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In the future, if you could get access to Autodispatch.com, it would simplify things for you. You post the load (and price you want to pay), and (usually) multiple transporters contact you to arrange to pick up the load pretty quickly.
You're in the tank for Intercity as a driver. Don't forget that! 😃😃😃😃
The logistics of any kind of transport involving multiple pickup and drop off locations across the country is rather incredible in my opinion. The sheer odds of having a truck with available space, in a specific location, and going in a specific direction creates pretty long odds unless your transport company has a fairly impressive fleet of trucks. I can’t imagine that a pretty substantial amount of flexibility being required of the customer isn’t pretty much the norm. As many others have said, this company should be applauded for their honesty regarding their inability to fit your needs. Do you also trash restaurants on the internet when you can’t get a reservation for the exact time and date you want?
The logistics of any kind of transport involving multiple pickup and drop off locations across the country is rather incredible in my opinion. The sheer odds of having a truck with available space, in a specific location, and going in a specific direction creates pretty long odds unless your transport company has a fairly impressive fleet of trucks. I can’t imagine that a pretty substantial amount of flexibility being required of the customer isn’t pretty much the norm. As many others have said, this company should be applauded for their honesty regarding their inability to fit your needs. Do you also trash restaurants on the internet when you can’t get a reservation for the exact time and date you want?
OP - unless you have some pretty decent towing experience it is very doubtful that you can rent a Uhaul trailer for $50 that would safely transport a large and heavy car like a C7. Maybe you have towed large and heavy trailers like I have for many years and if so, I say go for it, but check trailer rental prices first. If not, then I would seriously rethink doing that.
There is a reason that top quality moving companies exist IMO, which is to safely convey your beautiful car to your destination. There are other options if possibly getting your car damaged does not matter a lot to you. Different strokes for different folks.
Why is that? What makes you so the expert? I can only assume that you equate a high price with quality of service. That's not a good assumption to make for the well informed, intelligent person. I routinely ship via Auto Dispatch, and every car I have is well over $100,000.00. I've always had excellent service, with "0" damage. Just curious, where did you get all your knowledge of transporters?
Maybe it has something to do with the FMC warning I posted. Or maybe it has something to do with all the horror stories I've heard regarding brokers, damaged cars, missing hard to find items in those cars once they arrive, etc.
I'm glad for you that "every car I have is well over $100,000.00." Today that doesn't mean much, but if throwing that out there makes you feel better I'm fine with it.
This is the Porsche that was just purchased for $4.5M by someone in the San Diego area that had to be unloaded to get my RJ Pro Stock car out.
My vette was transported by Intercity. They gave me the earliest date they could do it. It happened to coincide with two back to back auctions, one being Barrett Jackson. Waited all that time to get it I could wait a while longer. Did make the mistake of contacting a broker first, biggest mistake I ever made. Endless hounding from people (they all network) sitting behind a computer waiting for me to book so they could call Cooter's junk and Transport company.....No thanks.
Maybe it has something to do with the FMC warning I posted. Or maybe it has something to do with all the horror stories I've heard regarding brokers, damaged cars, missing hard to find items in those cars once they arrive, etc.
I'm glad for you that "every car I have is well over $100,000.00." Today that doesn't mean much, but if throwing that out there makes you feel better I'm fine with it.
This is the Porsche that was just purchased for $4.5M by someone in the San Diego area that had to be unloaded to get my RJ Pro Stock car out.
RG
I could afford the Porsche, but I'd have to live in it. The only reason I mentioned the 100K thing was the prior post. My point is that great service, and less money can be spent by choosing a transporter wisely. I favor the enclosed hot-shot type rigs for expensive cars. They never get moved around on the truck. They aren't leaked on by other vehicles, etc. Knock on wood, I haven't had a bad experience (yet).
That's the problem, it was NOT that strict of a timeline. okay, yes, I am upset, but the bottom line is that Intercity and Reliable are at least 50% higher than anyone else. if I can't count on "the best", I might as well rent a $50.00 trailer from UHaul and just do it myself..
And all you have to do is read the posts/threads on here, and that is what you see all too frequently: "Hey! I scheduled a car to be moved and they came 6 weeks later?!!!!!"
Nope, I'd much rather Intercity and every other company tell me what they WILL do and do it----not blow smoke where the sun don't shine. If they're busy, they're busy. How many more trucks should they lease or buy is another question, just like how many more parts should a store have on its shelves just so we can "pick it up."
I've had Intercity ship cars for me and they were awesome. I called them about a recent shipment and they said that it wasn't possible at that time. Did I whine and cry like a little b!tch? No, I made other plans. I bought a new car from a dealer 700 miles away and after 3 promised/failed pick-ups from brokers, I got a trailer and picked it up myself. I would NEVER go through a broker. You're trusting your car to anyone who happens to be in the area with a truck that has an open space.
This time of year with all the high-end shows and auctions on the schedule, the transporters are busy. This link offers a little bit of view behind the scenes which we seldom see or appreciate.
I don't recall ever seeing a bad post on this forum about Intercity and I don't believe the OP's complaint is valid. My friend had his new C7 shipped from MacMulkin in NH to Concord, CA with Intercity and was extremely happy with the service. He didn't choose the shipper; MacMulkin did and I'm sure they wouldn't risk damaging their reputation utilizing an inferior shipping company.
Intercity, is a good, honest company who understands how to take care of your car. They do their best to accommodate customers but they can't be everywhere at once.
I've been burned a few times on companies letting me down on critical deadlines. Had to vacate a rental property on a specific day, and the movers never showed. It costed me double to find someone to move me "TODAY".
I had to have a motorcycle shipped from where I was in near Houston, back to San Francisco Bay Area. The shipper could only give me 3-4 day window but I had to get out of a rental unit. I just paid a package shipping place who could prep and hold it until the long distance shipper could pick it up from them.
I wouldn't trust a company to get the car if the owner is on a tight schedule. Plus it isn't fair to make him sit around and wait for them when he is trying to get packed out himself. Have the seller deliver the vehicle to a 3rd party location like a nearby dealership or storage facility. Give them power of attorney to release it to the shipper whenever they arrive. Personally, I would just go pick it up myself. If you are to busy to do that, then delegate the responsibility to a trusted agent to take care of it for you.
I just received an order 8 weeks later, was told 4-6 weeks, I was a little put out with the delay.
Honest companies that are able to tell you up front what they can and can not commit to are tops in my book. I used Intercity, the car was delayed about 3 days getting to me. They informed me everyday on where they were, stuck in iced over roads, heavy snow. My car arrived on the revised date and time in perfect shape. They also had a 4M rare Packard they showed us which was on its way to the Barret Jackson Auction.
OP sorry one of the best transport companies in the business already had a packed schedule, telling you up front is a first class business move, nothing more, nothing less.
Perhaps your our car can be moved to a local storage facility so that Intercity or another firm can get it to you.
That's the problem, it was NOT that strict of a timeline. okay, yes, I am upset, but the bottom line is that Intercity and Reliable are at least 50% higher than anyone else. if I can't count on "the best", I might as well rent a $50.00 trailer from UHaul and just do it myself..
For a few hours locally, sure. But for a week it will be at least $800 and probably a drop off fee. I just did a test at Uhaul towing from Seattle to Macon, Georgia and it came up $791 for a car trailer. You'll need a decent rig to tow the trailer, then there's gas for your tow, motels, food, etc. I usually figure $250 a day minimum for traveling, but that's with good gas mileage. For a truck you probably need to add $100 to that as gassers don't get good mileage while towing. You can go cheap with a Motel 6 or have some class in a Drury. Don't know where OP is going, but figure a few days travel and you've just spent what Intercity would charge to bring it to you. Edit: And, of course, your time. My time is worth nothing, but if you have to take vacation, that's another cost. So good luck with that $50 trailer idea.
Last edited by mschuyler; Jul 21, 2018 at 02:52 PM.
Any car clubs around that you could check with to see if they know of anyone?
I needed my 64 moved two years ago, and a good friend has a Ford 1 ton dually with a 26' enclosed car hauler. He wouldn't take any money for his time, just that I pay for the gas he used. A year before, a mutual friend(Ray, with three cars) moved from Branson, MO to Carson City, NV. Steve(with the car hauler) transported Ray's C5 to Carson City for him.
For a few hours locally, sure. But for a week it will be at least $800 and probably a drop off fee. I just did a test at Uhaul towing from Seattle to Macon, Georgia and it came up $791 for a car trailer. You'll need a decent rig to tow the trailer, then there's gas for your tow, motels, food, etc. I usually figure $250 a day minimum for traveling, but that's with good gas mileage. For a truck you probably need to add $100 to that as gassers don't get good mileage while towing. You can go cheap with a Motel 6 or have some class in a Drury. Don't know where OP is going, but figure a few days travel and you've just spent what Intercity would charge to bring it to you.
That's what I was thinking too. Only the trailer is open (much greater chance of damage) than enclosed transport. So costs are about the same but risks are higher.
