| Author | Message | ||
     Griffmeister |
Anybody here know how to get a car from point A to point B without having to drive or tow it yourself? I need an east coast transportation company and am trying to figure out how to separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak. I’ve got a half dozen quotes from different companies with almost a $300 spread between them. They’re pretty much all brokers and claim to have great reviews, but how do you tell for sure? Figure someone here may have been through this before, any suggestions? | ||
| 86129squids |
Ummmmm, M? I mean PWN? | ||
| Pwnzor |
I can do it, but I'm not what you might consider cheap or even reasonable. Personally I would try Uship | ||
| Griffmeister |
I think squids meant that by being in logistics you might know what standard would determine what a reputable company is. I know that to be affordable I need to get a spot on a full size open car hauler like they use to deliver new cars. Quantity is the only way to get a break. | ||
| Pwnzor |
OK, well I have this option, which is $3.00 per mile.  When selecting a carrier, get their DOT or MC number and enter it into the SAFER system to see their scores. https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx Don't use the name search. There are so many similar names out there, and many of them will be in the same city which confuses things further. We have a subscribed service I can use if you want a more detailed analysis than what is available on SAFER. Beyond that, there will always be somewhat of a roll of the dice when shipping your precious vehicles with a stranger. | ||
| Ratbuell |
What is it, where is it, and where does it need to go? I know a lot of out-of-work racers with tow rigs and enclosed trailers... | ||
| Ourdee |
There used to be a service many moons ago where someone would drive your car someplace. The drivers were just ordinary joes that needed to get someplace. The service would match your car and the joe up. Think the original "Vanishing Point". | ||
| Ducbsa |
Wasn't an entry in an early Cannonball Run a driveaway Caddy that the guys flogged hard in the event? IIRC, they told the owner, "Nope, kept it below 55, just like you asked!" | ||
| Griffmeister |
RD, I believe that service is still available, was also featured in the Gumball Rally with almost as devastating results. Puts a lot of responsibilities on both parties that I’d rather avoid. Rat, that’s an interesting proposition but I don’t think anyone would want it no matter how long they’ve been out of work. This is a one way trip from Wallingford, CT to Ocala, FL, just shy of 1200 miles. Without a return load they wouldn’t even consider it. Just look at Mathew’s Big Tex in the picture, which is probably their recovery vehicle, and he’ll do it for $3 a mile. That would also include dead-head miles that would be another 1700 miles or more. At that rate I’d be better off selling the car here and buying another to replace it. Speaking of Mathew, that could be one of the references that I need. Many of the companies that quoted me refer to their ratings on sites like transportreviews.com as well as some giving a BBB reference. A BBB search might pick out the worst of the worst but I don’t think there would be much info beyond that. I’m also a little leery of “review” type sites that could be unverifiable. Safer sounds more reliable, I think I’ll try to plug in some numbers and see what happens. Thanks. | ||
| Pwnzor |
All motor carriers are registered with the FMCSA, which runs that website. It is the repository all the information from every encounter a trucking company has with law enforcement. The basics are a matter of public record. For a nominal fee, more details can be had. BBB ratings can be bought just like all the others. I would probably only charge $1 per mile dead head. If you were closer I could waive it. | ||
| Ourdee |
Road Trip! | ||
| Pwnzor |
My rate for this would be $4,879.22 | ||
| 1313 |
There used to be a service many moons ago where someone would drive your car someplace. My Dad did something similar to this a number of times for area car dealerships - Holz Chevrolet jumps to mind, as he knew someone there. I seem to remember riding with him at least once. I don't remember many details, but I assume what was driving his experiences was getting a vehicle from one dealership to another, such as a trade between 2 dealerships. Sorry this doesn't really add anything to this thread, it just brings back a memory of my Dad. | ||
| Pwnzor |
If only you had waited 6 more minutes... You may be slipping a bit in your old age -  | ||
| Cvc |
Well half way there would be the auto train from Lorton Va to Orlando Do a ride n fly instead of fly n ride |
