Common mistakes to avoid when shipping your car overseas.
Do Your Research!
It’s no secret that there are many rather untrustworthy companies out there, so it’s always important for you to thoroughly research your chosen car shipping company before making any decisions. Are you confident that your chosen company is trusted and offers a professional service? For help identifying untrustworthy shippers, read our previous post on how to spot car shipping scams.
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Check Reviews
One vital way of establishing the trustworthiness of a shipping company is to read online third-party reviews. This helps you get a feel for what previous customers thought.
If the company is known for causing problems with customers, it should be fairly apparent in their reviews. This is one of the easiest ways of determining the professionalism of a company.
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Social Media
Another way of quickly checking if a company is genuine or not is by having a look at their social media accounts. Are they active and engaging with customers? Are they responsive and friendly to inquiries? If not, then this may be a cause for concern.
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Associations and Accreditations
Ensure your chosen company is a member of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), as well as other trusted associations. These associations typically vett their members and have specific criteria that must be met before you can join, ensuring the shipper is adhering to industry standards.
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Price Comparisons
When it comes to comparing prices, cheaper isn’t always best. We often find that cheaper companies fall short when it comes to speed, professionalism and customer service. That’s not to say that they’re all bad, but there is a definite trade-off between the price and the quality of the service. If you want peace of mind that you’re getting the best possible service, be prepared to pay slightly extra.
Choose the right service
This ties in with the above. Research the car shipping process so you are fully prepared before-hand! Most companies offer a variety of services such as Container car shipping, Roll on Roll off (RoRo) car shipping, Air Freight etc. The prices and advantages of each service vary, so it’s important you pick the right one for you. Don’t be afraid to ask the shipping company for advice, or check their website. For a brief overview of each service and why you might choose one over the other, check out this article by The South African.
Check documentation
Check, double check and triple check all required documents! No one wants to be delayed at the last minute simply due to a few missing papers. Your shipping company should provide you with information on all of the documents you need. Again, don’t be afraid to ask! In fact, we encourage you to!
Proof of ownership, the vehicle registration and the certificate of insurance are just a few of the required documents. Visit our destination guide pages for a list of required documentation, and read our UK car export guide for more information and tips for before you go.
Read the entire quote
Read every detail of your received quote. The quote often contains important information that can be easily missed. Although we try to make quotes as accurate as possible, remember that it’s still an estimate and so isn’t always representative of the final bill.
There may be details such as destination port fees or terminal handling charges that are not included in the quote. Again, this comes back to doing your research and asking questions if there’s anything you don’t understand.
Insure!
Whilst theft and damage to the vehicle are extremely rare, it’s still important to make sure your car is protected in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. Car shipping insurance also protects against other potential problems including weather damage during transit. Better safe than sorry!
Stick to these simple rules to avoid some common mistakes made during the car shipping process.
If you have any questions, leave us a comment below, or feel free to get in contact or call us on 0800 389 0784.
For a free car shipping quote, simply fill out the 60 second form on this page.
