Car Leasing Blog

Do you get excited about going down to the dealership to look for a new or used car?  Everybody loves spending a weekend afternoon with a high-pressure car salesman, right?  More and more consumers are foregoing the trip to the lot and getting online instead.  The internet offers a multitude of car buying options, and buyers are taking notice.  In fact, nearly a third of automotive transactions now take place online. 

Shopping online increases selection, helping the consumer find the exact car they desire at a price they can handle.  The problem is that the perfect car might not always be located right around the corner.  Some sites may offer shipping (at a premium or otherwise), but often the customer is left to ponder shipping on their own.  When choosing a shipping method, the buyer must take several important factors into consideration:

Timeframe: Auto shipping can take awhile.  Pencil in about a month of advance planning.  Keep in mind that it will take you some time to properly prepare and inspect the vehicle before shipping.  Document any previous damage and ask the transporter if there is anything special you should do to get your vehicle ready.

Budget:  Do the math!  Consider how you might ship your vehicle before you buy.  If you spend too much on shipping, it may negate the savings from buying online.  Don’t assume that the first quote you get is also the lowest.  Shop around and you could save yourself a substantial amount of money.

Reliability:  If you use a shipping company, make sure to do your homework.  Ask for references and check the company’s insurance.  You should always get a written contract and review it thoroughly.  This will be critical if anything happens to go awry during transport.  If you don not have the terms of your shipment in writing, you could be left with no legal recourse.

Alternatives:  Can you pick the car up and drive it home?  Maybe you can pay someone to drive it for you.  Get creative!

Next time you’re in the market for a new car, don’t be surprised if you find yourself sitting in front of your computer instead of wasting your Sunday haggling at a dealership.  Don’t panic when it comes time to ship your new ride.  Do a little research and you’ll be behind the wheel in no time at all.

Written by Adam Greenspan of uShip.com, an auction style marketplace for Auto Transport.