Car shipping is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to have your car relocated when you move to a different location, want to get a car from another state, or just give a car to someone you love. But as it is with any other service, the unforeseen occurrence of life has its place and you might find yourself in a position to cancel or reschedule your shipment. It is a must to know whether there will be any cancellation fees if you cancel your car shipment before pickup.
This article intends to inform you about the different aspects of cancellation policies and the possible fees you might encounter, as well as how you can conduct the process in an efficient manner when you have a situation like this especially with a company like Car Shipping Center.
Car Shipping Cancellation Policies Comprehension
Each car shipping company has its own set of policies regarding cancellations. Nevertheless, the majority of companies still permit you to cancel the delivery of your vehicle before the car is picked up. It is essential to thoroughly examine the small print and comprehend the moments where you could be charged a cancellation fee. These are the typical regulations:
1.1 Cancellation Before Pickup
Usually, car shipping companies allow the cancellation of a shipment before the driver arrives at the collection point without imposing large fines. The logic behind this is straightforward: if the shipment is not scheduled or the delivery process has not been initiated, the company is minimal in its costs. Nevertheless, it is not an absolute that all cancellations are without charge.
1.2 Administrative Fees
It is quite common that after a request for a cancellation, e.g. a pick-up at the last moment, small administrative fees are still charged. These fees are usually quite small and may cover the companys time spent in coordinating and scheduling your shipment.
1.3 Cancellation Within the 24-48 Hour Window
If you cancel your pick up within 24 to 48 hours, the company that is going to ship your goods might be allowed to issue a cancellation charge. You see, they could have already arranged the drivers and the freight area for your vehicle. It is highly probable that the company will charge you a fee if you cancel closer to the pick up time. That being said, the companys particular cancellation policy can still make a difference.
What Happens if You Cancel After the Pickup?
Generally, a cancelation before the pickup is simpler and a car that has already been picked up changes the situation. The process of a cancelation after the vehicle is in transit is described below.
2.1 In-Transit Cancellation Fees
On the condition that the car is picked up and on its way, a cancelation is considered a more challenging issue. Most often, you must carry quite a few charges if you want to cancel, as the company responsible for the transport of your vehicle has already prepared a plan for your car to be delivered. The fees can be used to cover the following:
- Partial or full money for transportation
- Money for administrative and handling
- Charges relating to rerouting or return of your car
First and foremost it should be noted that shipping companies have expended the resources of their business to get your car to the desired place. For this reason, there are often more severe restrictions and higher fines for cancellations after collection.
2.2 Exceptions and Special Circumstances
There might be situations, though limited, when a combustion by canceling the transport due to a particular incident (for example, a breakdown of the transport truck or an accident) would not entail a charge, but the companys terms and conditions would still apply.
How to Prevent Cancellation Charges
If you worry about the cancellation costs, you can take a few actions to lower the money that you will spend and not get any unnecessary fees.
3.1 Verify Time of Delivery
A main step towards preventing cancelation fees would be to find out that the time of your collection is correct. If your collection time is confirmed ahead of time, then you will not have to reschedule. Check your date and time of appointment once again so that you do not have to cancel due to not being available at the right time.
3.2 Book with Reputable Companies
In the event of a car shipment, always opt for a well-known and established company such as Car Shipping Center who not only have excellent reviews but also have comprehensive and clear cancellation and refund policies. A reliable company will give full disclosure of the charges that may arise due to cancellations which will simplify the process of deciding.
3.3 Take Into Account the Insurance or Special Protection Plans
It is not uncommon that some auto transport businesses provide a particular insurance coverage or a cancellation protection plan to their customers which is a good way to lower the amount of money that a sudden cancellation can cause. In case you are not quite sure of your move time or if your schedule is likely to change, asking about these plans before you make a reservation would be wise.
3.4 Reschedule Instead of Cancellation
In case the principal need is just to change the time of your pickup, it would be wise to reschedule your shipment rather than a complete canceling. It is quite common that companies give you the opportunity to reschedule your shipment without the necessity of a cancellation fee, provided that the rescheduling is done in advance.
Learning about Refunds after a Cancellation
When a cancellation is made that leads to a refund, the amount and the time of the refund will be different. Generally, in case you cancel your plan a long time in advance, you will have a full refund with a deduction of the administrative fees. In the case of canceling near the time of pickup, the refund can be partial.
One should know the process of receiving a refund at the time of booking to be aware of the refund in the event of cancellation.
Contacting the Company for Cancellations
If you made up your mind to cancel, it is essential that you get in touch with the company as early as possible so that you will be able to decrease the possible problems or fees. These are the steps to follow:
5.1 Contact Customer Service
Contact the customer service personnel of the delivery firm. Tell them your intention to cancel in a clear and concise manner. Less charges are what you are most likely to get if you take this step earlier.
5.2 Have Your Information Ready
If you are contacting a company, it would be a good idea to have your booking number, planned pickup date, and the reason for the cancellation, etc. all at hand. This will allow the customer support staff to serve you on the spot with less time and effort.
5.3 Get Confirmation in Writing
Be sure that after the cancellation, you have been given a confirmation in writing. So this could be a mail or any other official documentation from the company. This is for your protection when there are disagreements over the cancellation terms.
Basically, you can still cancel your car transport a lot of times prior to the actual pickup, but it is very important to keep in mind the possibility of cancellation charges. Early booking, double-checking your shipping information, and having a good grasp of the companys cancellation policy will lower your exposure to fees. Getting a trustworthy company, such as Car Shipping Center, that gives you regular updates and has amicable terms will guarantee that everything will be okay even if you have to stop your transport.
If you want to know more about the canceling process and still schedule your car shipment, then Car Shipping Center is the place to go. Get in touch with us today – we are always here for you!
