CarrierRates.com created this common visitors questions page to provide answers to the most common questions. If you are unable to find an answer to your question please send us an email to office@carrierrates.com.

¤ Could you describe what my involvement would be to receive direct carriers rates?
¤ Not knowing one carrier from another how will I know which one to hire?
¤ I’m an individual moving my vehicle(s) one-time who and when do I pay for the carriers    charges?
¤ Does my business pay CarrierRates.com for their charges and the carriers?
¤ Is there a set schedule that I need to adhere too?
¤ Once my vehicles are picked how long will it take to get them to where they’re going?
¤ How far out in advance do I need to post my carrier rate request?
¤ Can my vehicle be pickup and delivered at my house?
¤ Do I need to be present at pick up or delivery?
¤ I need a call 24 hours in advance of delivery, is there a place to enter notes?
¤ If I post a carrier rate request am I going to start receiving lots of calls taking up my time    from carriers wanting to make a deal?
¤ I live in a remote area outside of town off the main highways will a carrier deliver to me?
¤ Can I leave things and/ or pack things in my vehicle?
¤ What the different between an open and enclosed (close) carrier?
¤ Is there anything I should do to prepare my vehicle for transporting?
¤ I have an in-operable vehicle can a carrier transport it?

Could you describe what my involvement would be to receive direct carriers rates?
Once registered, you enter the details of your move in a rate request form, verify the information you entered, make any necessary changes (if any) then click the confirm button. Afterwards periodically visit your account on our website to review bids from carriers.When you have made your decision on which carrier to hire, assign the move to them by clicking the assign button.

Not knowing one carrier from another how will I know which one to hire?
Our website provides a 5 star grading system where our customers (at their option) can grade the carriers after the move delivered, a link to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) where you can check to see the carrier license and status is active. Additionally we request carriers have their insurance producer provide the carriers Certificate of Insurance for display to our customers that have receive a bid from carrier.

I’m an individual moving my vehicle(s) one-time who and when do I pay for the carriers charges?
You pay directly to the carrier for their charges. Carriers vary on when and how they take payment, most carriers’ assigned individual moves require a deposit to secure space and collect the balance on delivery. For instance, to secure your space a carrier may accept your deposit through services such as PayPal and the balance at delivery by certified check or cash. Furthermore, It is not a common practice of most carriers to request to be paid in full when booking your move.

Does my business pay CarrierRates.com for their charges and the carriers?
No, our charges are invoiced monthly and separately, carriers collect directly from the business.

Is there a set schedule that I need to adhere too?
No. Auto transport carriers operate on irregular routes and schedules. With this being said, moving vehicles requires some flexibility on your part. This industry best practice for scheduling is to use a date range, for example, available starting 04-01-2008 thru 04-04-2008. When posting vehicles on our website, we provide you and easy to use tool to handle this all you need to know is what you want for your starting and ending date of availability. Your starting date can be today, next day, next week or month with any ending date. For best results, we recommend your vehicles be available for 3 days, however you can do less or more it's your call.

Once my vehicles are picked how long will it take to get them to where they’re going?
Shipping times vary due to not knowing how many picks and drops the driver may have when moving your vehicles. However, to give you some idea how you can derive at your estimated time of delivery, trucker’s travel and average of 600 miles a day, providing they do not have more pickup and deliveries to make along the way. For each additional pick or delivery, the average additional time added is 2 hours. For instance, a trucker moving your vehicle 1000 miles and yours was the last loaded and first off, your vehicle could be delivered as early as late afternoon the following day. Alternately, If your vehicle is first on and last off of a standard 10 car-carrier and the driver loads 1 vehicle at a time at each additional pickup location and deliver them 1 at a time before making delivery to you this would add a medium of 2 days for your delivery. Therefore, as you can see there are some unknown’s variances to take into consideration at time of requesting your carrier rate request. Once you have selected your carrier they will be able to provide you an estimated time of delivery. Furthermore, when you post your carrier rate request you will enter your preferred delivery date-range and the carriers do the best they can to meet your target, they are for the most part hard working professionals with a passion to deliver for you.

How far out in advance do I need to post my carrier rate request?
It is not necessary to post your carrier rate request in advance, however for those who prefer to make arrangements in advance you can post today for whatever advance dates you require. However due to carriers operating on irregular routes and schedules that change daily we recommend you do not make your request further out than 30 days. However, you can make your request further out than 30 days, it’s your call.

Can my vehicle be pickup and delivered at my house?
Under certain circumstances yes, but more often than not due to the size of the carriers this is not possible. You should plan to meet the trucker at a location nearest your neighborhood that is assessable for the carrier, this is the most common practice. Take note the carriers bid do not include any standby time, plan to arrive at the agreed pickup and/ or delivery location early to avoid the possibility of incurring any standby charges from the carrier.

Do I need to be present at pick up or delivery?
Yes. However if you feel comfortable with having a family member, colleague, or friend handling the pickup or delivery for you, you can do that. However, be advised it is your responsibility for their role. For example, being on time or early to meet the trucker to make payment and receive the vehicle, which includes inspecting the vehicle. In addition, if they need to drive the vehicle you have your insurance in place for them, etc.

I need a call 24 hours in advance of delivery, is there a place to enter notes?
Yes, there is a place for special instructions and notes when you are entering your carrier rate request that are viewable by the carriers. Additionally we provide a second place to enter notes that are hidden and only viewable by the carrier you assign your move to.

If I post a carrier rate request am I going to start receiving lots of calls taking up my time from carriers wanting to make a deal?
No, at the time of posting, your carrier rate request carriers do not see your contact information, they only see pertinent information necessary to place their bid. For example pickup and delivery city, state, zip, date ranges, description of vehicles, and special instructions. The only phone call you will receive is from the carrier you assign your move to.

I live in a remote area outside of town off the main highways will a carrier deliver to me?
Yes, if your locations is safely accessible. However, this is often too expensive for most and we recommend you plan on posting and picking up your vehicle near a highway or preferably by the carriers an interstate. For example, a truck stop off an interstate. This will save you a lot of $$$.

Can I leave things and/ or pack things in my vehicle?
Not recommended, however some carriers do allow you to pack, secure (tie-down) and confined light items (75lbs or less) in the trunk, at the owner risk. If this is a deal breaker for you, list the items in your special instructions when posting your carrier rate request. For example, I will be securely storing some luggage and golf clubs in the trunk, the approximant additional weight is 53lbs. Again, be aware carrier’s policy for items are at owner risk and will not be insured, not only for the items but also for any damage caused by items, be sure to ask your carrier for their policy.

What the different between an open and enclosed (close) carrier?
Open carriers have no enclosure while an enclosed carrier has a roof, solid floor, sidewalls and doors looks much like a big box. Open carriers are the standard choice for ordinary everyday vehicles and are considerably less expensive. Enclosed carriers are the preferred choice for moving antique, classic, exotic and show vehicles.

Is there anything I should do to prepare my vehicle for transporting?
We recommend the following, however check with your carrier as procedures vary.
Check to see your vehicle exterior, tires, and wheels are clean (clean if not),
Check for and repair any fluid leaks,
Check battery is sitting securely in battery tray (repair if not),
Check hood and trunk latches are working properly (repair if not),
Check tire pressure is properly inflated and repair or replace any leakers,
Check anti-freeze and adjust accordingly for current climate conditions of move,
Remove any and all portable devises and loose items.
Remove removable trailer hitch ball mounts,
Remove non-permanent racks i.e. luggage, bike, ski, etc (if equipped),
Remove hood bra (if equipped),
Turn off or disabled alarm systems and demonstrate to trucker when loading,
Turn off power antenna to hidden mode (if equipped) and demonstrate to trucker when loading.

I have an in-operable vehicle can a carrier transport it?
We do not recommend in-operable vehicles be transported, primarily due to they become very expensive to handle and require special equipment. However, some carriers are setup to handle vehicles that do not run, but you should never post a carrier rate request for a vehicle that does not have brakes or steers. For vehicles that do not run be advised you will incur additional charges, for example hiring a tow service to bring vehicle to location accessible by carrier to safely winch vehicle on to carrier. The carriers bids you receive for in-operable vehicles are for the move, not the additional cost of third parties that may be required to safely load and unload vehicle nor any applicable additional time a carrier may incur. ALL in-operable vehicles must be clearly stated in the carrier rate request special instructions and notes area when posted.

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