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Sherpa Auto Transport has already earned a place among the nation’s best car shipping companies, despite first opening for business in 2017. In this Sherpa Auto Transport review, we take an in-depth look at the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company’s Sherpa Auto Transport’s vehicle shipping options, costs, and customer experience.
Sherpa Auto Transport Costs
Our team was able to secure a quote from Sherpa Auto Transport to ship a 2018 Toyota Camry in running condition. Sherpa quoted us $1,325 to ship the car from Los Angeles to New York City in an open container. The estimated transit time was four to eight days.
But like any vehicle shipper, Sherpa Auto Transport’s prices depend on several factors. Our research team found Sherpa’s average shipping price to be around $1,600, which is higher than most other competitors. But remember, Sherpa won’t change your rate after your initial car shipping quote thanks to its Price Lock Promise.
How Sherpa Auto Transport Calculates Car Shipping Costs
Like every auto shipping company, Sherpa uses several factors to determine the cost of shipping your car. Here are the main factors that affect your car shipping cost:
- Cost of fuel: Fuel costs are one of the biggest costs for motor carriers, so you can expect them to affect your shipping costs.
- Shipping distance: Auto transport companies charge by the mile for service, so cross-country shipments and other long-distance moves will cost more. However, the per-mile rates typically go down the further you ship your car.
- The vehicle: Larger and specialty vehicles usually cost more to ship.
- Time of year: January and summer are the busy seasons for the auto transport industry, so expect higher prices on average.
- Transport type: Enclosed transport and expedited shipping are specialty services, so open transport is generally the most cost-effective way to ship.
Sherpa Auto Transport requires an initial payment if you request shipping services after receiving a no-obligation, free quote. The initial payment varies depending on the type of vehicle and transport and other shipping factors.
If you want to cancel transportation services before a carrier is assigned to your shipment, you’ll pay a $25 dispatch fee. If a carrier has been assigned, however, you’ll still be charged for the initial payment.
Sherpa Customer Discounts
Sherpa Auto Transport lists only one discount on its website. Active-duty military members are eligible for auto shipping at a reduced price.
Sherpa Auto Transport Shipping Services
Compared to some of its rivals in the car shipping industry, Sherpa Auto Transport has limited shipping options. The company doesn’t transport motorcycles, RVs, boats, or other specialty vehicles.
Instead, Sherpa focuses squarely on being an auto transport broker for most family vehicles and classic cars. For an additional fee, the company will also move inoperable vehicles, as long as the vehicles can be rolled and steered.
Here are some other auto transport services Sherpa offers:
- Door-to-door delivery
- Limited expedited shipping
- Open transport and enclosed trailers
Sherpa provides 24/7 access to transport experts as part of the car shipping process. These experts can give real-time updates on the location of your vehicle and provide an estimated drop-off time.
Price Lock Promise
One benefit of using Sherpa for your car transport needs is the Price Lock Promise, which essentially ensures that the price you’re quoted from Sherpa is the price you will pay for vehicle shipping. If a carrier bills you a higher amount, Sherpa will cover costs of up to $300 toward the new price.
Clean Car Guarantee
Sherpa Auto Transport offers car washes as part of its shipping process. After your vehicle reaches its destination, Sherpa will reimburse you up to $20 for a car wash you get within seven days of your car’s delivery.
Sherpa requires all of its carriers to be appropriately licensed to operate their vehicles and maintain satisfactory USDOT safety ratings. The vetted carriers also maintain Motor Truck Cargo insurance policies consisting of:
- A minimum of $100,000 in coverage per shipment
- Commercial General Liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million
How to Ship a Car With Sherpa Auto Transport
According to Sherpa Auto Transport reviews, the company’s emphasis on stress-free shipping is one of its main selling points. Shipping your car with Sherpa is relatively simple. You’ll just need to follow a few steps.
- ?????Book your service: You can obtain a quote for your shipment and book your service entirely online. After you select your date and confirm your details, Sherpa will look to line you up with a driver. Once they do, you’ll need to make an initial payment with a credit card.
- Prepare your car for shipping: You’ll want to clean your car inside and out and remove any personal effects from your vehicle before shipping it. Remember that loose items in the car can bounce around and do damage to your interior, so be sure everything is secure.
- Be there for pickup: Since Sherpa only offers door-to-door shipping, your driver will come to you. You’ll want to go over your car’s condition with the driver to make sure everything is accurately accounted for in the Bill of Lading before handing it off.
- Wait: The shipping time for your vehicle depends on traffic, weather, and your driver’s delivery schedule. Sherpa doesn’t offer GPS tracking, but you can make a phone call to customer service to check on the status of your vehicle. Most Sherpa Auto Transport reviews mention on-time delivery, so you should receive your car within the quoted timeframe.
- Accept delivery: All that’s left is to meet your driver at the drop-off, or have a trusted friend or relative do it for you. Someone will need to inspect the car, sign the Bill of Lading, and then pay the remainder of the bill—either with cash or a certified check.
Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews & Ratings
Sherpa Auto Transport reviews are mostly positive. The company has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2018 and holds an A+ rating from the BBB. Customers also give the auto shipping provider a 4.9 out of 5-star rating from about 200 reviews.
On Google, more than 400 Sherpa Auto Transport reviews averaged 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.
Positive Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Positive reviews of Sherpa Auto Transport mention professional drivers and quality service. Here is what some customers had to say:
“We had a Jeep transported from Horseshoe Bay, Texas, to Vail, Colorado, last week, and it went flawlessly. Communication, timeliness, service quality, best of all, no surprises! Thanks to the entire team!”
– Ed B. via BBB
“Everything was as advertised. The driver was the best, nice, customer-focused, helpful, communicated clearly, precise in directions. Great experience from start to finish.”
– Bill D. via BBB
Negative Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Of the negative Sherpa Auto Transport customer reviews we found, some mentioned bait-and-switch pricing while others cited a lack of professionalism. It’s important to remember, though, that carriers are independent contractors rather than direct employees of a company, so a positive customer experience cannot be guaranteed even if your interactions with Sherpa employees are nothing less than pleasant.
Here is what some customers had to say:
“[My car] arrived late, unloaded in the wrong location, with multiple points of damage, including a completely shattered back window. I could not reach their customer service to make a claim. … I would avoid doing any business with Sherpa.”
– Sean M. via BBB
“My problem is when my wife met the driver in California, he was very threatening to her and strong-armed her into giving him a better tip. It was to the point where she should have called the Sheriff’s Department and reported him. For this reason, I will never use Sherpa again. They need to vet their carriers much better.”
– Damon O. via BBB
Sherpa Auto Transport: Best for Locked-In Pricing
The bottom line on Sherpa Auto Transport is that the company typically provides stress-free auto shipping and transparent pricing. If you are looking for positive customer service experiences and have a budget in mind, Sherpa is a good choice. We rate the provider 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
If you are looking for shipping to places such as Hawaii or overseas, you may want to look elsewhere since Sherpa only ships vehicles in the continental U.S.
Our Recommendations for Auto Shipping Companies
Our research team suggests getting no-hassle car shipping quotes online from multiple car transporters whether you’re moving your vehicle a short distance or across the country. That way, you can compare rates and see which shipping company best fits your shipping needs.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service
Based on several factors, we give Montway Auto Transport 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, and the company wins our award for Best Service. The transporter offers shipping in all 50 states, which means it can ship a car from New York, California, or Florida to Hawaii or vice versa.
Montway also ships cars internationally, offers expedited car shipping services, and can transport vehicles such as motorcycles, all with some of the most affordable rates in the shipping industry.
AmeriFreight: Best Deals
Customers looking for discounts may want to check out AmeriFreight, which we designate as the car shipping provider offering the best deals. Discounts are available for military members, students, first responders, senior citizens, and others.
Along with offering great savings, AmeriFreight ships to all 50 U.S. states and doesn’t require any money upfront for car shipping services. Overall, we give AmeriFreight 4.0 out of 5.0 stars – the same overall rating as Sherpa Auto Transport.
FAQ: Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Is Sherpa Auto Transport legit?
Sherpa Auto Transport is a well-reviewed car transport company with a reputation for excellent customer service. The company has an A+ rating from the BBB and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 stars from Sherpa Auto Transport reviews on the BBB website.
Is Sherpa Auto Transport a broker?
Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport is a broker. The company contracts car shipment services with a network of vetted and insured car carriers.
What is the best auto transport company to use?
Our research team has identified companies such as Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, AmeriFreight, and Sherpa Auto Transport as strong choices due to their reputations, shipping quotes, and car shipping services. That said, one auto transporter may not be the right choice for every customer, so it’s important to get quotes from different companies and compare them.
Where is Sherpa Auto Transport located?
Sherpa Auto Transport is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Original article: Sherpa Auto Transport: Reviews, Services & Prices (2021)
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