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Motorcycle News, News

How to Avoid Motorcycle Shipping Scams

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(Sponsored post on shipping scams)

The effect of scams on the auto transport industry

Although they are not very common, motorcycle shipping scams are, a small yet unfortunate part of the industry. It makes all auto transport companies look bad when these scams occur, even the reputable ones.

Legitimate motorcycle shipping companies, like RoadRunner are vigilant about helping you avoid these awful scams and situations. Taking your time and looking into any company you are considering is well worth the effort because it could be the difference between getting your motorcycle shipped safely or being scammed.

Typical motorcycle shipping scams

There are a few types of motorcycle transport scams to be aware of. These can all be easily avoided so long as you know what to look for.

    • Bait and switch pricing – Some so-called “companies” will offer you a price way lower than any competitor. Then, once your shipment is booked, they will call you while you while your motorcycle is supposed to be in transit already. It is then they will inform you that there’s some sort of problem and in order for the transport to continue they will need to charge you double or even triple what they had originally quoted you. Otherwise, they will need to “hold” your bike AKA they won’t give your motorcycle back until you pay. This is essentially the same scam some automotive repair shops pull saying they can’t “release” the bike for safety reasons unless you pay some exorbitant price for some extraneous, seemingly made-up, repair. Now, this isn’t necessarily legal but once you end up going through the legal process, you’ll end up paying a high price anyway in legal fees plus you’ll be without your bike for an additional several weeks. It is better to just avoid any outlier super low pricing when you are comparing prices from different motorcycle shipping companies. Be sure to read online reviews from sites like Google as well.
    • Lead provider sites – This is essentially any site that promises quotes from multiple companies rather than providing one quote of their own. What’s really going on when you get a quote to ship your motorcycle from one of these sites is that they are taking your information and selling it to other companies. These companies will take your info and will spam you with calls and e-mails until it drives you to the point of having to change your number and/or e-mail.
  • Carriers without an online presence – These companies generally tend to be “mom and pop” type businesses with just a handful of auto haulers and drivers. The fact that they don’t have a website or online reviews is a major red flag. They might be nice, honest, down-to-earth folks but there’s no way of knowing you can trust them for sure. Avoid these types of companies at all costs.

How to spot a scam

There are a few sure-fire ways to spot a moto transport scam:

    • Too good to be true pricing – As we stated earlier in this post, carriers or brokers that undercut the competition by a wide margin will inevitably add on very large hidden fees after transport has already started. If you refuse this payment, they might possibly threaten to withhold your bike.
    • The company asks for a wire transfer of money instead of a credit card or check – just run in the other direction, this sort of thing is the biggest red flag you’re going to get.
    • The company asks for the FULL payment up front – most companies will likely ask for the slight majority of the payment up-front or at least some sort of considerable deposit. However, no reputable company will require a full 100% payment before your bike has been shipped. Would you pay a moving company in full before you even moved? Of course not, you want the security of knowing that they need to perform their service and do so properly in order to receive the rest of their payment.
  • Your final price is WAY off from the initial quote you received – this could get a little confusing but your final price that you actually pay should be close to the quote you initially received online or over the phone. If the final price that you pay is nowhere near the price that you were initially quoted, then it is likely a scam. Now, keep in mind that if your original quote was for open air transport of your motorcycle and somewhere after that point you decided you wanted enclosed motorcycle shipping instead. Your final price will likely be at least $400 more than the original quote. The point is that if all things are equal (shipping method, distance etc.), the price should not fluctuate greatly between the quote and final price.

Ship your bike safely

Whether you choose to ship your motorcycle with a carrier or broker, make sure you select a trustworthy business. Get all the info you can about your potential motorcycle transporter – name, address, phone numbers, MC number and as much info as possible about their insurance policy. Contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and check to see if the auto transport company’s license is currently active. Use Google to verify they are a real business. Google takes verifying businesses information very seriously, if the company has a verified address on Google Maps, that is another good sign.

Be sure once you have gathered all of this information that it all checks out. For example, if their site lists a phone number and you try to call, and the number isn’t working, or no one picks up during normal business hours (depending on what time zone they’re located in) then there is a decent chance that it is some sort of scam.

If everything else checks out and you are able to contact them over the phone be sure you ask questions. Don’t be afraid to be thorough either. In fact, see if you can get some customer references so you can verify that they’ve done good business in the recent past.

Also, be sure that once you are ready to book your shipment that you go over the terms of service with a representative. Once you have the agreement, look over the agreement and scrutinize it. It is crucial to acquaint yourself with every detail. Pay close attention to the points which are written in fine print. This is a good measure to take even though you likely got a confirmation e-mail explaining everything. Once your driver arrives, make sure you ask him any questions you might have regarding the bill of lading as well.

Final word

No matter what, you want to make sure that you will be able to trust whichever company you choose to ship your motorcycle. You will want to make sure that you do not end up involved in some sort of a scam. It is important for you to do whatever you can to protect yourself and your vehicle.
Don’t get ripped off or have your bike taken hostage. In summary, the following will help you figure out whether an auto transport company is legitimate:

    • The quality of their website
    • Their overall web presence – including reviews
    • Preferred method of payment
    • Their MC number
    • Phone number
    • References
    • Their terms of service and Bill of Lading

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Mistakes To Avoid While Shipping Your Motorcycle

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(Shipping article by contributor)

An automobile is indeed one of your most valuable possessions, and you cannot hand it over to someone leniently. But there are certain unavoidable situations when you have no other alternative than to trust third-party organizations to get your motorcycle transported.

If you need to transport your motorbike from one city to another, you must look up the websites offering these services. There are many car transport companies that can provide quick transportation of motorbikes as well as cars, along with simple procedures and complete assurance of security. However, you should also be proactive on your part before signing the deal and shipping your motorbike. Some of the most prevalent blunders to avoid while shipping your automobile are:

Ignoring a background check

The shipping company you choose for your bike must be registered with the Department of Transportation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration necessitates to permit them when shipping across the borders.

Before handing over your vehicle, check their unique registration numbers on government websites. If the company is not presenting you with MC or DoT number, make sure that you get the entire document authenticated in writing. Also, look out for genuine reviews of the company over the internet.

Failing to produce documents

To safely ship your motorcycle outside the city, the companies will require certain original documents like your insurance certificate and automobile registration paperwork. You may also have to present documents supporting your ownership of the vehicle. To stay out of complications, make sure to gather these documents, prior to requirement.

You should also make sure to go through the inspection report they create, after a thorough scrutiny of your bike. Keep a copy of the report with your documents, and once you receive the motorbike after shipping, run a manual check. If there are any new damages because of shipping, bring this to their notice immediately.

Keeping insurance aside

When you are finalizing the shipment, make sure that the company is providing you with proper insurance over the delivery. If required, go through their certificate and understand what sort of damages will be covered under their policy, if your vehicle faces any accident during the transportation.

If the shipping company is not providing you with any assistance, you can ask for extended support from your insurance firm. You can also purchase these additional facilities from the shipping companies, separately.

Ignoring fragile parts

Regardless of how sturdy your vehicle might seem, there remain several components that are breakable. Thus, it becomes crucial to keep these safeguarded before you send your motorcycle for shipping. Most of the time, shipping companies tend to pack the vehicle in a box container so that fragile parts don’t incur any significant damage.

These components include headlights, which can be removed and shipped separately. Ignoring this aspect can take a hit on the overall integrity of your motorbike, as these might face considerable damage during the process. It is also advised to take a picture of your motorcycle before you hand it over so that you can assess if there is any damage situation.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Classic Motorcycle Shipping Guide For Beginners

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Buying a sweet ride and needing a Motorcycle Shipping Guide For Beginners to get it home to the US (Sponsored post)

Everyone has a dream. And everyone has interests. Some people love shoes, some love buying houses, others enjoy fine art or French cuisine. And then, there are those who love smooth sailing or liberating rides. Sometimes it’s in a nice chevy, and sometimes in a beautiful Harley. There’s nothing like cruising the roads on your loved motorcycle to clear your mind, make your heart beat faster, and put a grin on your face. Owning or buying motorcycles sometimes requires shipping them cross country. Riding your two-wheeler may be nice, but riding cross country can be a bit tiring and difficult for your body. If you have to ship your beauty, we have a motorcycle shipping guide for beginners, so we got you as covered as you’d want your bike to be while in transport.

Having a bike to ship is essential for reading a motorcycle shipping guide

To transport a bike, you need to have one. You can be a motorcycle aficionado or just a guy who likes to buy vintage rides and fixing them up on your own. But you’ll need a way to ship it to your doorstep. Classic motorcycles can come at steep prices, so many people cruise online and search for auctions to find their sweet ride. But, buying bikes from outside of the US can eventually be cheaper. Or, you might be traveling abroad and stumble upon a beautiful 1953 Vincent Black Shadow and you have to have it. You convince the owner you’ll take good care of it, and after long negotiations, you agree upon a price. Now, the remaining question is – How to import a motorcycle from the country of purchase to your own? Don’t worry, it is a common procedure and there are specific rules, so just do the research, get all the documents you might need, and prepare to pay up big time. Which brings us to another point – you should calculate is it, in the end, cheaper to buy locally or internationally.

gold and green motorcycle
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Moving house

If you are relocating an entire household, the process may be quite exhausting as it is. Moving to a different city or a country and transferring your family and everything you own is very complex. You shouldn’t try to be a hero and do it all on your own but get some help. Get all the help that is offered or you can find. If you are moving in or out of Burlington, there are great Burlington-based moving experts at your disposal, so don’t hesitate to call them. They will help you with the move and you will have the time and the energy to take care of all other parts of the move – finding schools, changing address and utilities, and all that needs to be done. Should you have a motorcycle in your garage, chances are you won’t be able to ride it into the sunset in this particular moment, so you really need to check out all the shipping companies around you. You need someone to take care of your precious baby as well as you would.

What are quotas?

Motorcycle shipping can be quite expensive. Especially for international and overseas shipping. So, at the very beginning, you should research all the shipping companies you can find. The price will vary depending on many different factors – whether you’re shipping in a container or air freight, the size and weight of your bike, the distance of shipping, and some other things. As we said, sometimes it’s less expensive to buy locally for a higher price, than internationally for less. We know you would rather spend your money on some rare and exotic motorbikes that up for auction, but getting your already owned bike safely home is as important.

Didn’t we just mention quotas in this motorcycle shipping guide?

So, many companies will provide you with a quota online – an estimate of the price, so you can have an idea of the cost prior to making arrangements. Different companies will have different prices, so computer generated quotas can be a faster way to assess and make a selection of a few companies. But, don’t let the price be the only deciding factor. What kind of a motorcycle shipping guide would this be if we wouldn’t advise you to take a better look on how the company works, how much experience they have, how will they secure your bike? Make sure to check user reviews as well, and ask around with people who have done it before. They will tell you what to take care of. 

You don't need a motorcycle shipping guide to know you have to take good care of this baby Alt text: red motorcycle on the street in front of wall and door
You don’t need a motorcycle shipping guide to know you have to take good care of this baby

Insurance

With everything you do, you need to ensure you are covered. Especially with things that are out of your hands. So, before you embark on the journey of bike shipping, make sure to get insurance. Check the policy and know what to expect. If the shipping company damages your bike, doesn’t follow loading rules, or it doesn’t use soft straps in strategic places and your bike gets scratched, tips over or worse, they need to reimburse you for the damage. Ask the carrier about its liability coverage. This step in a motorcycle shipping guide is not to be jumped over! If you need some help, ask for it. As we mentioned, when you’re moving you choose a reliable moving company, such as number1movers.ca. So, there is no reason not to do the same with shipping companies.

Preparing the motorcycle for the shipping  

There are some things you should do prior to loading your motorcycle on the truck:

  • Check for the state of your bike – take notes and photos of all the damages, scratches, or mechanical issues. Or lack thereof. In case something goes wrong, you will have the proof of the prior state of the vehicle.
  • Wash your bike – this can highlight the damages and save you from a cleaning fee at the other end
  • No fluids – drain all the fluids from the motorcycle – fuel and oil. Leave just enough you can move it at the end.
  • No accessories – remove any items you may have on the bike. Don’t forget the GPS or any type of holders, and check the trunk as well.
  • Unplug the battery and release some air out of your tires.
motorcycle in the sunset
Is there a better view?

The means of shipping – the core of the motorcycle shipping guide

There are different ways to transport your motorcycle. The decision is yours, and it depends on your preferences, type of motorcycle, and the destination. When you have a classic ride, you will want to tuck it in and smoothly ship it back home, so you probably don’t want to share a crate with other bikes. If you are shipping overseas, you can choose to airfreight it or ship it in a container across the ocean. Know that air freight is faster but more expensive. If it’s inbound shipping your motorbike can be individually crated or crated with other bikes. Individual crates provide more security and cost a little more. Make sure your bike is stabilized. It is better to stabilize it vertically, than a side stand. Once your motorcycle is crated, it needs to be tied down, so make sure the ties are soft and placed in strategic locations, fastened and stable. 

Make sure to use a specialist motorcycle transporter. Only with their help will you be certain everything will be okay. You have certainly planned to go through all the scenic motorcycle rides in Europe as a Harley lover, so your prized bike needs to arrive safely.

What have we learned from this motorcycle shipping guide?

What you need to pick up from this motorcycle shipping guide for beginners is that motorcycle shipping is a process that can be quite lengthy, costly and tedious. But if you make sure to choose the right shipping company, get insurance and follow through, you will be fine. You have found your ride, now put your helmet on and go enjoy a ride to the sunset, you’ve earned it!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com