According to USA Today, sales of new RVs in the U.S. are steadily growing as more Americans change how they do vacations. 2013 was a turning point for the industry, with sales up 30% from the year before, and another 11% predicted growth for the upcoming year.
Richard Curtin, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, says that pent up demand from the recession, low interest rates, and a renewed interest in motor home travel are all factors in these high growth rates.
Coupled with this upswing is another interesting change in the automotive world — many customers are now purchasing their RV online, through sites like eBay or other used-RV distributors. Although this can help consumers connect with the best deals available, the problem often remains: how to get the RV from its location, to the buyer?
RV Shipping Options
If you’ve never had to ship a car, boat or RV before, you might not realize that there is a thriving industry for vehicle transport. Far from being a question of “if” you can ship a large and heavy vehicle across country, the process is actually a well worn path, and you can benefit from the experiences of those who have paid for the service before you.
Beware of Unscrupulous RV Shipping Companies
In 2012, President Obama signed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. This act aimed to protect consumers from unethical transport companies that had become rampant as the internet made it easier for them to advertise their wares. It increased the requirements for obtaining a broker’s license, among other changes. Though the law is catching up, unfortunately, many untrustworthy transporters remain in the industry, as a quick look at recent online reviews can tell you.
How Can You Avoid Running Into Bad Car Transport Companies?
Always do your research, and when the stakes are this high (the average trip will cost several hundred dollars), don’t just go for the lowest quote you get. Most companies will have reviews from past clients posted online. One large transportation company with bad reviews on Yelp has many customers saying that they consistently deliver their vehicles weeks late, don’t pay for damages incurred during the transport, and make mistakes with pick up and delivery. They have an F with the Better Business Bureau, and as reviewer Mike H. summarizes, they provided “Just the worst experience I have ever had with ANY company.” Learn from their mistakes!
Have you had good experiences with RV shipping companies? Let us know in the comments. See this reference for more.