Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies? (Read 1595 times) previous topic - next topic

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Guys, I'm picking up a vehicle that is  a few states away but looking for some details on how to best set everything up. I am basically going to swap my daily driver for one with 100k fewer miles and much better condition. I owe another $2k on my current car through a credit union. I figure the best route to take would be:

1) Get new loan from credit union that covers new vehicle and pays off current car so I can get the title sent over here.
2) Put check into own account and let bank handle wire transfer
3) Arrange transportation through transport company
4) Send title to credit union
5) Sell current vehicle and put toward new loan (if the next year is the same as the last 10 months, it'd actually be better to add that money to my investments, but whatever I do, this part's easy)
6) Properly maintain new car, unlike a certain previous owner of my current car.....

My questions are:
1) Although I have no reason to think ill of the seller as all communication and requested information has been good, what protects me on the payment between the seller getting the payment and the car being shipped?
2) Who should I look at for transports? It seems the broker Alpine Auto Transporters may be decent?

I technically COULD fly down and drive it back for 12-13 hours, but the money saved could just be made up by working for the day instead. Plus, the car has no cruise control and it's extremely noisy stock. It wouldn't be an enjoyable 800 mile ride without modifications.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #1 –
In case you change your mind about the drive, another option instead of flying would be to take the train.

I purchased my current daily driver from a private party in St. Louis, MO and took the Amtrack out of Chicago for literally $25.00 through one of their online last minute weekend deals. My wife drove me to the train station, I met the owner at the station in St. Louis., and I drove it back home to Michigan. It was on a Saturday so I didn't have to miss work either.
1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built
 

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #2 –
I didn't think about that - a train ride would be nice if it isn't much. I know when I used to take Amtrak up to Seattle a few years ago, it was much cheaper to drive. For picking up a vehicle though? That would work quite well. It's still a long drive back though. The cars are uncomfortable enough after 2 hour drives. If it were comfy like the Tbird, it'd be much easier.

The car's unique for sure ;) Notice the similarity of the front bumper to the 87/88 Tbirds though. You can tell how much more the color stands out in traffic versus the silver. In the cloudy NW, the silver isn't the safest to be riding in. Yes the sun in the first shot helps it not look so gloomy. I'm not sure I can ruin it with the front license plate holder - as with the Tbirds, they look MUCH better without.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #3 –
Oh dear..  :)
1983 Tbird with '03 Split Port V6 motor swap done! Headers, dual exhaust, 500CFM Edelbrock, 3G upgrade, Electric fan. 3.73 Gears and an FRPP Limited Slip. Five lug complete! 5-Speed conversion complete! Standalone Fuel Injection in progress...

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jrad235;411053
Oh dear..  :)

Everything will be okay.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #5 –
$235 for train. No thanks. It's also 37 hours total with a long wait in California. 16 hour train to Sacramento, 5 hour wait, 16 hour train to Salt Lake City, 12 hour drive back in car...
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #6 –
Yeah, fot that much, I would have to pass on it too. When I did it (4 years ago), it was relatively expensive if I wanted to get on at the local station, but they were running these weekend specials at the time in between from major cities that were very cheap. So she just drove me to Chicago station to get on there.
1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #7 –
So I'm pissed. Arrange for a check to be cut to the seller and I get a "text" from them:

"Due to unforeseeable, cirspoogestances on my end- things have changed that are not under my control. I am unable to sell this vehicle at this time.  We will be refunding any deposit given, back to you."

After days of planning, preparation, and getting a loan. If I were local to him, that car would have been mine yesterday. I've talked on the phone with the guy for hours and sent back and forth communications continuously. Now he won't even give a valid reason or return anything but text. "Standup guy" claims someone else - BS. My only thought is a higher offer than we agreed on - his asking price. He already has two other vehicles.

Back to the search for a citrus green in decent condition.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Paying for private sale car to be transported, and transportation companies?

Reply #8 –
Use Trinity transport to move the car and when you do tell them Scott Cassity sent to you

You will want to speak to Randy Rennaker