A Broker

An auto transport broker is a company who has the authority through the US DOT to act as a middle man between customers and carriers.  A broker company will come in contact with a customer who is looking to transport their car (either from their own website, purchase leads, or possibly through a referral).  The reason the auto transport industry is so broker reliant is because over 90% of truckers out there on the roads are owner operators and usually stick to a specific route or geographic location; they are not nationwide companies.  Brokers are able to post a vehicle or call a company that they know who does the exact route the customer is requesting.  A customer will normally be signing a contract to work with the broker company and in turn the broker company signs a contract with the carrier to perforem the transport.

A Carrier

A carrier is the actual company that performs the transport of your vehicle.  As mentioned above, they are usually the owner operator of the business and normally only concentrate their efforts to 1 route or geographic location.  The carrier is the one who will have the proper insurance the covers your vehicle during the transport as well.

As a customer your first communication will be with a broker.  Once the broker finds the hauler to perform your transport requst you'll have the cariiers information as well.  Still, your main point of contact should be the broker who your contract is with.

Broker

A broker is an agency that obtains bookings for various resources such as Vehicle Shipping. These agents, and establishments market for potential clients and broker the services to Authorized Transport Companies also known as Carriers. The role of a firm when it acts as an agent for a customer and charges the customer a commission for its services. 

Some auto transporters who have been in business for a number of years basically become a hybrid - which is a cross-breed between a broker, and a carrier. After 5 or more years you tend to gain so many contacts in the industry and you are able to create relationships for weekly routes with the same qualified carriers. This way the clients get serviced the best with the top service providers seeked out by the reliable brokers over the course of their years.

Carrier

A car carrier trailer, known variously as a car-carrying trailer, car hauler, auto transport trailer, etc., is a type of trailer or semi-trailer designed to efficiently transport passenger vehicles via truck. 

Commercial-size car carrying trailers are commonly used to ship new cars from the manufacturer to auto dealerships; in the U.S., shipping of used vehicles is also a big industry, employed by car owners who are relocating and choose to ship their cars instead of driving, as well as consumers who have just purchased a vehicle on the second-hand market (particularly online) and need it delivered to their location.

Like other semi-trailers, most commercial car carrier trailers attach to the tractor using a fifth wheel coupling. Trailers can either be enclosed, possessing walls like a conventional box trailer, which affords the shipped vehicles more protection at the cost of lower capacity; or open, as in the commonly seen skeletal tube steel design, which exposes the vehicles to the elements but allows for greater carrying capacity. An American commercial car carrier typically fits between 5 and 9 cars, depending on the car size and trailer model (capacity is limited by an 80,000 lb weight cap that a road vehicle is subject to under U.S. law.). Significantly higher-capacity vehicles have been observed around the world, such as a side-by-side loading Chinese model.

Open commercial car carrier trailers typically have a double-decker design, with both decks subdivided into a number of loading and storage ramps that can be tilted and lifted independently of one another with hydraulics. Unlike flatbed tow trucks, which often need to transport non-running vehicles, car carrier trailers are not equipped with loaders or winches, instead relying on the vehicles to be loaded under their own power. The trailer hydraulics allow the ramps to be aligned on a slope so cars can be driven up and secured to the ramp floor with chains, tie-down ratchets or wheel straps, after which the ramp can be tilted in any direction to optimize stacking.

To load vehicles on the top deck of a double-decker commercial trailer, the rear half of the deck can tilt and be lowered hydraulically, forming a drive-up ramp to the upper deck. The top deck is usually loaded first and off-loaded last, since the presence of cars on the lower deck can make it impossible to lower the top deck ramp.

Trailer hydraulics are operated using a control box mounted on the trailer itself.

Carrier is an actual company/driver that ship your vehicle. Broker - middleman between customer and carrier who helps you find one 

A broker does not typically own any trucks.  Their job is to communicate on the consumers behalf with the car carriers to arrange the transport of your vehicles.

Car carriers build their business on their own and through brokers.

A Broker is the one who takes the order form the custome to find the carrier best suited.

The carrier is the one who does the actual transporttation of the vehicle.

Carriers use brokers to fill up their trucks from the Brokers customer base.

A Carrier is a company that physically transports the vehicle and usually has dedicated routes. A Broker is a company that arranges the vehicle shipment by verifying and prescreening the carriers that will be completing the shipment. The broker can offer a better rate because the broker works with a large pool of carriers. Reputable Brokers make sure that the carrier selected has the proper operating authority and insurance requirements.

Learn more about the differences in working with a broker and a carrier on uShip

Many people can't decide which is better a Broker vs Carrier.  We say Broker!  Reputable companies will use only a Carrier that has adequate coverage to arrange your transport.

A “Broker” has an established network of routes and Carriers – along with a reliable infrastructure of systems, processes and procedures to ensure you get the best price, service and convenience. Thus, a Broker can typically offer a faster and lower rate than any single Carrier can. That’s because Brokers have access to a wide array of options that Carriers do not have the resources to provide -- and Brokers coordinate hundreds or even thousands of requests each day from customers like you who need competitively-priced vehicle shipping quotes.

A transport “Carrier” operates trucks and actually delivers the vehicle in the car transport industry. A Carrier is often the owner and operator of a single transport truck (or sometimes a few trucks). Carriers prefer to focus on actually being on the road, safely picking up and delivering the actual cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles and more. They are expert at the physical, hands-on aspects of loading and unloading vehicles. However, most Carriers do not want to be involved on the “front-end” or “back-end” of the car transport process -- such as calculating quotes, optimizing routes, coordinating customer contact, or other important but office-specific aspects required to run a large-scale operation that serves thousands of customers daily. So Carriers work with Transport Brokers, like us. Carriers are required to have appropriate insurance coverage, and they are the primary responsible party in the event of any damage.

Brokers are shipping coordinators that can help with scheduling your transport. They have the ability to coordinate many types of shippments. Carriers have limited capabilities and only focus on one or maybe 2 different types of shippment. Most carriers only transport your vehicles to specific locations and stick to a specific route. Brokers are able to help coordinate the transport with the right carrier for the shippment anywhere.

What Is The Difference Between A Carrier And A Broker?

Auto transportation carriers and brokers are a part of the same industry. Nevertheless, the two have fundamental differences between them regarding moving motor vehicles.

The main one is that auto transport carriers own trucks and operate them independently with their administration, whereas vehicle transport brokers don't.

It gives advantages and disadvantages to owning one's trucks in the auto shipping industry. They are better at knowing the extent of their orders and can usually process them more precisely. But, having a set capacity is a double-edged sword because transportation becomes constrained when the orders outnumber capabilities. When carriers cannot locate customers for their services, it forces them to outsource and rely on brokers to obtain the requisite number of clients to sustain their operations.

Auto transport brokers also do a background check of the carrier company to see if they have appropriate insurance, previous positive experience with the broker, and their rating on boards that are only accessible to brokers.

For an auto transportation brokerage company, such hindrances do not exist. They have an unlimited number of individuals or corporate carriers to assign shipments, and the timeframes for pick-up and delivery may fluctuate more with them. But for the rest, their performance in finding different trailers appropriate for specific vehicles or transporting boats and heavy equipment is far more reaching.

Broker is company that contract with driver and insure that your car will be safe and secure with driver , broker  do legal contract and check driver DOT and insurance information before car get assign to driver

Auto transport broker is a service provider and the comany that will help individuals find drivers and transport their vehicles, Carrier is the driver of a truck that will transport your vehicle

The biggest difference between carriers and brokers is that carriers operate the trucks that will ship your vehicle and brokers coordinate shipments using a network of carriers. Brokers typically work with a lot of different carriers — some big and some small — to serve the entire country, whereas a single carrier may only operate in one or two regions of the U.S. But wait! When you search for a shipper, your results will also include auto transport management companies like All state to state auto transport. These companies manage the entire auto shipment process from end to end updating about the vehicle pickup delivery timing providing you the best customer support and much more

In the context of auto transport, there are two primary entities involved: brokers and carriers. Here's the difference between the two:

1. Broker: An auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer (vehicle owner) and the carrier (transportation provider). Brokers do not own their own trucks or equipment for vehicle transportation. Instead, they work with a network of pre-screened and authorized carriers to arrange the transportation of vehicles. Brokers handle the logistics, paperwork, and coordination of the transportation process on behalf of the customer. They connect the customer with a suitable carrier that can accommodate their specific needs, such as the desired route, schedule, and budget. Brokers typically negotiate prices with carriers and may provide customer support throughout the transportation process.

2. Carrier: An auto transport carrier, also known as a transport company or transporter, is the entity that physically transports the vehicles. Carriers own and operate the trucks, trailers, and equipment used for vehicle transportation. They have the necessary licensing, permits, and insurance to legally transport vehicles. Carriers directly load, secure, and transport the vehicles from the pick-up location to the designated delivery location. They are responsible for the safe and timely transport of the vehicles and may have their own set of rules, regulations, and pricing structures.

To summarize, brokers act as intermediaries that connect customers with carriers, while carriers are the actual companies responsible for physically transporting the vehicles. Brokers handle the logistics and coordination, while carriers handle the transportation itself.

An auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the carrier. They facilitate the arrangement of vehicle transportation by connecting customers with suitable carriers. The carrier, on the other hand, is the company responsible for physically transporting the vehicles.

The main difference is that a broker does not own their own trucks. They find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier does own their own trucks, and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

When choosing between an auto transport broker and a carrier, consider using a broker. Brokers connect you with carriers, providing multiple options, handling logistics, and managing paperwork, making the process more convenient.

"As an experienced auto transport company serving all 15 states for over 15 years, we understand the importance of clarity when it comes to the auto transport industry. The main difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier lies in their roles and responsibilities within the transportation process.

An auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer (you) and the carrier. Brokers facilitate the logistics of the transport, including finding a suitable carrier to transport the vehicle, negotiating pricing, and coordinating the details of the shipment. Brokers typically have access to a network of carriers and leverage their expertise to ensure a smooth transport process for the customer.

On the other hand, an auto transport carrier is the company responsible for physically transporting the vehicle from one location to another. Carriers own the trucks and equipment used for transportation and employ drivers to transport the vehicles. They are directly responsible for loading, transporting, and unloading the vehicles safely and efficiently.

At AAA Transporters, we operate as an auto transport broker , providing comprehensive services to our customers. With our extensive experience and top rating in the industry, you can trust us to handle your auto transport needs with professionalism and expertise. Whether you choose to work with us as a broker, you can expect the same level of exceptional service and dedication to customer satisfaction."

An auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the vehicle owner and the carrier. Brokers facilitate the transportation process by connecting vehicle owners with reputable carriers that can transport their vehicles. They negotiate rates, coordinate logistics, and handle administrative tasks such as paperwork and scheduling. Brokers often have access to a network of carriers, allowing them to find the best options for their clients in terms of pricing, availability, and service quality.

A carrier, also known as a transport or shipping company, is responsible for physically transporting vehicles from one location to another. Carriers own and operate the trucks and trailers used to transport vehicles. They directly handle the loading, transportation, and unloading of vehicles. Carriers are licensed and insured to transport vehicles, and they adhere to regulations and safety standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

In summary, while auto transport brokers facilitate the process of arranging vehicle transportation by connecting vehicle owners with carriers, carriers are responsible for the actual transportation of vehicles. Brokers focus on coordinating logistics and providing customer service, while carriers handle the physical aspect of moving vehicles from one place to another.

The Broker is the middle man who finds you the right carrier for your job.

The carrier actually does the work.

Brokers monopolize this industry as we specialize in customer service so we typically have the client and team up with car carriers that put the equipment meaning their trucks. Brokers can shop around for you and do all teh leg work for you as far as ensuring you are connected to a reputable car carrier. Also if you happen for some reason to go with a carrier and you do not hit it off with that carrier you are stuck speaking to taht 1 car carrier who now has your car on his truck. When you go with a broker you gain many options as we offer over 1000 car carrier options nationwide. 

An auto transport broker is an individual or corporation who use a network of different carriers to coordinate the logistics to transport vehicles to and from. Brokers do not own their own trucks and subcontract carriers.

Carriers do own their own trucks and are the main source who actually provide the services. Carriers come in all different sizes depending on the size of their fleet and the routes that they choose to run.

I bet you find yourself asking “why would I go through a broker when I can go directly to the source?” Well, typically yes that is a fair logic and point. There are a couple of points I would like to bring up that can help you better answer that question.

1. Carriers typically do minimal advertising and can be hard to find. In the modern day, the internet connects people to the services and products they need with ease. As much truth as there is to this statement, the internet is saturated with millions of companies and websites. It is quite easy for a brand or company to get lost between the lines of the world wide web. With no disregard, most carriers and trucking companies are not devoting their time and effort to reaching the first page or top spot of Google, Yahoo or Bing. They are mainly focused on filling up truck space & completing their routes.
2. Not all, but many carriers do prefer to deal with brokers as it gives them real business at minimal cost. They are not spending their money to advertise or scout new customers. Carriers who build relations with brokers get consistent work and more often than not, give brokers better rates to keep all parties happy. Everyone meets their bottom line. This in effect, can secure you as the customer better rates and excellent service.
3. Dealing with a broker gives you, the customer a competitive advantage. Depending on the speed in which you need the vehicle shipped, a broker can save you time and money being they typically have a vast network of carriers. One phone call to a broker can produce several different results and options to best suit your needs. You could spend hours searching the internet and directories searching for truck space and prices only to come up short or overwhelmed by the limited options or exorbitant pricing you have found.
4. Brokers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to be an active entity with a surety bond of at least $75,000. In essence, when you have your vehicle shipped through a broker, you are covered by two different bonds. First, you are covered by the broker and you are covered through the carrier. This also gives you multiple options of compensations in the case of an emergency or an accident. While emergencies and accidents are rare when dealing with established professionals, things can happen and it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. When you are preparing to ship your vehicle, we always recommend you ask the company you are dealing with if they are licensed and insured. Don’t be afraid to ask for the DOT or MC number. Be sure to do your research and see if they are an active entity and hold a bond. This is public information easily found on the internet. Here is a link to check on the status of any company you might be dealing with. https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
5. Most carriers you would commonly find with a quick Google search have a high possibility of being large corporations with hundreds, if not thousands of trucks within their fleet running nationwide lines. You would think that this gives you the best possibility of saving money. Usually that is not the case. Being these companies are so large and established, they will use this to their advantage to markup the price of a shipment. These corporations will have greater expenses due to their size and will try to maximize each sale. I have personally seen and heard quotes at $1.50-$3.75 per mile and a 10-20% fuel surcharge. That is just ludicrous. A safe and realistic estimate should usually fall anywhere between $0.50-$1.00 per mile, depending on the route, how far in advance you are booking & the type of vehicle you are shipping.

There are many positives to arranging your transportation with a broker. But there are downsides to keep in mind as well. While most people who are shipping vehicles use brokers and have seamless experiences, there are some negative factors I feel we should bring up and discuss. I believe it is only fair to give you both sides of the spectrum and give you as much knowledge as possible to give you the best chance of having a successful and stress free transportation service provided to you. Lets begin, shall we?

1. The auto transport industry is a large industry filled with millions of people on a daily basis looking to have their vehicles shipped for a variety of different reasons. There are thousands of brokers and carriers within the industry who provide this service. In such a saturated market, this brings out fierce and “cut throat” competition. Everybody is looking to make a sale. Large brokerage firms hire what we call “sharks” to sell you the dream. While their intentions might be good, their desire to close the sale is greater. Usually resulting in low ball quotes and promises that just can’t realistically be filled. You’ve heard the old adage “If it sounds too good to be true… Then it probably is.” This holds significant meaning in everything, and it is no different in the transport industry. Make sure you do your research. Be sure to ask as many questions that come to mind and do not let these representatives make you feel like you are wrong for asking.
2. We live in a time where technology has become so advanced. The progression of advanced technology only grows every day. Almost everything on the internet nowadays is automated. Automated email, automated chatbots, automated advertisements, automated this and automated that! In the transport industry, several companies have implemented automated quoting. You come across a website and there is a form box that states “Get An Instant Quote.”… You proceed to put in all your information and then it brings you to a landing page with a thank you message and the quote. In some cases the quote provided is a lot lower than the others you have received and you are eager to book. The next thing you know a representative is calling you stating that unfortunately the price to ship your vehicle is going to be higher than what you were initially quoted. Now you almost feel compelled to pay it and proceed because you’ve come this far. This is a shady practice that happens more often than not. Is this a company that you deem trustworthy? Isn’t this a red flag from the very start? Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of companies out there who have accurate automated quoting or will shoot high and bring you to a happy median low. I think it is important to make light of this type of situation so you don’t fall into a shady sales trap.
3. While we’re on the subject of technology and the internet, let’s talk about another common internet practice. There are several companies in multiple industries who advertise under a business or provider in the service you are searching for. These companies have simple but well built websites with minimal literature or options. One thing you will for sure find is a “Request A Quote” form. You submit your information and the next thing you know, your email is being spammed by 10 different companies, your phone is non stop ringing off the hook and you are receiving text messages from different companies with quotes, links and promises. These companies are selling your information to multiple different providers. I do not want to sound like I am knocking these companies. In fact, there are plenty of them who are sure to let you know exactly what they are doing. I have personally heard from people who have submitted these forms under false pretenses and feel violated. The auto transport industry is notorious for these lead providers. If you are one of those people who likes to keep their inbox clean and despise solicitation calls, be sure to do your research before submitting your request. Make sure that you are requesting a quote from one broker or carrier and one broker or carrier only.
4. There are horror stories I have heard from our own clients and customers stating that they were quoted and agreed to one price and then it changes at the time of delivery. Picture this: You lock in a rate that you believe is fair and you are happy to pay. Everything seems to be going smooth. Then your car shows up for delivery and the driver is demanding more money. Both you and the driver are frantically calling the dispatcher or broker to get answers and cannot get a hold of them. You as a customer has paperwork saying one price and the driver has paperwork stating another price. Now you are forced with two decisions. Cough up the extra money to receive your vehicle or have the carrier bring your vehicle to an impound lot where excess charges will accrue. This is a shady business practice that happens all too often. Be sure to know who you are dealing with and what you are supposed to pay. Once you are under contract, it is okay to ask for proof, it is okay to ask for updates, it is okay to ask for the drivers number. Do not let any broker, carrier or dispatcher hold vital information from you. All you are doing is ensuring the success of your transport.
5. Once again, I will reiterate that all brokers are salesmen. This is common knowledge. We have good people and bad people in this world. We have good salesmen and bad salesmen in this industry. Though common knowledge, I will make clear that a broker’s job is NOT complete once they make a sale. Unfortunately, most broker’s think that once they process payment and set you up their job is done. This is the farthest thing from a fact I could bring up. Do not get duped into a salesman like this. Be sure your broker is tending to each and every step of your shipping needs from setup to completion, as if it was their own vehicle. Do not give your hard earned money to someone who won’t work as hard for you as you worked for it. There are several companies out there with reputable salesmen who do their part from start to finish. You wouldn’t jump in a swamp filled with alligators, that’s just foolish. Don’t jump into the swamp of bad salesmen and representatives. Make sure that the company you are using is treating you like family and not a dollar amount. I cannot stress this enough.

To sum this all up, if you are reading this, chances are you are in need of having a vehicle transported. It might be your first time or you might have had terrible experiences before. Either way, you should commend yourself for doing your homework and taking the time out to ensure you are setting yourself up for the best possible chances of success. Kudos to you. Too many people in this world acting and doing things blindly and on impulse and find themselves in negative situations.

While we do recommend you shop around for quotes, we also recommend you shop around the company. The internet is an information station with all the literature you will need to make an educated decision. When it comes to auto transport, you want to make sure you are with a reputable, licensed and insured company who will tend and cater to your specific needs. You might have shopped around and have gotten quotes ranging from all over the spectrum. It is probably safe to say that you do not want to spend more than you need to and it is also safe to say that you want service provided by experienced and seasoned professionals. With brutal honesty, I tell you to disregard those low ball quotes and offers. Chances are they are based under a false pretense. “Budget Friendly” quotes might be correct and you might end up getting service. But the old saying “You Get What You Pay For” holds true to this. These low quotes might yield you an inexperienced transporter with a pick-up truck and 2 car trailer who has less than 1,000 miles of commercial drive time or a price quote generated by a salesman to undercut everyone else to sell the dream and make a sale.

We tend to believe that a person looking to transport a vehicle should indeed shop around. Speak with 5-6 companies, do some research on these companies and come equipped with any questions or concerns you need answered. I think it is best practice to immediately scratch out the low ball quotes and the marked up quotes. This will leave you with 3-4 options with quotes that fall somewhere in the middle. Your next best option would be to once again speak with all these companies and use your better judgement to see which one makes you feel at home. Who is the most dependable, most responsive and gives you the most bang for your buck. If you follow this protocol, you are setting yourself and your transport up for success.

An auto transport broker is an individual or corporation who use a network of different carriers to coordinate the logistics to transport vehicles to and from. Brokers do not own their own trucks and subcontract carriers.

Carriers do own their own trucks and are the main source who actually provide the services. Carriers come in all different sizes depending on the size of their fleet and the routes that they choose to run.

I bet you find yourself asking “why would I go through a broker when I can go directly to the source?” Well, typically yes that is a fair logic and point. There are a couple of points I would like to bring up that can help you better answer that question.

1. Carriers typically do minimal advertising and can be hard to find. In the modern day, the internet connects people to the services and products they need with ease. As much truth as there is to this statement, the internet is saturated with millions of companies and websites. It is quite easy for a brand or company to get lost between the lines of the world wide web. With no disregard, most carriers and trucking companies are not devoting their time and effort to reaching the first page or top spot of Google, Yahoo or Bing. They are mainly focused on filling up truck space & completing their routes.
2. Not all, but many carriers do prefer to deal with brokers as it gives them real business at minimal cost. They are not spending their money to advertise or scout new customers. Carriers who build relations with brokers get consistent work and more often than not, give brokers better rates to keep all parties happy. Everyone meets their bottom line. This in effect, can secure you as the customer better rates and excellent service.
3. Dealing with a broker gives you, the customer a competitive advantage. Depending on the speed in which you need the vehicle shipped, a broker can save you time and money being they typically have a vast network of carriers. One phone call to a broker can produce several different results and options to best suit your needs. You could spend hours searching the internet and directories searching for truck space and prices only to come up short or overwhelmed by the limited options or exorbitant pricing you have found.
4. Brokers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to be an active entity with a surety bond of at least $75,000. In essence, when you have your vehicle shipped through a broker, you are covered by two different bonds. First, you are covered by the broker and you are covered through the carrier. This also gives you multiple options of compensations in the case of an emergency or an accident. While emergencies and accidents are rare when dealing with established professionals, things can happen and it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. When you are preparing to ship your vehicle, we always recommend you ask the company you are dealing with if they are licensed and insured. Don’t be afraid to ask for the DOT or MC number. Be sure to do your research and see if they are an active entity and hold a bond. This is public information easily found on the internet. Here is a link to check on the status of any company you might be dealing with. https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
5. Most carriers you would commonly find with a quick Google search have a high possibility of being large corporations with hundreds, if not thousands of trucks within their fleet running nationwide lines. You would think that this gives you the best possibility of saving money. Usually that is not the case. Being these companies are so large and established, they will use this to their advantage to markup the price of a shipment. These corporations will have greater expenses due to their size and will try to maximize each sale. I have personally seen and heard quotes at $1.50-$3.75 per mile and a 10-20% fuel surcharge. That is just ludicrous. A safe and realistic estimate should usually fall anywhere between $0.50-$1.00 per mile, depending on the route, how far in advance you are booking & the type of vehicle you are shipping.

There are many positives to arranging your transportation with a broker. But there are downsides to keep in mind as well. While most people who are shipping vehicles use brokers and have seamless experiences, there are some negative factors I feel we should bring up and discuss. I believe it is only fair to give you both sides of the spectrum and give you as much knowledge as possible to give you the best chance of having a successful and stress free transportation service provided to you. Lets begin, shall we?

1. The auto transport industry is a large industry filled with millions of people on a daily basis looking to have their vehicles shipped for a variety of different reasons. There are thousands of brokers and carriers within the industry who provide this service. In such a saturated market, this brings out fierce and “cut throat” competition. Everybody is looking to make a sale. Large brokerage firms hire what we call “sharks” to sell you the dream. While their intentions might be good, their desire to close the sale is greater. Usually resulting in low ball quotes and promises that just can’t realistically be filled. You’ve heard the old adage “If it sounds too good to be true… Then it probably is.” This holds significant meaning in everything, and it is no different in the transport industry. Make sure you do your research. Be sure to ask as many questions that come to mind and do not let these representatives make you feel like you are wrong for asking.
2. We live in a time where technology has become so advanced. The progression of advanced technology only grows every day. Almost everything on the internet nowadays is automated. Automated email, automated chatbots, automated advertisements, automated this and automated that! In the transport industry, several companies have implemented automated quoting. You come across a website and there is a form box that states “Get An Instant Quote.”… You proceed to put in all your information and then it brings you to a landing page with a thank you message and the quote. In some cases the quote provided is a lot lower than the others you have received and you are eager to book. The next thing you know a representative is calling you stating that unfortunately the price to ship your vehicle is going to be higher than what you were initially quoted. Now you almost feel compelled to pay it and proceed because you’ve come this far. This is a shady practice that happens more often than not. Is this a company that you deem trustworthy? Isn’t this a red flag from the very start? Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of companies out there who have accurate automated quoting or will shoot high and bring you to a happy median low. I think it is important to make light of this type of situation so you don’t fall into a shady sales trap.
3. While we’re on the subject of technology and the internet, let’s talk about another common internet practice. There are several companies in multiple industries who advertise under a business or provider in the service you are searching for. These companies have simple but well built websites with minimal literature or options. One thing you will for sure find is a “Request A Quote” form. You submit your information and the next thing you know, your email is being spammed by 10 different companies, your phone is non stop ringing off the hook and you are receiving text messages from different companies with quotes, links and promises. These companies are selling your information to multiple different providers. I do not want to sound like I am knocking these companies. In fact, there are plenty of them who are sure to let you know exactly what they are doing. I have personally heard from people who have submitted these forms under false pretenses and feel violated. The auto transport industry is notorious for these lead providers. If you are one of those people who likes to keep their inbox clean and despise solicitation calls, be sure to do your research before submitting your request. Make sure that you are requesting a quote from one broker or carrier and one broker or carrier only.
4. There are horror stories I have heard from our own clients and customers stating that they were quoted and agreed to one price and then it changes at the time of delivery. Picture this: You lock in a rate that you believe is fair and you are happy to pay. Everything seems to be going smooth. Then your car shows up for delivery and the driver is demanding more money. Both you and the driver are frantically calling the dispatcher or broker to get answers and cannot get a hold of them. You as a customer has paperwork saying one price and the driver has paperwork stating another price. Now you are forced with two decisions. Cough up the extra money to receive your vehicle or have the carrier bring your vehicle to an impound lot where excess charges will accrue. This is a shady business practice that happens all too often. Be sure to know who you are dealing with and what you are supposed to pay. Once you are under contract, it is okay to ask for proof, it is okay to ask for updates, it is okay to ask for the drivers number. Do not let any broker, carrier or dispatcher hold vital information from you. All you are doing is ensuring the success of your transport.
5. Once again, I will reiterate that all brokers are salesmen. This is common knowledge. We have good people and bad people in this world. We have good salesmen and bad salesmen in this industry. Though common knowledge, I will make clear that a broker’s job is NOT complete once they make a sale. Unfortunately, most broker’s think that once they process payment and set you up their job is done. This is the farthest thing from a fact I could bring up. Do not get duped into a salesman like this. Be sure your broker is tending to each and every step of your shipping needs from setup to completion, as if it was their own vehicle. Do not give your hard earned money to someone who won’t work as hard for you as you worked for it. There are several companies out there with reputable salesmen who do their part from start to finish. You wouldn’t jump in a swamp filled with alligators, that’s just foolish. Don’t jump into the swamp of bad salesmen and representatives. Make sure that the company you are using is treating you like family and not a dollar amount. I cannot stress this enough.

To sum this all up, if you are reading this, chances are you are in need of having a vehicle transported. It might be your first time or you might have had terrible experiences before. Either way, you should commend yourself for doing your homework and taking the time out to ensure you are setting yourself up for the best possible chances of success. Kudos to you. Too many people in this world acting and doing things blindly and on impulse and find themselves in negative situations.

While we do recommend you shop around for quotes, we also recommend you shop around the company. The internet is an information station with all the literature you will need to make an educated decision. When it comes to auto transport, you want to make sure you are with a reputable, licensed and insured company who will tend and cater to your specific needs. You might have shopped around and have gotten quotes ranging from all over the spectrum. It is probably safe to say that you do not want to spend more than you need to and it is also safe to say that you want service provided by experienced and seasoned professionals. With brutal honesty, I tell you to disregard those low ball quotes and offers. Chances are they are based under a false pretense. “Budget Friendly” quotes might be correct and you might end up getting service. But the old saying “You Get What You Pay For” holds true to this. These low quotes might yield you an inexperienced transporter with a pick-up truck and 2 car trailer who has less than 1,000 miles of commercial drive time or a price quote generated by a salesman to undercut everyone else to sell the dream and make a sale.

We tend to believe that a person looking to transport a vehicle should indeed shop around. Speak with 5-6 companies, do some research on these companies and come equipped with any questions or concerns you need answered. I think it is best practice to immediately scratch out the low ball quotes and the marked up quotes. This will leave you with 3-4 options with quotes that fall somewhere in the middle. Your next best option would be to once again speak with all these companies and use your better judgement to see which one makes you feel at home. Who is the most dependable, most responsive and gives you the most bang for your buck. If you follow this protocol, you are setting yourself and your transport up for success.

We as tranport brokers are an agent that works on your behalf to make sure that the shipping process is handled with professionalism and care.   Once we receive an order we are working to make sure that any carrier we choose is fully insured, has an excellent safety rating and has excellent ratings for professionalism.   We provide timely and professional communication before during and after transport to make sure you are comfortable with the process from start to finish.

If you choose to work with a carrier directly, you should be prepared to request an insurance policy from the carrier and verbally verify that insurance is in force before allowing the carrier to load your vehicle.  Checking the safety rating for the carrier with the DOT is also very important to make sure your vehicle is handled safely.   Fianlly checking customer ratings for the carrier is very important as patterns of behavior can be found through feedback by others who have worked with that carrier in the past.

An Auto Transport Broker (such as ourselves Windsor Auto Transport) act as an agent on behalf of the customer to get the best possible transport carrier for the customers shipment.

An Auto Carrier is simply the company that physically is responsible for shipping your vehicle.

If you contact a carrier directly, you will pay substantially more for your car shipment than if you were to use an Auto Transport Broker.

A carrier operates trucks and often times is an owner-operator who only schedules shipments through a broker and serves only a few routes. ... A broker is an expert in the industry and will guarantee that your car is shipped by a legitimate carrier and usually offers nationwide transport.

A broker is someone that assists you in finding a carrier to transport your vehicle. They provide you an added layer of protection as they also carry insurances in the event of damage to your vehicle. They also have more options to assist you with your vehicle move, which could provide you with a faster delivery timeframe. A carrier is a company that handles the physical move of your vehicle. All brokers work with carriers to assign their moves. 

The carrier is a company or individual who picks up and delivers your vehicle. They are generally not the company that you book your transport with. The broker is the company that you call to arrange your transport with the carrier for you. The broker's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Gathering all the details and any paperwork necesary for your transport
• Answering any questions you have about the process
• Finding the best carrier in our network to transport your vehicle
• Verifying that all carriers in our network have valid insurance and no black spots on their records
• Only working with the best carriers, and removing carriers from our network if they do not meet our expectations for our customers' experiences
• Communicating with the customer and the carrier throughout the process
• Verifying pickup and delivery
• Resolving any issues that may arise throughout the process

BROKER is the ONLY person authorized that has contact with the driver. we set his schedule for pick up and delivery, 

DRIVER is the person the picks up the vehicle and deliver, he drives all the time he never call customers to book.

To put it simply, a transport broker has a large quantity of drivers all over the country at his disposal to choose from and a carrier has only one to three drivers who are available to go to certain areas of the country per week. A broker does charge a small fee but your car will get moved much quicker. One problem that may arise is that some brokers do not have contracts with these carriers (owner-operators) and/or keep their insurance certificates in their offices. We do both and used to be carriers.  

A carrier operates trucks and often times is an owner-operator who only schedules shipments through a broker and serves only a few routes. A broker has a huge network of car carriers serving the whole country. In most cases, a broker can give you a lower rate since they have multiple carriers competing to transport your vehicle. Brokers also verify the USDOT authority, federal licenses and cargo insurance of the carrier company transporting your vehicle. A broker is an expert in the industry and will guarantee that your car is shipped by a legitimate carrier. It can be difficult to verify these things on your own. Montway is both a licensed carrier and a licensed broker.

A broker is a 3rd party agent that can connect you to a transport company to move your car. A carrier is the actual company that will transport your vehicle. Call us today at 888-307-0303 Visit us at https://www.freight4all.us/car-shipping

There is a big misconception that by going directly with a carrier will save you money and time. The simple answer is no. As a broker we are able to shop your price to over 10,000 drivers in our network to get the customer the lowst price possibe with the dates needed for shipment. When calling a carrier directy, you will have premium pricing and will have to wait until that specific truck is in your area, which sometimes takes 2-3 weeks.

The Carrier is the company actually trasporting your vehicle, You may book directly with a carrier. However most carriers don not advertise and only get loads through a broker. A broker books your trasport then arranges with a carroer o  transport youtr car.

Broker

A broker is an agency that obtains bookings for various resources such as Vehicle Shipping. These agents, and establishments market for potential clients and broker the services to Authorized Transport Companies also known as Carriers. The role of a firm when it acts as an agent for a customer and charges the customer a commission for its services. 

Some auto transporters who have been in business for a number of years basically become a hybrid - which is a cross-breed between a broker, and a carrier. After 5 or more years you tend to gain so many contacts in the industry and you are able to create relationships for weekly routes with the same qualified carriers. This way the clients get serviced the best with the top service providers seeked out by the reliable brokers over the course of their years.

Carrier

A car carrier trailer, known variously as a car-carrying trailer, car hauler, auto transport trailer, etc., is a type of trailer or semi-trailer designed to efficiently transport passenger vehicles via truck. 

Commercial-size car carrying trailers are commonly used to ship new cars from the manufacturer to auto dealerships; in the U.S., shipping of used vehicles is also a big industry, employed by car owners who are relocating and choose to ship their cars instead of driving, as well as consumers who have just purchased a vehicle on the second-hand market (particularly online) and need it delivered to their location.

Like other semi-trailers, most commercial car carrier trailers attach to the tractor using a fifth wheel coupling. Trailers can either be enclosed, possessing walls like a conventional box trailer, which affords the shipped vehicles more protection at the cost of lower capacity; or open, as in the commonly seen skeletal tube steel design, which exposes the vehicles to the elements but allows for greater carrying capacity. An American commercial car carrier typically fits between 5 and 9 cars, depending on the car size and trailer model (capacity is limited by an 80,000 lb weight cap that a road vehicle is subject to under U.S. law.). Significantly higher-capacity vehicles have been observed around the world, such as a side-by-side loading Chinese model.

Open commercial car carrier trailers typically have a double-decker design, with both decks subdivided into a number of loading and storage ramps that can be tilted and lifted independently of one another with hydraulics. Unlike flatbed tow trucks, which often need to transport non-running vehicles, car carrier trailers are not equipped with loaders or winches, instead relying on the vehicles to be loaded under their own power. The trailer hydraulics allow the ramps to be aligned on a slope so cars can be driven up and secured to the ramp floor with chains, tie-down ratchets or wheel straps, after which the ramp can be tilted in any direction to optimize stacking.

To load vehicles on the top deck of a double-decker commercial trailer, the rear half of the deck can tilt and be lowered hydraulically, forming a drive-up ramp to the upper deck. The top deck is usually loaded first and off-loaded last, since the presence of cars on the lower deck can make it impossible to lower the top deck ramp.

Trailer hydraulics are operated using a control box mounted on the trailer itself.