Mississippi lies low toward the sea, rising only about eight hundred feet above sea level. Despite this low-lying nature, it has a reasonable population, being the thirty-fifth largest state in the country by population. As with many other places, people come and go from Mississippi, whether it’s for vacation, business, or a complete relocation.
If you are moving to or relocating from this state, knowing how to ease your move can make everything better. This is especially true if you’re moving far; long-distance movements can be full of hassles. Instead of driving all the way there, how about you ship your car to Mississippi or out of the state? You will conserve the mileage, save it from damage and save your time.
But before taking this step, consider what can affect the shipping costs so you can take steps to reduce the expenses. Let’s take a look at factors that increase the cost of car shipping services for a better understanding.
Location
One of the biggest factors determining how much you pay for shipping your vehicle is the location. You can think of it as the distance from your current location to the new location. The first thing to consider here is where the car is; the further away it is from the center of town, the more you will pay for the service.
In other words, if you live in a remote place and want the company to pick the car up from home, it will cost you more. There’s also the distance from the state or city where you live to the new place. The longer the distance the shipping company has to go, the higher your bills. If this is an issue, consider taking the vehicle to a more convenient location for pickup to save costs.
Condition of the Vehicle
Another factor is the condition of the vehicle you want to ship. It’s always beneficial to you and the carrier if you are honest about the vehicle’s condition before they pick it up. Cars or other vehicles that don’t move are more difficult to transport because of the challenge of lifting it on and off the trailers or ships, depending on where you are moving to.
It’s easier to roll and brake a functional car than to forklift it, which is what the company has to do with a non-functional one. Therefore, be upfront with them about the condition or take steps to fix it before moving, which might be more economical in the long run. You can click here to learn the benefits of proper vehicle maintenance.
Time of Year
As with every other industry, there are peak and off-peak periods. Typically, spring and summer months are busy and more people want to ship their cars during these months. Because of the high demand for the services, carriers increase their prices to meet the demand since they have to put more trailers and workforce on the road and other departments, requiring more expenses.
However, winter months don’t see as much demand because not everyone wants to travel or be on the road. As a result, the demand for shipping services is lower and the costs drop. If you’re keen on saving as much money as possible, it might be useful to transport your vehicle during the late fall and winter months. Remember the effects that bad weather can have on shipping and count the possible hazards before taking the leap.
Carrier Type
There are two main types of carriers when shipping vehicles: open and enclosed carriers. An open carrier does not have a protective covering over the cargo as it transports them to their new location.
In other words, the cargo is open to the elements and debris along the way but it is pretty affordable, which is why many vehicle owners prefer it. On the other hand, an enclosed carrier provides cover for the cargo while in transit for a layer of protection from the elements and debris.
However, it costs a pretty penny because of that complete covering. If you’re shipping an expensive vehicle, an enclosed carrier may be your best option as it could protect the cargo from possible damage. Count the costs and choose an open carrier if you are working with a tight budget.
Extra Weight
Most people who ship their cars are typically moving to new locations. So, they tend to take advantage of the shipping services and load their cars with some of the possessions to reduce the load they have to carry while flying or how much they pay a U-haul.
However, what they don’t know is that the extra load inside the cars add to the overall weight of the cargo. Shipping companies weigh vehicles before loading them so they don’t overload their moving trailers or trucks. As with flying with excess luggage, if your car is above a certain point, you’ll pay extra.
Even if you’re willing to pay extra for the service, these companies don’t have the license to move household or personal belongings. It’s better to avoid the hassles and leave the cars completely empty. For more information about a hassle-free service, check out this resource: https://vocal.media/education/.
Conclusion
Car shipping is convenient and free of hassles for the owner but it can be expensive, especially if you are moving it a long distance or have special requests. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a few steps, like bringing the car to town if you live in a rural area or booking ahead of time during an off-peak period. A clear guide like this will help you save costs without compromising quality service when transporting your vehicle to a new location.