Question: Hello Shipper, can this shipment be driven? If so, I can drive next week. What is your target price? I drive auto to MT at least twice a month and would love opportunity to assist you. I am fully licensed and insured with MC# & DOT#. Thanks Phillips 4 Transporting (11/14/2007)
Response: I am looking to have the van transported on a trailer. Are you able to assist me on that basis? (11/15/2007)
Response: Yes, for $1600 I will place a bid for your consideration. Fully licensed and insured with MC# & DOT#. Thanks Phillips 4 (11/15/2007)
Question: Hi shipper, I had not noticed the dates for Dec. I am actually heading in that direction this week. Is there any possibility of transporting this week? Thanks Joe. (11/15/2007)
Response: Sorry, it won't be available for probably another week. I'm also trying to get down to see it before it ships so that's why I specified early Dec. Will you be making another trip any time soon? (11/15/2007)
Response: Hi Shipper, I do not have anything scheduled at this point in Dec, but should you accept my bid then we can confirm and I will work on getting something coming back. Thanks Joe. (11/15/2007)
Response: You seem like the kind of guy I'd like to deal with (prompt, courteous, excellent feedback) so I'll definitely keep you in mind. At this point, I'm hoping to do better on price. I've never done this before so my expectations are just based on some comparable shipments listed on UShip. Seems like something in the $1000 range should be doable. I see you shipped a pickup from Daytona Beach to Sweetgrass back in May (2700 miles) for $1644. So that would work out to a little over $1000 for my 1700 mile trip. However, maybe there are other factors that go into pricing this kind of service that I don't appreciate. (11/15/2007)
Response: Hi shipper, I see your point. I would definitely like for you to keep us in mind. Fuels cost were considerably lower earlier in the summer. They are back up. This really affects our bids. thanks Joe. (11/15/2007)
Question: Shipper: I'm a Missouri based US DOT compliant motor carrier and I'm interested in your shipment. I have openings for the 1st week of December that might work for your schedule. Transport would be on an open 2 car carrier. Delivery would normally be 3-5 days after loading, but weather conditions could make that a variable. My all inclusive price would be $1,509.13 which includes coverage by my commercial cargo insurance. I'm fully licensed and insured to transport interstate for compensation, but I recommend that you verify my MC nunber and insurance at the FMCSA web site. You can review my profile and obtain my MC number. Then just go to the web site as per uShip instructions. At the web site request a "license & insurance" report. Note my DOT and MC numbers are ACTIVE. This is important for any prospective transporter and indicates they're legal to haul for hire and have the required insurance on file. If you think I can be of service please let me know. Thank you / Don (11/16/2007)
Response: Don,
Thanks for your quote. Your timing would work well and I really like the looks of your feedback on UShip. I'm just struggling with the price. I've never done this before but based on the sort of prices I'm seeing on UShip I was hoping to get this done for something in the neighborhood of $1000. I'm also being inundated with quotes from brokers at or below this level but I must say they all seem a bit sketchy. I would much prefer to deal directly with the guy driving the truck, especially if it is someone I get good "vibes" from. So it is a bit of a dilemma. I'm probably willing to move up some from by target price in order to hook up with the right guy but if it is going to be a lot more I would probably just drive the van home myself. Let me know if you have any flexibility. I don't want to grind you because you deserve to been compensated fairly. Unfortunately, given my lack of experience with this kind of thing, I'm not sure what is fair in this instance. (11/16/2007)
Response: Thank you and I understand your situation. I do strongly recommend that you deal directly with the driver if you possibly can. I base that on my assumption that you would need close coordination at Sweet Grass so you could meet the driver in a timely manner. Unfortunately that is the best rate I can offer with the fuel prices increasing so sharply at this time and the unknown weather. The unpredictability of the weather is something I have to factor in because it can add days (= motels and food) to the trip time of year. Another problem is the fact that almost nothing comes out of Sweet Grass going south so it is usually necessary to run empty some distance before I can get a paying load. I don't mean to whine, but just wanted to share some of the reasons for my price. Thank you and I do sincerely wish you the best with your shipment. Perhaps I can be of service at some future date. Thank you // Don @ SEMO Motor Transport Service (11/16/2007)
Response: Don, not sure if you are still interested or available but a friend of mine just bought a Sienna from the same place. So we now looking to transport 2 vans with the same pick-up and drop-off locations. If your trailer can accommodate 2 vans and you are interested, let me know. (11/24/2007)
Question: Do you still need shipping can meet your target with enclosed trailer but will need to move on the 3 of Dec (11/21/2007)
Response: Yes, I still need shipping for my van. It would be available for shipping on Dec. 3 but it is at a dealership so it would have to be picked up during their business hours. A few questions for you:
1. What is your insurance situation. I believe your profile says that full coverage is extra -- how much?
2. Can you give me an estimate on when you would get to Sweetgrass?
3. Do you promise to treat my van like it was your own -- I am already very attached to it and I haven't even seen it yet :-). But seriously, I just want to get as comfortable as I can that the guy trucking my van is reliable and will take great care. For the most part, your feedback is very good. A few negatives but maybe you had some bad luck or your customers were unreasonable. I'm just a bit nervous because I've never done this before. Can you put my mind at ease? (11/22/2007)
Response: Sorry we didnt update our profile but we have been providing insurance for the last 45 days no charge to you.I understand your concerns your van would be transported enclosed single car trailer once we pickup we would dead head to Mt we have to drivers so it is none stop to delivery so if we pickup 3 dec you would have 4 or 5 dec morning at lates depending on weather. (11/22/2007)
Response: Wow, that's fast -- almost too fast. I live in Calgary and will be going to the dealer next weekend to inspect the van. Then I will be doing some sightseeing before returning home. I would then travel to the border (a 3.5 hour trip) to meet you. Probably the earliest I could get there would be around noon on Dec. 5. Would that kind of timing work for you and what sort of flexibility do you have on the drop off time (would prefer not to have to meet you in the middle of the night)? Also, since you have no control over the weather, are we able to stay in touch while you are on route so that I have a fairly accurate estimate of when you will be in Sweetgrass (just so I don't arrive there 8 hours before you do). Finally, do people ask you for proof of insurance or how does that work? Thanks. (11/22/2007)
Response: We could fax you a copy of our insurance or you are welcome to go to the dot website where you can research any legal carrier in the USA just enter the company name or dot and mc# and it should verify insurance coverage please dont hesitate to ask any question any legal carrier should have no problem answering any question or directing you to the right place to get answers. (11/22/2007)
Response: I went to the DOT website. If I was looking in the right place, it was showing required minimum coverage levels --I believe it was $5000 for vehicles -- but said the carrier may have a higher amount. So it would be great if I could get something from you showing that your actual coverage is sufficient to cover my van. Also, did my comments/questions in my last message about the timing of the dropoff in Montana work for you. It will take some close coordination so that we both show up in Sweetgrass at roughly the same time. If the timing works for you, I think we can go ahead and firm things up (although I'm not sure what the next step is). (11/22/2007)
Response: Timing wouldn't be a problem we are just waiting to see how our other bids turnout so we will know which direction we will be taking out of South Carolina we are building a load to chicago then into Mo if everything pans out by Sat then we will place our bid thats the only way we could do for your target because there is no loads out of Mt and we need to make a little profit we would probably have to ride empty until we reach Co. (11/22/2007)
Response: I just want to make sure I'm understanding you correctly. Are you saying you won't know until Saturday about the timing of picking up my van or that you won't know until then whether you are able to transport it for me? I don't mean to push you but I'm running out of time to make some travel arrangements but I can't do that until I know whether I will be driving the van home or shipping it. If we can finalize this today, I'd be willing to pay a little more. But if you really can't commit at this point, that's OK. I would much rather that you were straight with me than tell me you will transport the van for me and then back out next week. (11/23/2007)
Response: I cant commit today as we are still waiting to hear from other bids I see someone has made another bid try to see if they can make your time frame we will watch your shipment and if still available tomorrow and we can do the bid will be placed but please go head with any needed plans. (11/23/2007)
Response: I appreciate your being honest with me. At this point, I think I will hang on for another 24 hours and hopefully you will have some good news for me. If not, I'll figure out a Plan B. (11/23/2007)
Response: I'm working the computer now so hopefully I will know something tonight my bid will be under USAKA thank you. (11/23/2007)
Response: How are things looking with your other shipments? (11/24/2007)
Response: Sorry we can't do the shipment we are having diffculties filling the trailer to head to Mo. People place items on the website for shipment then don't respond to anyone bid with the price of fuel and vehicle maintance it makes it hard to operate.I guest now I can see why it takes sometime 2-3 weeks for some transporter to make deliveries it's not profitable to run the truck with 1 or 2 items and no back haul our company deliver within 24-36 hours after we load which makes our schdule tight but with the slow response we can't make that happen maybe Uship will come up with a system that will limit the amount of days items can be listed . (11/25/2007)
Response: Too bad it won't work out but thanks for getting back to me. (11/25/2007)
Question: Hi shipper we plan to take to a trip out to sweet grass MT at the end of next week or the first week of December we are still interested in transporting you vehicle if you are interested please let us know. Thanks Joe (11/24/2007)
Response: Joe, I am still looking for someone to transport my van. In fact, I am now looking for transportation for 2 vans (a friend of mine just bought one from the same place). Unfortunately, price remains the sticking point. Do your numbers change much if we are talking 2 vans instead of one? Also, we wouldn't be ready to ship until Dec. 3. (11/25/2007)
Response: Hi shipper, We still would be able to transport and would be willing to do for 1400.00 each. Hope this helps. The time frame is still good at this point for me. Let me know and I will place another bid. thanks Joe. (11/25/2007)
Response: Thanks Joe. I will talk to my friend and get back to you later today. A few questions for you:
1. Is your trailer a two car open carrier?
2. How much insurance do you carry for your cargo and can you fax me evidence of your coverage?
3. Assuming you picked up the vans on Dec. 3, when would you expect to deliver the vans in Sweetgrass?
4. Are we able to communicate with you in transit in order to coordinate the drop off time? We live in Calgary (approx 3.5 hours north of the border) and would be travelling to Sweetgrass by bus. The bus schedule is a bit limited so we don't have a huge amount of flexibility on the drop off.
(11/25/2007)
Response: Hi shipper we will be transporting the vans on flat bed trailer or three car hauler. Our insurance is $100k coverage and yes after except are bid we can fax it to you. And after we pick up the vans it should take three to four days all dependeds on weather. Yes we would be able to contact you in transit by cell phone we will call you the day before when we get close to MT to have a better idea when we arrive in sweet grass. If you have anymore questions please ask. Thanks Joe. (11/25/2007)
Response: Joe:
We are 90% sure we will go ahead with you. My friend just has to check on one issue tomorrow but doesn't expect it to be a problem. So if this is OK with you, plan on picking up our vans and I will firm things up with you tomorrow. (11/25/2007)
Response: That's ok with me. We will put you on our schedule and I will place a bid. Thanks, Joe. (11/25/2007)