I'm going to purchase a new MCS out-of-state due to long waits and/or dealer pricing here in Southern California. Any tips for doing this? Plan is to order a car to spec and have the dealer ship (enclosed) to me. Any pitfalls? How do I protect my-self when sending full payment to dealer (check or wire) when car comes in? What about shipping? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanksrick.coleman@shorewood.com

 

I live in OR and bought from TN. The financing was done via BMW credit, so I can't comment on the "sending the check" stuff.

The main thing to familiarize yourself with is the shipping. Let me tell you, they's all crooks! All the shippers that is. A-it's not as cheap as you'd think, B-it doesn't arrive when they say it will, C-good luck getting updates on the shippment...you'll be lucky if the driver calls you the day before he delivers it!!

I used A-1 Auto Transport. I really cannot suggest them. They were terrible. Granted, they matched the rate of another "lessor known" company. $950 Memphis to Portland OR. Was supposed to take no longer than 10 days. Well, they never picked it up on the day they scheduled the pick-up. So after MUCH telephone wrangling I had them agree to get it the next morning and not delay the delivery date. They said it would be no more than 10 days. Nowhere in the contract does it make a difference from day vs business-day. It was most definitely "business day". What, trucks don't travel on the weekends??? Then it turned into a call on a monday for a tuesday delivery. Which turned into a tuesday call for thursday delivery. Then it turned into a call from the driver on friday night, trying to setup a delivery for Monday morning. By then I had HAD it. The driver was within 3 hours from my home on a friday. Said he was staying there thru the weekend, as he lived there. I then drove down and got the car myself...without saving myself any cost. Don't even get me started.

If I have one word of warning, it is to get a delivery date in some kind of writing...not a "7-10" BS line. If they have to know when to pick up your car, then they can tell when it will be delivered...short of environmental problems preventing delivery. But please, call me on a monday for a tuesday delivery...and have it turn into a NEXT monday delivery...and they driver have no idea they were lying to me like that!! Bunch of crooked ***** I tell you.

BE WARE OF THE SHIPPERS!

R

 

Fly out and Drive back.

 

I've had really good luck with DAS shippers. They're based in Carson, CA and they'll charge you less if you go pick up your car in Carson rather than have it delivered.

They have website that gives you an online quote. Search for Dependable Auto Shippers. I've used them twice...no complaints.


Good luck.

_________________
Chili Red Cooper S with Black Mane, leather,NAV, Prem, Sport , and Cold Weather Pkgs. Arrived CA 9/21 en route to HI. Stranded by Dockworkers strike..Aarrgh!

<img src= http://home.earthlink.net/~jdelarosa...Blacksmall.jpg >

 

I've shipped cars before...years ago. What you want is enclosed and the same driver picking up and dropping off, you don't want your car on and off loaded 5 times and you don't want a 1967 MGB loaded on top of it(they all leak). Pay extra. This is one of those times it is worth it.

 

Intercity. That is who I used w/o problem. Delivered on time and
as clean as when it was picked up.

 

After hearing a few too many stories like Davbret I drove out to Memphis and carried my MINI back on a trailer. Dallas - Memphis is only a 5 hour drive and the cost was about the same from what I was quoted from a carrier. A friend of mine and I left on a friday and returned saturday afternoon. I just felt better knowing I was the one responsible for "her" well being.

 

Rick,
Go to page twenty and look for my detailed buying out of state experience, no waiting and get the car you want and don't settle for less than what you really want. If you need more info or help drop me a message at jceviche@yahoo.com.
jceviche

 

After hearing a few too many stories like Davbret I drove out to Memphis and carried my MINI back on a trailer. Dallas - Memphis is only a 5 hour drive and the cost was about the same from what I was quoted from a carrier. A friend of mine and I left on a friday and returned saturday afternoon. I just felt better knowing I was the one responsible for "her" well being.

 

I would fly and drive back if it wasn't toooo far... just imagine the memories of the drive in your new MINI...

(Better then my stuck in traffic behind slow people first day memory.. grrrr...)

Rocketboy_X

 

Thanks- an idea I've considered, but I live in L.A. and I will probably buy in New York! A LONG drive in January, even in an MCS.

 

I think I'm a website idiot! How do I find page 20? Thanks, Rick