for anyone who has never shipped a car before, this can be quite a chalenge. since we sell a great number of cars on ebay, we have witnessed a variety of scenarios on shipping and would like to share some of these experiances.

    First , we think it is a good idea to get a shipping quote- BEFORE buying a car on ebay. if the buyer or seller happen to be in a remote area, the amount of shipping could be astronomical. Common routes that are frequently traveled are more reasonable than locations that take shippers way out of the way-and this will be reflected on the price. An empty truck is more likely to give you a better rate than a truck that is very busy. example a toyota corolla shipped NYC to miami in november might cost $900 if your lucky to find a truck with space on it. the same car going the opposite way on the same time of year could be $300-$400 less and may be the only car on the truck. shipping is a seasonal business.

    Another thing we recommend is paying for the shipping AFTER the vehicle is delivered. Once you send a shipper a deposit you are committed to them, and they might drag their feet when it comes to delivery.they can push you back because they already have your money so you are less likely to hire another shipper.

    Keep in mind that when researching shippers you usually are contacting brokers whos sole job is to locate the trucks that are most convieniant for your shipping need. Depending on your locations it may take a week or 2 just trying to find a truck to do your route. then there are shippers like DAS-who are endorsed by ebay and feature a terminal to terminal shipping where the car would be shipped from one big city to another big city with there own trucks. if you wanted to ship door to terminal or terminal to door they would hire out a local tow company. although das is very reliable they are rarely the cheapest......you do get what you pay for.

     If you are buying a car on ebay from a motors dealer you should request some assistance with a shipping company since most dealers do have shippers they count on and can provide quality service. Ask the shippers if they are bonded and insured, use a credit card or certified check when possible. Make sure to do your shipping research before making your purchase.