Saturday, October 16, 2010

What affects your auto shipping quote

Whether you need to transport your vehicle across town, across the country or across the globe, it’s always good to know what an auto shipping quote includes when requesting vehicle shipping quotes.

The most important aspect a shipping company will take into account when giving an auto shipping quote is the distance the car needs to be transported. Obviously, the greater the distance, the higher the costs involved.

Check to be sure your auto shipping quote includes adequate insurance for the protection of your vehicle when it’s in the care of the auto shipping company. The size and weight of your vehicle will also influence your auto shipping quote.

Having all necessary information about your vehicle and your itinerary, information that is accurate and on hand when you request an auto shipping quote, is essential. For example, if your car requires enclosed auto shipping, it will influence the total of the auto shipping quote. This method of auto transport is recommended for exotic cars to protect them from dirt, debris and inclement weather during transport.

Other aspects that will influence your overall auto shipping quote are whether you’ll require storage for your car and whether it’s in running condition or a non-operable vehicle.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Moving a Car on a Budget

When you have to move your family and all of your possessions to a new location, you face a lot of extra costs. Even if your budget is adequate, it’s good to know that when it comes to relocating your vehicle, car moving doesn’t have to be very expensive.

Of course, there are always a number of factors to take into account with car moving, like the distance it needs to be transported and the size and weight of the car, but there are also a few ways to make sure you don’t pay top dollar for car moving.

  • When you request a quote from a car moving company, ask if their rates vary with the season. The costs of moving a car are often $200 to $300 dollars lower in the winter, so if you’re flexible with your pick-up and delivery dates, you can save a lot of money.
  • Ask about about special deals and discounts on car moving services. Many car moving companies offer discounts for students, snow birds and military families, as well as special deals on multiple cars.

And, of course, if you’re looking for a great deal on car moving, request a free quote from Carmoza today!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Former ADP Dealer Services exec joins Carmoza Auto Transport

Roy Busse, former vice president at ADP Dealer Services and co-founder of Internet vehicle search portal ronsmap, has joined the Carmoza team as Western regional vice president.

Busse, who began his auto career at Ford Motor Co. where he worked his way up to National Dealer Advertising Manager, will be responsible for dealer relations in the Western states for Carmoza—a full-service auto transport company that provides timely and cost-efficient vehicle transport nationwide.

“The entire industry, from OEMs to dealers, is undergoing consolidation, so the vision and goals of Carmoza are perfectly aligned with one of the major industry trends,” Busse said.

It was Carmoza’s dual focus on quality consumer auto transport as well as B2B auto shipping to help manage dealer inventory and meet vehicle demand that drew him to Carmoza, Busse said.

“I get excited about new opportunities that help the dealer be more efficient, make more money, and be more successful, and Carmoza will be an integral part of that process,” said Busse, who grew up in the dealer business.

Before joining Carmoza, Busse had expanding responsibility at ADP in manufacturer relations and regional and national sales, including the launch and integration of sales activity for emerging products and acquired companies. While at Ford, Busse held field sales, national marketing and national dealer advertising positions.

“Roy comes to Carmoza with a solid background in the auto industry and in dealerships, and he adds an awesome level of strength to our team,” said Carmoza President Peter Fong.

Busse, once a partner and manager at Ford dealerships in Spokane, Was., Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Nashville, also built an add-point Lincoln Mercury dealership in Plano, Tex. He joins Carmoza’s RVP team of Barry Bourgeois, Central region, and Jason Lewis, Eastern region.


If you're a member of the press seeking more information about Roy Busse's appointment, please contact Kari Cobham, vice president of media and communications, at kari@carmoza.com.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

How to save money on gas

So granted, gas prices aren't quite as high as they were two years ago, but saving money on gas never goes out of style.

wikiHow actually has some really good tips on saving on gas, including filling up efficiently, topping up tire pressure every few weeks, and shifting into neutral (on an automatic) when going down hills.

Of course, when you're moving across states for a job, for military move, the winter and even college, it's also a good idea to look into using a reliable auto transport company, so you won't have to drive.

PHOTO FROM wikiHOW

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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.

Quick Guide to Buying a New Car

In five steps, to be exact.

Edmunds.com has really good car finding and car buying tips perfect for busy buyers (excerpted from Edmunds.com):

"We've taken a similar route and condensed our 10 steps to buying a new car into five essentials that offer a faster alternative for people on the go. You can also print out this article and use it as a checklist to keep you on track."

How convenient is that? Here's how to get the car where you need it with Carmoza once you've made that buy.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Prep for coming higher tire prices

Both German auto parts maker, Continental, and Michelin say they could soon be raising the prices of tires because of a record high in rubber prices.

That means the more you drive, the more you wear down your tires. And the more you wear down your tires? The more expensive they'll be to replace.

Now might be a good time to look into Carmoza Auto Transport for trustworthy auto shipping instead of making that multi-state drive on your own to move your car.

PHOTO CREDIT: AFP