Auto Transport - FAQ
Honest Answers to all Auto Transport Questions
Find frequently asked questions (FAQ) on transport services. At eShip Transport, we want to make your move as simple as possible for you. Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions!
This is a great question, and if you ask 15 different companies, you’ll get 15 different answers. There is no “set” amount of necessary lead-time. Whatever you can give is great, but don’t worry if you have to hold off until the last minute, here at eShip we can get last minute moves picked up as well.
YES. We verify that the carrier we put you on is covered by the requisite amount of insurance and that it is up to date. There is never any additional cost to the customer for this coverage, and their insurance is primary.
Damage is rare, but unfortunately it does happen. The single most important thing for you to do if your vehicle is damaged is to note the damage on your final bill of lading report when you receive the vehicle.
The bill of lading is the report that the driver will fill out on pickup, denoting if there is any pre-existing damage. Any damage that occurs in transit must be entered on this report on delivery. Failure to do so could seriously affect your damage claim, so we cannot stress this enough. Look your vehicle over thoroughly when you receive it. The bill of lading is a document that releases the carrier of liability once signed at delivery
The carrier will contact whomever you tell us to contact, whether it is you, a friend, a dealer, etc. Someone simply needs to be present on both ends to sign off on release and or receipt of vehicle, unless arranged with eShip prior.
YES, Before a carrier is assigned a full refund will be issued. Once EShip secures a driver your deposit is now NON REFUNDABLE.
The most challenging thing for people researching auto transport companies to understand is that the prices they are getting are not hard and fast guarantees, but rather ESTIMATES or offers of what one company thinks it will take to get a vehicle moved, versus another company’s opinion of what it will actually take. Don’t be fooled, there are not carriers committed to take your vehicle at these low quoted prices, the company you choose will still have to get to work, securing a carrier to commit to move it at the price they quoted you.
Your total price breaks down into two parts, the broker’s fee (or ‘deposit’ as everyone calls it) and the carriers fee (your COD amount). Make no mistake about this, EVERYONE you are getting sales calls from is going to broker your transport. In this industry, there are brokers who try to fool you into thinking that they are the actual carriers and there are an equal amount of carriers who sell themselves on the fact that they have a truck or two but are not being honest about the fact that they broker out 95% of the orders they book.
All companies, and we mean EVERY company, brokers and carriers, use a site called Central Dispatch, the national load board, similar to eBay, to post and find a carrier to accept the vehicles available to transport, the main thing you are paying any company for is ACCESS to this site, and a REPUTABLE CARRIER. ALL companies use it, their fees to post your order on it will vary, but the site is the same.
No, all dates given are estimates, unless otherwise arranged with driver, and dispatch. We ask that you give us the earliest possible date you would be willing to release the vehicle to start working on your order.
We than put you in direct contact with your carrier and the carrier and or driver will typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pickup and delivery (they won’t just show up unannounced, and if they do we want to hear about it). However, drivers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other issues that can throw off their pickup and delivery projections from time to time.If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.
The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will be between 7-10 days. From either coast to the Midwest averages 3-7 days. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling.
We do both open and enclosed vehicle transport. The majority of cross country moves will be on an 8-10 car carrier, the kind that you see new cars on all of the time. The smaller 2-3 car carriers will tend to do shorter, more “localized” shipments.
Yes, we always ask for your specific pickup and delivery addresses, if the carrier can get right to the addresses you provide, they will. However, if the addresses that you provide us are not safely accessible for a car carrier, you will need to make arrangements with the driver to meet at a nearby location where the driver can safely load or unload your vehicle.
Officially, no. I know not what you wanted to hear, but that is the honest answer.
We are licensed to broker the shipment of household goods as well. You can verify that by viewing our license from the Department of Transportation website, just enter 735249 in the field next to MC. You can do the same with any other company to quickly view the same, as well as find out if they are a carrier or a broker.
You will hear a lot of companies tell you that you can put up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but that is not entirely true. That fact is that items of that amount are fairly common and the department of transportation is probably not going to split hairs and fine the trucker over items of that amount, provided they are not over their weight limit.
What about my other questions? Contact us today to learn more!
GET A FREE AUTO TRANSPORT QUOTE NOW!
OR CALL 800-906-6909
Reviews
Billy Hildebrand
November 29, 2022.
We used eShip Transport for a local move of our car. There were no issues with scheduling the move and I was able to complete the paperwork online. The movers were polite, professional, and efficient. They were impressed and we highly recommend them to all.
Sean Saltz
November 29, 2022.
Impressed with eShip Transport. They went above and beyond. They worked us into their schedule and were very courteous and very careful with our car. I am impressed and I definitely will highly recommend this company to all.
Thomas White
November 28, 2022.
eShip Transport guys moved 2 of mine and my sister's cars for us. The move required some advanced planning on the best way to carry it out and it was last minute but the way they managed that made me a fan of them for life. Super impressed.
Daniel Clement
November 28, 2022.
As an unknown company, I was nervous but had no other option than to trust eShip Transport. They not only met my expectations, but they also exceeded them. They picked my vehicle up in 2 days and delivered it in the right time schedule. I highly recommend them.
Benny Fish
November 28, 2022.
I submitted my request to eShip Transport for my car moves and they were very responsive and assured me that my vehicle would be picked up in a 1-4 day window. The experience went well and I am impressed with the service.
Amber Jay
November 25, 2022.
The service I received from eShip Transport was excellent. Received my car earlier than the anticipated time! The car was received in good condition including everything that was in the car. Happy with the service! I will definitely recommend eShip Transport to all.
Nikee Bettencourt
November 25, 2022.
My car was collected from my son's house and within hours of accepting the quote, it was on the road and delivered the following day at the drop-off that was my house in another state. Thanks for the great experience! Recommended to all.
Ricki Fisher
November 24, 2022.
These guys from eShip Transport were great! They were on time, very friendly, and moved the car easier than I ever could have. Well worth the money spent. They made the move stress free. Thank you! I will definitely call again
Debra Lebowski
November 24, 2022.
I was shocked when eShip Transport not only answered the phone on a Sunday night but also happily offered availability to do my vehicle move the next morning. The service was great but they won my heart with that one call. So I am more than satisfied with them.
Jessica Allen
November 24, 2022.
What a relief! I had to move my car with eShip Transport. I moved my car to another region and the whole process was smooth. So I am impressed and would definitely go to book them in future. Impressed.
