Shipping A Car with Graham Family Auto Transport: How Does it Work?

Having a vehicle transported can seem like quite a hassle. But with Graham Family Auto Transport we make the process as simple as possible.

In its simplest form there are four steps involved in the auto shipping process:

You can submit a free personalized quote request on our website with the specific details of your transport needs. Alternatively, you are welcome to call (813)488-0970 to receive a quote over the phone if that is preferred.

After you have submitted a quote request, a knowledgeable Transport Specialist will reach out to discuss the details of your transport specifications and set current industry & market expectations. If everything sounds good the transport will be booked and a credit card will be collected and securely stored on file. NOTE: The credit card on file will NOT be processed until a carrier has been confirmed for the transport.

After the transport is booked, our team of dedicated Transport Specialists work diligently with transport shippers to find the most qualified match for your transport needs. Once a carrier is confirmed under contract for the transport the initial deposit will be processed to the card on file. NOTE: You can make changes to the preferred card for processing at this time if necessary.

The transport shipper under contract delivers your vehicle safely and efficiently to your destination. The remaining balance will be paid directly to the carrier at the time of pick up or delivery of the vehicle via cash or certified bank check.
That’s all there is to it!

The timeframes associated with each step of the transport process can vary depending on transport specifications that are different for each situation. There are a few key points to be aware of to help set proper expectations for your transport. Please be advised that while these points are the general guidelines, every transport is different and may not meet the standard expectations.

Shipments can be booked, confirmed under contract, and picked up for delivery with anywhere from same day to several weeks between each step. This fully depends on the pick up and delivery timeframe you provided during booking. The majority of carriers wait to confirm their trailer loads until they are en route or just before. This means that it is not uncommon to be 24-48 hours away from the desired pick up date without a carrier under contract. Confirming the carrier 1-2 days prior is both common and expected.

Note: We fully understand how nerve wracking this can be and do our very best to remain communicative during the entire process.

The time in transit is also a common variable that ranges anywhere from one day to a week or more. The time your vehicle will spend on the road in transit depends on a few different factors: transport distance, weather, number of drivers on the carrier, and other traffic conditions.

Shipments that are only traveling a couple hundred miles may pick up and deliver within the same day whereas cross country transports can take several days or even a week. Other factors like snow and ice, tornados, hurricanes, etc. can impact travel times as well.

Weather conditions, like traffic conditions, are often unpredictable and are the most common cause of unforeseen delays.

Alternatively, some transports have more than one driver in the truck. This is helpful in reducing time in transit as the drivers are able to switch on and off to keep the transport moving at all times while also maintaining US DOT and FMCSA safety regulations.

At Graham Family Auto Transport we believe that transparency is key to establishing proper expectations. Because of this, we will never charge money to discuss the process, provide quotes, or book the order to start looking for a carrier. At the time of booking, a credit or debit card will be collected and securely saved on file, however, this card won’t be charged until a carrier is found, authorized by you, and confirmed under contract for the transport. At that time, the previously discussed initial deposit will be processed to the card on file.

Don’t worry, you can of course change the payment information if you would prefer to use a different card than the one that was left on file.

The remaining balance for the transport will be paid directly to the carrier in the form of cash, certified bank check, or online cash applications (Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, etc.) when pre-approved.

We make every effort to safeguard our customers and carriers alike. That’s why we never charge anything until both the customer and carrier are under contract. This protocol is in place to ensure there is never any question about the cost of the transport and holds everyone involved accountable. In addition, all phone calls are recorded for quality assurance and as a method to document verbal changes or agreements made regarding transport details.

Whether you’re shipping with us or with another auto transport logistics company, it’s important to understand that availability and customer service should come first. Please do not hesitate to ask questions or request clarification. In most cases, a vehicle is a person’s second most valuable asset and as such deserves the utmost respect and attention. If the company you’re working with is shy with the details, unwilling to provide clarification, or refusing to produce insurance documents or proof of valid licensing then those should all pose as red flags. Our goal is for everyone we speak with to leave the conversation with more information than they started with and enable customers to make informed decisions about their transport.

Call (813)488-0970 today to speak with a knowledgeable transport specialist!

Happy Shipping!

Graham Family Auto Transport