Most auto transport companies are honest. Some are not, and the industry's structure gives dishonest ones room to operate. A customer usually ships a car only once or twice in a lifetime and has no way of knowing what is normal. These are the ten schemes we see most often, with the signs that give each one away.
1. The lowball quote
A price far below every other quote is the oldest trick there is. The company takes your order knowing no carrier will haul the car for that amount. Days pass. Then you are told the price must go up, usually when it is too late to start again. How to spot it: a quote hundreds of dollars under the rest, and vague answers when you ask what happens if no carrier accepts.
2. The non-refundable deposit
You pay a deposit to "reserve a truck." No truck is reserved. When you try to cancel, the deposit is gone. How to spot it: a demand for money before a carrier has been assigned, and terms that make the deposit non-refundable. Reputable companies either take no deposit or charge nothing until a carrier is confirmed.
3. The price that rises at delivery
The car is on the truck, and you are told there are extra charges for fuel, tolls, or "carrier adjustment." The vehicle is not released until you pay. How to spot it: a quote that is not described as all-inclusive. Get the total in writing, with a statement that nothing will be added.
4. The unlicensed broker or carrier
Every broker and every interstate carrier must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How to spot it: ask for the company's MC or USDOT number and look it up on the FMCSA website. It takes two minutes. Check that the authority is active and that the name and address match.
5. The impostor
Scammers copy the name, logo, and license number of a real company and build a convincing website with a different phone number. How to spot it: compare the phone number and address on the FMCSA record with the ones you were given. Be cautious of a company you can only reach through a mobile number or a free email account.
6. Fake reviews
A wall of five-star reviews, all posted within a few weeks, all written in the same style, means little. How to spot it: read the negative reviews, look at how long the company has been reviewed, and check more than one site. Real companies have a few unhappy customers, and they reply to them.
7. Unusual payment demands
You are asked to pay by wire transfer, a payment app, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, and told it is the only option. These methods are almost impossible to reverse. How to spot it: pressure to pay in a way that leaves no record or recourse. Paying on delivery, after you have seen your car, is the safest arrangement.
8. The guaranteed date that is not
A company promises exact pickup and delivery days at a rock-bottom price. Honest scheduling uses windows, because weather and traffic are real. A firm date is possible, and it costs more. How to spot it: a guarantee with no extra charge and nothing in writing about what happens if it is missed.
9. The bait-and-switch on service
You pay for enclosed transport and an open truck arrives. Or you were promised door-to-door service and are told to drive to a lot two hours away. How to spot it: an order confirmation that does not state the trailer type and the service level. Insist that it does.
10. Paperwork you never see
There is no written agreement, or the driver wants to skip the inspection to save time. Without a bill of lading recording the car's condition at pickup, you have no basis for a damage claim. How to spot it: any reluctance to put things in writing. Never let a car leave without a signed inspection report in your hand.
Five checks that protect you
- Verify the license on the FMCSA website.
- Get an all-inclusive price in writing.
- Avoid deposits, or pay only once a carrier is assigned.
- Read the bill of lading at pickup and at delivery, and keep your copies.
- Be suspicious of the lowest price. In this business, it is usually the most expensive.
How we do it
We take no deposit. Our quotes are all-inclusive, and you pay when your vehicle is delivered. Every carrier we assign is checked for federal authority and active cargo insurance. If you are comparing quotes and something does not look right, call us. We are glad to tell you what we see, whether or not you ship with us.