How to Ship a Car You Bought Online
So, you just bought your dream car online, and now you’re looking for the most effective way to get it shipped home. Below, we’ll go over how to ship a car you bought online with PAL and what to expect from using an auto transport company.
Increase in Out-of-State and Online Purchases
Recent years have seen a drastic increase in car shipping across the states because it is becoming more and more common to purchase vehicles online. There are a lot of reasons that individuals choose to buy cars online instead of from a dealer. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons to buy online.
Looking for a Specific Car
Often, when it’s time to buy a new car, you already know what you’re looking for. Most car owners prefer specific brands, makes, models, and even years of the vehicles they drive. Buying a car online allows you to search for those things so that you can get exactly what you want instead of choosing from what’s available on a dealer’s lot.
Additionally, finding classic cars, sports cars, and other luxury vehicles is often more accessible online because you can search across the USA instead of within driving distance.
Shopping for the Best Price
Another reason why customers are buying their cars online is it’s easier to find the best price for the car you want. The online market is very competitive, encouraging sellers to offer vehicles at great prices. Depending on where you are in the country, car prices can be significantly lower online than at any dealer nearby. This is especially true in densely populated areas like the Northeast and West Coast. Buying a car from a seller in the Midwest and shipping the car to your destination can lower your costs by thousands of dollars.
Condition of the Vehicle
Lastly, the increase in online car sales is also influenced by the ability to find a vehicle in better condition than those in your area. In the Northeast, a common problem with older vehicles is salt damage on the undercarriage from road treatments during the winter. This damage increased the potential for rust and other issues as the vehicle ages. Buying a car from a region with milder winters is just one of the ways that buying online can help you get a vehicle in better condition than at your local dealer.
Where to Shop for Cars Online
Where Can I Buy Cars Online?
There is no shortage of places to buy new and used cars online. A few of the major sites are Carvana, CarGurus, and Autotrader. All of these are major companies with a lot of inventory, which makes it easy to find exactly what you want. Additionally, most of these sites will offer to ship your car for you and have it delivered straight to your door.
However, if you decide not to buy from any of those major online car retailers, you still have tons of options. There are cars being sold on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and just about anywhere that individuals can list their cars.
What Regions are Best to Buy Cars From?
Typically, cars in the northern states will have significantly more wear and tear even after just a few years because of the harsh road conditions in the winter. The salt used to treat roadways in the north is extremely damaging to vehicles and causes them to break down much faster.
Because of this, most car collectors and dealers look for vehicles on sale in the southern states. Cars from Florida are known for being “like new” even after up to five years on the road.
Can I Get a Loan for a Car Purchased Online?
Getting a loan for a car purchased online depends on a lot of factors. If you are buying from a dealership or one of the larger companies, you’ll likely be able to use a loan to buy your vehicle. If you’re buying from an individual, that’s a bit less likely. However, you can always go to your bank and discuss options with them to help you get the funds you need to make your purchase.
Benefits of Car Shipping vs. Driving
After you’ve purchased your vehicle online, you’ll have to decide how to get your new car to your home. If the seller has offered to ship your car with a carrier, you’ll just need to sit back and wait for your vehicle to arrive. However, you will need to either arrange for auto transport with a company like Preowned Auto Logistics or plan to drive the vehicle yourself in most situations.
Driving the car yourself is going to be very time-consuming. If you’ve purchased a vehicle from Florida and you’re planning to drive it to Massachusetts, you’re probably going to spend the better part of a week making the drive. Additionally, you’ll have to find a friend or family member who is willing to make the trip with you so that you can bring both your new vehicle and your old one home.
Investing this much time into getting your new car is also very costly. You’ll spend money on gas, food and coffee, and maybe even hotel rooms! All in all, it’s often much more efficient to have the car shipped with a carrier like PAL.
How to Get Your Car Shipped
Once you’ve chosen where you’ll be purchasing your car, you’ll have a better idea of how to get your car shipped to you. Some dealers will take care of the process for you, so you won’t have to talk to the carrier or arrange for pickup and delivery; the dealer will handle everything and keep you updated on your shipment.
Sometimes dealers won’t arrange for the shipment, but they will provide a list of preferred carriers so that you can book the auto transport with a company they are familiar with and know are reliable. Additionally, it’s essential to do your research and ask a lot of questions before picking a company.
If you’re working with an individual instead of a dealer, you will probably have to make all the arrangements yourself. In this case, be sure to do your research to find an auto transport company you feel comfortable with.
Registering a Vehicle Purchased Online
Another crucial step to purchasing a vehicle online is getting the car registered. Sometimes, the company you are buying from will handle this for you, but often it is going to fall on you to make the proper arrangements. This step is frequently overlooked by people buying cars online but planning ahead and getting everything lined up for your vehicle’s registration before it arrives will help you be able to drive your new car sooner than waiting for it to arrive before starting the registration process.
Get The Best Rate on Car Shipping﹘ Request a Quote Today
If you’re thinking of buying a car online and having it shipped, Preowned Auto Logistics is an excellent choice for your car shipping needs. We have experienced drivers who have worked in the transport industry for years. Give us a call at 877.542.1955 and receive a custom quote for your auto transport needs.
Customer Reviews
“It was great working with Josh!! Communication was on point, and car was delivered on the exact date. Would definitely recommend this company over any other shipping company!!!”
– Chinda Tham
“I recently hired preowned auto logistics to ship a brand new car from MA to MN. I worked with Jake, and he was professional, helpful, and communicative throughout the whole process, especially when I had to change the departure date. The driver called my daughter the day before he got to MN, and they worked out a delivery time and place that worked for both of them.”
– Michele Cohen
