UNCRATED SHIPPING FAQ
- Why should I use Shippingmasters instead of booking my shipment directly with the actual shipping company?
- Is Shippingmasters licensed and bonded?
- What is the amount of the down payment that Shippingmasters collects?
- Is the down payment amount included in the quoted rate?
- Why does Shippingmasters collect a down payment?
- Why doesn’t Shippingmasters track shipments once a shipment has been booked?
- Is the Shippingmasters down payment refundable?
- Is the Shippingmasters Payment and/or Title Transfer fee refundable?
- Where do the uncrated shippers ship from/to?
- Do the uncrated shippers make residential deliveries?
- Is my bike secure when using the uncrated shippers?
- Is my bike insured when using the uncrated shippers?
- How is my bike transported when using uncrated shipping?
- Can I send along some extra parts when using the uncrated shippers?
- How is uncrated pick up and delivery scheduled?
- Why does it take 1-4 weeks for an uncrated delivery?
- Do I have to do anything to the bike to get it ready for uncrated shipping?
- Does Shippingmasters guarantee the rates and delivery time frames of each shipment?
CONTAINER/CRATED SHIPPING FAQ
- Will I be guaranteed a container when I want it?
- How long does it take to ship my motorcycle?
- How do I prepare my motorcycle for shipment in a the container shipping company container?
- Does the container shipping company provide tie-down straps and locks for the container shipping company container?
- How do I prepare my bike for shipment if I supply my own crate?
- What are the maximum dimensions of a bike that can be shipped?
- Can I send other belongings in the container with my bike?
- Will the container shipping company ship my bike if it is inoperable?
- Are bikes inspected at time of tender?
- Is there assistance available to load or unload the bike from a truck or trailer?
- Can I use the container to transport my bike from the container shipping company terminal to the final destination and then bring the empty container back to the terminal?
- Can the container shipping company unpack the bike and dispose of my shipping crate?
- What if I am unavailable to pick up my bike at the destination terminal on the day specified?
- How long does the receiver have to pick up the bike at destination?
- Can I pick up the bike on weekends or after work?
- What does it cost to ship my bike?
- What payment options do I have?
- Can I ship a C.O.D.?
- Can a 3rd party (other than the shipper or receiver) pay for the shipping?
- What credit cards do you take?
- Why can’t I pay cash to the container shipping company to ship my motorcycle?
- Is my motorcycle insured during transit?
- Is there a phone number to call if I have questions about how to book the shipment on-line once I have paid Shippingmasters the down payment?
Questions and Answers from above
UNCRATED SHIPPING FAQ
Why should I use Shippingmasters instead of booking my shipment directly with the actual shipping company?
At Shippingmasters, we negotiate with a network of companies that provide motorcycle shipping services. In a sense, we handle the marketing and front office duties for many of these companies so they can concentrate on delivering your bike. We refer numerous customers to the shippers we negotiate with and as such, have considerable leverage over rates and terms. We offer you one stop shopping for motorcycle shipping rates. We gather quotes from numerous shipping companies and send you the most competitive rates and terms, saving you time and money in the process. Occasionally, unanticipated issues arise with a shipment. We are your advocate, we get involved, and we do our best to resolve any concerns you might have with a shipment. Since we send many customers to these shippers, the leverage we have over their customer base enables us to resolve most concerns in favor of our customers. As an individual, booking a shipment directly with a shipper, you might not have the same level of influence over a given shipper. We want to emphasize that the vast majority of shipments go very smoothly.
Is Shippingmasters licensed and bonded?
Yes, Shippingmasters motorcycle shipping company is a US Department of Transportation licensed and bonded motor carrier broker DOT# 2230931 MC# 461199.
What is the amount of the down payment that Shippingmasters collects?
The down payment amount varies from shipper to shipper. In most cases the down payment is between $50 – $150 per vehicle depending primarily on the total cost of the shipment and/or the shipper you select.
Is the down payment amount included in the quoted rate?
Yes, every quote we provide includes the down payment amount. Once we collect the down payment, the remaining balance is paid directly to the uncrated shipper who will be transporting your bike. The uncrated shippers are fairly flexible regarding payment options, most collect an additional deposit up front beyond the down payment Shippingmasters collects, and then the remaining balance upon delivery.
Why does Shippingmasters collect a down payment?
The shippers we negotiate with know that once a customer has been referred to them by Shippingmasters, the customer has made a commitment to ship and has been informed of their rate and terms. This allows the shipper to spend the majority of their time booking, tracking, and delivering shipments.
Why doesn’t Shippingmasters track shipments once a shipment has been booked?
Since Shippingmasters negotiates with numerous shippers who have fairly dynamic schedules, it’s best to consult the actual shipper of your bike regarding pick up and delivery schedules since Shippingmasters motorcycle shipping company doesn’t have access to the shippers scheduling systems.
Is the Shippingmasters down payment refundable?
A partial refund of the Shippingmasters down payment will be considered if a request for refund is made within 48 hours of booking a shipment with Shippingmasters. Whenever Shippingmasters issues a down payment refund, $40 per vehicle per shipment is withheld from ANY and ALL refunds to cover processing fees. If the refund request is made after the 48 hour grace period, no refund will be issued. If you are not satisfied with a shipper we have referred you to or have other reasons to switch shippers or cancel a shipment, upon your request directly to Shippingmasters we will provide other rate quotes for other shippers for you to consider. Your original Shippingmasters down payment per vehicle per shipment will apply toward other shippers that we quote for, for a period of one month from the date of cancellation. The rates, terms, methods, time frames and down payment amount of other shippers will likely vary from those of the original shipper we referred you to.
Is the Shippingmasters Payment and/or Title Transfer fee refundable?
A refund of the Shippingmasters Payment and/or Title Transfer fee will be considered if a request for refund is made prior to the buyer and/or seller sending their respective documents to Shippingmasters. Anytime Shippingmasters mails or hand delivers a document there will be a minimum transfer fee of $75 per document.
Where do the uncrated shippers ship from/to?
We can help you arrange shipping for your bike from almost anywhere to almost anywhere in the USA. Here’s the minimum information we need in order to provide a quote: From/To Cities/States and the Make/Model of the bike. International shipping is also available.
Do the uncrated shippers make residential deliveries?
Yes, residential uncrated pick up and delivery is available at no extra charge with most shippers. Some uncrated shippers do charge extra for residential deliveries, it will be noted in your quote if so. Most of the uncrated shippers use enclosed trailers equipped with either a lift gate or ramp system. Loading docks or fork lifts aren’t required.
Is my bike secure when using the uncrated shippers?
Yes! The shippers trailers are locked enclosed trailers so your bike is not subjected to the weather or public display. A few motorcycle shippers do use open flatbed style trailers, if so it will be noted in the quote we send you.
Is my bike insured when using the uncrated shippers?
Shippingmasters does not provide any insurance coverage for your shipment, the shippers we refer you to carry various levels of insurance coverage and are responsible for your bike once you book your shipment with them. Shippingmasters motorcycle shipping company lists basic insurance information in each quote we provide. The motorcycle shipping companies that we work with provide the detailed information for their service and insurance that we list in our quote. This information is deemed accurate but should be verified by you directly with the shipper at time of booking. You are responsible to inspect the vehicle for damage at time of delivery and submit any claims to the shipper at time of delivery. Claims submitted anytime after delivery will not be considered. Shippingmasters always recommends that you get your own insurance coverage on your vehicle prior to shipping it. Most insurance companies will cover your vehicle while it is in transit. Shippingmasters is a referral service only and we do not insure your vehicle, person or personal/spare items for damage, theft or injury claims in any way. Shippingmasters cannot be held responsible for vehicle, person or personal/spare item damage, theft or injury claims. If you decide to book your shipment through Shippingmasters you agree to these terms. Please verify the shippers insurance coverage with them prior to shipping your vehicle/items.
How is my bike transported when using uncrated shipping?
The uncrated shippers that we negotiate have experience with motorcycle shipping. Their trailers are set up to transport motorcycles. The bike is secured using soft tiedown straps on both the front and rear of the bike. No pallet is used or required with most of the uncrated shippers. Certain uncrated shippers load your bike onto a pallet and tie down the bike front and rear. If an uncrated shipper does use a pallet process, it will be noted in your qoute. The shipper loads and unloads the bike for you. Certain uncrated shippers do require the gas to be drained and/or the battery to be disconnected, if so it will be noted in your quote.
Can I send along some extra parts when using the uncrated shippers?
As a general rule the shippers we negotiate with do not want to transport extra parts. Some will allow a small box of extra parts, there might be an extra charge for transporting extra parts though and those items are not covered by the shippers insurance and the shipper does not take responsibility for those items. Shippingmasters does not guarantee a shipper will transport extra parts and does not quote any additional fee amounts for extra parts. You will need to discuss the handling of extra parts directly with the shipper after booking.
How is uncrated pick up and delivery scheduled?
We usually only quote an estimated pick up and delivery time frame. Once you book your shipment, the shipper will provide an approximate pick up and delivery date range. As the actual pick up and delivery dates approach, the shipper will generally call you within 24 hours of pick up and delivery to let you know when they plan to arrive and get final directions to your location.
Why does it take 1-4 weeks for an uncrated delivery?
The large shippers we negotiate with usually pick up and deliver within 2 weeks. The smaller shippers we negotiate with pool as many motorcycles as they can during cross country runs. The shippers are not driving across the country to pick up or drop off your motorcycle only. Pooling bikes together for shipping is the key to making motorcycle transportation affordable for you. Traffic, road construction, mechanical failures, prior and en-route bookings, or weather conditions can also affect the amount of time it takes to deliver your bike. Many of the companies we work with are small, motorcycle specific haulers that have an average of 2-6 trucks. They are very familiar with handling bikes because it is what they specialize in hauling.
Do I have to do anything to the bike to get it ready for uncrated shipping?
Most shippers do not require any preparation to the bike prior to pick up. Some shippers do require you to drain the gas and/or disconnect the battery, if so it will be noted in your quote. Your main responsibility is to have someone available to meet the uncrated shipper for pick up and delivery. The uncrated shippers will load and unload the bike for you.
Does Shippingmasters guarantee the rates and delivery time frames of each shipment?
Shippingmasters quotes one price and guaranties that the rate quoted includes all fees for shipping your vehicle based on the accuracy of the information you provide on your quote request, there are no hidden charges. The shipper we refer you to that provides the actual transport of your vehicle is responsible for determining the delivery schedule and providing you with the schedule information relative to your shipment. Shippers do their best to meet the time frames listed in our quotes, and in the vast majority of shipments they do, but the delivery time frames listed in our quotes are estimates and are not guaranteed. Traffic, road construction, mechanical failures, prior and en-route bookings, weather conditions, along with many other unforeseen factors can all have an affect on the amount of time it takes to deliver your vehicle. The schedule for your shipment begins when you provide the shipper with all of your shipment details and the shipper provides you with their preliminary schedule, not when Shippingmasters books your shipment. Shippingmasters cannot be held responsible for any charges incurred due to delay of pick up or delivery. Shippingmasters does not have access to the shippers scheduling systems. The shipper we refer you to is responsible for all scheduling functions.
Will I be guaranteed a container when I want it?
Until the container shipping company completely fills the system with containers, to balance supply with demand, it is possible they might be unable to meet your request with a container on the day you request it. The lead time for a container to be positioned at the origin terminal is a minimum of 2 weeks. They will serve you on a “first-paid, first-served” basis. The earlier you book and pay for your shipment, the better your likelihood of getting a container when you want it.
How long does it take to ship my motorcycle?
The container shipping company express shipping service generally takes 2-3 weeks delivery (depending on container availability), crated shipping generally takes 1-5 business days for delivery.
How do I prepare my motorcycle for shipment in a the container shipping company container?
All fluids must be drained from the motorcycle, the battery disconnected and the battery terminal cables secured to prevent electrical contact to comply with U.S. DOT regulations. If you have a small bike, this may be your only preparation; however, with larger bikes, the windshield and mirrors should be lowered or removed, and in come cases, the handlebars must be lowered as well.
Does the container shipping company provide tie-down straps and locks for the container shipping company container?
As the shipper, you are required to provide tie-down straps to secure your shipment. There are two doors on the container, you are required to provide a lock for each door. A minimum of 6 tie-down rings and, in most cases, 8 tie-down rings are installed in the floor of the container shipping company container. It is your responsibility to load and secure your motorcycle; therefore, you must provide tie-down straps and locks.
How do I prepare my bike for shipment if I supply my own crate?
The maximum allowable crate dimensions are 98″L x 47″W x 50″H. All fluids must be drained from the motorcycle, the battery disconnected and the battery terminal cable secured to prevent electrical contact to comply with U.S. DOT regulations. The motorcycle must be completely enclosed in a wooden crate constructed of not less than ¼ inch plywood with a frame using metal or a minimum of 2 X 4 inch boards. The base of the container must be pallet style or a metal base. Slots must be provided in the base so fork lifts can move the crate.
What are the maximum dimensions of a motorcycle that can be shipped?
The inside dimensions of the container shipping company containers are 98″ long by 44.6″ wide by 47.6″ high. Also, if you provide your own crate it may not exceed the following dimensions 98″L x 47″W x 50″H.
Can I send other belongings in the container with my motorcycle?
Since it is your responsibility to crate and secure your motorcycle, you certainly may use any available space in the container to ship motorcycle related, non-hazardous, accessories.
Will the container shipping company ship my motorcycle if it is inoperable?
Yes
Are motorcycles inspected at time of tender?
Motorcycles are inspected for safety compliance only.
Is there assistance available to load or unload the motorcycle from a truck or trailer?
Assistance is available during non-peak hours, typically 10AM-5PM.
Can I use the container to transport my motorcycle from the container shipping company terminal to the final destination and then bring the empty container back to the terminal?
The container shipping company container must remain on the container shipping company property, therefore you must arrange to pick-up and deliver the motorcycle at the container shipping company location.
Can the container shipping company unpack the motorcycle and dispose of my shipping crate?
Yes, however, some terminals may charge a disposal fee. The container shipping company will only help with uncrating a bike when you provide the crate, if you use a container provided by the container shipping company you are responsible for unloading all items from the container. You will need to check with the container shipping company destination terminal to see if fees apply for uncrating services.
What if I am unavailable to pick up my motorcycle at the destination terminal on the day specified?
If you are using a the container shipping company container, additional charges will accrue after 24 hours of arrival at destination because the container shipping company containers are in high demand. If you are using your own crate, your shipment will be held for 3 days before storage charges begin.
How long does the receiver have to pick up the motorcycle at destination?
Your shipment in a crate you provide will be held for 3 days before storage charges begin at the rate of $0.02 per pound or $15.00 per day.
Can I pick up the motorcycle on weekends or after work?
Each the container shipping company location has hours of operations that are particular to that terminal. Most terminals are not open on weekends but most are open late into the evening on weekdays.
What does it cost to ship my motorcycle?
The cost depends on the distance of the transport and container type (the container shipping company’s or crate provided by you).
What payment options do I have?
Shippingmasters collects a down payment via a credit card over the phone on each shipment. The remaining balance is paid directly to the container shipping company. You may pay the balance to the container shipping company on-line, using a secure credit card transaction or you may pay with certified funds or money order at origin terminal.
Can I ship a motorcycle C.O.D.?
No. The container shipping company only accepts certified funds or credit card, C.O.D. shipments are not accepted.
Can a 3rd party (other than the shipper or receiver) pay for the shipping?
Yes, however the payment must be paid to the container shipping company on-line with a credit card.
What credit cards do you take?
Shippingmasters accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. The container shipping company accepts Visa and MasterCard.
Why can’t I pay cash to the container shipping company to ship my motorcycle?
The container shipping company is a business-to-business company and they do not maintain cash on their premises.
Is my motorcycle insured during transit?
The maximum liability of the container shipping company and its subcontracting carriers for loss, damage, or delay of your shipment will be $0.50 per pound per article. Their pricing is predicated on this release valuation. This means that you assume the risk of loss to the extent the items you ship are worth more than this amount. You may wish to obtain cargo insurance for your protection, but in any event, neither you nor your insurance company will have any right of recovery against the container shipping company or its subcontractors for more than $0.50 per pound. Additional insurance is available through the container shipping company on certain routes, there is a minimum charge of $100 for $10,000 of insurance coverage if so.
Is there a phone number to call if I have questions about how to book the shipment on-line once I have paid Shippingmasters the down payment?
Yes, the container shipping company has a toll free customer service number listed on their website. Shippingmasters will provide this phone number at the time of booking your shipment.