Dealer Trade Transport Checklist: What to Send Before the Truck Rolls

To get a dealer trade on a truck fast, send your transport company five things in one message: both store addresses, a contact at each store, the VIN of every car moving, whether each car runs, and the date it's ready. With those in hand, a carrier can be matched and the pickup window confirmed with both stores without any back-and-forth.

Dealer trades are routine, but they still stall for small reasons: a missing contact at the other store, a VIN that turns out to be the wrong unit, or a car that won't start when the driver arrives. This checklist covers what to send, why each item matters, and how to handle a two-way swap.

What to send for a dealer trade

• Both store addresses. The exact pickup and drop-off locations, not just the store names. Large stores often have a separate used car lot or service entrance.
• A contact at each store. A name and phone number for whoever will release the car and whoever will receive it.
• The VIN of every car. Plus year, make and model, so the driver loads the right unit and both stores can check it against the deal.
• Whether it runs. Non-running units can be moved, but the carrier needs to know before dispatch.
• When it's ready. The date the car can leave the other store, and the date you need it on your lot.

At FCT you can send it by phone at (980) 552-1101, by email to info@fcttransport.com, or through the quote form. Missing a detail? Send what you have and we'll ask for the rest instead of letting the order sit.

Why a truck beats sending a porter

Plenty of trades still get done by sending a porter or a salesperson to drive the car back, often with a second employee following to bring them home. That's two people off the floor for half a day, fuel and tolls, and miles on a unit you're about to sell.

Putting the trade on a truck keeps your staff at the store and the odometer where it is. The car arrives at your lot, you check it in, and your team never left the building. Our dealer trade transport page covers how this works across North and South Carolina.

How to set up a two-way swap

When two stores trade units, send both cars on one order: both VINs, both addresses and a contact at each end. Both legs get built together, with one point of contact, so neither store has to chase the other half of the deal.

Open or enclosed for a trade

Most trade units ride on open carriers, the everyday choice for new and used inventory. When the car is an exotic, a high-line unit or a vehicle a customer is watching closely, enclosed transport keeps it out of weather and road debris the whole way. The open vs enclosed guide lays out the difference.

At pickup and delivery

Whoever releases the car should check the driver and truck against what dispatch sent before the keys change hands. Our guide on stopping carrier fraud at pickup walks through the five-point check. At delivery, inspect the car against the bill of lading before you sign it.

The paperwork stays between stores

Title work, trade sheets and the deal itself stay between the two dealerships. The transport company handles the move and keeps both sides informed until the car is checked in on your lot.

Frequently asked questions

What information do you need for a dealer trade?

Both store addresses, a contact name and phone at each store, the VIN of each car, whether it runs, and the date it's ready.

Can both cars in a dealer swap move on one order?

Yes. Send both VINs and both store addresses and both legs are set up on one order with one point of contact.

Can you move a car that doesn't run?

Yes. Non-running units can be moved, but the carrier needs to know before dispatch, so say so when you send the trade.

Why put a dealer trade on a truck instead of driving it?

Driving a trade usually takes two employees off the floor for half a day, adds fuel and tolls, and puts miles on a unit you're about to sell. A truck keeps your staff at the store and the odometer where it is.

Do you only handle trades inside North and South Carolina?

No. The Carolinas are FCT's home lanes, but dealer trades can be moved anywhere in the continental U.S.

Need a car moved?

FCT gives dealers one point of contact from quote to drop-off. Request a quote or call (980) 552-1101, and a real person gets back to you.