How To Research Auto Transport & Car Shipping Companies
Researching car shipping companies should be approached slightly differently than other services. The reason behind this is that there are a slew of options available and it's important to make a good decision when dealing with a service that costs as much as auto transport. Finding the right company isn't rocket science, but you should be diligent and cautious in your search in order to avoid the less reputable options out there that take advantage of customers with tactics like price gouging and false promises. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you're dealing with a company that's honest and upfront.
Research Their Company Website
There's a lot you can glean just by simply looking up a prospective auto shipper's website. Essentially, what you're looking for is evidence that they are who they say they are, can be easily looked up and contacted, and that they have an established presence in the industry and a website that reflects that. If you come across a company website that only has one page of information about their services, they may not be the best option.
Ideally, a professional website with relevant company information is what you're seeking. Any car shipper should have a USDOT and MC number that allows you to find out who they are and look up their service record (see below). Additionally, they should have customer reviews and enough information listed on the site that most or all of your relevant questions are answered. Another thing to look for is a physical address since a lot of brokers operate only online and don't have a physical office. Brokers can arrange shipping of a vehicle, but they are not the ones that carry out the job and, in most cases, you're better off finding a shipper that you can deal directly with.
Look Them Up Using the SAFER Database
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a very useful online tool that you can use to find some basic information about car carriers, transporters, and brokers. Using one of three criteria, you can find information about operating authority, safety records, the address of their main office, and a lot of other helpful information from a trusted source.
You may tempted to look mainly at customer testimonials and online review sites for information about auto transporters, which is fine, but they should be approached with some caution. For one, many reviews can be fabricated and, unfortunately, they often are. As for review sites, they can help guide your decision, but should be approached with a grain of salt as well since many of them offer paid subscription packages that artificially boost the ratings of a company.
Call Them & Talk To A Representative
Once you've followed the steps above, one final thing you should do is call any company you're considering--preferably a few of them--and talk to a live person. This will help you not only get an idea of the quality of their customer service, but will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the cost, process, or details of auto shipping. It's always a good idea to have some questions ready ahead of time, which will allow you to compare the responses and professionalism of each company in terms of how well they were able to address you concerns.
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