echoes yours. The fact is the brokers just put these things on a list and wait for a trucker to claim it at that price. So they'll lowball you to get you in - if no one has claimed it after a while they'll call and ask to up the price to get more action - that's what they did to me. At the end of the day it's all about scheduling - no one is going to drive coast to coast with a half-empty truck when he can wait another ten days, fill it up, and make more money. Problem is you have to pay more to get date-certain delivery. As usual, if you want it fast, you pay more. You might get lucky going with the lowball price... or you might not - just depends. There's a site out there for transport reviews. As you might expect all the people who got their vehicles on time and undamaged are very happy. All those who didn't are positively furious. The confusing thing is that getting 8 out of 10 vehicles delivered on time and undamaged gets you a 4 start rating out of 5 - pretty good yeah? Unless you happen to be one of the other two people! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Volksaholic Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005 Posts: 1771 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My '88 Wolfsburg came from Eastern PA through a TheSamba ad. I called the seller and PayPal'd him a deposit, then had a coworker in PA check it out. In the meantime I ran a VIN check and did an Internet search for shipping services.
Pickup and Delivery: It took the shipper a couple weeks to pick it up, and he missed a couple pickup dates. The seller was fine with having the van sit on his lot for an extra couple of days, but he was getting pretty pissed about waiting around and getting blown off by the driver which was causing me stress. Other than that I was fine waiting because I wanted the van to go on an empty truck, get loaded once, and not come off again until it arrived in Salt Lake City, UT. I confirmed with the seller that it got loaded on the bottom tier right behind the cab and that's where I found it when I met the driver 5 days later at a Smith's grocery store parking lot.
Running: Yes, this was a running van which simplified the loading/unloading.
Cost: About $1000. The broker threw in a $100 scam rebate coupon book for gas reimbursement, but it's one of those deals that it's so hard to get the reimbursement submission correct and get reimbursed that I ended up only getting cash for one tankful.
Insurance: I made sure I got in writing that the shipper carried insurance that would pay me the purchase price + shipping charges if the van were destroyed.
Broker/Shipper: As stated above, a broker set up the deal but then I was dealing directly with the shipper's dispatcher and the driver (I think the dispatcher was probably his wife).
Driving vs. Towing: The company I work for is headquartered in PA not too far from where the van was living, so I could have wrangled airfare out to do some work at the main office and then take a week or so to drive back. I decided it was worth shipping after weighing the price of fuel and lodging, having to burn several days of time off, and the fact that I had no personal experience with this van. I think I made the right choice.
Whatever: I can dredge up the shipper's and broker's names if it would help. I don't know that they were any better or worse than other shippers. I was nervous, having never bought a car out of state, sight unseen, and had it shipped, but we've love this van so it all worked out well for us. _________________ 1988 Wolfsburg Edition, 2001 Subaru EJ251 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
AlanD Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2007 Posts: 68 Location: San Diego CA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We have had ours trucked from San Diego and also from Tucson to GoWesty by San Luis Obispo, CA. (GoWesty made all the arrangements and paid for all of one and we split the other.)
It all worked fine. Got picked up within a day or two of when the request went in. Got delivered in a decent time.
Might call GoWesty for a recommendation since they probably are involved with this often. I think it was $300 for San Diego to SLO, and $600? for Tucson to SLO.
Neighbor had van trucked from Oakland to GoWesty and then from there to San Diego with no problems. _________________ Alan
1989 GoWesty Camper-2.3 L engine-9% higher ratio AT
1999 Subaru Forester
1989 Toyota 4WD Truck |
|
Back to top |
|
|
xlr8r Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2008 Posts: 82 Location: seattle
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I recently purchase a Vanagon from a dealership in Kansas. I'm in Seattle. The dealer arranged to ship it here to me. Problem was he put out a bid of $800.00 on "Central Dispatch". He thought it would get picked up at that amount. After 4 weeks and no takers, he increased the offer to $900.00 and it got picked up soon after.
He didn't tell me that the shipping was arranged like this. I thought shiping was a done deal at $800 and I could expect delivery in about 10 days. About a month later and many excuses from this guy I learned what was going on.
As far as the actual shiping, once it was picked up it was smooth sailing. _________________ 1991- Seven passenger with 3.3 SVX ; 1987 - Seven Passenger with 2.5 Subaru |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dbcdad Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2006 Posts: 189
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hello tencentlife, I bought a 1986 Sunroof Syncro in December from a private party in Indiana. I first tried using a very reputable shipper ( actually a broker) and agreed to their price. They contract to outside haulers as do all the shippers that I contacted. Three weeks later and still no Syncro. I was lucky that the seller was a very nice and patient person. I went online again and found U-Ship. Within a few hours I had a bid on my shipping so I took it (150.00 less than the other shipper) I think it was $ 850.00. I gave the seller and auto carrier each others number and within a week I had my Syncro delivered to my door step. The young man that delivered to me had a great feed back response and I was very happy. I forgot to mention the Syncro had to be winched on off of the two vehicle carrier he had. I put a link below for you to look at.
Some day I hope to be a future customer of yours when I need that new motor. I have learned a lot from your posts. Thanks.
Have Fun, David C
http://www.uship.com/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10075 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow, thanks for all the stories, everyone. It'll take me a while to wade thru all these accounts, but I sure appreciate them.
I've seen the review site already. O2Destroyer is right; the reviews are almost all 5 stars, or none. People are either pleased as can be, or pissed off to the max. This seems like the kind of thing that's either done right, or bolluxed up royally.
One thing in my favor is I'm in no hurry to get the vehicle, as long as the seller doesn't mind it being there awhile. I don't know his disposition on that yet, but I've had quotes rolling in and only the last one offers a standby option, for a lot less than the going rate. I had hoped maybe that was a possibility, as the logistics of long distance trucking are built largely around getting a full load before you leave town. That offers oportunities for those who don't mind waiting. I don't, in this case.
Anyway, thanks to all for the stories. It's a great help to know this stuff. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iltis74 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2003 Posts: 826 Location: Anchorage, AK
|
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
A couple summers ago I had an old non-running bus hauled from somewhere in Wisconsin to the western part of North Dakota. I used Express Auto Transport who just gives you a quote and finds someone to do the hauling. The initial quote I got from them listed it as rolling, even though I had stated otherwise, and had my home address wrong. I left a message and my address was corrected but they still had it rolling. I talked to someone on the phone and they made the change. Of course when the guy came to pick it up he wouldn't load it because it was not rolling. It eventualy did make the trip ok though. Worth it for me because I could not have moved it myself being a few thousand miles away and really it was just a couple emails and a phone call and a few weeks waiting period. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
devesvws Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 1540 Location: madison va
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
i need to find someone to transport a vanagon asap from bethlehem pa 18018 to madison va 22727 what would be the cost for about 270 miles? what co to use? any private partys with a traler? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Volksaholic Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005 Posts: 1771 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
devesvws wrote: |
i need to find someone to transport a vanagon asap from bethlehem pa 18018 to madison va 22727 what would be the cost for about 270 miles? what co to use? any private partys with a traler? |
Check out DBCDad's Uship link... I think that looks like a pretty good option, and where you're just going a few hundred miles south I would think you have a pretty good chance of finding somebody happy to fill out their load. _________________ 1988 Wolfsburg Edition, 2001 Subaru EJ251 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10075 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
|
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OK, just to tie up loose ends here: I booked thru Swift Auto Shippers. They're the ones who offered a standby rate, $795 from NJ to my town in NM. There was an extra $100 oversize fee. The van is a plain 7-pass Syncro. It was running, so there was no extra fee for non-running.
We actually passed up one chance to have it picked up, only 8 days after booking, because I hadn't completely paid for the thing yet, and the seller was pretty sick that day as well. They said the same trucker made that route every two weeks, so we asked for him to pick it up on the next go-round.
But only one week later, another trucker had space so he went and got it. He picked it up May 13, called me the morning of May 16, and delivered it that afternoon. He was really glad for the chance to pick up the standby cargo and fill out his load. So from the perspective of some truckers, the standby option is a good thing. The trucker was very courteous, easy to coordinate the dropoff with, and the van, which ran but had a bad clutch, remained able to move itself just long enough to make the delivery, so pretty lucky there. Now it can barely move itself in and out of the garage, the clutch slips so bad.
Overall a good experience. I booked on April 28, had the van 18 days later, saved at least $400 off other quotes by going standby.
Thanks for everyone's responses; knowing more helped me make a decision about how to proceed. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Williamtaylor33 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 1545 Location: Arkansas
|
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
Brothers trucking out of NW Arkansas went and got a vanagon for me up in Kansas City for 200 dollars. But thats only 6 hours away. I guess your looking at some longer distances.
I was very happy with their service. And honestly i dont think i could have went and got it myself any cheaper. _________________ 89 Bostig powered syncro westy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
americanautomoving Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2008 Posts: 54 Location: Miami, Fl.
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We are American Auto Moving and we offer a full range of shipping services for your car. We hire only the best and most qualified drivers to ensure that your car is handled properly during the move and we are fully insured across the entire US. If anyone is interested in our services, please don't hesitate to call us at 1.888-710-2886. _________________ American Auto Moving | Car Moving | Auto Hauling - www.americanautomoving.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|