By Teri Ross, Vice President
Sales & Client Relations
March, 2023
“Not all transportation quotes are created equal.” That’s the cautionary message from Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS.
“Quotes for transport services may seem like a simple matter of specifying the cost for moving a vehicle from point A to point B,” says Teri. “Transport company quotes are not the same and can result in ‘apples to oranges’ comparisons that astute fleet managers must drill into to discover the real cost. Otherwise, an unaware fleet manager will find unexpected charges on the invoice,” she notes.
Fuel Costs Can Blow Up the Cost of a Quote
Different methods of handling fuel costs can lead to confusion in quotes. For instance, PARS charges actual costs whereas other companies may charge a flat fee. The problem, of course, is that the client may pay for ‘unneeded’ fuel” with a flat fee.
Teri notes that fleet managers should confirm how fuel costs are handled by each transport provider so that the quoted amounts are harmonized for comparison.”
She continues, “At first blush, a quote from one vendor may look to be $20 more expensive than another, leading to a decision to go with the the cheaper quote,” Teri explains. “Once the invoice arrives, fuel costs can be $60, $80, even $100 more than the original quote depending on the distance.
“Especially in this time of rising fuel costs and budget constraints, unexpected fuel charges are an even more significant problem for fleet managers. At the end of the day, the first quote was the better choice. A similar ‘hidden cost’ is insurance, which may not be included in the quote provided by some transport companies,” Teri adds.
‘Cents Per Mile’ Is Not a ‘Common Sense’ Approach
Some transporters quote cents per mile which may seem is logical. However, distance is hardly the only consideration. “PARS uses a more complex algorithm that, among other things, takes into account pickup and delivery locations,” notes Teri.
“If the move is from city to a city, the cost per mile costs less than a remote-to-remote delivery given the lower cost of getting drivers in and out of more populated locations. Cost savings realized from easy access to transportation are passed along to our customers by PARS.”
Vehicle Type Affects Transport Cost
The vehicle itself — the year, make, and model – is another important consideration when a transport company provides a quote. So, a Toyota Camry moving from point A to point B will be less than a Yukon which is reflected in the quoted fuel cost.
Flat Fee Vs. Actual Cost
In many cases, fleet fees for third-party services are standard procedure. Storage or license and titling are good examples of services that include service fees due to the substantial administrative effort. Along with these fees, there are third-party costs such as an inspection, agency fees, and facility storage costs – none of which are specified in a standard quote.
“Some transport companies charge fees for routine services, however, such as detailing a vehicle,” notes Teri. “PARS’ invoice only includes the actual cost of a vehicle detail. There is no mark-up. With a fee, a customer might incur a charge of $150 for a detail that costs $74.50!”
No-Fee Strategic Consulting
“An important value-add in dealing with a transport specialist like PARS is that the customer can count on a true consulting partnership,” says Teri. “We can help a fleet manager even at an early stage, defining the scope of work and the development of the RFQ to alleviate the need for uncovering hidden costs later.
“Throughout the course of a project, we provide status updates and recommend adjustments based on unforeseen opportunities or obstacles,” continues Teri. “As a strategic partner, there are no consulting fees.”
Teri describes an example of the benefit of partnering with experts: “We may identify an exception to storage best practices. Specifically, a customer’s vehicles average storage stay could be 118 days, excessive compared to a vertical industry average of 75 to 80 days. We will suggest that the customer look to bring vehicles out sooner.”
How to Deal with Today’s New Vehicle Replacement Delays
In light of the current shortage of new vehicle availability due to the chip shortage and supply chain issues, PARS logistics experts are helping fleet managers strategically employ vehicles in storage.
Teri explains: “If you have drivers waiting for a new vehicle that’s on order, you may want to forego any concern about the class of vehicle and transport a nearby stored vehicle as a temporary solution. It is likely advantageous to keep the driver productive and can help save money.
The concern that one driver has a better vehicle than another driver at the same level might not be as much of as an issue when employees are working remotely more often and especially during this current when there are a shortage of vehicles,” surmises Teri, “ Companies should absolutely be looking at the storage inventory, reassigning and reassessing those vehicles.”
Working Closely with a Customer’s FMC on Transport Cost
An effective transport partner looks to bring additional value for the customer by working together with that customer’s fleet management company, remarketing, accident management, or other outsourcing partners to control budget, ensure the lowest possible cost, and obtain the best results for services rendered during a move.
Notes Teri, “If there’s body damage to a vehicle in storage, the PARS dedicated storage inventory team will manage any maintenance repairs prevent any delay once the vehicle comes out of storage. Our team will collaborate with the fleet management company’s maintenance team and secure any available rebates — tires, storage, whatever.”
The FMC will often verify that the quotes and invoices match up, and may hold sway over transport company service fees, too.
The ‘Last Service’ Predicament
Teri notes that, as a rule, very few clients authorize any ‘last service’ project services because their drivers have a fuel card. However, if there are additional ‘last service’ requirements, PARS will bill these charges at-cost. Again, how these are handled by different vendors may vary.
Other Costs Remain Unavailable at the Time of a Quote
As a general rule, a transport company’s quote should specify all known costs and explain how all other costs are charged – with or without mark up.
“I can’t stress enough my advice to fleet managers, concludes Teri. “Please look at your invoice! When a customer is looking at 1,500-mile move, any discrepancies become significant!”
By Teri Ross, Vice President
Sales & Client Relations
March, 2023
“Not all transportation quotes are created equal.” That’s the cautionary message from Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS.
“Quotes for transport services may seem like a simple matter of specifying the cost for moving a vehicle from point A to point B,” says Teri. “Transport company quotes are not the same and can result in ‘apples to oranges’ comparisons that astute fleet managers must drill into to discover the real cost. Otherwise, an unaware fleet manager will find unexpected charges on the invoice,” she notes.
Fuel Costs Can Blow Up the Cost of a Quote
Different methods of handling fuel costs can lead to confusion in quotes. For instance, PARS charges actual costs whereas other companies may charge a flat fee. The problem, of course, is that the client may pay for ‘unneeded’ fuel” with a flat fee.
Teri notes that fleet managers should confirm how fuel costs are handled by each transport provider so that the quoted amounts are harmonized for comparison.”
She continues, “At first blush, a quote from one vendor may look to be $20 more expensive than another, leading to a decision to go with the the cheaper quote,” Teri explains. “Once the invoice arrives, fuel costs can be $60, $80, even $100 more than the original quote depending on the distance.
“Especially in this time of rising fuel costs and budget constraints, unexpected fuel charges are an even more significant problem for fleet managers. At the end of the day, the first quote was the better choice. A similar ‘hidden cost’ is insurance, which may not be included in the quote provided by some transport companies,” Teri adds.
‘Cents Per Mile’ Is Not a ‘Common Sense’ Approach
Some transporters quote cents per mile which may seem is logical. However, distance is hardly the only consideration. “PARS uses a more complex algorithm that, among other things, takes into account pickup and delivery locations,” notes Teri.
“If the move is from city to a city, the cost per mile costs less than a remote-to-remote delivery given the lower cost of getting drivers in and out of more populated locations. Cost savings realized from easy access to transportation are passed along to our customers by PARS.”
Vehicle Type Affects Transport Cost
The vehicle itself — the year, make, and model – is another important consideration when a transport company provides a quote. So, a Toyota Camry moving from point A to point B will be less than a Yukon which is reflected in the quoted fuel cost.
Flat Fee Vs. Actual Cost
In many cases, fleet fees for third-party services are standard procedure. Storage or license and titling are good examples of services that include service fees due to the substantial administrative effort. Along with these fees, there are third-party costs such as an inspection, agency fees, and facility storage costs – none of which are specified in a standard quote.
“Some transport companies charge fees for routine services, however, such as detailing a vehicle,” notes Teri. “PARS’ invoice only includes the actual cost of a vehicle detail. There is no mark-up. With a fee, a customer might incur a charge of $150 for a detail that costs $74.50!”
No-Fee Strategic Consulting
“An important value-add in dealing with a transport specialist like PARS is that the customer can count on a true consulting partnership,” says Teri. “We can help a fleet manager even at an early stage, defining the scope of work and the development of the RFQ to alleviate the need for uncovering hidden costs later.
“Throughout the course of a project, we provide status updates and recommend adjustments based on unforeseen opportunities or obstacles,” continues Teri. “As a strategic partner, there are no consulting fees.”
Teri describes an example of the benefit of partnering with experts: “We may identify an exception to storage best practices. Specifically, a customer’s vehicles average storage stay could be 118 days, excessive compared to a vertical industry average of 75 to 80 days. We will suggest that the customer look to bring vehicles out sooner.”
How to Deal with Today’s New Vehicle Replacement Delays
In light of the current shortage of new vehicle availability due to the chip shortage and supply chain issues, PARS logistics experts are helping fleet managers strategically employ vehicles in storage.
Teri explains: “If you have drivers waiting for a new vehicle that’s on order, you may want to forego any concern about the class of vehicle and transport a nearby stored vehicle as a temporary solution. It is likely advantageous to keep the driver productive and can help save money.
The concern that one driver has a better vehicle than another driver at the same level might not be as much of as an issue when employees are working remotely more often and especially during this current when there are a shortage of vehicles,” surmises Teri, “ Companies should absolutely be looking at the storage inventory, reassigning and reassessing those vehicles.”
Working Closely with a Customer’s FMC on Transport Cost
An effective transport partner looks to bring additional value for the customer by working together with that customer’s fleet management company, remarketing, accident management, or other outsourcing partners to control budget, ensure the lowest possible cost, and obtain the best results for services rendered during a move.
Notes Teri, “If there’s body damage to a vehicle in storage, the PARS dedicated storage inventory team will manage any maintenance repairs prevent any delay once the vehicle comes out of storage. Our team will collaborate with the fleet management company’s maintenance team and secure any available rebates — tires, storage, whatever.”
The FMC will often verify that the quotes and invoices match up, and may hold sway over transport company service fees, too.
The ‘Last Service’ Predicament
Teri notes that, as a rule, very few clients authorize any ‘last service’ project services because their drivers have a fuel card. However, if there are additional ‘last service’ requirements, PARS will bill these charges at-cost. Again, how these are handled by different vendors may vary.
Other Costs Remain Unavailable at the Time of a Quote
As a general rule, a transport company’s quote should specify all known costs and explain how all other costs are charged – with or without mark up.
“I can’t stress enough my advice to fleet managers, concludes Teri. “Please look at your invoice! When a customer is looking at 1,500-mile move, any discrepancies become significant!”
By Teri Ross, Vice President
Sales & Client Relations
March, 2023
“Not all transportation quotes are created equal.” That’s the cautionary message from Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS.
“Quotes for transport services may seem like a simple matter of specifying the cost for moving a vehicle from point A to point B,” says Teri. “Transport company quotes are not the same and can result in ‘apples to oranges’ comparisons that astute fleet managers must drill into to discover the real cost. Otherwise, an unaware fleet manager will find unexpected charges on the invoice,” she notes.
Fuel Costs Can Blow Up the Cost of a Quote
Different methods of handling fuel costs can lead to confusion in quotes. For instance, PARS charges actual costs whereas other companies may charge a flat fee. The problem, of course, is that the client may pay for ‘unneeded’ fuel” with a flat fee.
Teri notes that fleet managers should confirm how fuel costs are handled by each transport provider so that the quoted amounts are harmonized for comparison.”
She continues, “At first blush, a quote from one vendor may look to be $20 more expensive than another, leading to a decision to go with the the cheaper quote,” Teri explains. “Once the invoice arrives, fuel costs can be $60, $80, even $100 more than the original quote depending on the distance.
“Especially in this time of rising fuel costs and budget constraints, unexpected fuel charges are an even more significant problem for fleet managers. At the end of the day, the first quote was the better choice. A similar ‘hidden cost’ is insurance, which may not be included in the quote provided by some transport companies,” Teri adds.
‘Cents Per Mile’ Is Not a ‘Common Sense’ Approach
Some transporters quote cents per mile which may seem is logical. However, distance is hardly the only consideration. “PARS uses a more complex algorithm that, among other things, takes into account pickup and delivery locations,” notes Teri.
“If the move is from city to a city, the cost per mile costs less than a remote-to-remote delivery given the lower cost of getting drivers in and out of more populated locations. Cost savings realized from easy access to transportation are passed along to our customers by PARS.”
Vehicle Type Affects Transport Cost
The vehicle itself — the year, make, and model – is another important consideration when a transport company provides a quote. So, a Toyota Camry moving from point A to point B will be less than a Yukon which is reflected in the quoted fuel cost.
Flat Fee Vs. Actual Cost
In many cases, fleet fees for third-party services are standard procedure. Storage or license and titling are good examples of services that include service fees due to the substantial administrative effort. Along with these fees, there are third-party costs such as an inspection, agency fees, and facility storage costs – none of which are specified in a standard quote.
“Some transport companies charge fees for routine services, however, such as detailing a vehicle,” notes Teri. “PARS’ invoice only includes the actual cost of a vehicle detail. There is no mark-up. With a fee, a customer might incur a charge of $150 for a detail that costs $74.50!”
No-Fee Strategic Consulting
“An important value-add in dealing with a transport specialist like PARS is that the customer can count on a true consulting partnership,” says Teri. “We can help a fleet manager even at an early stage, defining the scope of work and the development of the RFQ to alleviate the need for uncovering hidden costs later.
“Throughout the course of a project, we provide status updates and recommend adjustments based on unforeseen opportunities or obstacles,” continues Teri. “As a strategic partner, there are no consulting fees.”
Teri describes an example of the benefit of partnering with experts: “We may identify an exception to storage best practices. Specifically, a customer’s vehicles average storage stay could be 118 days, excessive compared to a vertical industry average of 75 to 80 days. We will suggest that the customer look to bring vehicles out sooner.”
How to Deal with Today’s New Vehicle Replacement Delays
In light of the current shortage of new vehicle availability due to the chip shortage and supply chain issues, PARS logistics experts are helping fleet managers strategically employ vehicles in storage.
Teri explains: “If you have drivers waiting for a new vehicle that’s on order, you may want to forego any concern about the class of vehicle and transport a nearby stored vehicle as a temporary solution. It is likely advantageous to keep the driver productive and can help save money.
The concern that one driver has a better vehicle than another driver at the same level might not be as much of as an issue when employees are working remotely more often and especially during this current when there are a shortage of vehicles,” surmises Teri, “ Companies should absolutely be looking at the storage inventory, reassigning and reassessing those vehicles.”
Working Closely with a Customer’s FMC on Transport Cost
An effective transport partner looks to bring additional value for the customer by working together with that customer’s fleet management company, remarketing, accident management, or other outsourcing partners to control budget, ensure the lowest possible cost, and obtain the best results for services rendered during a move.
Notes Teri, “If there’s body damage to a vehicle in storage, the PARS dedicated storage inventory team will manage any maintenance repairs prevent any delay once the vehicle comes out of storage. Our team will collaborate with the fleet management company’s maintenance team and secure any available rebates — tires, storage, whatever.”
The FMC will often verify that the quotes and invoices match up, and may hold sway over transport company service fees, too.
The ‘Last Service’ Predicament
Teri notes that, as a rule, very few clients authorize any ‘last service’ project services because their drivers have a fuel card. However, if there are additional ‘last service’ requirements, PARS will bill these charges at-cost. Again, how these are handled by different vendors may vary.
Other Costs Remain Unavailable at the Time of a Quote
As a general rule, a transport company’s quote should specify all known costs and explain how all other costs are charged – with or without mark up.
“I can’t stress enough my advice to fleet managers, concludes Teri. “Please look at your invoice! When a customer is looking at 1,500-mile move, any discrepancies become significant!”
By Teri Ross, Vice President
Sales & Client Relations
March, 2023
“Not all transportation quotes are created equal.” That’s the cautionary message from Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS.
“Quotes for transport services may seem like a simple matter of specifying the cost for moving a vehicle from point A to point B,” says Teri. “Transport company quotes are not the same and can result in ‘apples to oranges’ comparisons that astute fleet managers must drill into to discover the real cost. Otherwise, an unaware fleet manager will find unexpected charges on the invoice,” she notes.
Fuel Costs Can Blow Up the Cost of a Quote
Different methods of handling fuel costs can lead to confusion in quotes. For instance, PARS charges actual costs whereas other companies may charge a flat fee. The problem, of course, is that the client may pay for ‘unneeded’ fuel” with a flat fee.
Teri notes that fleet managers should confirm how fuel costs are handled by each transport provider so that the quoted amounts are harmonized for comparison.”
She continues, “At first blush, a quote from one vendor may look to be $20 more expensive than another, leading to a decision to go with the the cheaper quote,” Teri explains. “Once the invoice arrives, fuel costs can be $60, $80, even $100 more than the original quote depending on the distance.
“Especially in this time of rising fuel costs and budget constraints, unexpected fuel charges are an even more significant problem for fleet managers. At the end of the day, the first quote was the better choice. A similar ‘hidden cost’ is insurance, which may not be included in the quote provided by some transport companies,” Teri adds.
‘Cents Per Mile’ Is Not a ‘Common Sense’ Approach
Some transporters quote cents per mile which may seem is logical. However, distance is hardly the only consideration. “PARS uses a more complex algorithm that, among other things, takes into account pickup and delivery locations,” notes Teri.
“If the move is from city to a city, the cost per mile costs less than a remote-to-remote delivery given the lower cost of getting drivers in and out of more populated locations. Cost savings realized from easy access to transportation are passed along to our customers by PARS.”
Vehicle Type Affects Transport Cost
The vehicle itself — the year, make, and model – is another important consideration when a transport company provides a quote. So, a Toyota Camry moving from point A to point B will be less than a Yukon which is reflected in the quoted fuel cost.
Flat Fee Vs. Actual Cost
In many cases, fleet fees for third-party services are standard procedure. Storage or license and titling are good examples of services that include service fees due to the substantial administrative effort. Along with these fees, there are third-party costs such as an inspection, agency fees, and facility storage costs – none of which are specified in a standard quote.
“Some transport companies charge fees for routine services, however, such as detailing a vehicle,” notes Teri. “PARS’ invoice only includes the actual cost of a vehicle detail. There is no mark-up. With a fee, a customer might incur a charge of $150 for a detail that costs $74.50!”
No-Fee Strategic Consulting
“An important value-add in dealing with a transport specialist like PARS is that the customer can count on a true consulting partnership,” says Teri. “We can help a fleet manager even at an early stage, defining the scope of work and the development of the RFQ to alleviate the need for uncovering hidden costs later.
“Throughout the course of a project, we provide status updates and recommend adjustments based on unforeseen opportunities or obstacles,” continues Teri. “As a strategic partner, there are no consulting fees.”
Teri describes an example of the benefit of partnering with experts: “We may identify an exception to storage best practices. Specifically, a customer’s vehicles average storage stay could be 118 days, excessive compared to a vertical industry average of 75 to 80 days. We will suggest that the customer look to bring vehicles out sooner.”
How to Deal with Today’s New Vehicle Replacement Delays
In light of the current shortage of new vehicle availability due to the chip shortage and supply chain issues, PARS logistics experts are helping fleet managers strategically employ vehicles in storage.
Teri explains: “If you have drivers waiting for a new vehicle that’s on order, you may want to forego any concern about the class of vehicle and transport a nearby stored vehicle as a temporary solution. It is likely advantageous to keep the driver productive and can help save money.
The concern that one driver has a better vehicle than another driver at the same level might not be as much of as an issue when employees are working remotely more often and especially during this current when there are a shortage of vehicles,” surmises Teri, “ Companies should absolutely be looking at the storage inventory, reassigning and reassessing those vehicles.”
Working Closely with a Customer’s FMC on Transport Cost
An effective transport partner looks to bring additional value for the customer by working together with that customer’s fleet management company, remarketing, accident management, or other outsourcing partners to control budget, ensure the lowest possible cost, and obtain the best results for services rendered during a move.
Notes Teri, “If there’s body damage to a vehicle in storage, the PARS dedicated storage inventory team will manage any maintenance repairs prevent any delay once the vehicle comes out of storage. Our team will collaborate with the fleet management company’s maintenance team and secure any available rebates — tires, storage, whatever.”
The FMC will often verify that the quotes and invoices match up, and may hold sway over transport company service fees, too.
The ‘Last Service’ Predicament
Teri notes that, as a rule, very few clients authorize any ‘last service’ project services because their drivers have a fuel card. However, if there are additional ‘last service’ requirements, PARS will bill these charges at-cost. Again, how these are handled by different vendors may vary.
Other Costs Remain Unavailable at the Time of a Quote
As a general rule, a transport company’s quote should specify all known costs and explain how all other costs are charged – with or without mark up.
“I can’t stress enough my advice to fleet managers, concludes Teri. “Please look at your invoice! When a customer is looking at 1,500-mile move, any discrepancies become significant!”
By Teri Ross, Vice President
Sales & Client Relations
March, 2023
“Not all transportation quotes are created equal.” That’s the cautionary message from Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS.
“Quotes for transport services may seem like a simple matter of specifying the cost for moving a vehicle from point A to point B,” says Teri. “Transport company quotes are not the same and can result in ‘apples to oranges’ comparisons that astute fleet managers must drill into to discover the real cost. Otherwise, an unaware fleet manager will find unexpected charges on the invoice,” she notes.
Fuel Costs Can Blow Up the Cost of a Quote
Different methods of handling fuel costs can lead to confusion in quotes. For instance, PARS charges actual costs whereas other companies may charge a flat fee. The problem, of course, is that the client may pay for ‘unneeded’ fuel” with a flat fee.
Teri notes that fleet managers should confirm how fuel costs are handled by each transport provider so that the quoted amounts are harmonized for comparison.”
She continues, “At first blush, a quote from one vendor may look to be $20 more expensive than another, leading to a decision to go with the the cheaper quote,” Teri explains. “Once the invoice arrives, fuel costs can be $60, $80, even $100 more than the original quote depending on the distance.
“Especially in this time of rising fuel costs and budget constraints, unexpected fuel charges are an even more significant problem for fleet managers. At the end of the day, the first quote was the better choice. A similar ‘hidden cost’ is insurance, which may not be included in the quote provided by some transport companies,” Teri adds.
‘Cents Per Mile’ Is Not a ‘Common Sense’ Approach
Some transporters quote cents per mile which may seem is logical. However, distance is hardly the only consideration. “PARS uses a more complex algorithm that, among other things, takes into account pickup and delivery locations,” notes Teri.
“If the move is from city to a city, the cost per mile costs less than a remote-to-remote delivery given the lower cost of getting drivers in and out of more populated locations. Cost savings realized from easy access to transportation are passed along to our customers by PARS.”
Vehicle Type Affects Transport Cost
The vehicle itself — the year, make, and model – is another important consideration when a transport company provides a quote. So, a Toyota Camry moving from point A to point B will be less than a Yukon which is reflected in the quoted fuel cost.
Flat Fee Vs. Actual Cost
In many cases, fleet fees for third-party services are standard procedure. Storage or license and titling are good examples of services that include service fees due to the substantial administrative effort. Along with these fees, there are third-party costs such as an inspection, agency fees, and facility storage costs – none of which are specified in a standard quote.
“Some transport companies charge fees for routine services, however, such as detailing a vehicle,” notes Teri. “PARS’ invoice only includes the actual cost of a vehicle detail. There is no mark-up. With a fee, a customer might incur a charge of $150 for a detail that costs $74.50!”
No-Fee Strategic Consulting
“An important value-add in dealing with a transport specialist like PARS is that the customer can count on a true consulting partnership,” says Teri. “We can help a fleet manager even at an early stage, defining the scope of work and the development of the RFQ to alleviate the need for uncovering hidden costs later.
“Throughout the course of a project, we provide status updates and recommend adjustments based on unforeseen opportunities or obstacles,” continues Teri. “As a strategic partner, there are no consulting fees.”
Teri describes an example of the benefit of partnering with experts: “We may identify an exception to storage best practices. Specifically, a customer’s vehicles average storage stay could be 118 days, excessive compared to a vertical industry average of 75 to 80 days. We will suggest that the customer look to bring vehicles out sooner.”
How to Deal with Today’s New Vehicle Replacement Delays
In light of the current shortage of new vehicle availability due to the chip shortage and supply chain issues, PARS logistics experts are helping fleet managers strategically employ vehicles in storage.
Teri explains: “If you have drivers waiting for a new vehicle that’s on order, you may want to forego any concern about the class of vehicle and transport a nearby stored vehicle as a temporary solution. It is likely advantageous to keep the driver productive and can help save money.
The concern that one driver has a better vehicle than another driver at the same level might not be as much of as an issue when employees are working remotely more often and especially during this current when there are a shortage of vehicles,” surmises Teri, “ Companies should absolutely be looking at the storage inventory, reassigning and reassessing those vehicles.”
Working Closely with a Customer’s FMC on Transport Cost
An effective transport partner looks to bring additional value for the customer by working together with that customer’s fleet management company, remarketing, accident management, or other outsourcing partners to control budget, ensure the lowest possible cost, and obtain the best results for services rendered during a move.
Notes Teri, “If there’s body damage to a vehicle in storage, the PARS dedicated storage inventory team will manage any maintenance repairs prevent any delay once the vehicle comes out of storage. Our team will collaborate with the fleet management company’s maintenance team and secure any available rebates — tires, storage, whatever.”
The FMC will often verify that the quotes and invoices match up, and may hold sway over transport company service fees, too.
The ‘Last Service’ Predicament
Teri notes that, as a rule, very few clients authorize any ‘last service’ project services because their drivers have a fuel card. However, if there are additional ‘last service’ requirements, PARS will bill these charges at-cost. Again, how these are handled by different vendors may vary.
Other Costs Remain Unavailable at the Time of a Quote
As a general rule, a transport company’s quote should specify all known costs and explain how all other costs are charged – with or without mark up.
“I can’t stress enough my advice to fleet managers, concludes Teri. “Please look at your invoice! When a customer is looking at 1,500-mile move, any discrepancies become significant!”