Looking for an auto shipper

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Anyone know anything about RoadRunner? I've gotten a pretty good quote from them but don't know anything about them (a search here turned up nothing). I have used DAS in the past also, who is slightly cheaper than RoadRunner, but based on some of the scathing reviews and comments here, I'm a little leery of using them again - even though they were fine last time.

Unfortunately the "good" places like InterCity and FedEx are way out of my price range and aren't really appropriate for the type of cars I'm sending - I'm looking for a good shipper who won't play games or jerk me around, and who will get my cars to the destination unmolested and in one piece.

I'm planning on shipping my 944 (which looks like hell on the outside anyway with its mismatched primered panels, since I'm in the middle of prepping it, so I don't really care what happens, so long as they don't damage it or dent it) and my daily driver 'Benz, which is in fairly pristine condition, but also a daily driver, not a show car. I'm not shipping show cars or concours stuff or collectables, nor do I wish to be so anal that I don't want anyone breathing on them or looking at them funny (some people's reviews that I've read seem to come off that way). I just want a good company that will get them from Point A to Point B economically with a minimum of aggravation and drama.

Recommendations/comments?

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I loaded two cars in the back of the semi that was moving all of our personal belongings.....

asphaltgambler · 10-07-2009, 09:38 AM

From what I know (and learnt) are that most good shippers will cost/start @$2 per loaded mile. It also depends on how far you need to ship as some will discount past a certain mileage point.

If it is worth shipping at all a decent carrier is worth it, trust me

HardDrive · 10-07-2009, 09:38 AM

I used DAS to ship my 911 and was totally happy.

stomachmonkey · 10-07-2009, 11:24 AM

Tough one.

The big national chains will cover pretty much anywhere to anywhere.

The cheaper independents will generally have a route that they run, NY to Dallas, FL to North East and don't really deviate from it.

The smaller guys you'll find easiest via a broker but that comes at a price, both in the broker commission and also possible service issues.

The service issues run the gamut of are they point to point or do they employ the FedEx model.

FedEx model is where they don't care about the ultimate destination, they pick up in their "home" area and drop cars at a central distribution point and pick up whatever load is going back to their area. Obvious issues with that is cars go on and come off multiple trailers, (which is when damage is likely to occur) or the car can sit for days/weeks waiting for a load to it's final destination.

Brokers can have a good rep but that does not necc translate to the people providing the end service so it can be a crapshoot.

Just make sure you get the drivers cell phone number.

Deschodt · 10-07-2009, 11:32 AM

I've used DAS as well, for about 6 cars... I never had an issue, ever. Yet they seem to have an awful reputation, so I don't know...

FEdex/interecity charge more than my cars are worth for a coast to coast trip ;-(

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-07-2009, 12:06 PM

2 cars, TX to Boston, $1000 truck, trailer, gas and toll. truck stop hookers were extra.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I'd love to do that but I have too much furniture and other personal stuff that's going to fill up the rental truck (and yes, I'm talking about the biggest one they have). 911 is going behind on a tow-behind flatbed thing and wife is driving her car. I'm not flying back out here and doing the cross-country drive twice more (LA to Boston, essentially). No way. Not enough time and I don't think I have the sanity for it.

I guess I'll try RoadRunner and see what their details are.

s_morrison57 · 10-07-2009, 01:54 PM

Had a real bad experience with DAS and would never use them again, paid for enclosed shipping and didn't get it, IMHO they are a bad company to chose for auto shipping

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Having moved cross-country 4 times in the past 10 years, I've come to realize that the auto (and motorcycle) shipping industry is realistically totally unregulated. It's a complete crapshoot. Don't believe for a second that there's any insurance offered on the shipper's behalf. There are no timeline guarantees of any sort, either. BTW, I've used DAS with success once, and with a problem the second (last) time.

kaisen · 10-07-2009, 02:32 PM

If they are driveable cars and not concurs showcars, just ship them via 9-car open transport using ANY shipper that is cheap. They all contract the work anyway. The transport you're looking at would be the kind that new cars are delivered on, or used cars are shipped to/from auctions and dealers. Since there are many more of them than there are enclosed white-glove transports, there are fast and competitive services. Still, they'll only pick up your car when they get another 8 headed that way. You get what you pay for.

stomachmonkey · 10-07-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

...the auto (and motorcycle) shipping industry is realistically totally unregulated. It's a complete crapshoot. Don't believe for a second that there's any insurance offered on the shipper's behalf. There are no timeline guarantees of any sort, either.....

Pretty much sums it up.

Heel n Toe · 10-07-2009, 02:45 PM

Jeff, give Wayne a call and see what he says.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

You might check with one of the little outfits with just 2 car enclosed trailers. They might be cheaper if you have 2 to where they are running full...

Steve Carlton · 10-07-2009, 03:10 PM

From where to where?

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

I had a good experience shipping a car through safe way auto transport. It was not enclosed shipping, but they seemed to be decent people. I'd use them for a daily driver, or a 944

The Safest Way To Ship Your Car - Safe Way Auto Transport

icemann427 · 10-07-2009, 06:13 PM

Jeff,

You can advertise your shipment on uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Vehicles or Moves where a number of qualified shippers will bid against each other for your shipment. You can see each shipper's customer feedback to help you decide if you go this way. I shipped my chopper from Dallas to Tucson a couple of years ago and found the service to be great. Good luck.

Geoff

vash · vash's Garage

JEFF! you moving to the east coast? damn, you did it!!

anyways, i search the internet, and tossed the dice. i found a company to move my busted up 75 911 for me cheap. what sucked is they tell you a date for pick up, and then just show up whenever. for me it was late. i was lucky that i had a brother to handle it in texas. once on the truck...it was essentially a huge 5-car open trailer pulled by a F650. once my car was on the truck...RADIO SILENCE!!! nothing..drivers drop things off, get last minute pick ups, and try to get the most $$ for their miles. i just got patient and one night i got a phone call..."hey, where is your house?". i looked out the window, and i see a huge trailer driving up the street with my car!! i shined him with a flashlght and he unloaded it. it was about 10 days late, but all in one piece.

toss the dice..they all suck.