Ship a vehicle is part of a car necessity when the owner decides to move to another place, purchase a vehicle from a different state, or relocate. The question whether transporters ship vehicles during holidays is quite often asked. On the one hand, many people believe that transport companies are off on holidays do transporters ship vehicles during holidays. However, on the other hand, the reality is that vehicle shipping services are still operating, but they need to be aware of some things to manage their expectations. In this article we will talk about how transporters carry the vehicles on holidays, the way to prepare in advance and what to do to be sure that your car will be delivered on time, regardless the season.
Are Transporters Shipping Vehicles During Holidays?
Transporters do ship vehicles during holidays, certainly. However, there are a couple of considerations that should not be left out. In general, most transport companies, such as 1A Car Shipping, are open for business all year round, but holiday services might be affected by their schedules. There are several factors that determine how shipments are handled during holidays, such as:
- Availability of Drivers: Depending on individual driver preferences, some may choose to take a break during the festive period while others may opt to work through the holidays. In the case, only a few drivers will be on the wheel resulting in the number of available transport trucks declining, thereby causing a possible delay in your pickup or delivery.
- Shipping Route Adjustments: Aside from the regular holiday traffic, there might be other things affecting the condition of roads in an area during this period. Consequently, these routes can be less accessible than normally due to higher congestions or simply waiting for clearing after a snowstorm. Besides that, some companies may reroute their shipments to avoid congested roads or road closures for holidays.
- Business Hours: Although a good number of transport companies remain operational during the holidays, there may be some that run on reduced hours or closed on specific holidays such as Christmas, New Years Day, or Thanksgiving. Always consider checking with your chosen shipping company if they will be available during the holiday hours.
Despite all these difficulties, the shipping process is still going on and the likes of 1A Car Shipping do their best to ensure that car deliveries are made on time. Getting matters straight your way is just a question of planning and tweaking your expectations for the period.
2. How Holiday Scheduling Affects Car Shipping
On a holiday, transporters are willing to ship your vehicles but some factors may be there to affect the time of your shipment. An outline of how holiday scheduling may affect your vehicle transport is given below:
- Delayed Pickup and Delivery
Holiday Traffic: The road traffic becomes heavier during holidays, mainly in the areas around big cities or a great number of tourists’ places, is the reason why the transit times may get delayed. Transporters might have to wait longer or find an alternate route to avoid delays; either way, it will lead to a change in your expected delivery date.
The number of available drivers is less: Most drivers during holidays are off and therefore fewer trucks on the road. Stretched pickup and delivery times are essentially what this statement entails. Then it would be great if you were motivated to book your holiday shipment on time if you intend to ship during holiday time.
Changes to Operational Hours: Nearly every transport company that is discussed in this article has some history of reduced working hours or closures during certain holidays. By the way, it really pays off for you to check with your provider if you happen to ship just before a major holiday.
- Extended Shipping Times
Most transport companies albeit 1A Car Shipping make every effort to be punctual, the emergence of extended shipping times during holidays is among the possible issues. In this example, the vehicle transport which normally takes from 5 to 7 days might be prolonged by a couple of days due to the increased number of vehicles being transported, driver schedules, or road conditions.
If you want to handle these extended timelines properly, having some extra time when you do shipment booking would be the smartest way to do transporters ship vehicles during holidays. This prepares you for the situation where there might be minor holdups in the holiday period and yet you incur no stress or inconvenience.
3. How to Prepare for Car Shipping During the Holidays
If you intend to ship your car during the festive days, you are afforded the opportunity to make the entire process more enjoyable by observing a few simple steps:
- Book Early
The most important thing you can do is book your shipment as early as possible. During holidays, transport companies may have fewer available slots for vehicle transport. By booking a day ahead, you can be sure your spot and reduce the risk of delays to a minimum.
- Communicate with Your Transporter
The direct communication with the shipping company is very important so that you can be completely informed on the shipping details that have been arranged. Ask them, for example, about schedule changes, the possibility of delays, and availability in terms of delivery windows. A company like 1A Car Shipping is always at your service to give you all the latest news and keep you apprised of the developments.
- Be Flexible with Your Delivery Date
If there are going to be holiday shipments that will be delayed, then it is a wise move to be flexible with your delivery date. If there is a specific delivery window you’d like to work with, then make sure you let your transporter know and request a confirmation whether or not it can be done during the holiday season.
- Ensure Accessibility
The holidays usually are the times when the road is not in the best condition and the traffic is rapidly increasing. If you are shipping to a place that may be affected by heavy traffic, then plan in advance to make sure your destination is easy for the transport truck to get to. If the situation calls for it, find another place to let the transport off.
4. Tips for Smooth Holiday Vehicle Shipping
If you want to enjoy a hassle-free holiday shipping experience, here are some additional morth tips to consider:
- Check for Holiday Discounts: One of the reasons to book your transport early is because some companies start to offer discounts or promotions during the Christmas and New Year periods. Enquire with a car shipping provider like 1A Car Shipping if there are any holidays offers available.
- Track Your Shipment: The tracking function is available in most transport companies and it allows you to be up-to-date with the location of your vehicle along the route. In case of holidays when delays are common, the tracking option is very convenient to have.
- Inspect Your Vehicle Before Shipping: Carry out a thorough check on your vehicle before you let the transport company take it away. Document with good pictures any kinds of damages to your car; this will help in making a claim if the need arises.
- Plan for Insurance Coverage: Make sure that your car is adequately insured during the shipping process especially if you are going to ship the vehicle during the holidays. This is very important in case of any delays or problems along the way which might result in the vehicle getting damaged.
Shipping Vehicles During the Holidays
Generally, it is not that unusual for car shipping during holidays to take place with a certain measure of inconvenience, but the successful vehicle shipping is not out of the question. The secret of success is to be a step ahead in the booking, to be quite open and upfront when talking to the shipping company and to accept calmly any minor change in plans.
If you want the services of a professional, reliable car shipping company who will be on your side even during the holiday season, then 1A Car Shipping is the perfect solution for you. Through hard work and commitment, they ensure that your vehicle reaches its destination, even during the most hectic times.
