The short answer
Shipping an online car purchase starts with confirming the seller's earliest release date, then booking so pickup lines up within that window — Standard covers most cases at 1-7 business days. Choose open transport for everyday vehicles and enclosed for anything high-value, never pay a deposit to anyone, and arrange for the seller or their staff to sign the Bill of Lading if you can't be present.
- Sellers typically need 1-3 business days after sale to prep title paperwork and release the vehicle for pickup.
- Open transport covers roughly 90% of online purchases and costs less; enclosed adds 35% but shields against weather and road debris.
- Pay At Pickup means no deposit is ever collected — the full charge hits your card only when the carrier loads the car at the seller's lot.
- A remote buyer can authorize the seller or a dealership employee to sign the Bill of Lading on their behalf.
- Optional cargo coverage at $99 per vehicle adds $200,000 in protection, useful for a purchase you haven't personally inspected yet.
Syncing your booking with the seller's timeline
Before you book, confirm two dates with the seller: when the title and paperwork will be ready, and when the vehicle can physically be released to a carrier. Private sellers often need a day or two after the sale clears; dealerships may have their own release process tied to their lot schedule. Book your shipment for pickup within that window rather than immediately at purchase, since a carrier showing up before the car is release-ready leads to a wasted trip and possible rescheduling fee from some carriers.
Open vs. enclosed for an online purchase
- Open transport: standard choice for daily-driver sedans, SUVs, and trucks bought online — lower cost, same carriers used for most routes.
- Enclosed transport: adds 35% but protects against weather, road spray, and debris — worth it for a classic, high-performance, or luxury purchase you haven't seen in person.
- If the listing photos show any existing paint or trim concerns, enclosed reduces the risk of new damage complicating an already-uncertain condition assessment.
- For inoperable vehicles bought as-is, note that a separate 35% inoperable surcharge applies regardless of open or enclosed choice.
Why you should never pay a deposit
A request for a deposit or partial payment before pickup is one of the clearest warning signs in online vehicle transactions, whether it's coming from a shipping arrangement or the sale itself. With Pay At Pickup, $0 is due when you book and no deposit is ever collected — your card is charged the full order total only the moment the carrier physically picks up the vehicle. If anyone asks you to wire a deposit for transport before that pickup happens, treat it as a red flag unrelated to how legitimate car shipping actually works.
Handling the Bill of Lading when you're not there
Since you're buying remotely, you likely won't be at the pickup location. Authorize the seller, a dealership staff member, or a shipping-savvy friend to conduct the pickup inspection and sign the Bill of Lading on your behalf. Ask them to photograph all four corners, the roof, and the odometer before the carrier loads it — those photos become your baseline for comparison at delivery, when you'll do your own walk-around before signing off.
Protecting your purchase with cargo coverage
- Add the optional $99 per-vehicle coverage for $200,000 in protection, especially valuable when you haven't personally inspected the car.
- Review the carrier's standard cargo liability limits before assuming you're automatically covered for the vehicle's full value.
- Keep your purchase paperwork and any pre-shipment photos on hand in case a claim becomes necessary.
What to check at delivery
- Compare the vehicle against the pickup photos your seller or proxy took.
- Start the engine and check for any new fluid leaks or warning lights.
- Note any discrepancies directly on the Bill of Lading before signing.
- Confirm mileage roughly matches the listing plus a reasonable transport distance.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to be present when my online car purchase is picked up?
- No. You can authorize the seller or a dealership employee to hand off the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading on your behalf, as long as you brief them on what to check and photograph beforehand.
- Should I choose open or enclosed for a car I bought online?
- Open transport is fine for most everyday vehicles and costs less. Choose enclosed, which adds 35%, for a high-value, classic, or performance vehicle you haven't personally inspected, since it limits weather and road debris exposure.
- Is a deposit ever required to book shipping?
- No. Pay At Pickup means $0 is due at booking and there is never a deposit. Your card is charged the full total only when the carrier physically picks up the vehicle.
- What if the car I bought is inoperable?
- Disclose that when booking. Inoperable vehicles require winch-equipped loading equipment and carry a 35% surcharge, separate from any open or enclosed choice.