Often a person uses auto transport services during moving or when a person buys a car from someone in a neighboring state or city or buys a car from a state that is far away. Sometimes, however, a person may need to cancel for the shipment before someone picks it up. Commonly asked questions include ‘Are there cancellation charges before pickup?’
This article will discuss car shipping cancellation policies, possible fees, and how to make the process smooth. With a reputable car shipping company like Car Shipping Center, if you are working, this knowledge will help you avoid unnecessary charges and enjoy a smooth cancellation process.
Cancellation Policies in Car Shipping
Before we get into whether there are cancellation charges before pickup, let’s briefly go over how the cancellation process works in car shipping.
Booking the Service
When ordering car shipping, you sign a contract with the shipping company for the date of shipping your vehicle, the type of transport service (open or enclosed), and other terms and conditions of the service. A deposit or booking fee may also be required at the time of booking the shipping service for the vehicle.
The Cancellation Window
Transport companies will mostly let someone cancel the service before the truck picks up the car. Cancelling the service prior to the truck picking up the car is usually easier and costs less than cancelling the service after the truck picks up the car. Each company has cancellation policies. Read the terms and conditions with care.
Typical Cancellation Charges
Most companies, including Car Shipping Center, have a cancellation policy. If you cancel your booking a couple of days before it is due for pick up the fee will be minimal.
When Are Cancellation Charges Applied?
No Pickup Yet
If you cancel the order before the pickup date and the car has not been loaded onto the transport vehicle, most companies will either provide a full refund or a very small charge (such as an administrative fee). The small charge may be due to the company having to process the order and hold a spot for your vehicle on the transport. A fee ranging from $25 up to $100 may apply depending on the policy of the company and the timing.
Cancellation After Confirmation but Before Pickup
However, if you have confirmed your transport and then cancel a couple of days before the pickup date, you will often be charged a higher cancellation fee. This happens because the company will have made some time or logistical arrangements (the driver is booked, a timeslot has been reserved, etc).
However, this fee will still be far lower than a non-refundable cancellation after the pickup. Car Shipping Center’s goal is to prepare customers well and only charge as reasonable a cancellation fee as possible.
Last-Minute Cancellations
Note that the price may be higher if your cancellation is made within 24 to 48 hours of your scheduled pick-up time. This is likely because companies will have sent drivers out on the road, and your schedule change is a disruption to their company. In these situations, the cancellation fee may be higher or, in some extreme cases, the deposit may not be returned.
Special Considerations for Deposits
Some car shipping companies take a deposit on booking, which is generally deducted from the total price of the shipment. Normally, the full deposit is refundable in the event the car shipping is cancelled in advance. However, certain situations may mean the deposit is non-refundable, depending on the company’s contract with the customer.
What Happens if I Need to Reschedule Instead of Canceling?
If you do not like the pickup date provided to you, you can schedule your transport for a later date instead of cancelling it completely. Most companies, including Car Shipping Center, allow you to reschedule your pickup date for free, provided that you give them enough notice before the scheduled date to them. If you still want to ship the car, rescheduling the shipment usually costs less than if you cancel the shipment if you need to schedule later.
Rescheduling is still subject to availability too, so one will want to act quickly to secure one’s new date and avoid any possible delays.
How to Minimize Cancellation Fees
If you know in advance that you will need to cancel your card, here are a couple of tips to help keep fees low or avoid them altogether.
Plan Ahead
If you book your transport as soon as possible, the company is more likely to be lenient with you if you need to cancel or change your plans.
Review Terms and Conditions
Always read the cancellation policy before booking – most companies provide details on the fees they charge and how they handle cancellations in their terms and conditions. Car Shipping Center advises customers of their cancellation policy, so there are no surprises.
Cancel as Early as Possible
To have the least chance of someone charging, cancel as soon as possible. A charge will not happen if you cancel at least 48 hours before pickup. If possible, then decide early in order to minimize the inconvenience.
Contact Customer Service
Advise the customer service team as soon as possible about cancellation or rescheduling of the shipment. This may ease less disruption on your part and the shipping company’s and may also help to reduce charges.
How Car Shipping Center
Handles Cancellations
At Car Shipping Center, we value the satisfaction of our customers and have a transparent cancellation policy:
- Flexible Cancellation – if you do need to cancel ahead of your vehicle being picked up, we have reasonable cancellation fees that are fair to both parties.
- Full Transparency: We provide clear explanations on our website regarding our cancellation policy. You know what happens if you must cancel.
- Customer Support: The team offers help for cancellations. It offers help for rescheduling. It offers help for questions about the situation.
Understanding Your Cancellation Options
In short, car shipping companies do have cancellation fees, but those fees tend to be low the further away you cancel from your pickup date. Understand your car shipping company’s cancellation policy and procedures. Change your transport schedule promptly if a change is needed.
Our cancellation policy is friendly and flexible. Please contact us about our car shipping services or our cancellation policy if you would like to speak to someone. We’ll help you book your transport in confidence.
