Why are all the car shipping companies from Florida?

[99 Boxster]

I just bought a 911 eBay and now I'm looking for a shipping company.

Well, I entered my phone number on some website and all these people are calling me from Florida saying they can give me the best price on auto transport, but when I Google some of these companies, I can't believe all the horror stories and HORRIBLE reviews. Like ShipYourCarNow, they've got about 73 negative reviews and 4 good ones.

What's most interesting, is that every single one of these guys that's called is based in Florida.

[motion]

Get ahold of my buddy Tim Weig at MOTOSHIPPERS.COM - MOTOSHIPPERS

[silverc4s]

Most of those shippers are a guy with a PC on the interweb and a phone or two. Has no trucks, etc. starts to find a freelance guy to pick up your car after he's made the deal with you...

If you care about the vehicle, use a reputable company. You can generally see a stack of their trucks at any auction these days. Or in Monterey in the fall, Phoenix in January.

[s_morrison57]

do not use DAS Dependable Auto Shippers, paid for enclosed shipping and did not get it

[Brian in VA]

Maybe because all the snowbirds ship their cars down here so that's where the shippers are.

[HardDrive]

I used DAS and had a good experience.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by 99 Boxster

...I'm looking for a shipping company.

I've used J&S Transportation and was totally satisfied with their service. They're haulers, not brokers. They're based in Montana and run their own fleet of trucks, although they'll sometimes farm out jobs that're too far off their regular routes.

J&S Transportation auto transport experts! Get a free quote!

You'll be getting calls offering to ship your car long after it's already in your garage. I made the mistake of calling a broker once too...

[speeder]

It's a scumbag business, (the brokers more than the actual haulers). Take referrals from actual customers here.

[wdfifteen]

They are just brokers. Make sure you contract with a company that actually has trucks and stands behind their work. Otherwise you won't know who is hauling your car.

[99 Boxster]

Originally Posted by speeder

It's a scumbag business, (the brokers more than the actual haulers). Take referrals from actual customers here.

I don't even get why brokers even exist and why the haulers don't just cut the middle man out? We have the internet now. It's 2015

[wdfifteen]

^^
Maintaining a web site, scheduling, etc is a lot of work if you are just a truck driver. If all you want to do is put loaded miles on your truck, a broker can deliver for you. Brokers exist for the benefit of truck owners and themselves, not one-time shippers.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

^^
Maintaining a web site, scheduling, etc is a lot of work if you are just a truck driver. If all you want to do is put loaded miles on your truck, a broker can deliver for you. Brokers exist for the benefit of truck owners and themselves, not one-time shippers.

Exactly, if you are small time you can't manage the business and drive at the same time so you need to hire staff to sit in an office which is not a full time gig and costs more than letting a broker get a taste.

[Rtrorkt]

Joseph Sunday transport. Used them multiple times, good service, good price. They advertise in Pano. Passport Transport is back in business. I called Reliable but their prices are significantly higher than others. The Florida based folks are brokers who just put a request on their net of "qualified" shippers. You never know what you are going to get

[Todge]

Originally Posted by s_morrison57

do not use DAS Dependable Auto Shippers, paid for enclosed shipping and did not get it

This quote might have well come out of the bible, its the gospel. DAS $ucks.
I don't know who you are sir, but we think alike.
Todge

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by speeder

It's a scumbag business, (the brokers more than the actual haulers). Take referrals from actual customers here.

There is, or at least was, a show on TV called shipping wars.....some unseen broker posted the job available and these idiots bid on the price to use thier own equipment to deliver the package. Some of those rinky dink outfits should be banned from driving down the road, let alone hauling precious cargo. It was entertaining watching these fools trying to stuff thier small enclosed trailer with an item that was too large or worse yet, showing up with an open trailer for a cross country trip.

The scary part was that the lowest bidder got the job, so on something with a small size, some hillbilly with a van and a trailer would win because of his low overhead.

[motion]

Truth!

Last November, I hired uship to pick up a bike south of Minneapolis to bring to Montana. I think it was for $450. A crackhead woman in an iced over pickup truck with a flatbed showed up at the dealer with no tie down straps or chock! The dealer took one look at her and the rig and sent her on her way. I ended up driving there myself to get the bike.

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

There is, or at least was, a show on TV called shipping wars.....some unseen broker posted the job available and these idiots bid on the price to use thier own equipment to deliver the package. Some of those rinky dink outfits should be banned from driving down the road, let alone hauling precious cargo. It was entertaining watching these fools trying to stuff thier small enclosed trailer with an item that was too large or worse yet, showing up with an open trailer for a cross country trip.

The scary part was that the lowest bidder got the job, so on something with a small size, some hillbilly with a van and a trailer would win because of his low overhead.

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by Todge

This quote might have well come out of the bible, its the gospel. DAS $ucks.
I don't know who you are sir, but we think alike.
Todge

+2

DAS was responsible for shipping my 40k mile cherry '95 M3 for a corporate relo from Fl to Tx back in '05. I didn't see the car for 2 weeks and when it showed up it was filthy inside and out. It was spotless when it left. I raised h3!! and they paid for a professional detail but not a company I would use again.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

I didn't see the car for 2 weeks...

When setting up deal for transportation, make sure to find out if your vehicle will be staying on a single truck for the entire trip. Sometimes, one guy will only take a vehicle part-way to it's final destination. Then it sits in some storage yard for days until the broker finds another truck to pick it up and move it further along. Depending on how far it's going, your vehicle can wind up being transferred several times. It may not show up for weeks, and be a real mess when it finally does.

[afterburn 549]

ANYONE can call themselves a transport company on USHIP.
Anyone .
They are a grossly negligent outfit with no conscience or trained personal.
They somehow operate outside the boundaries of a broker and they take zero responsibility for anything .
One has no recourse with them ,
Requirements to get listed on Uship ? NONE !
Just sign on their web page!
Being I was in transport most my life , I can make this simple process for you as in requirements.
1 - DOT number - check the number on the net.
If not current , or does not show up they are hacks. simple.
2, - Get A Certificate of CARGO insurance from Underwriter , faxed to you from them, not carried or mailed to you by the transporter.
Don't accept the 20 cent a pound crap . ( have agreed value on it )
3, - Equipment - Demand Air ride ONLY as there is a thing called " brinelling " and an also good beating from roads without it .
Airbag looks like air bags, not leaf springs, and are EZ to identify. Look for them when they show up.
Send them away if they do not have this.
If you accept anything less than what I have described , you are gambling that they have the know-how, experience , or even insurance.
Keep it simple folks.

[Noah930]

I would also strongly suggest you avoid DAS.
Intercity, on the other hand, was fantastic.
In the totally unregulated world of auto shipping, I'm a firm believer of the adage: you get what you pay for