Dealer shipped car on open trailer by accident....should I be worried?

[mjr24]

I just bought a new i7 from a dealer in Georgia. We had very clearly agreed on shipping it CLOSED TRANSPORT.

I find out the driver picked it up today and the dealer accidentally ordered open transport. Needless to say, I'm pissed off and worried. The dealer has used this transporter a lot with no issues.....transporter is insured, etc.

Has anyone else done open transport and been OK? Luckily I checked the weather and there isn't even any rain anywhere from Georgia to here over the next few days.

It's one thing if it's dirty....but if there are any rock chips, I am unwinding the deal. The dealer said that would be fine....but who knows how they actually handle this if something does end up being wrong.

[GOFAST M3]

I had 1 car shipped open, and the shipper replaced the window due to a rock chip in transit. This was a long trip though, hopefully you wont have any issues.

I would likely do the same if there were any chips, not new anymore IMO.

I'm betting you'll be okay. It will need a wash etc for you to know for sure, maybe have a BMW dealer prep it for you before taking delivery is an option?

[DocL]

It's no different that you driving your car on the highway. I've shiped cars on open trailer and besides neding a good wash after, it really is no big deal. Especially for an everyday driver like your car.

[David70]

It has less chance of damage than you driving it on the highway, it's either far up in the air, likely behind another car (even if not, heck of a rock to end up at this height) or lower, but not as low as you will drive it, protected by the the truck cab, grating, framing, likely another car.

Not sure who paid for shipping but an open transport is cheaper so somebody saved some money.

I had a car shipped from Phoenix to Cincinnati on an open carrier, no problems. While highly unlikely to have any issues it is critical you do a complete walk around and make sure everything is good. Once you sign off that everything is ok it's really difficult to later try to say there were issues (all of this is reasonable, wouldn't be fair to the transport company for you to drive it home and then complain later).

[ppointer]

I had a similar issue. Paid for enclosed but they sent it on an open trailer. Perhaps the dirtiest that car had ever been.

The appeasement should be a no-cost detailing and a refund of the difference.

[mjr24]

All good answers…..thanks. Definitely expecting it to be dirty, which is fine….

I’m sure it will be fine. I’m pretty sure all new cars are shipped to the dealers using open transport, too.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by mjr24

All good answers…..thanks. Definitely expecting it to be dirty, which is fine….

I’m sure it will be fine. I’m pretty sure all new cars are shipped to the dealers using open transport, too.

They are, though some manufacturers will allow you to pay an upcharge form closed transport to the dealer. Of they actually do it... Who knows?

[nerdogray]

"Accidentally."

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

They are, though some manufacturers will allow you to pay an upcharge form closed transport to the dealer. Of they actually do it... Who knows?

I don't know when they stopped but in the early/mid 90s all new BMWs were shipped "enclosed" from the boat to the dealer. I remember it was a soft side material that usually had their latest advertising slogan and you could see it ripple in the wind at highway speeds. But presumably it did keep the cars clean and free from rocks.

Of course that was when BMW was selling under 100K new cars in the US, and it's what 3-4x more now.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by nerdogray

"Accidentally."

I hadn’t even paid the shipper yet….so it’s not like they were trying to pocket anything.

However, the dealer was supposed to coordinate everything and then I was going to pay the shipper myself. It’s their shipper….

[moriluvatar]

I had this happen once with my Maserati when I moved from FL to CA one summer. I was really worried about the f up and gave everyone absolute hell.

My car, which my kids used to call ‘four cheese’ looked like she’d been through a bug waterfall… but not a scratch on her, and the detail they did as she came off the truck sorted things out. My son who was with me shouted “four cheese!” when we saw her afterward, looking great.

So I guess my message here is: it’s probably going to be just fine, and don’t stress too much. If it does go sideways you can deal with it then. I know it’s hard not to start imagining the scenarios and arguments now but that’s not healthy for you so do what you can to not go down that path if you can.

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by jkoral

I don't know when they stopped but in the early/mid 90s all new BMWs were shipped "enclosed" from the boat to the dealer. I remember it was a soft side material that usually had their latest advertising slogan and you could see it ripple in the wind at highway speeds. But presumably it did keep the cars clean and free from rocks.

Of course that was when BMW was selling under 100K new cars in the US, and it's what 3-4x more now.

If it makes you feel any better my brand new M2CS was shipped from port to WI in the middle of winter on an open carrier. I was pissed. BMW doesn't care much for enclosed transport anymore it appears.

[BMWCCA1]

Congratulations on your new BMW!

Yep, open-carrier is the same way new BMWs arrive at most dealerships these days.

I'd be more worried about learning how to operate your new car without the dealership Genius to help, and what you're going to do the first time some of the electronics take a dump and leave you without a display. I hope if all works out for you.

[Snave01]

Shipped on an open trailer does not always = damage, just an increased risk. Also, is it new with all of the protective coverings and such or new but already prepped for customer or potential customer viewing? That could make a difference as well. As other said, inspect for damage before driving off.

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I had a similar issue. Paid for enclosed but they sent it on an open trailer. Perhaps the dirtiest that car had ever been.

The appeasement should be a no-cost detailing and a refund of the difference.

^^^ This.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by jkoral

I don't know when they stopped but in the early/mid 90s all new BMWs were shipped "enclosed" from the boat to the dealer. I remember it was a soft side material that usually had their latest advertising slogan and you could see it ripple in the wind at highway speeds. But presumably it did keep the cars clean and free from rocks.

Of course that was when BMW was selling under 100K new cars in the US, and it's what 3-4x more now.

We're delivering someone's baby.

[tracknut]

My last BMW was shipped to my house on an open trailer. It was fine, but I met the driver at the street and the car was facing backward. I couldn't help but wonder if they do that because people will tend to go over the front carefully looking for damage.

[Gemini562]

Oops, we accidentally saved some money on your shipment. Totally unintentional, of course

[tturedraider]

Your concern is not without merit, but BMW, unfortunately, has been shipping its cars to the dealers on open transports for the better part of a decade now. They used to only transport in closed carriers with Waggoners, but when their contract expired they didn’t renew it. I was concerned when they made the change, but apparently BMW has been satisfied with the change.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by Gemini562

Oops, we accidentally saved some money on your shipment. Totally unintentional, of course

Again it wasn’t this.
I didn’t pay the dealer up front for the shipping. I paid the shipper directly after it had been picked up (which, I will say, I’ve never had a shipper pick a car up without payment first). So quite honestly, they would have probably made a bigger profit had they actually sent an enclosed.

Anyways, supposed to be here tonight so I guess we will see!

Dealer did say they’d pay for a detail due to error. I take detail to mean paint correction

[mjr24]

Update, car came late tonight and looked to be OK although it was dark out! Went over it with my phone light and didn't see any chips, definitely dirty though. Will inspect more later today but I think I lucked out.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Update, car came late tonight and looked to be OK although it was dark out! Went over it with my phone light and didn't see any chips, definitely dirty though. Will inspect more later today but I think I lucked out.

Wait until the dealer has washed and detailed the car and then perform a complete inspection.