Key Things to Know When Shipping with Your Auto Shipping Broker

Key-Things-to-Know-When-Shipping-with-Your-Auto-Shipping-Broker

The auto transport industry involves many players that ensure the safe shipping of your automobiles. They range from car dealers, auto shipping broker, auto auction houses and truckers. With these many players, it’s important for customers to be aware of their roles.

It isn’t so uncommon nowadays for many to confuse the functions of each player. The two most misconstrued roles are that of the auto shipping brokers and auto carriers. Although these two work synchronously, they perform different roles in the industry.

An auto transport broker specializes in auto shipping. They act as the middle link between the customer and car carriers; and other times between car dealers and carriers. Auto transport brokers are simply the middlemen. Customers often go through auto shipping brokers to ensure seamless shipping of their cars.

As there is hardly any business without challenges, certain issues come up in the auto transport industry. However, one common issue is when customers don’t know what to expect from an auto transport broker. They end up mixing up the carrier’s roles and that of the auto shipping broker. Then, they confront the auto shipping brokers with issues that aren’t in any way connected to them.

Here, we have provided a guide on the key things to know when shipping through your auto transport broker. These tips will help you get the best from your auto transport broker.

  1. Ensure Your Auto Shipping Broker Is Registered

It’s quite surprising that some customers ignore this essential factor. In the haste of getting their vehicles picked-up and delivered on time, rush to hire just any broker without conducting any background checks. If you want to ship your car, ensure that your auto shipping broker is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration before entrusting your car to their care. It is recommended that you go for an auto shipping company with great reviews and BBB accredited.

  1. Know Your Payment Method

Car carriers, more often, offer flexible payment methods. However, they require certified funds at either pickup or delivery. Most would prefer cash anyways, therefore, you should equally communicate with your auto transport broker and the driver on your payment method.

  1. Car Shipping Brokers Interface With Carriers

Like we noted earlier, the roles and responsibilities of an auto shipping broker and carrier are different. Carriers are saddled with the responsibility of physically moving the customer’s car from place to place. Auto shipping brokers mediate the process to ensure smooth and safe delivery of the customer’s car. So, auto transport brokers monitor shipping and facilitate seamless car shipping and transport experience.

  1. Reveal Your Shipping Needs

While many car shipping brokers try their best to mediate shipping and ensure that customers get what they want, some challenges could arise. Factors such as unpredictable weather conditions and traffic sometimes could be a setback for truckers. So, you should let your auto transport broker know your shipping needs before you finalize shipping your car. This will enable your auto shipping broker make extra and better preparations.

At Metti International, we recommend that our customers ship their cars through major metro areas. This is because carriers find it easier to make pick-ups and deliveries from central locations than remote locations.

Metti International Can Help With Your Next Shipping

Metti International is a car shipping broker that offers car shipping services to customers, car dealerships and auto auction houses. We are a licensed and bonded car shipping broker registered with the Federal Carrier Safety Administration.  

Metti International has excellent records: BBB accredited with A-plus rating, three-time award-winner of the BBB Torch Award for Ethics. We work with a reliable network of auto carriers, so you can trust us with your next auto shipping. We offer a safe, timely, and smooth transport experience. Metti International is the top choice for your vehicle shipping needs.

Give us a call today at 866-620-1776 to get an instant quote and schedule your auto transport. For more information on our services, visit our website at www.mettiintl.com/

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most major credit cards, postal money orders and cashiers checks are acceptable forms of payment.

As with most transport services, a deposit is generally required when placing an order. Deposits range from 10-25 % of the total shipping cost. The remaining balance will be due upon delivery.

Most auto transport companies accept cash, certified checks, and postal money orders.

Coast to coast trips usually takes between 10-14 days. Shorter trips ranges from 3-7 days, depending on the actual distance. Some factors may delay a trip, including traffic, weather, and truck breakdowns.

Yes, we request you, or a designated person, be present upon pick up of your vehicle. For your safety and your vehicle’s safety, an inspection is performed and a bill of lading must be signed that serves as proof of delivery.

The easiest way to ship an inoperable vehicle is to let us know when requesting a vehicle transport quote. There will be an additional charge, plus loading and unloading charges to your quote, if we are not informed of the vehicle’s condition prior to quoting.

Auto carriers are not licensed to carry house goods or personal items, these goods and items are not covered by the carriers insurance. Any damage to your vehicle due to household goods shifting or breaking is also not covered. Personal belongings left in the vehicle, are shipped strictly at the owners risk. Carriers will not inventory any belongings left in the vehicle and will assume no responsibility.

Your car is insured for the Blue Book value the entire time it is on the truck. Clearly listed on your Shipping Order, Agreement and Bill of Lading are occurrences not covered. At the time of pick up, a condition report is filled out and signed by both the person turning the car over and the truck driver and you are given a copy.

Upon delivery of your vehicle, this same report is presented. You should compare the condition of the vehicle to the report thoroughly at that time. If you feel damage has occurred to your vehicle during delivery, you must note it on the report before you sign it and the driver leaves. Damage done in transit does not relieve the shipper of paying for transport service performed. Claims will be handled by the vehicle carrier and insurance companies.

Metti International offers door-to-door auto transport service where possible. However, there are instances that we cannot collect/deliver directly to the door due to the size of our auto carrier’s trucks. The size of your street may prohibit direct delivery to your door. Also, some towns and cities do not allow trucks on their residential streets. If the carrier cannot get to your door, he will deliver your vehicle to the next most convenient accessible location, such as the nearest major crossing street, a shopping mall or supermarket.

Please have a no more than 1/4 tank of fuel, remove all personal items from your vehicle and have it washed and cleaned so that the ensuing inspection is easily performed. If it is a convertible, T-top, sunroof, etc. make sure all openings are closed and prepared for changing weather. You can find additional tips on how to prepare your car for transport here.