Driving while distracted

Posted in Auto Transport News on October 26th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

There is no doubt that distracted drivers account for most, if not all, of the accidents that take place among crowded roadways. This is just one of the reasons that so many people have opted to use auto transport versus risking driving their personal vehicles long distances. And as one recent article published in the National Journal suggests, the public focus of distracted driving as of recent revolves around handheld cell phones and texting.

In the meantime, what is the solution to stopping drivers from being so distracted? The issue remains at large as increasing numbers of suburban sprawl as well as growing families cause once quiet roads to become increasingly congested.

As some have already suggested, perhaps the solution is in increased law enforcement presence on roadways. Additionally, some have also suggested that this issue is one that sits with auto makers as it becomes their responsibility to support the banning of hand-held devices while behind the wheel.

But still, the problem remains, how are you really going to catch each and every person who sneaks a phone call on their cell phone while driving? Suggestions?

Use AM Express Auto transport

http://amexpressautotransport.com/

www.getmemoved.com

Posted in Moving tips on October 19th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

We are your the best moving information source on the Web – The Moving Blog and Moving Forum at www.getmemoved.com we keep you up to date with the newest moving techniques and reveals the best moving companies in the moving industry. Moving can be a very stressful experience, but it can also offer the opportunity for a fresh start. That’s why you have to be well prepared and organized for your move

Car Transport Blog: A New Review Site For The Auto Transport Industry

Posted in Auto Transport News on March 16th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

As we’re constantly posting about on our blog site, the Auto Transport Industry is a fairly young industry.  Of course, new industries always have their problems as they get their situations worked out, one, in particular, being that new industries usually don’t attract the most… ethical people in the world.

While there are already many well established, but not necessarily unbiased, review sites, AM Express recently became a sponsor for Car Transport Blog.com just for that reason.  CTB promises to remain unbiased solely using previous customer’s experiences.  Other review sites allow companies to pay to have bad reviews removed, or at least have their rating systems swayed to the advantage of businesses if they pay for sponsorship.

AM Express Auto Transport stands by our ratings by different reviewers (“A” rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 5 Star Rating on TransportReviews), and welcome an unbiased review site into the market.  Our commitment to excellence will speak for itself.

Go over to the site, www.cartransportblog.com, and check it out.  If you’ve used our service before, we welcome any review you post on the site.

Geneva Auto Show Unveils New Generation of Hybrid Cars

Posted in Auto Transport News on March 4th, 2010 by admin – 1 Comment

Hybrid Auto TransprtFrom Businessweek.com:

Hybrid Dreams at the Geneva Auto Show

As if recession was but a distant memory, the Geneva Motor Show began yesterday with a flurry of glitzy launches overwhelmingly dominated by green technology. Everyone who is anyone in the world of cars is showing off their hybrids – be they electric motors boosting a petrol engine, petrol engines extending the range of electric batteries, or any manner of gradations in between.

It might seem as if mainstream electric motoring is just around the next bend, given the crop being showcased in Geneva – ranging from jaw-dropping super cars from Ferrari (FIATY) and Porsche (PSEPF) to the workhorse Toyota (TM) Auris, with offers too from BMW (BAMXY) and Audi (VLKAY). But, so far, hybrids occupy only the tiniest niche in the global car market, and for all the hype there is a long way to go.

At present there are very few electric hybrids for sale in the UK; the Toyota Prius and the Honda (HMC) Insight are the obvious examples. But the next year or two will see a whole range of new entrants, with the Toyota Auris hybrid this year, the Nissan (NSANY) Leaf and the plug-in Prius next, and the Vauxhall Ampera from early 2012.

The Government firmly supports electric cars. Last week, the Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, confirmed that the Government will stump up 25 per cent of the sale price, or up to £5,000, for buyers of plug-in cars from the start of next year. And in an effort to confront the chicken-and-egg issue of re-charging infrastructure, the government is putting up £30m to fund the installation of 11,000 charging points in London, Milton Keynes and the North-east, with another round of “plugged-in places” to follow.

Read more here…

All of us in the Auto Transport industry are cheering on the development of Hybrid and Green vehicles.  Firstly, they are fantastic for the environment, and that’s something that everyone should be cheering for.  Secondly, Hybrid vehicles get terrible mile range!

The vehicles that require Auto Transport the most are large, low mpg vehicles like SUVs and Pickup Trucks.  The second largest group are Hybrid vehicles like Toyota Priuses.

While SUVs and Pickups are prime candidates for the service that AM Express Auto Transport provides because of their low mileage, Hybrid vehicles have a different reason.  As reported by various websites, the “electric-only” range of a Prius, for example, is only 13 miles.  While that’s great if you’re driving in the city, it becomes amazingly inconvenient for cross-country, or even state to state driving.

Additionally, Hybrids have two engines, an electric and a gas engine, which requires a whole lot of room.  Priuses are notorious for not having a lot of space.  Imagine driving from California to Florida with barely enough space to fit a couple of pieces of luggage.  Not a pretty sight.

So, here at AM Express Auto Transport, we have decided to offer a new discount program to all Hybrid and Fuel Efficient vehicles.  Please call our Toll-Free number, 1-866-662-5337, or fill out our contact form on the left side of the page.

Signals that your Auto Transport Company May Not Be Legit

Posted in Auto Transport Tips on February 19th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

Auto transport companiesAuto Transport is a new industry that has exploded since the advent of a powerful internet.  Before the internet, the auto transport industry mainly specialized in transporting vehicles back and forth from Car Manufacturers and Car Dealerships.

But, thankfully, with the power of information that the internet provides, new markets have been created, such as this one.  A service that normally would only be provided to large dealerships is now being made accessible to the ordinary person.

Unfortunately, there also is a lot of risk in dealing with such a high stakes industry.  AM Express Auto Transport focuses on being the best.  We want to provide the best service we can for our customers, and we stand by our “A-” rating in the Better Business Bureau.  Which leads me to point 1…

1.  Check Your Auto Transporter’s Better Business Bureau Rating

This is the best way to check on your companies legitimacy.  If your company doesn’t belong to the Better Business Bureau, then you should definitely begin asking yourself, “why not?”

There are other “unbiased” rating companies, such as Transport Reviews, or others – but, a known secret is that Transport Reviews posts up reviews of paid customers and also will remove bad reviews of their gold and silver rated members.

Also, the power of the internet has drawn closer the information gap between companies.  AM Express recommends that you do your homework before choosing an Auto Transport company, and we have the confidence to know that you will see that we are a superior, and honest, company.

2.  Upfront Deposits

Car transport tacticsUnfortunately this little habit of bad Auto Transport companies is really putting a smear across the industry.

It would make sense for a company to ask money upfront to arrange vehicle transport, but some companies are using this as a scheme to get money before providing service, then ignoring customers.  If the Auto Transport company you are dealing with asks for an upfront deposit, then we urge you to do a simple search of the company in Google or with the Better Business Bureau.

Again, if you inform a company that you want to do your homework about them, and they use pressure tactics to get you to contract their company, this should raise a huge red flag.

AM Express Auto Transport never asks for upfront deposits until we have actually arranged a driver that will pick up your vehicle.

3.  Pressure Tactics

“I have a truck in your neighborhood right now!” or “If you don’t do this now, then you’ll lose out on a great deal!”  Are two common phrases among Auto Transport companies that will do whatever it takes to get your money, and deliver as little as possible.

Honest companies will be patient with customers and understanding if they need time to make a decision.  There’s a difference between informing you that there is a truck in your neighborhood that can pick up your vehicle, and pressuring you into making a decision on transportation.

4.  “Low Ballers”

auto transport ripoffsMy mother raised me to believe that any deal too good to be true, probably is.  AM Express loses a great deal of clients to Auto Transport companies that offer a “lower price”, only to have the customer call back a week later incensed that their vehicle was never picked up, and they can no longer get in touch with the other company.

To give a slight explanation to the Auto Transport business’ inner workings — most Auto Transport businesses compete with each other to contract a small amount of drivers.  It is rare that an Auto Transport company has their own trucks, and when they do, they don’t give outrageously low prices to ship your vehicle.

The low price is the same exact tactic of Bait and Switch scam artists.  The Auto Transport company will promise to be able to do the transport for an absurdly low amount and then call you a week or two later saying that to move the vehicle it will take an extra amount of money.

Typically, you’ll find, that extra amount of money will equal to the original quote that an honest company, like AM Express Auto Transport, gave you in the first place.

Except now you’re dealing with a company that not only lied to you, but also put you in a rushed position, and have no choice but to pay out money you may not necessarily have wanted to spend in the first place.

Don’t fall for this trap.  Again, check the Auto Transport companies’ Better Business Bureau rating to make sure that you have are dealing with a reputable company.

Auto Recalls and Auto Transportation

Posted in Auto Transport News on February 10th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

Toyotas experience massive recallsLooks like early 2010 is being focused on a slew of car makers having major vehicle recalls.  Beginning with Toyota’s recalls of almost all their models due to acceleratorproblems, now the problems have moved into 2010 Prius Hybrids and Lexus HS 250H braking problems.

Additionally, there are reports that 2010 Toyota Camrys are having problems with their brake fluid pumps.  And if that’s not bad enough, Honda is going to have a recall due to air bag problems.

Phew!

Thankfully, you won’t have to drive your vehicles back to the dealerships worrying about the accelerator pedal, the brakes, or air bags.  With auto transport we can conveniently pick up your vehicle at your door and drop it off at the dealership.  You may even be able to get your dealer to cover the transport.

Most in-state deliveries are the most affordable and time effective service that an auto transport service can give.  If you are having your vehicle recalled, please fill out the email contact form to the left, and in the special instructions put “Recall Vehicle” and we’ll be able to offer a discounted rate.

Remember, AM Express Auto Transport is an Accredited A-Rated member of the Better Business Bureau.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at 1-866-662-5337.

Department of Transportation Launches Distraction.gov

Posted in Auto Transport News on February 4th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

This Oct 2008 Train Collision is attributed to texting.

With every little advancement of technology come unforeseen problems associated with them.  Cell phone technology, and the new super-cell phone mini computers, have led to a plague of text or phone related accidents.

Whether it was the October 2008 head-on collision of a Metrolink Commuter Train with a Union Pacific freight train, whose operator was texting and ran a stop light, to the many hundreds and thousands of yearly vehicle accidents associated to distracted driving, it was time for the Department of Transportation to put it’s foot down.

Many states already have passed legislation banning cell phone usage while driving, unless it’s with a hands-free set, but now there is a national ban of texting for commercial truck drivers.

This safety measure will carry a possible criminal or civil charge, and fines up to $2,750.

Visit the DOT’s new website Distraction.gov for more information.  There you can find State Law, Statistics, and any other number of information resources to inform you to the dangers and hazards of distracted driving.

Driving Your Own Car Versus Shipping Your Own Car

Posted in Auto Transport Tips on January 29th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

A question that is often raised by customers is a matter of cost to ship a vehicle versus driving it themselves.  We try to explain that shipping your car is more affordable than driving it, but there is nothing quite like numbers.

Fuel Costs

I found this handy gas calculator online, AAA Fuel Costs Calculator.  Our supposed trip will be from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California, for a total of 2,736 miles — mostly highway driving too.

In a 2002 Ford Focus, the one way price, for just fuel is approximately $250 dollars.

Hotel Costs

Hotels are also vital in terms of expenses when doing a cross country trip.  If the average driver goes 70 mph, for 9 hours (straight), that is a distance of approximately 600 miles.  So a 2,700 miles trip takes approximately 5 days, which is 4 over night stays.

Even the cheapest of hotels are about $50 per night, so that is an additional $200 dollars.

Travel Costs

Unless you’re the best of packers, you probably won’t be packing enough food for a 5 day trip and will end up eating on the road.  For a family of 3 (parents and one child), over the course of 15 meals, with approximately $8 per person, per meal, the total costs end up being an additional $360.

Your Comfort

The total price is already over $800 for the trip, that almost matches the price of having your vehicle shipped.  But, don’t forget to take into account piece of mind, and comfort.  Unless you’re a road warrior, most people would not enjoy a 4 day trip cross country – unless if it were site seeing.  Additionally, take into account the wear and tear on your vehicle that you’ll be saving as well.

With all things considered, the question isn’t if shipping your car is a wise decision, but why would anyone NOT ship their car.  Financially, piece of mind, comfort, and ease shows why this is one of the fastest growing industries in the country.  That alone should make your decision easy to make, and we hope that you choose AM Express Auto Transport to be your transport provider.

All About Cars: Finding A Car Transporter You Can Trust

Posted in Auto Transport Tips on January 26th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

All About Cars posts an article about how to find a trustworthy Car Transporter.  Check it out…

Choosing A Safe And Reliable Car Transport Service

Auto Transporting CorvettesIt doesn’t matter if your car is a sports car, an antique car, or even just a plain family car, if you want it safely delivered to you, you will have to find a reliable and affordable transport company that has a car transport package that suits your needs and your budget.

But, when choosing a car transport service you have to be aware of some issues regarding the transport and delivery of such. Transporting something as precious as your car would be suicide if you don’t take the proper precautions. 

Here are some things to look out for when considering a car transport service.

Insurance

Your car is a big investment. If you allow your car to be transported carelessly, you could end up with a badly banged-up car. To avoid this, you can have your transport service insure your car. While doing research on what transport service to hire, always look at the total price plus insurance. It may seem like a waste of money to some, but for those who have experienced having their cars shipped to them with dents, scratches, and – gasp – other major damages; insurance will seem like a welcome advice.

Know What Type of Transport You are Dealing With

There are quite a few options on how to have your car delivered. You can have door-to-door, enclosed, open, terminal-to-terminal, and rail service among others. Some of these options may have features that you do not need, or features that are more than what you need. Make sure you understand the details of each option and choose one according to your needs.

Read more here…

How Stuff Works: Auto Transport

Posted in Auto Transport Tips on January 20th, 2010 by admin – Be the first to comment

At AM Express we’re always looking for new ways to help our customers understand our industry, especially because it is such a new market.

How Stuff Works is a site dedicated to diving into the little things in life, and explaining them so it can be better understood.

The article first introduces a lot of concepts:

Convenience and efficiency drive the automobile transport business. It’s somewhat ironic that automobiles are transported since they themselves are designed and built to provide transportation.

 

Then follows up by explaining convenience charges in new vehicle prices.

What we’re really interested in is their view of auto transport, the service that we provide. 

Today’s tractor-trailer auto transporters can carry up to 12 vehicles. The rigs are designed so that the tractor can support up to four vehicles and eight vehicles are placed on the double-deck trailer. The tractor-trailer rigs utilize hydraulically operated ramps.

Each year, millions of vehicles are transported to meet personal needs, such as:

  • Families moving cross-country
  • Students going to college a long distance from home
  • “Snowbirds” moving to the Sun Belt for the winter
  • Corporate relocation

Some of these situations are one-time needs and the car owner will hire an auto-transport company. Phone directories and the Internet are filled with advertisements promoting a variety of transport companies and transport brokers. Consumers need to be aware of the difference. A company handles the actual pickup and delivery of the vehicle. A broker does the legwork and sells the job to one or more transport carriers.

There are pros and cons to working with both. Transport companies have more control over delivery time and assume more responsibility in the event of damage or an accident. On the other hand, brokers have access to more options for a quicker delivery. Consumers should double-check all references to help avoid fraud or an unpleasant experience.

Transport companies are quick to stress that they can transport only the customer’s vehicle. Customers are not allowed to pack their cars with clothes, small appliances or even spare parts. The fuel tank cannot be completely full, and owners are usually required to be present when the vehicle is picked up or delivered to complete the inspection.

As you can see, there is a lot of information out there, and it would be best for you to do your homework.  Something like having your car transported cross-country has the potential to be highly worrisome, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from hiring Auto Transporters.

Make sure you check out their Better Business Bureau rating and visit TransportReviews.com.  A smart consumer is our favorite customer.