Does eBay Ship Cars? Everything You Should Know About eBay Car Shipping

So, Does eBay Ship Cars?

The answer is “No.” Therefore, the buyers have to take care of the vehicle shipment themselves. Be aware that everyone offering your shipping options or even free shipping is more likely to fool you around.

People face a big hurdle when buying a car on eBay by getting it to their homes. There are several options available to an online car buyer, and you should price them all out to determine the best fit for your budget.

A major factor to consider is the location of the car. Is it placed within a few hundred miles or several states away from your home? It may be cost-effective to drive with a friend and pick up the car if it is located within a reasonable driving distance. Another option is to fly out to get the car and then drive it back. Shipping is the best option if the vehicle is a long distance away or is a classic car you don’t want to put excessive miles on.

What Shipping Options Does eBay Offer?

The buyer is usually responsible for picking up or shipping a vehicle purchased from eBay. Although, some sellers will offer shipping within a few hundred-mile radii. Free or discounted delivery may be included if you buy the car through a dealership listing on eBay. Ultimately, if the car you are buying is located several hundred or thousands of miles away, you should plan on being responsible for paying the shipping costs.

Almost all car listings on eBay provide shipping information. The eBay listing will direct you to the shipping details or include a link for shipping quotes. You can also scroll down to the vehicle listing and click the “shipping and payments” tab. The shipping quotes link might not be active if the seller is willing to be responsible for delivery,

Read through the description on the eBay listing to make sure you are clear on whether the seller is offering delivery or it is your responsibility to pick the vehicle up. Factor in the cost to ship the car and add that amount to your budget before purchasing or entering an auction. 

Among the options eBay car shipping has to offer, there are:

Ordinary mail

That is a standard option when products purchased are shipped as a regular package. Obviously, shipping a car using this method is impossible.

Express mail

This method is the same as ordinary mail shipping but much faster. Nevertheless, you still cannot use this option as a method of eBay car shipping.

Courier service

We all know couriers who come directly to our homes with boxes and parcels. However, some sellers on eBay do offer courier services (by a post office or a private courier company) for vehicle shipping, which are eBay auto transport companies.

Auto-shipping is not an option set by the terms of eBay Motors

eBay Motors does not include vehicle shipping and courier services as an option. eBay car delivery can only be an option if the seller volunteers. No seller has to provide you with such a service. It is rather a perk than a rule. So, if you are out of the state when the purchase was made, everything is a bit tougher than it seems.

How Does Shipping a Car on eBay Work?

eBay is partnered with uShip, a network of affiliated shipping carriers and brokers. The car listing will include the names of service providers with information on the service type, pick-up time frame, and price. If you see a price you like, click “book shipment,” and a new page will open on the uShip website. Most of the time, the vehicle information is imported directly to uShip.

In some instances, you may need to create a listing on uShip. For example, you will probably have to do this when buying a classic car. After you create your listing, the service providers affiliated with uShip will contact you if they are willing to move your new car or have room for it on a means of transport.

There are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to be patient because a carrier will not begin the auto transport until it is complete. Also, fewer carriers offer closed transport as an option if that is your preference. Lastly, uShip adds a fee to each transaction, resulting in an increase in your shipping cost.

How Does eBay Motors Work?

All purchases of vehicles, their parts, and accessories made on eBay are directly included in the eBay vehicle purchase protection program. eBay Motors is a part of eBay responsible for these kinds of purchases. You get protection from fraud, loss, nondisclosure, or any other issues.

What If The Listing Is Marked As “Free Shipping”?

As we’ve already mentioned, free shipping is not an option for eBay Motors. So, be careful when you see such a listing that offers free shipping and check out the seller for more information and all the details.

For Sellers – Do You Have to Ship Your Car to Buyers?

Of course, not. You, as a seller, are not obliged to worry about transportation and figure out the whole shipping process of it. You can just include a car on the listing for sale, and local buyers can easily purchase your vehicle and pick it up themselves. 

However, it narrows the number of people who opt for buying a car. If you open your listing for buyers from other areas, your chances of selling a vehicle get higher. And they will look for auto transport companies to provide shipping themselves. 

For Buyers – Is Buying a Car Off eBay Then Shipping It Worth the Cost (And Hassle)?

Everyone looks for a bargain when getting a car. Of course, you can opt for a local seller and easily pick up a new car. However, you will for sure have limited options. 

Reaching long-distance options widens a range of vehicle choices. In most cases, it is worth it, as you can find a much cheaper vehicle but in the same condition as in your local area or even better. Shipping this vehicle isn’t as expensive as you think.

Save money

You save money when you prefer buying a car on eBay and then safely ship it – no need to travel yourself (this way, you spend even more), and you get more attractive options. Moreover, you can have a full protection package included.

Save time

Most importantly, you save a lot of time. While your vehicle is shipped, you may take care of your other deeds and wait for the experts to deliver your car to your home.

Ensures that car is in good condition

If you drive a just-purchased vehicle yourself, you cannot be sure that everything goes smoothly. Moreover, you can increase miles driven (which is not good either). If you ship it, you receive a car in the same condition as it was bought. Ship your vehicle safely!

Protect your investment

As mentioned previously, you get a vehicle protection package. It means that even in case of some accident, you get a refund or it covers any damage. In other words, you don’t lose a penny. Make sure what insurance company provides services for the transportation company you’re using to be able to make an insurance claim, just in case!

How to Ship a Car Purchased On eBay and Who Pays for It

Always keep in mind – it is the buyer’s responsibility to take care of the shipping process after a car was purchased from eBay.

The thought of looking for an auto transport provider can be intimidating. Therefore, one benefit of using eBay car shipping is that you have the option of picking from a list of service providers and do not have to look for auto transport companies and quotes yourself. Additionally, most of the time, the car listing information is imported to the uShip web page for you. However, be sure to always research the auto transport company offered through uShip and do your “due diligence.” The company with the lowest quote might not be the best option for you.

Btw, you can check our 10 tips how to choose a car transport company, but below we have also listed some of them, so:

Find a few companies

Prior even to buying a car, check on shipping services provided by different companies. You may create a list of a few of them.

Consider the following when making your choice: carriers tend to have very limited customer service. They spend their time managing the drivers and planning the routes. A broker company will provide some form of customer service. Use an auto transport company that offers vehicle tracking, which allows you to know where your vehicle is during the shipping process. Also, it is a good idea to check a company’s testimonials or look for online forums specializing in car transport.

Compare companies

You should first determine what service a company provides when comparing auto transport companies. Are they a carrier, a broker, or both?

A car carrier company has its own trucks and equipment and transports cars for a broker. A carrier must be licensed with the FMCSA and insured to operate legally.

A broker offers car shipping services by hiring carriers and arranging transportation. The broker’s job is to check a carrier’s license and auto insurance policy. A broker company must also be licensed and insured by the FMCSA. Visit the FMCSA on the Department of Transportation website for more information.

Your specific car transport needs will determine whether a carrier or broker is the best one to use. Both brokers and carriers can provide you with a good transport experience.

Get Several Shipping Quotes

Most car transportation companies have instant car shipping cost calculators on their websites. The price quoted to you depends on several factors, including the season, fuel price, location, and the vehicle’s size and condition. Be sure the information entered into the quote calculator is correct.   

To use a quote calculator, put in the zip codes of the pick-up and drop-off locations to determine the number of miles the vehicle will be transported. Next, provide the vehicle’s make, model, and year. Then, you choose the transport trailer type, the vehicle’s condition, and desired shipping date.

Shop around with both carriers and brokers and see who gives you the best rate. Remember, price isn’t the only factor to use when choosing the auto transport company to ship your vehicle.

Schedule the pick-up and drop off

That is when a buyer and a seller play an important role. The pick-up date and time should be discussed with a seller so that they are able to meet the transportation representatives.

The drop-off date is negotiable as most transportation companies offer parking lots for delivered vehicles so that you can pick them up yourself. In another case, you can agree on delivering it directly to your door on a suitable day and time for both parties.

Meet all the requirements

This point allows for paperwork. It involves all parties – a seller, a buyer, and an auto shipping company. It consists in preparing a vehicle, documents, car keys, payments, etc. 

Get your car!

Now, you should just wait a while for your vehicle to be delivered. And here you are! Get your car!

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car Purchased on eBay?

You may be wondering, “OK, I save my time and money. But, how much does it cost?” The exact cost of shipping cars bought on eBay depends on several factors:

• The distance between pick-up and drop-off points
• The type of area and the state of roads
• The season
• The type of an auto shipping method (open or enclosed)
• The current prices of fuel

What Influences Cost When You Ship a Car?

Transport trailer type

A car from eBay can be transported on either an open or enclosed trailer. Open trailers are more budget-friendly than enclosed trailers. Open trailers cost less and offer better flexibility in shipping dates due to the higher volume of transport using this method. Enclosed trailers are a good option when transporting a luxury or classic vehicle. 

However, enclosed trailers are limited in size and the number of cars they carry, which considerably raises the cost. Also, fewer carriers offer enclosed trailer transports which restrict its availability.

Size of the Vehicle

The size of the vehicle you are transporting affects the cost of shipping. As a result, it costs less to ship a small sedan or motorcycle than it costs to ship a large SUV the same distance.

Distance

Not surprisingly, the farther your vehicle needs to go, the higher the transport cost. Although, shorter distances do have a higher cost per mile than longer distances.

Season

Seasonal influences can affect the price of shipping costs. Summer and early fall are the busiest shipping months. Therefore, it will cost more to transport during that time. On the other hand, the carriers fill up faster during summer and early fall, so it is possible to receive your vehicle sooner. Additionally, you can save money if you are able to ship your vehicle between late fall and early spring. Another seasonal factor to consider if you are shipping in the US between the North and South is the Snowbirds. They move North in the summer and South in the winter and often ship cars. For this reason, it is cost-effective to transport your car in the opposite direction of the Snowbirds.

Route and location

Shipping a car purchased on eBay from big city to big city will cost less than transporting to and from small towns. The larger and more populated the city of origin and destination of the vehicle, the cheaper the transportation rate. It occurs because big cities have a larger supply of cars requiring transportation, and carriers are more likely to service areas with more supply. You should consider shipping your vehicle to the closest big city if you live in a rural area.

Fuel cost

The cost of fuel per gallon affects the price of shipping. The higher fuel costs per gallon, the higher the shipping quote.

Shipping speed

Your shipping quote includes prices for both standard and rush shipping. Faster shipping costs several hundred dollars more. Standard shipping will save you a lot of money if you can be patient.

Now what? 

Use this information to make sure you get the best deal when you are shipping the car you purchased online. Research and choose the provider that offers the shipping service you need at a reasonable price. Look online for forums that provide information on a company’s reliability and service.

A transport company that operates as both a carrier and a broker provides the best combination, fair car shipping rates as well as customer service. ShipCar24 offers the consumer this type of experience.

Check out our quote calculator to get both standard and rush shipping rates. Let us be your personal eBay car shipping company, and we will deliver your dream car to you at a reasonable cost and with exceptional customer service.

Published by Katerina Boyko