Shipping a vehicle safely starts with choosing a company you can trust. There are a handful of tactics that dishonest operators use over and over. Once you know them, they are easy to spot.
The common tricks
"We own our trucks"
Be wary of a company that claims to own its trucks and quotes below everyone else. Most companies you will speak with are brokers working through independent carriers, and that is fine. The problem is the claim. Ask for proof. If the company is misrepresenting what it is, your car may not get picked up on time, or at all.
Undisclosed delivery times
If a company really has a spot for you on a truck, it can give you at least an estimated delivery window of two to three days. If it will not, or if it claims to have a carrier lined up on the very first call, be skeptical. An honest company tells you what it knows and what it does not.
Bait and switch
A low quote to win the booking, then a much higher price once you have committed. Never pay anything until you have an estimated pickup date, delivery window, and total cost in writing.
Payment up front
A demand for full payment or a large deposit before any work is done is a red flag. An honest broker posts your vehicle to the load board, comes back to you with a carrier offer, and only then asks for payment. Do not give payment details on the first call.
How to make sure you are working with an honest company
Research and compare. Read reviews from past and recent customers. Get quotes from several companies and compare both price and terms. Ask directly about fees and what could change the price. An honest company has no surprise costs later.
Check the reputation
Before you sign anything, read reviews on Google, the BBB, and TransportReviews. TransportReviews verifies reviewers by email and order ID, which makes it harder to game. An honest company has nothing to hide there.
Conclusion
The most important thing is a proven record of delivering vehicles in one piece. Choose a company with an established reputation and years of experience, and your car will be handled by people who know what they are doing.