Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all auto transport carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it is rarely enforced. Please know that car delivery drivers estimate every vehicle’s weight that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. They must keep the personal items to a minimum to make it through the scales. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, and some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage. The car transporter is there to ship a car, not move the owner’s personal belongings. Our car shipping calculator will not add a charge for extra items because it would be presumptuous to expect the driver to agree. If you want to include extra items in your vehicle, please discuss that first with the driver and come to a mutual agreement.
Car Shipping Services for Auto Dealerships
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Auto dealerships regularly need to transport cars for various reasons:
- Inventory Management: In order to keep their inventory levels efficient, auto dealerships may have to relocate vehicles from one place to another. An example of this is when a particular model seems to be more popular in one location compared to another, prompting the need for transfer.
- Customer Delivery: For many customers, the purchase of a car does not end at the dealership. When customers buy cars from an online source or from another location, there is still the need to deliver it to them. Car shipping services like Direct Express Auto Transport are key.
- Inter-Dealership Transfers: At times, dealerships require an exchange of vehicles between different branches. The relocation of cars can be due to personalized customer requests or to even out the stock at different stores. Inter-dealership transfers are a necessary practice in order to meet customer needs and ensure all stores have the right selection of cars available.
The cost of car shipping for auto dealerships varies based on several factors:
- Distance: The price of a car transport spot on a carrier is highly dependent on the gap between the pickup and drop-off locations. This is because the longer it takes to get from one place to another, the more you will need to pay for the journey. Fuel and time cost money.
- Type of Vehicle: The year, type, model and condition of the car can all have an impact on the cost.
- Shipping Method: The choice of car shipping carrier can also have an effect on the overall cost. Enclosed transport, which encases a car in a secure container, is typically more costly than open transport. Open transport offers less protection for the vehicle but generally has a lower cost.
