Can I drop my vehicle off at a terminal and is it cheaper?
All Star Auto Shippers has few terminals it works with. Terminals are not recommended for transport because more people handle the vehicles and there is a greater likelihood of damage occurring to automobiles. Also, terminals are not cheaper than the door-to-door service. Terminals require inspection fees ranging anywhere from $15 to $35 and vehicles may be subject to storage charge up to $25 a day. Inspection fees are charged because the terminal takes on the responsibility of completing the inspection report with the driver on your behalf. Customers are subject to storage fees if the vehicle stays in the terminal yard longer than a 24 hour period of time. Other fees may also apply depending on the terminal being used.

All Star does have a reliable terminal in Buffalo, NY for customers that would like drop off or pickup their vehicles for Canada transport. This means that customers can drive down from Canada to the states for a driver to relocate their vehicle the remainder of the trip. Customers can also pickup their vehicles from the terminal to then drive into Canada. This process would save the customer an average of $200 to $300 a vehicle. Ask an All Star representative for details by calling 1-877-355-SHIP or 1-877-355-7447.

What if I am not available at pickup and/or delivery?
If the customer is not available on pickup and/or delivery the customer must notify All Star at the time the order is placed. Customers are allowed to designate a family member or friend to release and accept the vehicle on their behalf. It will be required to designate someone who must be present at the time of pickup at the origin location and delivery at the destination location. It is then the responsibility of the customer to properly inform the designated parties of inspection procedures. If the customer’s availability changes after the order has been placed, it is then the customer’s responsibility to contact the assigned carrying company and update them on the changes. All Star representatives will also help with any post order changes.

An inspection of the vehicle will be made at both locations and signed paperwork will be processed. The Bill of Lading (BOL) will be marked on by the driver indicating any existing damages the vehicle already has. Once the origin customer has agreed to the condition report, the BOL is then signed by both the customer and the driver. An inspection is performed once again at the delivery destination location. It is at this time the delivery customer’s responsibility to once again perform a thorough condition report of the vehicle. The customer must note on the BOL if there are any damages which may have occurred during transport. Payment must also be prepared for the driver by the delivery/destination designated customer. The balance must be paid by cash, cashiers check, or money order made out in the driver’s carrying company name which is listed on the top of the BOL. If the designated customer on the delivery end does not have the funds for paying the driver, the vehicle will be placed in storage at the customer’s expense until the balance (plus storage fees) has been paid. Drivers will NOT accept personal check as a form of payment.

What if my vehicle is inoperable?
If the vehicle is inoperable (does not start) for transport, All Star MUST be notified when requesting a quote and placing the order. Also, more specific conditions need to be noted.

Does the vehicle roll, break, or have steering power?
Inop vehicles do have an extra fee for transporting and will be included in the quote rate. It is necessary to dispatch a driver that has the proper equipment needed to load and unload a vehicle that cannot be driven. It may even be necessary to have another tow truck or forklift load and unload the vehicle on and off of the car carrier. If the vehicle becomes inop due to poor maintenance during transport, the driver can charge up to $200 in addition to the balance due on delivery.

Will my vehicle be driven?
All Star Auto Shippers does not provide drive-away service. The vehicle is driven at the origin during loading and at the destination when unloading. At times, the driver may have to drive your vehicle to a designated point for pick up and/or delivery depending on the circumstances of local restrictions and/or accessibility of the carrier. Drivers are required to obtain consent from the designated customers in this case. We suggest recording the odometer mileage at both origin and destination. Any discrepancies should be noted on the Bill of Lading and signed by the driver.

What needs to be done to prepare my vehicle for transport?
• Insure your vehicle has no obvious fluid leaks. • Be sure that the battery is secure, has no leaks, and that the fluid levels are low enough to accommodate expansion in higher elevations.
• Make sure that your vehicle is clean enough to ensure an accurate pickup inspection.
• Leave only about ¼ tank of fuel in the vehicle, as a full tank of gasoline adds weight and is hazardous for transport.
• Disable or disconnect anti-theft devices or alarms.
• Remove all personal belongings except standard vehicle items such as jack and spare tire.
• Remove after-market or not build-in radios, cassette decks, CD/DVD players, toll passes/tags, and garage openers.
• Secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items such as ground effects, spoilers, fog lights, bike racks, grill covers or wide mirrors, and lower or remove the antenna if possible.
• Repair or seal any tears or open seams on convertible tops to prevent fast-moving air from causing further damage.
• Make sure the radiator has adequate levels of fresh antifreeze to prepare the vehicle for new climates.
• If the vehicle is being transported to Alaska or Hawaii, fuel MUST be no more than a quarter tank, vehicle MUST be operable, NO cracked windshield or windows, and overall ground clearance needs to be at least 4 inches.
• NO cargo in the vehicles is allowed for moves to or from the Hawaiian islands.

What type of truck will my vehicle be shipped on?
Most of the time, your vehicle will be transported on an OPEN car hauler that has two levels and may fit 6-10 cars. These are the types of trailers used to transport new vehicles from factories to dealerships. Shorter distance moves may be provided by “Hotshot” trailers. This means they carry anywhere from 2 to 5 units at a time for efficiency and faster transit time. Once loaded, vehicles are secured down to the trailer by tow hooks that are then tightened to minimize movement during transportation. An ENCLOSED car hauler is typically used for high profile vehicles, restored classics, motorcycles, and race cars, gulf carts, and all terrain vehicles. An enclosed hauler may only fit 4 to 6 cars depending height and length of the cargo trailer. They are equipped with a hydraulic lift gate for ease of loading and unloading. Once loaded into the trailer the vehicle is then strapped down and held in place by a nylon wheel strap (soft-tie down with no metal components). These trucks are also equipped with air-ride suspension trailers to cushion the ride through rough roads.