Top 5 Reasons to Ship Your New Car

By Michael Waterman
Vehix.com

Most people shop for vehicles within 25 miles of their home. They visit local dealerships and scour car classifieds sites like Vehix.com in search of the ideal vehicle. It’s an approach that works well for many buyers and they find the right car just miles from home. But shopping locally doesn’t always translate into the best deal or the best choices.

For example, did you know that you can often wrangle a better deal on an SUV if you buy one in Texas or Florida instead of Utah or Colorado? Or did you know you can find real savings on convertibles by shopping for one in Michigan or Ohio versus Southern California?

You can easily and confidently search the entire country for cars. Once you’ve found the right car at the right price, you have to decide if you want to ship it to your home or get a plane ticket and spend a few days on the road with your new ride. We’re big believers that shipping a car within your region or even across the United States makes a lot of sense. Here are the five reasons car shipping may make sense for your new car.

1. Save on Wear and Tear

Let’s assume you’ve found the perfect 2010 Ford Mustang convertible. It’s been owned and meticulously maintained by a senior couple who only put 2,700 miles on the car, and they’re willing to sell it to you for a great price. The only hitch? You’re in Boston and they’re in Washington, D.C. The good news is that you can ship that car for about $350. By shipping the car, you’ll save yourself the cost of a plane ticket, almost eight hours of driving and nearly 450 miles of wear and tear on your nearly new car. Sounds like a no-brainer to us.

Here are a few cost examples from car shipping company Carmoza*:

• Boston to Washington, D.C. - $350
• Chicago to Orlando - $800
• Los Angeles to Dallas - $675
• San Francisco to Manhattan - $1,100
• Philadelphia to Milwaukee - $550

*Estimates provided for standard size vehicle. Actual costs may be higher or lower depending on price of gas, time of year and specific vehicle.

2. Shipping Companies Can Ship Nearly Any Size Vehicle

Car buyers aren’t the only ones who can secure a great deal on a car in another state and then ship it to their homes. Most large car shipping companies will ship everything from a SmartforTwo to a Chevy Suburban. Just tack on an extra $300 (or more) to that $350 price we quoted for the Washington, D.C. to Boston delivery to send a huge family hauler like a Suburban on a cross-country journey.

You’re still looking at less than $700 to ship a car to your front door. Negotiate a deal that takes shipping into account and shipping a car can still cost less than buying that same vehicle at your local dealership or from a private seller.

3. Save Time While Eliminating Buying Hassles

Believe it or not, many savvy buyers do all their car buying through e-mail and by phone. They never actually walk into a dealership. Here’s how: If you find a car you like in a West Coast city and you’re an East Coast resident, just work out the details with the dealership or private seller over the phone. You can hire a reputable vehicle inspector to ensure the vehicle is as solid as the seller promises.

The last step is to engage a car shipping company like Carmoza to package up your car and deliver it to your driveway. It may sound intimidating, but it’s surprisingly easy. Of course, Carmoza representatives will be happy to walk you through the process.

In the end, you’ll save time. You’ll eliminate the traditional dealer runaround and time spent in their showroom (that single benefit right there is enough to persuade many buyers to give vehicle shipping a try!), and you’ll probably come out ahead financially as well.

4. Shipping Companies Carry Comprehensive Insurance

You’re plunking down some real money to bring this vehicle home. While buying a car is exciting, the thought of sending that car careening down America’s highways can be a bit unnerving. The good news is that car shipping companies hold comprehensive insurance policies that will cover damage that occurs during shipping. Again, a reputable inspector can certify that the vehicle is damage free or can call out any damage before the vehicle ships. The vast majority of vehicles are delivered without issue. However, unexpected incidents during transport can occur and it’s important to work with a shipping company that provides a comprehensive insurance policy.

Our advice is simple: before you ship a vehicle, get a copy of the shipping company’s insurance policy in writing. Then review the details to ensure you’re clear on what is and isn’t covered during shipping. Chances are good that you won’t run into any issues; these companies ship cars daily, after all, and damaging cars during transit is, shall we say, very bad for business.

5. Gain More Selection and More Options by Shopping Nationwide

Ultimately, there is one big reason to shop nationwide and then ship the chosen vehicle to your home: selection and options. If you’re looking for a used Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord in your area, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for in virtually any neighborhood in the United States. But what if you’re looking for a custom 2006 Cadillac DTS with that tough-to-find paint color and only 8,000 miles?

By expanding your new car or used car search to the entire United States, you’ll have a much greater chance of finding the exact vehicle you’re seeking. All you have to do at that point is negotiate a favorable price, then contact a shipping company like Carmoza to deliver that special car. Shopping and shipping really can be that easy.

This post also appeared on Vehix.com

Disclaimer
Vehix has partnered with Carmoza for vehicle shipping services. Learn more about Carmoza’s pricing and services or get a free quote at Carmoza.com.