Shipping to PagodaFest from Ontario

[Steve.k]

Hello all,

I've registered for PagodaFest and am planning to get my 280SL down there for the event.  I'm planning to ship it down from Ontario Canada and I've gotten a couple of quotes.  The best I've gotten so far is from TFX International which specializes in cross border vehicle transportation.  They ship a lot of cars for snowbirds so they're accustomed to this sort of thing. 

I asked them if they could provide a better rate if we can get any more for the trip and they said it depends on how many, when the return is, etc..  So if there's anyone else in Ontario Canada that's interested in shipping their Pagoda down for the event, please get back to me to coordinate.  My return plans aren't finalized as of yet.  It may spend the winter down there, or it may return after a few weeks.


Let me know if there's any interest or any questions.

[Benz Dr.]

I would also look into driving your car to Port Huron MI and having it shipped from there. It may be that it's not more from Ontario but I would ask anyway. I live right on the border so everything is fairly close. Cars could be picked up here as well.

[Steve.k]

Good idea, I'll look into it

[Hugh]

Stephen, I am going to Pagodafest too. Just 1 week & thought for that short of a trip I would just rent a car. Not perfect, but thought shipping would be silly $ for such a short visit. What does it cost? Thx Hugh

[Steve.k]

I got a couple quotes and the lowest was from TFX for about $2,800 -  One way.   That includes the brokerage fees, customs clearance etc.   
I'm planning to attend PagodaFest and then leave it with Motoring Investments to do an engine bay detailing over the winter. 

[Garry]

Stephen,


That price is almost the same as me shipping mine from Australia to LA.


You may like to consider joining a group of fellow Pagodaites that are working on trucking their vehicle from Virginia to SanDiego and back.  I am hoping to get mine on to that truck.  I don’t know how many yet they have but believe there is at least four or five at this point. I am not sure anymore who is actually doing something about this.


Garry

[Hugh]

Stephen, that is a hefty charge to ship to San Diego. Doesn't make sense it as much as it costs Garry to send his car to LA from Australia!

To avoid brokerage fees, you should see the cost from Buffalo? I have found the transport brokers post your car and the independent haulers bid on your car. I found it fair for the 2 US cars I have bought in the past. I never have them cross the border, as the fee too high for something I can easily do. The broker takes a fee for arranging things. You have to find a major city that has a high volume of cars in/out.

Dr. Dan suggested Port Huron, I tried that city last March but I couldn't get a decent bid, as it is a low volume area. I was going to get a bid from Detroit (suspect a good spot for volume?), but decided at the last minute to drive my car the whole way from Ohio & skip the transport. After buying my 250SL, 1st time driving it & it did the 5 hour drive like a champ. After it took $5,000 to safety it, so glad my car performed. But as we know that amount is a LOF in our cars... ha ha

[Garry]

This was the company that we used from Maine to SanDiego CA.  Reliable and on time but are expensive.


Garry

[Iconic]

Have you found a service that can help you with transportation?

ianwhitew,
Nice first post, but you are responding to a post from 2019 that is no longer really relevant.
Good luck to you and "enjoy the ride".
Mark

[BeSonyata]

Coordinating with others in Ontario who might be interested in shipping their Pagoda down for the event is a brilliant idea. It could potentially lead to a better rate if you can get more cars together. If anyone reading this is interested, be sure to reach out to coordinate and discuss the details. And remember, your return plans are flexible, so you have some options to decide whether your car spends the winter there or returns after a few weeks.

For anyone with questions or interest in shipping their Pagoda, you can also explore the services offered by Cross Country Car Shipping. They have a website, crosscountrycarshipping.com, where you can find more information and assistance for your car shipping needs.

[mmizesko]

Guys,  London to Oak Brook is about 6 and 1/2 hours.  About the same as we will come from Ohio.  May be worth the drive.

Mike

[rwmastel]

Mike,  Look at the dates on the posts.  Most of this is with regards to San Diego PagodaFest.