Who's shipped a car cross-country? I need halp.

"Tristan" (casselts)
10/01/2020 at 23:13 • Filed to: None

I sold my K5 Blazer to a good friend of mine... Who currently resides in the UK. But not too worry! In 2 months he’s moving back to the US! Tennessee, to be precise. Which is still a long way from Oregon.

Sooooo... I put my info into a couple of those “get a quote” sites for car shipping. My phone WILL. NOT. STOP. RINGING. And the text messages and emails. Dear Lord, Almighty. I’d say 50% seem like absolute garbage/scammers, and the remaining ones seem like legit companies. How do I sift though the chaff and get a good, reliable shipper who isn’t going to ruin my friend’s nice Blazer?

Who have you used? I’ve seen and heard so many horror stories, and I don’t want this to be one!

DISCUSSION (18)

jminer > Tristan
10/01/2020 at 23:36

Ak io’s done it a few times before and I seem to remember mentioning it was a pain recently but he can hopefully help.

https://kinja.com/akioohtori

I’m wondering the same myself as I’m about to ship a couple motorcycles across the country too.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Tristan
10/01/2020 at 23:39

My normal rate is $250/mile, but since you’re an Oppo, I’ll give the friends and family discount rate of $249/mile

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > jminer
10/01/2020 at 23:42

If only I didn’t have classes, I’d love to use that as an excuse to road trip to California. Although I get the feeling using my xterra to tow a couple motorcycles from MO to CA wouldn’t be financially feasible

jminer > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
10/01/2020 at 23:48

I initially thought about towing them behind my sportwagen but on a test it just wasn’t up to that weight behind it and especially not over the mountains. So I sold the trailer (to fund paying a shipper) and will put the bicycle on the hitch.

If you wanted to do it to fund a road trip it’d do that pretty well. Commercial shippers seem like it’ll cost $12-1500 depending on options and carrier. You wouldn’t make much (if anything) between gas, wear and tear and hotels.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Tristan
10/01/2020 at 23:50

Man be careful, that whole business is so fucked up. There are brokers all fighting for cars. I don’t have any secrets, it was a pain in the ass dealing with the broker. I shipped my truck from MA where I bought it to CA and there was a snow storm, so that did have an effect. The companies that do it all internally charge more but I bet it’s easier. I got a broker from a quote site and it was a lot of calling back and forth.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Tristan
10/01/2020 at 23:55

Mercedes Streeter > Tristan
10/02/2020 at 00:27

*Waves hand* Meeeee! So long as you pay for fuel for the thirsty fecker I'll happily deliver the truck. Gives me an excuse to visit the Lane Motor Museum!

Tristan > Mercedes Streeter
10/02/2020 at 00:41

I’ve strongly considered driving it myself! It desperately needs new tires before making a haul like that, though.

Tristan > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
10/02/2020 at 00:42

It seems like a complete and utter clusterfuck thus far.

Tristan > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
10/02/2020 at 00:42

You’re too sweet!

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > Tristan
10/02/2020 at 08:57

For $500 plus expenses I’ll drive to Tennessee, fly to Oregon, drive it back, and head home

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > jminer
10/02/2020 at 16:37

I mean, it’d basically make for a free vacation. Make a little bit. I’d probably camp when I could. When are you looking to ship?

jminer > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
10/02/2020 at 16:54

Probably 3-4 weeks from now.

Taylor Martin > Tristan
10/02/2020 at 18:46

Seems like you have plenty of willing volunteers to ship this across the country, and I’d happily do so as well, it’d give me a good excuse to go west. J ust pay gas and the plane ticket to get me to Oregon or however the logistics go.

Just Jeepin' > Tristan
10/10/2020 at 17:35

Any new news on your home?

Tristan > Just Jeepin'
10/28/2020 at 01:16

All’s well that ends well. Aside from cleaning the as h off the porch and having some dead plants everything turned out fine for us.

Just Jeepin' > Tristan
10/28/2020 at 01:27

That’s fantastic! How are your neighbors?

Tristan > Just Jeepin'
10/28/2020 at 01:31

All fine. The fire never really got closer than eagle creek/estacada which is a few miles away. I was right on the edge of the level 3 evac zone, and it never ended up extending further north.