Author Archives: schatzi

Auto Transport Broker, The Role Of A Middleman

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Have you ever wondered what an auto transport broker does for the customer? If you have, you are not alone. Many people do not know exactly what to expect when they make that first phone call. When I first learned of the auto transport broker business, I did not know the exact and complete role of the broker either.

There are many small details just like any other job. However, today I want to address one BIG part of the job. That is how the transport broker must balance serving their customer with serving their drivers.

Brokering may seem simple…

The reality is there are many details that make up the job. Some may seem minor, but could take a twist and turn for the worse making a mountain out of a molehill.

One such detail is the carrier’s insurance. Department of Transportation requires each truck and driver on the road to carry a minimum amount of insurance. Truckers are no different from you and me. We are fined when we do not have insurance on our cars, the same goes for them.

One major difference is in the insurance limits and terms of coverage. Verifying the insurance is in effect and will not expire during the transport is part of the job. Then there is the matter of what is covered. It only makes sense that liability and equipment is covered. However, what about the customer’s car; is it covered?

Trucker’s insurance has a special coverage called “cargo”. Each company’s limits will vary according to their equipment, how many cars they can carry and of course, the premium they are willing to pay. Therefore, as a transport broker we must make sure our customers precious cargo is covered at least for the minimum allowed by law.

Another aspect of brokering is in verifying the reputation of the carrier and company. Each brokerage has points of contact to do this part of his/her job. There are government websites available and reference checks from business contacts to aid checking a carrier’s reputation. In any case, you always want to know whom you are dealing with on behalf of your customer.

What will happen if a problem comes up?

Just like any other job, problems can arise no matter how well you have done your job. With government cutbacks, paperwork and websites are not always up to date. Insurance lapses and the updating of each file can fall between the cracks. A quick call to each company’s insurance agent can solve that piece of the puzzle very quickly.

Can you really count on references to give an honest one? One source you can trust is your fellow auto transport broker! We have found over the years that a huge key to our success is building a solid relationship with our fellow brokers. By advising each other of negative experiences, we have developed a “black list”. This list contains names and locations of carriers who have performed below the standards we choose for our customers.

One of these problems arose just the other day in our office. We received a phone call from one of the office managers at the trucking company. The issue revolved around the delivery of a customer’s car. After carefully listening, pulling the file and contacting the customer for their side of the story, we were able to call the carrier back with a solution.

As a business owner, you must be able to referee each part of the transport in a fair and equitable fashion. There is Department of Transportation laws that govern what we as brokers may and may not do, period. Keeping this in mind, we must serve our client who has paid us. Then, we must also take care of our truckers who provide the service to our customers and us.

So, what are we to do? Listen to all of the facts, from both the customer and the driver. Looking at our file and notes, we must then make a determination of “the reality”. We must keep in mind that each driver and customer is going to be looking at it from his or her own perspective. Each will want the situation to end the way they want it to. We help each party calm down, take a step back and come to a solution, peacefully.

We must make each one happy. We want a happy, satisfied customer with their vehicle safely in their possession. However, we also want a satisfied trucker who will want to work with our company again.

As the transport broker and business owner, all we can do is follow the law. Guide our customer through the process and help the driver and customer complete the transaction in a fair and equitable manner.

This is auto transport brokering. It can be a fun, challenging and rewarding profession. An auto transport broker solves two situations. If you want to ship your car, a broker can help you. If it is a new career you are looking for, an auto transport broker is a possibility, too.

Which Type of Harley Davidson Motorcycle and Motorcycle Helmet is Best For You

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You’ve been wanting one for so long. When you hear the roar of the engine, your heart skips a beat and you put on your motorcycle helmet. You stop and stare, fantasizing about what it would be like if YOU were sitting in the seat.

Before you go out and buy yourself a Harley, it’s wise to do your homework and determine which type of motorcycle is best suited for you. To begin you want to match the type of bike to your riding style, expectations, experience, and ability. You also want to consider how you will be riding the bike. If you plan on riding fast, I suggest you buy a snell certified motorcycle helmet.

Last, but not least, you’ll want to take into consideration your physical size and abilities. A common mistake many people make is to buy a motorcycle that is too big for them. Obviously, this can result in serious injury or death. It’s important to select a motorcycle that you can skillfully maneuver and manage. Sometimes it is best to start out with a full face motorcycle helmet.

Harley Davidson offers a wide range of motorcycles and can accommodate nearly everyone’s needs. Let’s take a look at the various types of Harley Davidson motorcycles : Don’ forget to buy a motorcycle helmet. There are full face motorcycle helmets, half size motorcycle helmets, Snell certified M2005, beanies, ATV motorcycle helmet.

Touring: If you plan on taking road trips, this is the Harley for you. However, if you are a beginner, this type of bike is probably more than you can handle. When these bikes are fully loaded, they can weigh up to 800 pounds. Harley touring bikes include Road Kings and Glides.

Cruisers: Harley Cruisers are a lighter weight motorcycle than Touring bikes; however, they are still heavy and not recommended for beginners. Cruisers are categorized as Softails and include the Harley Fat Boy, Heritage and Nostalgia models.

Softails: The term softail refers to a type of rear suspension system installed to absorb shock. Softails were designed to be reminiscent of the rigid mount design of earlier models; but provide a more comfortable ride. Harley Softails are a popular choice for daily riding. Many riders choose the Softail when they want to create their own custom design.

Softails are lighter in weight than Touring or Cruiser Harley’s. Models include the Softail Custom, Springer Softail, Heritage Softail, Heritage Springer, Night Train, Deuce, and Fat Boy. Use a Snell motorcycle helmet with this bike

Dynas: The Dynas model has a dual shock rear suspension like the Touring bikes and a front end like the Softail and Sportster models. The engine has a rubber mounted support system to reduce engine vibration. Dynas are available with a wide – glide or narrow – glide front end. This type of bike is a good choice for street riding and appropriate for beginners.

Sportster: These are the perfect choice of Harley motorcycles for beginners. These bikes have a smaller engine and smaller frame and are the lightest bikes offered by Harley – Davidson. Sportsters are the only Harley with two engine sizes, the 883 and 1200. They are about half the cost of the big twin Harley’s; making them the most affordable choice the company offers.

V – Rod: The V – Rod is newest Harley model and introduces a water cooled engine. The V – Rod motorcycle has the style of an imported sport bike, yet retains the stretched out forward controls that are uniquely Harley. This is a good daily riding motorcycle and makes a good choice for those who are experienced in riding. Try a Full Face motorcycle helmet or a half size motorcycle helmet.

Buell: Although this isn’t exactly a Harley; Buell sport bikes are made and sold through Harley Davidson. Buell motorcycles are a traditional sports bike powered by an American V – Twin engine. Buell motorcycles are a great all – around bike, suitable for daily riding or shorter road trips. Several engine sizes are available, making Buell motorcycles a good choice for beginners to seasoned riders. At this point you can choose the motorcycle helmet that you want

Bath Hardware Perfect to Upgrade Your Bathroom

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Installing new bathroom hardware is one of the most popular–and most affordable–ways to upgrade your bathroom. It allows you to bring the entire style of the room together and spice up a would-be boring bathroom. There are numerous options for bathroom hardware and the first place to start is the finish.

The finish you choose for your bathroom hardware should be the same throughout. This is one of the musts when remodeling a bathroom. Whether you choose brushed nickel, rubbed bronze, brushed natural pewter or something completely different make sure the finish extends to everything, from light fixtures and towel racks to the bathtub hardware and faucet. This will ensure your bathroom looks planned, put together and stylish.

So what do you do after you’ve fallen in love with a finish? Next comes the fun part: shopping. Decide what your bathroom will need. Common accessories and hardware items include the sink faucet and bathtub hardware, a light fixture, toilet paper holder and soap dish. Be sure not to overlook the special touches like cabinet handles, towel stands and wastebaskets. Shop around to get the best deal on bathroom hardware. As long as you stick with one finish it can be very easy to purchase items individually from a number of stores.

There are a number of advantages to upgrading your bathroom hardware. If your home was built new or comes with cheap starter hardware replacing the hardware can actually increase the value of your home. It may also be a good idea if you purchase a home with mismatched hardware. Lastly, replacing outdated or unattractive bathroom hardware and accessories allows you to completely redo your space and create an oasis.

Keep in mind that replacing the hardware in your bathroom does not have to be expensive. You can also start small. If everything already matches consider replacing just your sink faucet with something grand and luxurious. You’ll spend under $200 but completely change the feel of the room. You can also replace the bathtub hardware with a beautiful, retro faucet. Adding items such as a towel warmer can also make the space more welcoming and enjoyable on those cold mornings. Remember, it’s all up to you. Changing bath hardware is all about personal taste and is a simple way to recreate the bathroom for yourself.

Avoid These Car Rental Mistakes

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Car rental has become a very big business in recent years, and many individuals now make use of car rentals for a variety of things. Whether they need a car for their vacation or have to rent a car because their particular vehicle is at the garage, it’s not uncommon to see lines forming at rental counters during peak hours. Since the volume of people and businesses using rental it is not surprising to see so man rental blunders are being made.

Do Your Research

Spend some time to perform some research about car rental. This is certainly important regardless of whether you are booking a car in your country or are using a holiday car hire agency. As an example, your present policy could possibly insure car rentals too. Consequently, by finding the time to research such information, you will end up properly prepared for the service, and it will be near impossible for the car rental businesses to rip you off. As far as holiday car rentals are involved, you will in all probability be paying by credit card. Many international credit cards now include insurance for such services. Performing your research properly permits you to take advantage of such offers you already have and almost certainly didn’t even know about.

Reserve Your Car As Far Ahead As Possible.

Although it may seem obvious, most people often ignore this simple and crucial step. If you know you must rent a car, reserve as early as possible. This really is especially important if you’re hiring a car in a foreign country. You probably won’t want the hassle of landing in a foreign country and have to find a decent car when you arrive. Many of the agents probably only speak marginal English and the experience will be frustrating.

In addition, it’s also sensible to take note that car rental rates rise as they reach the busy times of the year, for example Christmas, the New Year, and also Easter. As more people will probably be using these kinds of agencies, it is not surprising to discover their prices soar. Thus, reserving as soon as possible lets you cut costs while staying away from long queues at the rentals.

Verify Your Vehicle and Read Your Contract

When you pick up your car or it is brought to you, take the extra time to verify the car and check that everything is functioning properly. Based on the agreement, you ought to check whether the fuel tank is full since most agencies require that your give back the car with a complete tank. Fuel policy is one of the most unclear things about car rental deals. You should thus ensure that you properly read the contract and focus on it with your agent if you are not sure about some points. You should also check the motor car for any damage before you actually sign the contract. If you fail to do so, you might be priced excessively high rates for any dents found in the car when you take it back. Unfortunately, many companies try to earn profits by relying on such shameless techniques, and it is always up to the client to take his own steps.

Follow these simple steps and you won’t make the most common errors when renting your next car.