Shipping: California to West Virginia
- Thread starter fourfords
- Start date
ModelA29
Well-known member
Lots of horror stories. Bite the bullet and DO NOT shop price. Go with a big name like Reliable or Passport.
Read this Jalopy Journal post - https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=66133
Common Auto Transport Nightmares
Tips to Avoid a Disaster
Read this Jalopy Journal post - https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=66133
Common Auto Transport Nightmares
- Freight Fraud and Car Hijacking: Scammers pose as legitimate transport companies or use central dispatch systems to intercept cars. In some cases, vehicles are held hostage over payment disputes or rerouted into overseas shipping containers.
- Transit Damage and Bouncing Cars: Improper lashing on open or enclosed trailers can cause vehicles to break loose, bash into front vehicles, strip paint to the bare metal, or shatter windshields and headlights. When multiple subcontractors are involved (such as military or cross-country moves), getting anyone to claim responsibility can become nearly impossible.
- Broker Bait-and-Switch: Low-ball online quotes are used to lock in customers, followed by sudden price hikes, communication blackouts, or complete "no-shows" when no real carrier wants to pick up the load at the initial cheap rate. [
- Vanishing Trucks and Hostage Cars: Vehicles have gone missing for over a year after rogue drivers held them off-grid due to internal fee disputes with dispatchers.
Tips to Avoid a Disaster
- Avoid Picking the Cheapest Broker: Most customer consensus on platforms like Reddit AutoTransport warns that automatically chasing the lowest bid attracts unreliable or fraudulent carriers.
- Vetting and Direct Verification: Double-check motor carrier (MC) and USDOT numbers, review the exact pickup/delivery addresses on the bill of lading, and verify who is actually putting the car on the truck.
- Document Everything: Take high-resolution photos and notes of your vehicle's mileage, interior, and exterior right before it is loaded onto the transport.
DF Model A
Junior Member
Sadly, price is not the only issue. There are so many "transport brokers" out there who will promise all sorts of things but fail to deliver. The issue with them is they do not have their own trucks and when you ask for a shipping quote, they put out a request for any trucker who is willing to respond. Seldom, if ever, does the quote match the actual price charged by the trucking company. Reliability is also a huge problem. Not showing up when scheduled, changing the price at the time of pickup, etc., etc...
When I had my vehicle shipped from SC to NV, I went directly with a carrier. $1800 in an enclosed big-rig trailer - but that was before diesel prices skyrocketed so I am sure the same cost today would be much higher. By the way, i do not recommend shipping a roadster in an open carrier over that distance for obvious reasons.
When I had my vehicle shipped from SC to NV, I went directly with a carrier. $1800 in an enclosed big-rig trailer - but that was before diesel prices skyrocketed so I am sure the same cost today would be much higher. By the way, i do not recommend shipping a roadster in an open carrier over that distance for obvious reasons.
gz
Well-known member
Go with the large companies which are Reliable, Passport and Intercity. Quality service, REAL insurance, tracking, they do what they say to do. Enclosed new semi-trailers and trucks. These companies are great and amazing. They work with you and work for you. Higher price? Yes and a great value. You want cheap? You should get the cheapest you can. You get what you pay for.
Kube
Super Moderator
I have used Passport dozens of times with great results. Price will be more reasonable if you do not require an exact date(s). I used Blue Highways once. A complete horror story.
Jeff/Illinois
Well-known member
OMG!!! PLEASE do as Kube suggested just pay up for quality use like Reliable or Passport Transport.
I used Blue Highways. Once. WHAT A DISASTER I think they finally went out of business at least I hope so. They really bent me over it was ugly,,, if you don't mind getting your car months late and in PARTS??? With a '48 Lincoln parked on top and hydraulic fluid leaking all over YOUR car.
Terrible service worst I ever encountered!! The West Virginia State Police eventually told me 'You are one of the lucky ones. At least you got a 'car' or what was left of it!!"
I used Blue Highways. Once. WHAT A DISASTER I think they finally went out of business at least I hope so. They really bent me over it was ugly,,, if you don't mind getting your car months late and in PARTS??? With a '48 Lincoln parked on top and hydraulic fluid leaking all over YOUR car.
Terrible service worst I ever encountered!! The West Virginia State Police eventually told me 'You are one of the lucky ones. At least you got a 'car' or what was left of it!!"
easier said then done Jeff. if you dont use transporters often- how the heck do you know whos good or bad?
secondly the costs have become ridiculous, so if buying a car and shipping, try to buy local. 3-4k to send a car across the US is nutz unless you have a 50k car. most model As are NOT that.
secondly the costs have become ridiculous, so if buying a car and shipping, try to buy local. 3-4k to send a car across the US is nutz unless you have a 50k car. most model As are NOT that.
Brad in Germany
Well-known member
If you are a member of Hagerty Drivers Club, keep in mind that members receive a 10% discount with Reliable Carriers.
Brad in Maryland
Brad in Maryland
Wick
Well-known member
Sent two model As from va to Maryland last year $600. Arrived in 4 hrs.
Sent a 31 slant windshield car from VA to Texas $1,100 arrived in 3 days. That was a month ago. Both were Hot shot drivers.
No problems with either one. ( I don't have their contact information) I have had Hot Shot drivers deliver a mini excavator, trailer, a car to my home,no problems and only takes a couple of days.
Sent a 31 slant windshield car from VA to Texas $1,100 arrived in 3 days. That was a month ago. Both were Hot shot drivers.
No problems with either one. ( I don't have their contact information) I have had Hot Shot drivers deliver a mini excavator, trailer, a car to my home,no problems and only takes a couple of days.
ModelA29
Well-known member
I thought I covered that "Go with a big name like Reliable or Passport."
Bill's Auto Works
Well-known member
Hello Sir,
My phone number is in every one of my ads here on the Barn. I offer single car personalized (mostly enclosed these days) service. I have transported probably 500 or more cars for barn members over the decades, however last weeks trip out to Los Angeles, Montana, Iowa & Ohio was my last trip across the Rocky Mountain Passes for this year. Also being single car, I am much more expensive than multi-car carriers, but just like everything else...You get what you pay for.
Please keep me in mind for the future
God Bless
Bill Squires(owner)
Bill's Auto Works
Nationwide Single Car Transport/Hauling Open or Enclosed
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