Help with Enclosed Transportation from VA to CA

lufetarg · 05-06-2014, 02:49 AM

I am considering purchasing a well sorted and cared for 2000 540i6 to use as a DD. Only catch is that I live in CA and the car is in VA. I have secured a couple of enclosed transport quotes but the lowest is $1,850. This is almost 20% of the vaue of the car.

While this may be a necessary expense to obtain the car, I thought I would reach out to the Pelican crew to see if you or anyone you know is planning on traveling East to West in the next 4-6 weeks and could add this car to the load for a reasonable price.

To/From: Warrenton, VA (20186) to Walnut Creek, CA (94597)

Welcome your thoughts on options or referrals.

Thank you.

afterburn 549 · 02:58 AM

Money is not the issue but expert service is.
Demand a Cert. of insurance "faxed" from their under writer.
Demand DOT numbers and run them.
Demand "air ride" nothing less.
If the transport company waffles for 1 sec on any of these. move on immediately .
3 or 4 references would be on my list too .
If you pay less you get less and its very hard to sort it all after the move.
STAY AWAY from USHIP unless you know what to look for.

Steve Carlton · 05-06-2014, 07:26 AM

I'd be leery. That price seems really low. Good luck beating that, let alone for enclosed.

Rtrorkt · 05-06-2014, 07:33 AM

agree on the low price if enclosed. If open then the price is a bit high. Sent my RS Clone from VA (Richmond to Phoenix) enclosed for $2100. Used our moving folks to set it up and probably wouldn't have chosen that company (don't remember the name, but they said they are the preferred carrier for Good Guys Hot Rod show). Sent my wife's 3 Series open on the same route for $1450. I have used Thomas Sunday in the past and had great luck.

Jim Richards · 05-06-2014, 07:40 AM

That price is consistent with what I paid to ship a car cross country in an enclosed trailer (Intercity Lines). Great company, great service.

RacerX1166 · 05-06-2014, 08:03 AM

That price seems to be in line with what I paid ($1500 from WA to VA).

I used Showcar for that trip and they were the cheapest by far and, while I didn't get the bells and whistles white glove treatment I received from Intercity, they did a fine job. Car was delivered earlier than promised and was undamaged.

Laneco · 05-10-2014, 06:16 AM

If the car is going to be a DD, why not drive it?

Road trip!

angela

Rick V · 05-10-2014, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laneco

If the car is going to be a DD, why not drive it?

Road trip!

angela

Beat me to it.

stealthn · 05-10-2014, 07:21 AM

Have you looked into rail transportation?

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

When I moved cross country I shipped two of my cars (the other direction) and they were on a regular car hauler (not enclosed). One was a daily driver and the other, a pristine '89 911. It cost me about $800 each but they gave me an additional discount for two cars. so they were about $700. The cars were perfect, and even though it had rained along the route, were somehow spotless. I have shipped enclosed and there was very little difference.

Bugsinrugs · 05-10-2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fintstone

When I moved cross country I shipped two of my cars (the other direction) and they were on a regular car hauler (not enclosed). One was a daily driver and the other, a pristine '89 911. It cost me about $800 each but they gave me an additional discount for two cars. so they were about $700. The cars were perfect, and even though it had rained along the route, were somehow spotless. I have shipped enclosed and there was very little difference.

Can you give me the name of the company you used? My son will be moving to Virginia and will be needing his car at some point.
Thanks

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

The day they arrived (clean and undamaged).

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Can you give me the name of the company you used? My son will be moving to Virginia and will be needing his car at some point.
Thanks

I went through a consolidator, Bluestar Auto Movers (954) 717-9884 . I had used them before with excellent results. They basically find and match up approved shippers with you/your route. The folks that actually did the move was Rayon Trucking Corp (915) 235-2234 or (915) 217-7349. They did a good job, were very careful, and the driver even asked if he could get a photo with his young son (who was out on summer vacation)and my 911 when they unloaded it.

I went back and looked at the moving receipts and it was actually $850 each. I paid the consolidator, Blue Star, $150 each up front and the Truck driver $700 each COD when the cars arrived. Albuquerque NM to just outside Wash D.C. Money well spent. I believe you could save money going direct to the shipper, but they timing may not be as flexible.

I personally towed (in an open trailer), my favorite car on 4th of July week end. Big mistake. Hottest on record in many places...and well over 100 most of the way. Had 5 flat tires on the way (Yep, even the spare) and stopped at every open tire store on the way...most were out of the tire I needed because everyone was having the same problem...and somehow the fuel line picked that time to break on the towed car and emptied a full tank on the way Miserable trip.