It is no surprise that car shipping is an expensive service. There was even a time when auto shipping services were reserved only for auto dealerships and the wealthy class. Nevertheless, with time, the number of people who can afford these services increased, and with that increased the number of fraudulent companies.
All of us enjoy getting offers and discounts, but it is important to understand that low prices are not necessarily always a good bargain. If you feel that a deal is too good to be true, there are chances it is a fraud.
To help you identify such fraudulent companies, and thereby avoid the next car shipping scam, here we have compiled some tips for you. Go through them, and become a more informed customer.
Tips to avoid car shipping scams
1. Choose to work with a reliable carrier or a transport broker
There are many car shipping companies and transport brokers in the market, but no two are the same. It is best if you consider working with a reliable transport broker like Ship a Car, Inc. which has been in the market for years.
Their experience and qualified staff will address your requirements and, you can always get a free quote before making a reservation. To further avoid car shipping scams, check out https://www.shipacarinc.com/avoid-getting-scammed-by-a-car-transport-company/.
2. Verify their information including contact details
Whatever contact information you are provided by the auto-shipping company, ensure to double-check it. For instance, use google maps to check the address. If you are communicating with them via email, ask them to provide a phone number.
Almost all genuine auto transport companies use the phone to communicate. However, the fake ones, might not have a telephone number and insist on communicating via email.
Furthermore, if you are not able to access publicly-available information concerning the company like their motor carrier number, license to broker freight, etc. it is best if you put them on the scam list and block them.
3. Check their reviews
There are forums and websites like Transport Reviews that offer genuine feedback from real customers. Go through these reviews, and look up the company you are considering working with.
Usually, these platforms even allow the companies to respond to negative reviews concerning them and give them a chance to explain their side of the story.
However, if you find a company with very less reviews and almost no negative reviews at all, there is a good chance that it is a fraud. Keep in mind, that a company that has been around for a long time will have plenty of reviews and some negative ones as well.
4. Don’t hesitate on asking questions
A genuine company will answer all your questions, and they will be happy to clear any queries that you might have. On the other hand, a bogus company might provide you with indecisive answers, and even try to confuse you rather than give clarity. If you feel that the conversation is getting sketchy, that’s the time to walk away.
There are many other ways to spot a fraudulent company. However, if this is your first time hiring auto transport services, simply keep the pointers mentioned here in mind, and you will surely be able to avoid any sort of car shipping scam.
