<p>We need to ship car to our daughter. Any recommendations?</p>
<p>Last year we shipped a car from SF Bay Area to Houston in January and back again in June. We used two different shippers...on the way down the car was picked up from our house and delivered right to campus. On the way back dd took the car to a drop off point in Houston and we picked the car up in San Leandro. No problens with either company.</p>
<p>You should road trip with your daughter; it's a ton of fun.</p>
<p>I drove cross-country with my dad while coming out to California for grad school, and I have to say, it was one of the best vacations I've ever had. Forget visiting Mexico or Hawaii while I'm out here, now I'm planning on making my vacations back into the national parks in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.</p>
<p>I used express auto delivery - it's online. They picked up at a nearby large parking lot that 's usually empty because I lived on a busy street and there wasn't enough room to fit the big hauler. I had them meet me at a nearby parking lot for the drop off too. Did this twice from Mass to New Mexico. The driver keeps you posted via cellphone about where he is and when he anticipates getting there, and then calls you when he is about 20 minutes away.</p>
<p>Just be careful that you do not put ANYTHING in the car. They charged me an extra 100 dollars to pick up the car because I stuffed stuff in there that my D needed. They don't want the responsibility, and will not give you your car back until you come up with the extra cash. FYI.</p>
<p>Great thread; need to ship S's car across country. Why can't one put things in trunk? Is there always extra charge, even if non valuables?</p>
<p>RR--I am glad you and dad did the X-country trip, but I doubt I have the strength.</p>
<p>Is it cheaper to ship from a drop off point than door-to-door?</p>
<p>I shipped from NoVA to LA. The car was practically brand new so I paid extra to have it shipped in an enclosed truck. If you put it on a regular, open-air, carrier you risk damage to the car. It was expensive, but I wasn't going to have my 19-year old drive across country by himself since I didn't have the time. </p>
<p>As others have noted, these are big carriers and they may not be able to get into your neighborhood.</p>
<p>If you Google particular carriers and something like reviews you'll find information on some of these companies. Note that many of these firms are brokers and they'll subcontract to an individual hauler. The route taken may be circuitous depending on what they have to deliver, which is another argument for using an enclosed truck.</p>
<p>Is anyone willing to disclose their costs?</p>
<p>I never thought of this, but it sure sounds like a better idea than having my 19 yr. old drive from the northeast to AZ.</p>
<p>Here's another idea ..when D wanted to bring her car from NY to Az while an undergrad, instead of shipping we paid for a one way plane ticket for her then boyfriend to fly out and drive back with her. They turned it into an adventure and it sparked a since then love of road trips for her.Racin..as you mentioned above, she has since car-camped throughout the national parks and state parks of the southwest/western states and Canada.When she needed to drive from Az to Missouri to start Grad School, she thought nothing of it, even hauling a U-Haul behind her.
When S brought his car this year from NY to SC, H and I drove down with him and flew back.For the winter break, he drove partway and H flew to Baltimore and drove the rest.Going back, he picked up a passenger -fellow student- in Pa.
We've heard some horror stories about timing of car delivery/holding the car hostage type stories.</p>
<p>I paid about $1400 coast to coast, enclosed trailer.</p>
<p>I paid $1200 per car (shipped two from Mass to New Mexico) this past August, open air trailer - never any damage when I have done it. It is the same cost no matter whether they pick up at your door or from a nearby parking lot. They do not want anything in the trunk at all for liability purposes. They don't want to be responsible for anything other than the car, as their own insurance won't cover it. They will inspect the whole car including the trunk upon pick-up to ensure nothing is in there.</p>
<p>Thanks barrons & sunshadow.</p>
<p>$600 MA to Chicago two years ago.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why can't one put things in trunk? Is there always extra charge, even if non valuables?
[/quote]
because stuff gets stolen. About 14 years ago, I asked a shipper (local moving company handling a corporate move) if I could put anything in the trunk. He said sure, just make sure it's locked. When I picked up the car, the lock had been slidehammered out. Funny thing is, I had decided not to put anything in the trunk so nothing was stolen, but someone was sure listening when I had asked.</p>
<p>Note--my price is a few years old. Sure it's higher today.</p>
<p>Have you seen the original version of the movie "Vanishing Point" (1971)? You could hire a guy like that to drive the car for you. I won't give away the ending in case you haven't seen the movie.</p>
<p>I requested a quote on the internet and now have been bombarded with quotes. The range is $625 - $850 for shipping Miami to Boston. My problem now is trying to figure out which companies are reputable and will deliver on time and without damage to the car. It seems every quote says to be careful of other auto transporters.</p>
<p>bcparent, </p>
<p>do the usual - look for BB complaints and search the firms who gave you the quotes. Even brokers who are bad apples should have left internet crumbs.</p>
<p>bcparent, have you looked at the Amtrak train that will also take cars? I remember back when my family used to fly down from Philly to Orlando we thought about doing that a few times since we wouldn't have to rent a car.</p>
<p>cathymee, I actually made my first trip across the country all alone. Drove along almost the entirety of I-80 and then south along Route 1 in California. I was the kid that always liked to stay at home, was never adventurous, and didn't think I could do it until I was already going through Nebraska. It really changed how I felt about being out on my own, and I'm sure made it a lot easier for me to live across the country in grad school, even though I had already been going to college 5 hours away from home.</p>