One of the first questions you’re probably wondering when it comes to auto transport is whether you can pick your delivery window when you book. The short answer to this is yes! Most quality car shipping companies will allow you to choose your delivery window, including Carson Shipping, with exceptions described below.Delivery window during booking
Selecting a delivery window gives these efforts time to plan for work, travel, and other daily responsibilities. You can choose a delivery window that works for you, and make sure that your vehicle is ready when you are. This guide explains how delivery windows work, how to select the best one, and how to know what to expect from your transporter.
Understanding How Delivery Windows Work
The delivery window is the range of days during which the carrier expects to deliver your car. It is not an appointment, which you must meet on a particular day for the carrier to ship your car hundreds or thousands of miles.
Reasons for using delivery windows:
- Weather events may affect long-distance travel.
- Drivers must follow federal drive-time restrictions
- Road construction or traffic may affect schedules
- Timing for both pickups and drop-offs may be affected
Because of these factors, delivery windows are not set in stone. When placing an order with Carson Shipping, you are able to select whichever 1- to 3-day window best suits your needs.
How to Choose the Best Delivery Window
The correct delivery window can help make your shipping experience easy and stress free. These are some tips for doing it.
Step 1. Consider your availability
Consider who in your life would be available to drop you off and if you would like to identify a trusted friend or family member as your representative.
Step 2: Review transporter estimated transit times
Carson Shipping gives estimated delivery times based on distance and route. This information is used to determine the delivery window.
Step 3: Don’t schedule during busy days
If you have travel plans, meetings, or other time-sensitive commitments, it is best to choose another day or to be prepared for delays on account of weather.
Step 4: Leave a buffer for now
Even the best-laid plans experience occasional hiccups in life. A window instead of a timeframe establishes expectations without being overly rigid.
Setting a delivery window allows you time for getting ready and making sure you’ll be available for meeting your car.
How to Request a Delivery Window During Booking
With most companies, the process is quite simple and you can specify your preferred delivery time right away when you book with Carson Shipping. It’s that simple.
Here’s how it works:
1. Submit your vehicle shipping details
Enter your pickup and drop-off locations in addition to your preferred type of transport and dates.
2. Choose your preferred delivery window
By requesting delivery within a particular date range during scheduling, the carrier can better plan their route to meet your requirements.
3. Confirm flexibility options
Drivers do everything possible to deliver quickly. Drivers usually have some flexibility. You may select a tighter time window if needed for a price.
4. Get your confirmation
Carson Shipping will confirm whether this window is possible and keep you posted on any changes.
This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect right from the start before transport.
What to Expect After Selecting Your Delivery Window
Note that once you set your desired delivery window, the carrier will work to meet the window. Auto transport is a dynamic process, so it is important to understand how updates work.
Drivers typically provide:
- Pickup confirmation
- Mid-route progress updates
- 24 hours’ notice for delivery
- A final call 1-2 hours before arrival.
Another layer of this communication is that Carson Shipping drivers will update customers along the way, often contacting them ahead of time with updates.
What if there’s a delay?
Because of storm activity, mechanical issues, etc., if times change, the company states on its website that an updated delivery window will be provided and customers will be updated until their order arrives.
Tips to Make Delivery Day Smooth and Stress-Free
Choosing a delivery window is just one consideration for customers. These tips help make your delivery go smoothly.
✔ Keep your phone available
Drivers must be able to contact you in order to notify you when they change their location.
✔ Have a payment method at the ready
Several of these transporters require payment on delivery, therefore it is important to know how to pay.
✔ Pick a safe meeting area
Some narrow streets, apartment complexes and gated communities do not allow long carriers. Therefore, utility companies should have a plan to use nearby open parking lots.
✔ Check your vehicle carefully
Check the Bill of Lading with the driver and walk around the delivery vehicle confirming the vehicle is the same.
Following these steps will make the delivery process easy.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Company Makes Scheduling Easy
Can you choose a delivery window? Yes, when you book. When you book with trusted carriers like Carson Shipping, you can select your desired delivery window, receive timely updates, and enjoy a smooth end-to-end experience.
A flexible delivery window allows time to plan and make sure of feeling confident and ready for the vehicle.
