Once your order has been placed, your vehicle delivery will be scheduled for dispatch as close as possible to the date(s), which you requested on your order form. We will establish an auto transport tracking file on your car shipment. You will get 8 to 24 hours advance notice from either the truck driver himself or the 3/M customer service personel in order to schedule both the pickup and delivery time and day. Please be readily contactable at anytime for pickup or delivery once your order is placed. 

HOW EARLY SHOULD I SCHEDULE THE SHIPPING OF THE VEHICLE?

We would like to have as much notice as possible of your preferred auto transport dates. This will help us to schedule your vehicle pickup and delivery within the time frame which you requested. We will gladly accept your order for shipment with little notice, but the more notice, the better.  

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SHIP A CAR?

Normal transit time varies depending on where your vehicle shipment is shipped to and from, and how many vehicles are on the car carrier to be picked up or delivered. It can also be affected by how many vehicle shipments are available in any given area to be auto hauled. In general, an East Coast to West Coast move is usually delivered within 5 to 7 days once picked up. A move up or down the East Coast or West Coast is usually 3-5 days once on the truck. A move from the Midwest to either the East Coast or West Coast is approximately 2 to 5 days. The actual time for your delivery may vary due to the route taken, weather and road conditions, other pickups or drop-offs and even driver illness. Please remember that no company can offer you a guaranteed date, day or time for the above reasons. Also during some peak shipping times, for example, in the "snowbird season", deliveries to and from the Northeast and the Midwest to Florida can, and almost always run late due to the vast amount of car shippers leaving at one time, and the inability of the auto shipping trucking companies to accommodate so many people with a limited amount of time and equipment. 

WHAT IS DOOR TO DOOR AUTO TRANSPORT SERVICE?

All of the quotes provided by 3/M Expresss Shippers are for door-to-door auto shipping. Door-to-door auto shipping service does not always mean a truck will be able to pull up to your front door. Door-to-door means that the truck driver will get as close to your specified pick-up or delivery spot as he can legally and safely get. Large towns and cities often restrict large trucks and prohibit them from entering into some residential areas. Auto shipping trucks can be long, and drivers will need lots of room to maneuver and turn around. When access to your residence is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees, speed bumps or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet the truck at a large parking lot nearby, such as a grocery store, school, or shopping mall.

However, 3/M Express Shippers does pride ourselves at making a door to door experience to the comfort of your destination of choice.  

WHAT KIND OF TRUCK WILL MY VEHICLE BE SHIPPED ON?

In most cases, your vehicle(s) will be transported on an open auto hauler.

CAN I PUT PERSONAL ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE?

3/M Express Shippers are not licensed to transport personal belongings, as they do not have a household goods transportation license issued by the Federal Government. In addition, if you were to place things in the vehicle during car shipment, they would not be covered by insurance, unless you have a floater on your own home owners insurance.

HOW DOES THE INSURANCE WORK?

ONLY 3/M Express Shippers (the actual car carrier, auto hauler) provides the insurance. During the pickup and drop-off of the vehicle, 3/M Express Shippers will complete a detailed physical inspection of the vehicle, on a bill of lading/condition report, which you or your agent and the trucker must sign and acknowledge. Make sure you or your agent gets a copy. This same bill of lading/condition report will be presented again upon delivery, so that you or your agent can re-inspect the vehicle for any discrepancies.  In the highly unlikely event any damage did occur during the auto transporting, please be sure to note it on the bill of lading at the time of delivery and have the driver sign in agreement immediately while he is there. No claims will be honored if the damage is not noted at the time of delivery and acknowledged by the auto delivery driver. You still must pay the balance due COD for the transportation charges. It will not jeopardize any claim you may have for damage. 3/M Express Shippers usually will not take the vehicle off the truck until you pay for the move. You cannot withhold or deduct moneys from the COD amount to cover any damage that may have occurred while in auto shipping transit. All claims are handled separately once 3/M Express Shippers has received the signed bill of lading noting the damages.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTABLE? 

 We accept cashier's checks, money orders, cash, personal checks (shipping subject to clearance). We also accept most major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express) for the administration fee down payment only. The administration fee is charged when we dispatch the vehicle for pickup.  The balance is paid directly to the trucking company driver. The trucker must be paid on delivery of your vehicle in cash, cashier's check or money order only. The trucker will not accept credit cards. 

WHAT ABOUT TERMINALS? 

Whenever possible, we don't use auto delivery terminals. Shipping terminals are usually in the worst parts of town where land is cheapest. Security is usually not very good. Auto shipping trucks are maneuvering in and out all day and the possibility of damage being incurred is very real.  We try to use one truck going all the way to your destination instead of allowing "truck switching" in route, which can dramatically delay the delivery of your vehicle. Many companies offering guaranteed pickup dates deliver vehicles to holding terminals, where they often stand for weeks awaiting transport for shipment to the destination.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN AND ENCLOSED CARRIERS?

Open trailers are either partially or fully exposed to the elements. There are many different types of auto hauling, open car carrier trailers, ranging from small three car carriers to the large 11 car carriers that you often see on the Interstate. Enclosed trailers are protected from the elements, and your vehicle shipment is basically shipped in a mobile garage. Having your vehicle shipped enclosed is typically a 30-50% premium over having it car shipped on an open trailer. Most cars can be car shipped either on an open car carrier trailer or in an enclosed car carrier trailer. It all depends on what you want to spend. Some trailers are made to transport antique cars.

HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS! KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT -- NO SURPRISES! 

The most important issue for people to understand about the process of car shipping is that this industry is not like UPS, Fed-Ex or even the Postal Service. Pick-up and delivery dates are estimates, typically not guarantees of pick-up or delivery dates. Unforeseen problems from mechanical break downs, traffic, and weather all contribute to delays in auto transport. Ironically, the biggest delays for vehicle shipping companies are typically caused by their own customers. Customers fail to show up on time, try to change pick-up or drop off locations at the last minute etc. Patience is required, and most companies want to get your vehicle shipped to you as soon as you do. Make sure you have realistic expectations about when your auto transport will be picked up and delivered.

AUTO DEALER CAR SHIPPING

MOST ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN YOU DO CAR SHOWS AND AUCTIONS? 

Yes, we do shows and auctions. Whether you have a fleet of cars that need to get auto shipped to a show or auction, or just one car. We can dedicate what is necesary to make sure that your cars arrive on time. Our Dependable auto transport & car transport services are the best in the transport industry. 

CAN YOU DO SIMULTANEOUS DEALER TRADES?

Yes we can do simultaneous dealer traders. We understand that you have sold the car and want it fast! We can pick up both cars at the same time to cut down on the car dealer wait time. Our Dealer auto shipping services are the most Dependable in the carriers industry!

HOW ARE YOUR DRIVERS AND EQUIPMENT?

When servicing car dealers we understand that we are entering a clean professional atmosphere and we only send our best drivers in our newest well maintained and serviced transport equipment! 3/M Express Shippers has an excellent and Dependable reputation with auto dealers and we plan to keep it that way.

CAN YOU TAKE THE TITLE FOR THE CAR TO OUR CUSTOMER?

Yes, We just ask that you lock it in the glove compartment. DO NOT GIVE IT TO THE DRIVER! We have learned over the years that the least hands that touch the title the better. We do our best to assist the needs of our customers every chance we get.

SNOW BIRDS AUTO  SHIPPING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I PACK MY CAR WITH BELONGINGS?

3/M Express Shippers continues to remind customers that their vehicle is not a transport container. In 1998, the Department of Transportation ruled that you may NOT load any personal items in a vehicle that are auto shipping on trucks.  However, we understand Snowbirds prefer to move some household and personal items in their vehicle. If this is the case, all items must be restricted to the trunk compartment of your vehicle and are auto shipping strictly at the owner’s risk. No guns, alcohol, baking supplies such as flower, powders, etc. If your vehicle is going through Customs, it will be x-rayed and if suspicious items are identified, they will be removed. You may not pack over 100 pounds in the vehicle. The trunk is on the rear of the vehicle and when there is too much weight it can cause the vehicle to bottom out when going up the trucks ramps.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I PLAN MY SNOWBIRD TRANSPORT?

Plan enough time for us to pick up your vehicle. 30days in advance is recommended. We can handle urgent situations on an individual basis. 3/M Express Shippers can make your vehicle priority status. Additional fees may apply.

WHAT IF THE TRUCK CAN NOT ACCESS MY PICKUP OR DELIVERY LOCATION?

Due to the length of the truck and trailer, The driver will attempt to get as close as possible to the delivery location, or we will arrange a convenient location, like a shopping center or major street crossing, to pick up or deliver your vehicle. If you require delivery to your door and there are restrictions, a towing company will be hired and you will owe them for that part of the delivery in addition to the shipping provided by 3/M Express Shippers.

SEASONAL AUTO TRANSPORT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

I DON’T HAVE TIME TO SIT AND WAIT FOR THE TRUCK, HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN 3/M Express Shippers WANTS TO PICK UP OR DELIVER THE CAR?

You will be notified by phone or email once the order has been received. 3/M Express Shippers will be in contact with you 24 hours before, to find a convenient time for pick up; We will also call you 24 hours prior to delivery to schedule the best delivery time for you. Do not feel obligated to wait around all day if you have not heard from the driver. Unforeseen circumstances may have delayed the truck; this would change the estimated dates for pick up and delivery. Please do not change any plans until you have actually spoken to the driver.

I WOULD PREFER MY VEHICLE TO BE DELIVERED ON A WEEKEND, CAN I CHOOSE WHICH DAY MY VEHICLE IS DELIVERED?

At 3/M Express Shipping we do our best to service our customers needs. We do our very best to deliver during a convenient time for the customer, in most cases they are not able to hold off delivering until a specific day of the week. UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE IN ADVANCE. The driver will contact you, typically at least 24 hours prior to delivery, to arrange the most convenient time for you to receive the vehicle.

CAN YOU PICKUP AND DELIVER MY VEHICLE TO A HOTEL, LODGE, RESORT OR VACATION Home?

Yes, but if the driver is going to leave the vehicle with a manager or employee; arrangements must be made in advance.

CAR TRANSPORT TO COLLEGE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN YOU DELIVER MY VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO MY DORM?

Yes, but arrangements must be made ahead of time. If you are not going to be available to receive the vehicle we will need the name and phone of someone that can sign and receive it.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO SCHEDULE TO PICKUP MY CAR?

The sooner the better, we work on a first come first serve basis. We have express car transport for customers that need their vehicle quick.

MY FRIENDS WANT TO SHIP AS WELL, ARE THERE ANY DISCOUNTS? 

Yes we have group discounts. The more vehicles you ship the bigger the discount. We service thousands of students every year and we are Dependable and on-time every time.