Shipping a Vehicle

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

I live in Missouri, and just found a spotless, low mileage F-Superduty in Fresno Ca. I want the truck. Do I need it? No, but I want it! Anyways, lets assume I buy it. My two choices are to fly out there and drive it home (~30 hours and 2000 miles) or get it shipped to me.

 

What would you all do?

 

How does vehicle shipping work? Would a shipping company work with the seller to pickup the vehicle, collect the title and all that?

 

Final, only slightly related , question: Does anyone know what it would take to retitle a "California Junk" title in Missouri? I have done a salvage title before, but this would be new.

 

Sorry for the blasted list of questions, thanks for any and all insight. Oh, are there any members near Fresno?

[Pete M]

I would go get it so I could personally inspect it.   

 

contact your local DMV about title issues.  they will know the most.

[89 MJ]

I’d make sure to lay eyes on it in person first. But check out uship.com if you want to ship it. 

[Smokeyyank]

Ship it after a pre purchase checks out or you've examined and get the title. If you buy from a dealer they'll have brokers they work with. If private seller you'll have a little tricker time but possible. Get the title before, shipper really won't deal with that. Cheapest is getting it to a hub, door to door is more but not a lot covered is the most expensive and not necessary unless you're shipping a gem. Uship is a rip and you can find way cheaper and better transport. I've shipped several vehicles from running to rolling. As for branded titles it will depend on your state laws for both out of state and salvage. Some are easy.....others not worth the headache. 

[gogmorgo]

Definitely figure out what the process is for getting it registered in your state before even bothering trying to work out the logistics of collecting it. I don't know what you mean by "California Junk" but up here we've got "salvage" and "irreparable". Salvage can be put back on the road, but irreparable can't. Irreparable covers stuff like floods and fires, and some provinces will only let a vehicle be rebuilt once and if it's written off again then it becomes irreparable, even if it was just something minor the second time. 

[ghetdjc320]

I’ve shipped a few vehicles. Keep in mind that most companies you will find are just brokers. Best prices for a reputable company that actually handles things end to end was from Montway. They did great with a couple of vehicle now and are very familiar with all the little nuances with auto shipping. If you post up on U ship, Montway will be one of the ones bidding but their prices are higher on u ship vs just going direct to their site. Just my $.02 for auto shipping

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

Thanks for the replies. I love this site, even for things not Comanche related.

 

Gonna try to follow the prevailing advice, slowed myself down, and call my DMV Monday morning to figure out the titling issue. If that checks out, I will be back here asking for more info on shipping etc.

[GrizzzzBear]

Just Remember, California has all of the Oddball Restrictions and Parts. 

After seeing the California Debacle myself, I Refuse to get any Vehicle from there.

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

Yeah, I did some calling and reading on my state's DMV site. Also confirmed with the seller that the vehicle had no title, not even a junk title. After that it was an easy "No" from me. So thank you everyone that told me to slow down and confirm facts before buying. Its so sad since the truck was BEAUTIFUL and low mileage. 

 

So everything is resolved and crisis has been averted. No shipping needed.

[gogmorgo]

It’s always going to be suspect when a newer vehicle has title issues. I can see if it’s been sitting abandonned somewhere 20+ years and the seller just wants rid of it, but if the seller isn’t willing to do the legwork of any title issues on something they’re selling as running and driving? 
But it’s also pretty dumb that having titles in hand is relevant to a sale. Here there is no physical title. If you have a registration slip to confirm you’re buying from the registered owner, then good stuff, but all you need is a bill of sale. The seller is legally required to disclose the vehicle’s status in the provincial database, and if the vin isn’t in the provincial system you’ll have to get an out of province inspection done, which involves running through the databases to confirm it’s got a clear title, no liens, wasn’t stolen, etc., but all you need is a bill of sale or some other proof of ownership and it can be registered. Of course if it shows up as salvage from somewhere else that’s an issue. 

[ExpatMJGuy]

I've been in this trap before.  That's how I came across my current PARTS XJ.  My jeep had recently been stolen and then recovered after the payout by the insurance company.  Because of this it had a branded title even though it had never been in an accident.  I was like I have no intentions of ever selling it so whatever.  I flew from Atlanta down to Miami to pick up the Jeep.  Paid cash for it, drove it home and because it had a rebuilt title that's where my nightmares began.  GA wouldn't accept the rebuilt.  It hat to be inspected by the DOT inspector in GA.  I had it inspected thinking hey, it just passed in FL so it should be no issue lets just jump though the hoops.  Inspector knocked on my floor pans with the back of a screwdriver and punched a hole the size of a quarter that didn't exist before he inspected it and failed me!  Told me it will need new floor pans placed in the vehicle according to manufacturers standards.  I found another Jeep 2wd for $800 that is in mint shape with a bad engine and clean title.  I'm moving the driveline and my once gorgeous cheep Jeep is now a parts Jeep for my 2wd conversion project.  NEVER NEVER deal with anything but a clean title in hand.