Shipping a vehicle.

[rguzz]

No Volvo content but I thought I'd try to slip this in. Need to ship from Tampa Fla to central VA, any recommendations for shippers? I do know that many companies are brokers, not shippers themselves, which can be tricky. It's been years since I've shipped a car and my info is now dated. Thanks!

[June]

Have someone take the auto train. I used to take it to Maryland to go to DC. Virginia is right there. Be as close to the last to load as then your car will be close to the first to be unloaded. The train ride is fun! Oh, I grew up in Tampa and lived there to 2004. June

[amblerman]

We shipped a car from Philly to Houston a couple of year ago. I can't remember who we used but we effectively googled for it and then chose one.

Word of caution. In our case, the car was picked up at our house. On a flat bed. It was then brought to a local location and then put on a car transport. It didn't leave until it was full. So that could be 1 day or a few before the shipper has enough cars to make it worth while.

When it arrived in Houston, it did NOT get dropped off at the destination address as that was a residential location and the big vehicle transport couldn't fit on those streets....

They also can't go to a walmart parking lot or similar because those companies don't like a vehicle transport just showing up and conducting business/unloading vehicles.

My son had to effectively meet the shipper at a truck stop or some closed down business so that the trucker could unload without drawing too much attention. Although it didn't work out this way, offering to meet the trucker "at the old abandoned factory on the edge of town" would have been ideal in the shipper's mind. Odd I know but I also understand that a vehicle shipper can't just bring that truck anywhere he/she wants to.

In the end it arrived a few days late (left philly late) which wouldn't have been an issue if my son had shipped it when I suggested as opposed to at the last minute.

-A

[rguzz]

Am looking in to the Autotrain, from Sanford Fla to Lorton, VA. Will check with them regarding vehicle particulars. 1989 VW Vanagon! Auto Train is reasonably priced, for sure. Amblerman's experience mirrored mine several years back, not bad, but had to arrange pick up off the interstate, etc. Dates and times are always TBD. Anyone have experience with a particular carrier they liked?

[Jaydiesel]

I used a Broker for three cars I had bought in the past 2 years. Great broker to deal with. The Company is called Fisher Shipping Company. Website is Fishershipping.com . Phone number is 508-792-2427. The guy that was my contact there was Mike Pelillo. Yes you do pay a little bit more using a broker. But its worth it to use this company. They have all 5 star reviews out of 269 on goggle. One Volvo (850 sedan) I had shipped from Michigan to (Jacksonville) Florida cost me 950.The Second Volvo (V70 wagon) I had shipped from Boston to Jacksonville was 875. And the third time i used them was to ship a truck (Chevy 2500) Memphis to Jacksonville for 1150. If Mike ask how you got his info tell him Jason in Florida, the guy that was buying a old Volvo and getting it shipped before his wife got out of the hospital from having a heart transplant. He will laugh.