Auto Transportation

By Author: mohanchen
Total Articles: 434
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In this article we will explain what a "pick up window" is, as it relates to auto transport. First time customers will often ask for a specific pickup and delivery date and time. A typical question might be, "May I have my car picked up at 10am on the 5th and delivered at 6pm on the 7th." For a number of reasons, specific pickup and delivery times such as this example, are not feasible when scheduling an auto transport. Scheduling pickup and delivery time frames, often refereed to as a window, is how our industry proceeds, for both logistical and legal reasons.

Most Americans have experienced many road trips in there lifetime. As one probably has experienced, actual departure time and arrival time can vary for a multitude of reasons. Considering this is helpful start to understanding the truck drivers situation. Some of the reasons a truck might be late or early could occur on anybody's road trip.

Here are some examples of what might happen to anyone driving long distances:

- weather, rain, snow, etc.
- road construction/detours/temporary road closures/accidents
- traffic jams
- flat ...
... tires
- mechanical issues
- health issues
- fatigue/drowsiness
- and too many more to list (locust, hail, parades...)

Aside from the above issues we all face, professional drivers in auto transport encounter additional issues that can affect the delivery window:

- A delayed pickup issue with another customers car....most carriers transport up to 10 cars at once. Unless they are contracted by a dealer for a whole load, drivers are picking up and delivering each vehicle to different customers at different locations along their route. One delayed pickup or delivery can set off a chain of late deliveries. It might take days to get back on schedule.

- Federal Law dictates truck drivers only drive a limited amount of hours before stopping to rest for a specific amount of time. For instance, a driver may be expecting to deliver a vehicle at 5pm and then take a mandated rest at 6pm after driving his maximum hours. As he nears the city for delivery, there is a traffic jam and he is forced to sit in traffic for a two hours. He is behind the wheel right up to 6pm and only a few miles from the delivery destination. At this point, he must pull over and stop driving, by law, and the delivery will have to be postponed until first thing in the morning. In the auto transport industry, drivers are very good at determining when they can pickup and deliver...but some things are simply out of the drivers control.

As schedulers of auto transport, we are bound by Federal law to not guarantee exact pickup and delivery times. Rather, we use windows of time that the driver is expecting to pickup and deliver.

These laws have been put in place for the safety of all Americans who use the highways (everybody)
I would like to add, most deliveries happen on time as planned. Programming a little flexibility into the pickup and delivery window will keep everyone's expectations realistic in the event of possible setbacks.

Scheduling a window of time doesn't have to be complicated. If one is flying to a new location where the automobile will be delivered, it is advised to schedule the pickup in the days leading up to the flight, but probably not the day before. If the car cannot be picked when the owner is present, a backup friend, relative, or neighbor can release the vehicle to the driver or receive it with a few simple instructions.

The less flexibility in pickup or delivery times, the more potential headaches can arise. Higher costs may arise for a trucker to go out of the way for a last minute pickup.

The more flexibility in pickup and delivery windows ensures the following:

- Scheduling with a high quality carrier by waiting for the best/reliable driver to be in the pickup area.
- Lower customer costs by having the driver pickup when they are passing through the area instead of making an out of the way trip.
- Perhaps getting the car moved sooner than expected.
- Less Stress, more peace of mind, for everyone involved in the deal.

It is said that a let down is nothing more than misappropriated expectations. In transport, if one were to expect a vehicle at an exact time on an exact date, there is potential for a letdown. This is why pickup and delivery windows are used at the scheduling point.

Hiring an auto movers company during a move is a great idea. You are already stressed out enough as it is and your car should be on the back of your mind. However, do not assume all companies are alike. It is important to compare these companies, and this article will tell you what to look for when comparing Auto Transportation companies.

Almost all companies you will look at will offer the same basic services. This is common as those are the most popular options. However, each company will offer stipulations or other options that could make or break their deal with you. Knowing everything you are getting is important so you can make an informed decision.

The first thing you should look for when comparing companies is how they will pick up your car. There are generally two common options: door to door or terminal to terminal. Terminal to terminal means you meet the company somewhere and drop off your car and then you will meet them at another one of their locations.

Door to door is the much better option; the company comes to your door to pick up your car and drops it off at your new location. This saves you time on having to drive to drop off your car and then pick it up, and helps you avoid the overall hassle.

Next, you need to examine the companies' delivery and pickup options. A majority of Auto Transportation companies will haul your car on a transport truck. Transport trucks mean there is a strict pickup and delivery time that you must follow. Some companies have employees drive your car to the destination for you, which is good if you are short on time.

Another thing you need to look for when comparing companies is their quotes. Identify what each coming is quoting you so you can make the best decision. When the companies give you their quotes examine them and make sure to ask if that is everything you will be charged for or if there will be additional hidden fees. You also need to make sure that you are only being charged for the services you want and not additional, unnecessary services.