Shipping a Car You Purchased Off Auto Trader

Hauling the car that you've purchased from Auto Trader doesn't have to be a complicated process, but there are some things that you should be aware of.

First off, you have to be aware of the fact that Auto Trader does not ship vehicles themselves. Many common scams will inform the buyer that their vehicle is being stored in an AutoTrader.com warehouse and that they will also be the ones shipping the vehicle. Considering that AutoTrader.com does not even own a warehouse, any mention of this indicates that it is 100% a scam.

Instead, any arrangement that is made regarding hauling your newly purchased car is an arrangement that must be made between you and the seller.

Don't Ship Your Car If the Seller...

• States that AutoTrader.com needs specific financial information or personal details about you
• States that AutoTrader.com has pre-approved the shipping transaction
• Asks you to wire them money to ship the vehicle

(Source: http://www.autotrader.com/research/shared/article_popup.jsp?article_id=12124&referer=http%3A//carsellingadviser.autotrader.com/rc/steps/tools/selling-tools/44582/safety-and-fraud-awareness)

*AutoTrader.com does not ask for credit card information from the buyer.

Your Options.

While a seller may recommend a few different haulers for you to choose from, or even one specific company that they usually use, it's better if you do your own research on selecting a shipping company. You want to make sure that you're not only obtaining a fair shipping rate, but that the company is legitimate, trustworthy, and has a positive reputation

If the vehicle you purchased is located across the country or in a different state, you can fly there and then drive it back to your destination. If you're trading in a vehicle, you could also drive your trade-in there and then drive back with your new vehicle. However, the most cost-effective method is to have it shipped to you. Numerous ads are available on AutoTrader.com for shipping companies, but you should also do your own independent research online, such as through Google.

Choosing the Right Delivery Method for Your Vehicle.

After you thoroughly search for a hauler and find a few that interest you, you should ensure they're legitimate. One of the best sites for checking out a company's reputation is the Better Business Bureau, located at www.bbb.org.

Make sure that you obtain their Motor Carrier #, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires it that all shipping companies have one. You can find out more information at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Carrier Methods.

The two main delivery methods that are recommended, depending on your specific needs, are:

Open Vehicle Hauling.

As the cheapest of the two methods, this one is recommended if the distance isn't too great or the car isn't highly valuable. Since your vehicle will be placed on an open-air trailer, it'll be more susceptible to damage from the elements. If you purchase a vintage or luxury vehicle, this method is not recommended.

Enclosed Car Transport.

A bit more expensive, your car will be placed in an enclosed trailer, which means it'll be better protected, more secure, and won't be at the risk of damage. Make sure to specify that you want a trailer designed to limit the amount of shock your vehicle will be subjected to during the drive. If you purchase a new car off of AutoTrader.com, this would be a method you should seriously consider.

Since you're the one who purchased the vehicle, make sure that it's YOU who dictates the hauling terms to the seller, rather than the other way around. You're the one paying for the cost, so you should also decide who delivers it.

We can walk you through the shipping process, so contact us today at 1-888-230-9116!