Transport Company

[Kirby]

I sent a couple of PM to some members who recently took delivery of a vehicle, but thought there might be more options out there.

A question comes up from a potential buyer of my 712. How do we get the Pinzgauer 712 from AZ to Oregon?

Driving it is an option, as it runs great. But he asks if I knew any shipping options. So any help along the lines of a recommendation for certain companies to use OR AVOID (PM me if you want) would be appreciated.

Best to reply here so that others can learn as well . . . also suggestions on how to work out paying for the vehicle.. as I have never sold a vehicle "long distance".

Thank you

[Peresh]

I replied to your PM. I recommed FHT Transport out of CA. They have a 100 perecent rating with the brokers which is a plus. Google shows some wacko complaining about it but far from the truth.

As far as payment, it's normally paid for in advance and is basically a trust issue. I flew to AZ to see my truck, drove it for 2 hours, paid the guy, got my title and shipped it further west to Jim Laguardia for further evalution and a few mods. Thereafter off it went to NY..

If owner is wary, he can use an escrow service. Buyers signature on shipping document is faxed in and you get paid. But generally all my friends who bought vehicles across country have had someone take a look at it first and then money was wired.

[ExpeditionImports]

Long Distance sales are pretty straight forward but will require a level of trust unless someone wants to pick up the costs of an escrow service which gets expensive and realistically if either party is wanting to scam, the escrow service can be fooled as well.

Write up a purchase agreement: Include price, payment method, shipping method, vehicle specifics, etc. Both agree, sign, and exchange. This is the document that if the deal goes sideways would be used by the courts. Make sure this document covers where/when the ownership change occurs. Most times it will be when it is loaded on the transport, but this needs to be stipulated to cover things such as....I paid for the vehicle and during the 2 weeks we were waiting for the transport the truck was vandalized in the sellers driveway. or the truck was loaded on the transport and the transport carrier destroys the vehicle. Their insurance should cover it....but if it doesn't has the buyer already added the vehicle to their policy?

Buyer transfers funds/Sends check. If a check the seller should hold the vehicle until the funds are confirmed by the bank to be in the account. Sometimes up to 10 days. Cashiers checks mean nothing and stops can be put on them. The safest most straightforward option is payment via wire transfer.

Upon confirmed receipt of cleared funds, seller immediately endorses title and sends out va Fedex/UPS/USPS and supplies buyer with the tracking number.

Again there has to be a level of trust between the parties. I'm sure more members can add to this.....

Cheers,

Scott Ingham

[ExpeditionImports]

Here is a good place to do your transport research which covers reviews of the carriers as well as average prices in lanes, etc.

www.transportreviews.com

We are partial to Magic Carpet Auto Transport They have served us well.

Learn how the BROKERS handle transport contracts.

#1 - There goal is to lock you into them ASAP even if they do not have a transport running in your lane. They lock you up and your deposit, then go shopping on the boards to place your load.

#2 - Taking the above into account, INSIST that the broker not bill you the deposit until your vehicle has been placed. If they say it has been placed then ask for the carrier and their contact information. Do not sign an open ended contract for them to move your vehicle. They will lose all motivation to move your load if you are locked in with your deposit that they get to keep if you jump ship and go to another carrier.

#3 - Pinzgauers and Unimogs are more difficult to place with carriers due to their perceived sizes/difficulty. Most of the brokers work off of load boards. They estimate what they think they can move the load for, add in their fee, then post it onto the load boards. The carriers then pull their loads from these boards. The broker is trying to sell high to you and place the vehicle at the lowest price on the boards. This means that quite often your "unique" load has been underpriced on the boards and the carriers are not interested in the load. You would be amazed what an additional $50 - $200 added to the board price will do to move your truck. When we work with our broker, we will tell them to increase the board price by $50 a day, up to a certain amount. They understand that WE are picking up this additional cost to move our load and are more than willing to get the load placed ASAP as it is NOT impacting their commission.

#4 - Whoever you use make sure they are licensed/bonded and have adequate insurance. Stipulate the type of transport vehicle, open, flat deck, enclosed, etc. Most Pinzgauers move on a standard auto transport with no problems and it is usually the most cost effective.

Cheers,

Scott Ingham

[Kirby]

great feedback guys, I know your info will not only help me, but many people who are looking to buy, as well as sellers.

Have a great Holiday Season whatever your reason.

Merry Christmas

Chris