What You Need To Know About Terminal-To-Terminal and Door-To-Door Car Shipping

What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Terminal-To-Terminal-and-Door-To-Door-Car-Shipping

Terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door auto transportation methods offer specific benefits as well as disadvantages, depending on your car and your location. Below is all you need to know about terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door car transport. Understanding these fundamental differences will help you make an informed decision on the method that suits you. 

How does terminal to terminal car shipping work?

Terminals are located in many of the large cities and large metropolitan areas across the United States. It is easier for carriers to transport your car from one major hub or common route to another.

Once you’ve made a booking with a reliable car transport company that offers a terminal-to-terminal auto transport service, you have to drive your car to the specified drop-off terminal. Your car will stay there until your chosen carrier is ready to collect it. When the carrier picks up your car, it will be transported to another terminal location of your specification. 

If your vehicle is waiting at the final terminal location, you would have to pick it up in time to avoid additional costs. You might also pay for storage fees. There is the option of arranging for a friend, family member, neighbor, or colleague to pick up the vehicle for you if you’re unable to pick it up yourself.

Terminal-to-terminal car transport method offers a safe and secure location for your vehicle. It is cost-effective although, it a longer time than door-to-door car transport.

How does door-to-door car shipping work?

Door-to-door shipping is the most popular means of moving a vehicle because of its convenience. This involves arranging with an auto transport company to have your car transported. Afterwards, you’d give the car carrier your residential or home address. Then, the carrier will come close to the address as possible to load or unload the car. Door-to-door shipping offers added protection for your vehicle keeping it safe and secure from the pickup to the drop-off.

Due to the truck or trailer size, street or neighborhood layout, and amount of low-hanging trees, sometimes it is not feasible for carriers to deliver the vehicle to the actual address. It is easier if the address provided for loading or unloading the vehicle is closer to a major highway rather than a remote area.

Door-to-door car transportation service is quite expensive. However, it saves you time and the hassles of moving your car from terminal to terminal. Door-to-door car transport is a great option for transporting luxury, exotic, classic, antique, or custom vehicles.

For a smooth transport experience, Metti International is your trusted and reliable auto shipping broker. We are a two-time finalist for the “Torch Award Finalist” by the Better Business Bureau for Ethics (BBB).  As a licensed and bonded car shipping broker with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, we are committed to providing you with excellent customer service.

Call Metti International today at 866.620.1776 or request a quote online. You can also 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.