Car Transport Anxiety

[szyzygy]

I've taken a job in Vermont. Part of the relo package the company offered includes shipping 2 cars from where I am in SoCal.
First they tell me they are going to be in open carriers. So then I tell them my car is a classic car that is very important to me (I don't mention it's a Porsche) and it's the only car we're bringing.
Then the get me a covered transport.

Now I find out it is with Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS). A quick check on google reveals some scary reviews. Then I check on here and there are more scary reviews.

I am very tempted to drive my car across the country instead now. But what with the snow in the middle and north of the country, I'm afraid to try this.

DAS told me it would indeed be in an enclosed transport and that it would take 14-18 days to get to me (that seems like WAAAYYYYY long to drive across country. I realize they might make several stops along the way, but jeez)

I plan on taking detailed photos and vids of my car tomorrow after a nice clean and wax. I'll photograph the odometer and insides as well.
I really don't want to have to have any hassles with this, hopefully it works out ok but I'm nervous they're gonna ruin my car. I know it's not the best Porsche out there, but I love it.

[T308]

I had a similar situation and asked my company if they'd just give me the $ they had allocated for the transport. They said no, then I asked if they would allow me to work a deal with a transport company and that I would cover any balance. They agreed. I negotiated with the shipper, paid the full amount, then expensed it. It cost me a little more, but the peace of mind was worth it.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by T308

I had a similar situation and asked my company if they'd just give me the $ they had allocated for the transport. They said no, then I asked if they would allow me to work a deal with a transport company and that I would cover any balance. They agreed. I negotiated with the shipper, paid the full amount, then expensed it. It cost me a little more, but the peace of mind was worth it.

I offered to do this work myself last week with my new company. Then they get back to me on Friday that it will be shipped enclosed. I was happy and then today heard from the guy and found out who it was with. They're coming in 2 days, I doubt I have anytime to make other arrangements. I'm leaving on Dec 30th and have work in the meantime as well as overseeing the house movers.
So I'm SOL. Feels like I'm never gonna see my ride again.

[szyzygy]

Wonder if I can get some insurance on this so if they eff it up I can get another old porsche.
Besides paint chips, what else can they screw up? Assuming the odometer reads the same when I get it as it does on this Wednesday, what else can they do wrong to my car?

[MJEMotorsports]

Originally Posted by szyzygy

Wonder if I can get some insurance on this so if they eff it up I can get another old porsche.
Besides paint chips, what else can they screw up? Assuming the odometer reads the same when I get it as it does on this Wednesday, what else can they do wrong to my car?

They can not tie is down correctly.
You should only use a transporter that is the same truck that picks up is the same truck and driver that does the delivery.

DAS will take your car on and off multiple trucks. The more this is done increases the risk of damage to your car and have other problems arise.

18 days cross country is way too long.

Cancel the pickup. Ask your company that you will pay the difference from what they are paying already and have a reputable company like intercity do it for you.
If you are leaving in a few days, leave the car with a trusted shop or neighbor and then wait for the car on the other end.

Vermont has some stupid law about trucks driving through the state. It isn't easy getting trucking companies to do pickups and drop offs there. I think they require special permits.

Good luck.

[dshepp806]

MJE is dead on,..do it.


Doyle

[szyzygy]

do you guys think I have enough time to schedule this with just a couple of days? Any idea how much this will cost me out of pocket?

The dude at DAS said it's 14-18 days in part because of the holidays, FWIW.....

Also, I don't want to be a PITA at the new job, but I love my car...

EDIT: just asked for a quote from intercity.

[szyzygy]

I'm afraid the dudes moving my car around don't know how to drive a 915 gearbox, too. Goodbye clutch!

[nigel911]

+1 on the direct, no load / unload, same driver. Shipping is ALWAYS shady. I ended up hiring a single car enclosed trailer going direct from FL to CO, was there to load the car and strap down. The shippers truck broke down and twice and by the time the car arrived in CO it had no brakes - for whatever reason the car had been re-strapped and they had sheared my stainless brake lines x 3... I was not a happy bunny. Told the shipper they could take the car to Porsche for the repairs or forgo the balance of the delivery fee.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by nigel911

+1 on the direct, no load / unload, same driver. Shipping is ALWAYS shady. I ended up hiring a single car enclosed trailer going direct from FL to CO, was there to load the car and strap down. The shippers truck broke down and twice and by the time the car arrived in CO it had no brakes - for whatever reason the car had been re-strapped and they had sheared my stainless brake lines x 3... I was not a happy bunny. Told the shipper they could take the car to Porsche for the repairs or forgo the balance of the delivery fee.

Please tell me more about how your brakes were affected.
So what did they do? take it to Porsche or pay you?

[MJEMotorsports]

Originally Posted by szyzygy

do you guys think I have enough time to schedule this with just a couple of days? Any idea how much this will cost me out of pocket?

The dude at DAS said it's 14-18 days in part because of the holidays, FWIW.....

Also, I don't want to be a PITA at the new job, but I love my car...

EDIT: just asked for a quote from intercity.

I've done enclosed 3/4 days So cal to Atlanta for $1050-$1200

My gues CA-VT would be about $1500-$1800

Work out the difference then with what DAS is charging your company.

You may need to wait now until 12/26 to get a repsonse.

[MJEMotorsports]

Try other companies like Fed Ex Passport and Reliable too.
They just might have a truck about to head back East and have a spot free. You may get a better rate too.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by MJEMotorsports

I've done enclosed 3/4 days So cal to Atlanta for $1050-$1200

My gues CA-VT would be about $1500-$1800

Work out the difference then with what DAS is charging your company.

You may need to wait now until 12/26 to get a repsonse.

thanks

the original quote my wife was told was $1800 for an open carrier...that's why I contacted the new company and asked them if I could do this myself for that much....I'm sure I could have found a better carrier for that much. If delivery into VT is a pain, I can go to MA, NY, NH to pickup. It's not that far away and well worth the peace of mind.

yeah, I figured I'm screwed here at this point. unless I hear back from someone on wed morning it looks like I'm going to have headaches for weeks to come and possibly a fudged-up porsche.

[szyzygy]

maybe I should just call my current employer and retract my 2 weeks notice and cancel on the VT gig

[IDGAF27]

Originally Posted by szyzygy

I am very tempted to drive my car across the country instead now. But what with the snow in the middle and north of the country, I'm afraid to try this.

....you are afraid of snow in middle US ? wait till you get to VT ...better get used to it

[MJEMotorsports]

szyzygy - PM IDGAF27. He maybe able to help you out with transportation. He is a nice guy.

[Charles Freeborn]

Take the cash equivalent from the new employer and arrange your own transport.

Or do it yourself. A Porsche will fit inside many rental trucks, and you can pull the second one on a trailer behind.

-C

[Paul Crowther]

I'd consider the earlier suggestion to leave with local dealer (if trusted), and working with them, arrange door to door shipping after you've arrived in VT. If you need a car before it gets there, buy something you'll use all winter while the roads are crappy. You really don;t want that Porsche in VT in January THAT badly, do you?

[szyzygy]

Thanks guys

I'll PM IDGAF27

I lived in MA for 21 years...I am familiar with winter driving.
No, I do not want to drive the Porsche in that stuff. Not so much for accident risk but because of getting stuck due to low clearance and I don't want salt on my car. I do want my car ASAP from the clutches of the DAS. I have a garage waiting for me when I get there. I have some winter projects I want to get done.

I just don't have the time to play with finding someone else it seems.

I really would have preferred if the new company just gave me whatever $12K it's costing me. I could have moved everything myself, including the car, for about $6K. We don't have very many possessions, and the stuff we have is crap. Except for the car

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by Paul Crowther

I'd consider the earlier suggestion to leave with local dealer (if trusted), and working with them, arrange door to door shipping after you've arrived in VT. If you need a car before it gets there, buy something you'll use all winter while the roads are crappy. You really don;t want that Porsche in VT in January THAT badly, do you?

We are already going to buy 2 new vehicles when we get there. Wife wants an outback or explorer, I want an old crappy pickup truck.