If you Google “vehicle shipping cost” you would probably find plenty of options. A lot of people ship their vehicles across towns, and some even across countries. Of course, international shipping cost calculator providers are slightly different compared to the domestic ones, as they also count additional charges for international shipping. As you can see by now, shipping a car is not just about delivering one object from one place to another. Let us take a look at the things you need to know before using any car shipping calculator online!
What is a car shipping calculator?
Most car shipping service providers have their calculators, usually, you can access them on their official websites. If you have not noticed, each calculator is not the same. Even if you input the same data, the result can be different. First of all, do not be alarmed. This does not mean they are trying to scam you. Just like any other service, different rates may apply to different providers. And those who offer higher rates do not always mean they are trying to rip you off. On the other hand, those who offer lower rates do not necessarily mean their service is not the best.
Where to find car shipping calculators?
As mentioned before, most service providers have their calculators online. Just go to their websites and it is probably the first thing you see. However, if you are looking to ship your cars to or from another country, you might need a little more effort. As it is a more complicated process, service providers may not show any international car shipping cost calculator online. They would probably ask you to request a quote or contact them directly and estimate your cost personally. This offline service can be a more convenient option for some as it provides a thorough result.
Should you trust the car shipping cost?
Of course, there are things you need to consider before choosing offline international car shipping rates calculator. Unlike online cost calculators, it takes more commitment. While you can just close the calculator window online or delete the quote email you received, you cannot simply hang up the phone or leave the provider’s office abruptly. However, the result it offers is more accurate, while online costs may have been just estimation with extra costs added later on.
Unfortunately, this is commonly found. Many customers choose one shipping company simply because they offer the lowest rate online. But as they try to seal the deal, they realize they have to pay more than what was stated.
How to ensure the car shipping estimate service has no hidden fees?
First of all, not every company with a hidden cost is trying to trick you. They probably have stated the possibility of additional costs on their website. So, before using the calculator, you should read through their policy. No more clicking “I Agree” without even knowing what you are agreeing on! You can also read online reviews from previous customers.
How to use a shipping cost calculator?
Most shipping calculators are user friendly and easy to use. You only need to fill out the form with your data. Follow the instruction and let the system calculate the cost for you. Sometimes, you will get the result online right away. But some companies will send the result in the form of a quote to your email address.
Before jumping into any agreement form, please read the terms and conditions thoroughly. See if the result is the actual cost or just estimation. Keep in mind that estimation can be lower or even higher than the actual cost.
Filling out info for the car shipping cost calculator
A good calculator should require you to input at least the following data:
· Your car model and year (or exact weight and dimension)
· Whether or not your car is still running (this may seem insignificant, but it is important to let the company knows)
· Pickup point (where the car will be shipped from)
· Destination (where the car will be shipped to)
· Additional services you require
These are the basic info any company needs to calculate the shipping cost. Anything more than that is probably just additional info they need to register you as their customer. Some companies require you to fill out your name, address, phone number, email address, and others. Please note that any contact information you provide can be used for promotional purposes.
Make sure to fill out your info correctly to get the closest estimated cost. Before making any decision, try more than one calculator to compare the result.
Things to consider
· Please remember that the cost one company offer does not necessarily represent the quality of their services. After using the car shipping calculator and if you are satisfied with the result, do some research online to see what people think about the company. Only then you make a further commitment.
· If you do not have time to read through the terms and conditions, be prepared for additional costs. These costs may seem hidden, but this is a common practice. However, there are great online shipping calculators out there that show the exact cost without any hidden fees.
· Additional services such as insurance and packing protection may require an extra fee and this is not considered as a hidden cost as you can opt-out.
· Some companies are just brokers and not the transporters themselves. They may charge higher than the transporting companies.
Conclusion
Relentless research is the key to getting the best company with the best rate. Try as many as calculators you can find online to make sure you are not paying too much than you are supposed to. That being said, when it comes to quality service, you may need to dig a little deeper into your pocket. Find the balance between the two and do not compromise choosing a less trustworthy company just to save a few hundred dollars. Also, consider getting extra insurance to make sure you will not suffer any unnecessary loss.
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