by Andrew Rohrlich
Online car shopping has boomed in recent years as more people complete their car purchases online without walking to the dealership or meeting a private seller.
According to Fintech News, approximately 30% of car buyers in the U.S. bought their cars online in 2021. Moreover, this car buying scenario has become more efficient than walking into the dealership, thanks to the advanced home delivery services.
But have you transacted online on a vehicle that is for sale by owner and wondered how to get a car delivered to your doorstep or office? This guide is here to help you make the process simple and stress-free.
What Are Your Options for Getting a Car Delivered From a Private Seller?
Some dealers may offer free home delivery options if you buy your car online and want to avoid visiting their shop to pick it up, subject to their terms and conditions. But the case is different if you buy a car that is for sale by the owner.
The seller may offer to pay a shipping company to deliver the car to your home after completing the purchase. But only a few private sellers will offer free vehicle delivery. In most cases, the seller may also require you to arrange for shipping and delivery costs if you complete your transactions online. You can have the car delivered by:
- Driven delivery — a hired driver drives the car from the private seller to your address.
- Trailer delivery — the car is transported in a trailer to your address without being driven (enclosed or open)
You should consider shipping a car rather than driving it for several reasons, including:
- It's safer
- The distance covered doesn't add to your new car's mileage
- It's less time-consuming
- It’s an out-of-state purchase
How To Have Your Car Delivered
A reliable car delivery service company will deliver the vehicle you purchased to your front door whether you bought the car from a private seller or a dealership. Follow these steps to ship the vehicle you just purchased:
Research and Select Your Delivery Method Option
Research and pick an auto transport company that will deliver your car safely to the given address without charging an exorbitant shipping fee. Browse online for a list of the best shipping companies in your location and the type of services they offer.
Compare their costs, policies, terms and conditions, and shipping costs. Companies' shipping costs depend on various factors, such as insurance, delivery method, and timeline. Choose whether you want your vehicle delivered by enclosed or open transport.
Get Shipping Cost Quotes for Your Delivery Location
Car delivery fees can be costly, depending on the distance, although it's cheaper than moving. Still, you must pay hundreds of dollars or more to have your car delivered.
Rates vary between auto companies based on their policies and things like the size of your car and the time of year.
Get shipping quotes from multiple companies and compare their rates before settling on one. Booking a shipping company in advance lowers the shipping costs significantly. Always choose a reputable company charging reasonable shipping fees.
When you've made your decision, make sure the company uses secure payment methods. Payment options include credit cards, debit cards, and more. Exercise caution to ensure that all sensitive information is secure.
Discuss Delivery Dates With Seller
Discuss the dates with the seller to know if the vehicle is ready for delivery. Getting the dates when you can pick up the car helps you to coordinate with your delivery person and get the essentials required to ship the vehicle. You'll need the following items when shipping the car:
- Car keys
- Registration and title
- Copy of your valid driver's license
- Proof of car insurance
Discussing the delivery dates with the seller enables them to hand these documents to the delivery driver, as you won't be there. Alert the seller about the delivery timing to allow them to plan accordingly.
Obtain a Bill of Lading
The bill of lading is legal documentation detailing your car's condition at the pickup and the shipping destination. Provide the seller with a copy of the bill of lading, which verifies that you received your car in its original condition.
The documents should also include a delivery report indicating the date, pickup location, and destination. The bill of lading also has information regarding who is responsible for damages incurred during shipping.
Watch Out for Any Potential Scams
Scams are rare when purchasing a car from a private seller. But there are a couple of scams that you should look out for, including:
Curbstoning: This is a car-selling scam where an unlicensed dealer poses as a private car seller. Curbstoning is illegal in most states across the U.S. Always be on the lookout for curbstoning red flags, such as when you call a private seller and ask for the vehicle for sale, but the person asks you to specify which car you want.
Identity theft: Beware of sellers that ask for too much personal information.
Title scams: Only buy a car if the seller is willing to transfer the title immediately.
Do You Need a Liability Insurance Policy?
You don't need a liability insurance policy when shipping your car. But the law requires auto transporters to carry minimum liability insurance.
Before you agree to anything, you should research and ensure you know the exact terms of the carrier's policy. Carefully examine details like whether there are deductibles, the amount of coverage provided, what type of damage is covered, and other specifics. Additionally, checking if you can purchase extra coverage for specialty items like spoilers may be important.
In most cases, the transporter's insurance may not be enough. You should get additional insurance coverage to ensure your car is safe during shipping.
Find the Best Solution for Your Vehicle Delivery
When getting a car delivered after a private party sale, you have plenty of options for getting the job done. You can easily find a solution that fits your needs and budget, from transport carriers to auto movers and specialized vehicle delivery services.
Be sure to research the company you select, get an official bill of lading from the seller, and start your vehicle insurance policy just to be safe. Watch out for any potential scams while selecting your delivery service provider. Ultimately, taking these extra precautions could save you time and spare any future headaches or regrets down the road.
This article was written by Andrew Rohrlich. As a brand and product marketing expert, Andrew Rohrlich has crafted products, experiences and communications for household names like Gap and for multiple automotive technology businesses. For nearly a decade Andrew has studied automotive retail in depth from a customer point of view and aggregated the industry’s best research, thought leadership and know how to provide credible and important information to auto shoppers and sellers.
Start your transaction with Caramel, learn more about how the process works, or reach out to our Support team with any questions.
