Tag: Vehicle Shipping Cost Calculator

How to Buy a Car Online: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Mike Rupers on December 7, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Auto Trends, Car Shipping Advice, Car Shipping Cost Calculator.

Want to know how to buy a car online? A car is a significant investment — you want to make the right choice. However, you don’t have to be a financier or tech-savvy shopper to get the best automobile for your buck on the world wide web. Since the beginning of the automobile industry, car buying has been equal parts research and responsibility. That much is still valid in today’s internet-driven market, where a sizable percentage of car buying and selling occurs online.

Committing to a big-ticket purchase from the comfort of your computer may seem like the farthest thing from the comfort (not least because your new car may be the farthest thing from you), but there are a few steps you can take to make sure your investment is a smart one. In this guide, our experts will show you how to buy a car online in nine easy steps. Get the right ride for your needs with our help, and check out safe, fast, and affordable car shipping from our team here at Direct Express Auto Transport.

Step One: Assess Your Needs

The first step to buying a car online is figuring out what type of car you will need. Here, it’s essential, to be honest with yourself. You may want a feature-loaded luxury vehicle, but you may not need all those features. Other core characteristics, such as all-wheel-drive, strong towing, and different engines and transmissions, may be attractive for those drawn to performance. However, if you’re driving your car around town in an area where the weather is almost always agreeable, you probably don’t need an all-wheel-drive or a top-of-the-line powertrain. Have kids? Prioritize safety features, and leave yourself with enough size to stay comfortable.

Start to narrow down what kind of car you’re looking for (a coupe, sedan, SUV, truck, or minivan). Then, check to see which auto manufacturers have this type of vehicle. It is best to research various models from different years on sites like Kelley Blue Book to see which has the best reviews. That will help you choose a car that won’t let you down.

Step Two: Build Your Budget

Once you’ve started to assess your vehicle-related needs, it’s time to begin assessing your money-related needs: your budget. With all of the different vehicle financing arrangements available today, it can be challenging to figure out what works for you and what you can afford. A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than one-fifth of your annual income on a car. That’s 20% of your yearly income. That includes the down payment and monthly payments.

A lower down payment will result in higher monthly payments, and a lower credit score will likely result in higher interest rates on the money loaned to you. If you’re going to take out a loan, do the math on how much you will spend in years two, three, and even four to ensure those numbers still fall below 20% of your projected annual income.

Step Three: Learn the Pros and Cons of New and Used Car Buying

There are two main types of cars available for purchase: new cars and used cars. Both have their advantages and (potential) disadvantages. New vehicles come with a higher level of assurance. When you buy a new car, you can rest assured that there is nothing wrong with your vehicle, and if something is wrong by some unlikely chance, you’ve been covered by the dealership and the manufacturer.

The main downside of new cars is the price. They’re more expensive and depreciate by thousands once you drive them off the lot. Unless you plan on keeping your car for 50 years and selling it as a collector’s car, don’t expect to earn anything on resale when buying new.

Used cars are cheaper than new cars, which makes them an attractive choice for buyers on a budget. The trick is determining how “used” any used car is before buying. In an ideal scenario, the best way is to take the car for a test drive and take it to a mechanic or two for an inspection.

A test drive may be the only option when buying online, so use your eyes, ears, and other senses to assess a car’s condition. (Check out Step Seven for more information.) Mileage is another good indicator of condition, but high mileage doesn’t necessarily correlate to poor condition; nor does low mileage necessarily relate to good condition. When buying a used car online, it’s essential to get as much of a car’s information and history (see Step Five) to make an informed decision.

Step Four: Start Shopping

Once you’ve decided what type of car you’re looking for and built a budget, it’s time to shop. Use sites like Autotrader, CarGurus, CARFAX, and Craigslist to find current car listings. With each listing you find, check to make sure you can find car information like Car Facts to get a detailed picture of each vehicle you’re considering. You’ll see listed prices online, but depending on whom you buy from, these prices typically aren’t final.

Most online car retailer sites are aggregators, meaning they list cars sold by dealerships. Should you choose to move forward with a vehicle, you will be dealing with dealerships, not the sites themselves.

Step Five: Get Quotes and Car Information

After finding a few cars you like, get extra information on the car from the seller and get a quote. Car history is essential — especially for how to buy a car online. Things like previous owners, past accidents, repairs, modifications, and other events in the car’s “life” will give you a better idea of its shape. Some of this information will be available online; some will require you to reach out to the seller.

When you reach out, we suggest asking for a quote. Often, the seller will give you the exact quote listed online, but sometimes, they will be open to offers. Reaching out will allow you to read the room (so to speak) so that when you go to make your offer, you’ll know what price to pick.

Step Six: Arrange a Test Drive

Upon communicating with the seller and determining that the car you’re looking at is in good condition, it’s time to take the next step by arranging a test drive. That is easier said than done — especially when the car is several states away. That said, it’s always best to arrange a test drive for any vehicle you’re seriously considering, even if it’s a plane ride. Buying a car sight unseen is a considerable risk. Only take it if you think you can afford the cost of repairs and hassle.

When test-driving your vehicle, be sure to give it a thorough inspection by walking around its perimeter and making a note of any concerns. Check the undercarriage for damage and any dangling parts. During your test drive, see how the car feels. Does it have trouble accelerating? Are there any strange sounds or vibrations? These can often signal issues with the powertrain, which can be expensive to fix.

Step Seven: Discuss Financing

If you’ve decided to move forward with the purchase, move the process along by making an offer. We suggest starting slow to see how the seller responds. In most cases, they will meet you in the middle. You’ll also want to discuss financing—in other words, how will you pay for the car? Are you doing it all in one lump sum, or are you going to finance it with monthly payments? We recommend putting as much as possible down on the car (at least 10%, ideally closer to 20%) to keep your monthly payments low and avoid paying hefty sums in interest.

Step Eight: Review and Finalize the Sale

Once you have agreed on a price with your seller, there’s nothing left to do but finalize the sale with paperwork. Ensure the price and interest rates are the same as the ones you discussed in your verbal negotiations, and ensure you have the title in your possessions before signing anything or spending a cent. It’s a good idea to obtain a written record of your new vehicle’s history for reference, as well as the contact information of the seller, in case you have any questions.

Step Nine: Ship Your Car

Even if you show up for a test drive and strike a deal in person, you may need more time to drive your new car back to your home. You might also be one of the rare few who buy a car sight unseen. In both cases, you’ll have to ship your new car back to your area from the dealership or private seller. While some dealerships offer car shipping, you’ll likely find a better deal arranging to ship yourself.

Once again, research to find a reputable car shipping company that ships from the dealership’s city to your city for an affordable rate. Check sites like Trustpilot to read reviews and see what other people say about the car shipping companies you’re considering. You want to find one that’s affordable and efficient, but you also want the company you’re working with to be safe and responsive to your questions and concerns. You want your car arriving in one piece, after all.

Get More Information and Ship Your Vehicle With Direct Express Auto Transport

With these tips, you should be ready to start the car and the buying process from the comfort of your computer. Want to learn more about how to buy a car online? Our experts here at Direct Express Auto Transport are happy to help. Contact us to speak with a team member directly and have your questions answered.

Have a car or truck that you’re ready to ship? We’ve got you covered. Used by thousands of professionals and private car owners across North America, our team leads the industry in efficiency, safety, and exceptional customer service. But don’t take our word for it. Check out our 9.8/10 rating on Trustpilot and see what our past customers have said about shipping with us.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote, but it may take longer. Use it if you are patient. We recommend the expedited car shipping rate and have countless satisfied customers because the shipping process tends to go quicker. The rush rate is our highest level of car shipping service, and many customers are glad they went with that method.

photo of Military Car Shipping Honor Guard

Military Car Shipping During Deployment

Written by Mike Rupers on December 5, 2022. Posted in Auto Shipping, Auto Transport Tips, Military Car Shipping, Vehicle Shipping Cost.

Suppose either you or your family member serve in the United States military. First things first: Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. At Direct Express Auto Transport, we are truly grateful for all you and your families do to support, defend, and protect our country. And we want to make it as easy as possible for you and your family when you need military car shipping services.

Maybe you’ve shipped cars before, or perhaps this is your first time shipping a vehicle. Any time you need to move your car from one place to another, it’s a challenge, especially if you cannot be there to either drive it yourself or do the organizing and planning legwork from the comfort of your home.

Fortunately, the Direct Express Auto Transport team is here to help ease the burden by walking you through all the steps to transport your vehicle. This guide covers two things. First, it tells you what you’ll need to do regarding your car to prepare for deployment. Second, it will help guide you through the tricky waters of how to go about moving your car if you’re already deployed.

What to do with Your Car During Military Deployment

When you’re facing deployment, whether it’s your first one or the umpteenth, there are a million things to do in a short period. We’ve taken the sting out with these simple tips and reminders. This list shares answers to military car shipping questions so that you don’t have to figure out what to do with your car while on deployment.

Change your car insurance while deployed. Contact your insurance agent, broker, or provider. Speak to a real, live human being, and don’t try to do this via computer. Talking to a real person will make updating your car insurance a much easier process. Unfortunately, you can’t cancel the insurance and reactivate it when you return stateside. But you can reduce the coverage to the required minimum. And while you’ve got someone on the phone, ask about a military discount.
Service your vehicle. Nothing is worse than getting home from months abroad to a car that is running improperly or doesn’t run at all. When leaving for deployment, get it serviced before you go rather than after you return. It will help prevent any potential problems from worsening.
Safely store your documents. Find a safe place to keep your insurance card, title, and registration. Consider supporting the insurance card and registration in or near your vehicle. But not the title. Keep that with your folks back home. If something needs to be done with the vehicle, it’ll be easy for whoever is acting on your behalf to know precisely where the necessary papers are. Some people prefer a lockbox or filing cabinet. Decide what’s best for you and your family.
Decide on the right storage option for your car. If your home has a garage, it’s easy. If not, research your car storage options. Maybe a friend or family member will allow you to store your vehicle in their garage. Or perhaps a covered storage facility or storage unit is the right fit.
Make duplicate sets of keys. You’re in the military, which means you know that the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. Maybe a loved one has car problems and needs to use yours (with permission, of course). It’s possible that the place you’re storing your car can no longer accommodate it. Having a duplicate set of keys entrusted to a close friend or family member makes their ability to protect and care for your vehicle much more manageable. After all, it’s better to have the keys and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Military Car Shipping Personnel

Sometimes the “home sweet home” you leave is not the same place you’ll return to after deployment. Let us help make it easier on both you and those coordinating your relocation with this step-by-step while you focus on staying safe and accomplishing the mission at hand.

With technological advances, much of the research and planning is online, allowing you to be part of the process even while deployed.

Step 1: Get shipment quotes. Most interstate car shipping companies have online quote calculators. Reputable transport companies won’t ask for personal information. If asked, choose open-air shipping, which is safe and sufficient for 97% of vehicles. (Enclosed trailers are usually for $100,000+ cars.)
Step 2: Research shipping companies and book your transport. Reading online reviews is worth a little time to ensure you choose a reliable company. Some car shipping companies are all talk and have no follow-through. The logistics of hauling multiple vehicles to and from numerous locations can get very complicated quickly. Read Trustpilot reviews to see what others are saying. Direct Express Auto Transport makes it easy to book online. Plus, you can call and talk to one of our helpful customer service members.
Step 3: Get your documents together. While not much documentation is required to ship a vehicle, the person acting on your behalf should still have easy access to anything needed.
Step 4: Ship your car. Military bases do not allow auto transport trailers onto their premises. If you are shipping from or to a military establishment, you’ll need to arrange for someone to meet the transport outside the gates. Make sure the fuel level is left at a quarter of a tank. (Not so much that it adds extra weight for the transporter, but enough to get your car off the trailer and to its final destination.)

Vehicle Shipping While Deployed Overseas

At Direct Express Auto Transport, we appreciate all you do for this great country. And we want to make shipping your car–especially while you’re on deployment–as easy and seamless as possible. That’s why we’ve put together these FAQs. Contact us at 800-600-3750 with any further questions or concerns. Schedule your transport over the phone or book online.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

When Do You Need Auto Transport Services

Towing vs. Shipping a Car

Written by Mike Rupers on December 4, 2022. Posted in Auto Shipping, Auto Transport Tips, Car Safety, Car Shipping Cost Calculator.

There are a few options when you need to move your car from point A to point B. Simply driving your vehicle may top the list, but sometimes this isn’t practical or possible. Maybe you’re moving to another state, or your car needs maintenance. In these cases and more, you will need help to drive your vehicle. Two of the most common options are car towing and car shipping. While they may sound similar, these two car transport options differ in several ways.

In this guide, our experts at Direct Express Auto Transport discuss the differences and outline whether towing or shipping will work best for you. Read on to learn the best way to move your car, and check out our many excellent auto transport services.

Towing Your Car

We’ll start with car towing, a process most people have experienced firsthand. The concept is simple: your car is placed atop a trailer (or platform), which is towed by (or fixed on top of) a tow truck. While this is simple, understanding whether car towing is right for you requires extra explanation. In the following sections, we cover the specifics of two types of car towing: towing with a tow company and towing yourself with rented or purchased equipment.

Towing Your Car with a Towing Company

The tow truck is a standard fixture in modern society. Whether you have parked in a “No Parking” zone or your car stalls during your commute, the tow truck is sometimes a grim reaper and sometimes your savior. Most tow trucks don’t have trailers and instead use built-in platforms capable of pulling in a car and carrying it to its new destination. These trucks are great for quick pickups, but they’re rarely available to rent or purchase by the general public. To use a tow truck, you’ll have to call a tow company and ask for their services. Though not always inexpensive, towing companies are almost always responsive — meaning they’ll come to get your car within hours (even minutes) after your call.

Towing Your Car Yourself

Depending on how far you need to tow your car, doing it yourself can be the most affordable option. However, this method has its costs. After all, having the proper equipment would help — the most important being a trailer. Your towing trailer securely carries your car and is hitched to the back of the vehicle you’re driving. Both covered and uncovered trailers are available for rent in most major cities. The latter is more affordable for both rental price and gas mileage, while the former is more protective.

In addition to a trailer, you also need a vehicle capable of towing another car. A sedan isn’t going to be able to tow an SUV, and sometimes the opposite won’t even work. Check the combined weight of your car and your trailer, and then check your vehicle’s towing capacity. If the first number is greater than or equal to the second number, you need a more robust towing vehicle. Trucks are also available for rent, but you may be better off considering other transport options at that point.

Car Towing Pros

Many car towing companies offer 24/7 service. That means they’ll be there on the same day when you call. For those who do things at the last minute or don’t want to wait, car towing is the way to go.
Like efficiency, flexibility is another advantage of car towing over car shipping. Car shipping requires scheduling days, weeks, or even months in advance. Car towing is typically same-day scheduling. If you plan on towing your car, you can choose to drive at any time that fits your schedule.
When it comes to car towing, the price is sometimes right. There is no better choice for broken-down cars that need to move across town. For cars that need to move states? There are often better options.

Car Towing Cons

While using a towing company can be as simple as a phone call, towing your car yourself is different. First, you must find the proper rental equipment, including a trailer and towing vehicle. Then you have to set up your rig, which means locking your car into place on a trailer. Once that is done, you must tow your vehicle from point A to point B. This extra time and effort can dissuade many drivers from towing.
Several risks come with towing your car. First are the risks associated with hitching your trailer, connecting your car, and towing it long distances. In a perfect world, nothing would go wrong, but there is always the risk of user error. If you’re going the DIY route, you must assume the risk and its ramifications. Another risk is the wear and tear that towing puts on your engine. In all cases, towing will wear down a towing vehicle. Just how much wear and tear depending on many factors — not all of which you have control over.
Again, car towing is always the most affordable route for short distances. Suppose you already own a vehicle capable of towing and you’re renting only a trailer (or you already own a trailer). In that case, that configuration may be the most affordable cross-country travel price — at the added expense of time and energy. In every other case, car shipping is the way to go.

When to Tow Your Car

Should you tow your car? As a general rule, towing is a good option for traveling short distances. Towing your vehicle yourself is affordable when traveling long distances, provided you only need to rent a trailer (or nothing at all). If you need to rent both a towing vehicle and a trailer, then car shipping is often the more affordable option — as well as being safer and more efficient.

Car Shipping

Though similar to car towing, car shipping has a few essential differences. For one, car shipping is designed for long distances. During most car shipping routes, cars are in transit for days or weeks. Car shipping requires appointments to be made in advance and offers uncovered or covered car shipping options. Get an overview of how car shipping works in this video, or by exploring this FAQ.

Car Shipping: Pros

Let the car shipping company know the first date your vehicle is available, and the subsequent carrier going your way will likely choose yours if it is appropriately priced. You may have to drive your car a few miles to the nearest pickup or drop-off location, but other than that, car shipping requires no physical effort.
If you’re towing your car, you can expect to drive for hours or even days. With car shipping, the driving is done by someone else. If you’re moving states, shipping your car will allow you to fly to your new home or drive there faster without hauling another vehicle. Most carriers go to all 48 states in the continental US.
Shipping your car is often more affordable than towing it. Renting a trailer (and sometimes a vehicle) can be expensive, to say nothing of the cost of gas mileage and vehicle maintenance at the end of a trip. Hiring a towing company to move your car across states is almost unheard of and will likely cost considerably more than having your vehicle shipped.

Car Shipping: Cons

Car shipping is a process that often involves several cars in addition to your own. Other cars need to be picked up and dropped off, which means sometimes there are delays.
There are fewer car shipping companies than car towing or rental companies. Fewer options can make finding the right fit more difficult, especially if you have special requests or a demanding timetable. That is why choosing a reputable broker, such as Direct Express Auto Transport, is essential.
For short drives within 50 miles, car shipping mostly isn’t worth the scheduling or the cost. In these cases, a car towing company will get your vehicle from point A to point B faster and more affordably.

When to Choose Car Shipping

Are you traveling long distances? Car shipping is the best choice for you. Because they can ship multiple cars simultaneously, car shipping companies can keep prices relatively low. Are you moving an expensive car? Car shipping offers covered options in addition to standard covered trailers. Covered transport options are ideal for collector’s items, brand-new cars, and other high-end vehicles. Want to keep things simple? Schedule with a reputable car shipping company like Direct Express Auto Transport, and shipping your car will be as easy as dropping off a package.

Learn More and Ship with Direct Express Auto Transport

Want to learn more about car towing vs. car shipping? Contact our team at Direct Express Auto Transport, and we’ll happily answer your questions and offer expert advice. Ready to ship with our highly-rated car shipping service? Use our Online Quote Calculator to secure an affordable, 100%-transparent quote in seconds, and schedule your pickup with us today!

The Real Cost of Shipping A Car

Written by Mike Rupers on December 3, 2022. Posted in Auto Shipping, Auto Transport Quote Calculator, Auto Transport Rates, Auto Transport Tips, Car Shipping Cost Calculator, Vehicle Shipping Cost.

The most common questions are about the cost of shipping a car. People can see the advantages of auto shipping, especially when compared to taking a long road trip that lasts for days or weeks. But they worry that shipping a car will cost a bundle – so much that it’s not worth it.

We have some good news for you at the start: a competitive auto shipping market has lowered the cost of getting your vehicle onto the back of a vehicle trailer. Plus, it’s always been challenging to arrange auto shipping, especially with the help of an online shipping broker like Direct Express Auto Transport. It’s an option for everyone!

But you’re probably still wondering how much it costs. We will get to that figure shortly. But before you consider the cost, consider the cost of the alternatives. You might spend more money when you think you’re paying less.

The Cost of Driving

People expect that driving costs less than shipping. But when you consider all the costs of a road trip – whether of hundreds of miles or thousands of miles – the economics start to look differently:

Gas – Depending on what you drive, how far you’re traveling, and the current cost of gas, you might spend hundreds or thousands of dollars fueling your vehicle.
Food – Food costs can add up fast when you’re eating three meals a day on the road (plus any snacks you buy), especially when traveling with multiple people.
Lodging – Paying for hotels or motels can be a considerable cost, and even if you’re willing to pitch a tent during your travels, you must pay for campgrounds.
Wear and Tear – Long drives add tons of miles to the odometer, lower the value of your vehicle and mean you will need maintenance (oil changes, new tires etc.) sooner.
Time – You can fly across the country in the afternoon, but it takes days and days to cover the same distance by driving. Your time is valuable, and you must invest a lot of it whenever you take a road trip.
If One Thing Goes Wrong! – Even if you’ve sharpened your pencil and determined it is cheaper to drive if just one thing goes wrong, a flat tire, overheated radiator, blown transmission, a speeding ticket (ouch!), or more, then you will be in the negative and wishing you had just let Direct Express Auto Transport ship your car.

Driving to an adjacent state can be expensive when you add up all the costs. It would help if you also had to factor in danger or to go – you, your passenger, and your vehicle are all at risk on the road, no matter how skilled you are behind the wheel. Plus, you might dread spending long hours behind the wheel as you inch toward your destination. Consider all this when considering the cost of having a car shipped.

The Cost of Car Shipping

How much you pay for shipping depends on several variables:

Make/Model – The larger the vehicle, the more space it takes up on a vehicle trailer. People with a truck, SUV, van, or large auto will pay more than those with a sedan or compact car.
Trailer Type – Most people ship their vehicle on the back of open-air auto trailers similar to the ones you see on the highway all the time. You can also ship inside an enclosed trailer for more safety (a popular option for auto collectors), but it costs more.
Route – The longer a vehicle hauler has to travel with your vehicle, the more you will pay for the shipment. The pickup and dropoff location can also affect costs; if you need pickup or dropoff in a remote location far away from a major highway or population center, it could elevate the cost of shipping a car.
Schedule – You can pay more to have your car picked up and delivered sooner, within days of scheduling the shipment. Or you can spend less if you’re willing to wait a week or more for pickup.
Availability – There are certain times of the year, usually around major holidays, when there are fewer vehicle haulers on the road, in which case it will cost more to schedule one that’s available.
Condition – If you want to ship a vehicle that doesn’t run, the hauler will have to manually get it on and off the trailer, which takes more time and effort and therefore costs more money.

Another thing to remember when considering the cost of shipping a car is that vehicle haulers carry multiple vehicles on the back of a trailer. That means the price of gas and the driver’s time are split between everyone shipping their car. Since you share the financial burden, you often spend less than when you take a road trip and shoulder the entire cost yourself.

What Will Your Car Shipment Cost?

Thanks to Direct Express Auto Transport, you don’t have to estimate the cost of having a car shipped. Thanks to our car shipping quote calculator, you can get an exact quote instantly. We invented this innovative tool in the early 2000s, and it remains the simplest and fastest way to explore the cost of auto shipping. That way, you don’t have to guess about the best option – you can know for sure using real numbers.

Here’s how it works: You enter the type of vehicle you want to ship, the kind of trailer you want to ship it on, your pickup and dropoff locations, and whether the car runs. Then, we give you quotes for the cost of shipping broken down into three tiers:

Standard Tier – This is the least expensive option. Shipments are usually assigned to a vehicle hauler 1-8 days from the first date you make it available.
Expedited Tier – This is the middle (and recommended) pricing tier. Shipments are usually assigned to a vehicle hauler 1-4 days from the first date you make it available.
Rush Tier – This is the most expensive option. Shipments are usually assigned to a vehicle hauler 1-2 days from the first date you make it available.

For your reference, vehicle haulers typically cover about 500 miles a day. You can get a rough estimate of the shipping time by dividing the total shipping distance by 500. However, haulers must also make stops for pickups and dropoffs, which can add a day or two to the shipment time.

Is the Cheapest Option the Best?

The cheapest shipping options are sometimes better. Sure, you pay less. But you also entrust your car to a vehicle hauler with a spotty record or rely on a shipping company that couldn’t care less about service. Auto shipping doesn’t have to be expensive to be exceptional. That being said, beware of prices that seem too good to be true. You get what you pay for with auto shipping. You might take a considerable risk for something as important and expensive as your car by seeking out the lowest prices possible. The better strategy is to work with a company that balances affordability, quality, consistency, and commitment.

Direct Express Auto Transport – High-Value Car Shipping Options

As an innovator and standard-bearer in the auto shipping industry, you can count on Direct Express Auto Transport to make auto shipping as valuable as possible. That means we do everything we can to keep the cost of shipping a car low. But we also only work with the top vehicle haulers in the industry. You’re paying for the best in the business, so you know your vehicle is in good hands.

If this is your first time shipping a car, read this beginner’s guide, and get some tips and tricks from experts.