Are Auto Transport Brokers Necessary?
First of all, I want to preface this blog with the fact that our company has been a nationwide auto carrier since 1991. We have paid thousands of dollars in broker fees over the years, and like many other carriers, we have had our share of complaints with brokers charging too much and making promises that they can’t keep.However, we can’t let a few bad brokers skew our understanding of the industry as a whole.

Many wonder why brokers are necessary. Aren’t they just increasing the transport costs? Wouldn’t the industry work much smoother without them? Surprisingly, auto transport brokers are vital to a functioning auto transport industry, despite the bad reputation that a few bad brokers have earned for the whole group. The fact is, most carriers don’t have the time or capabilities to perform the online marketing needed find enough customers to keep their trucks full. Carriers specialize in the trucking side of the business with the skills necessary to maintain a fleet of car haulers. 95% of auto carriers do not even have a website, while most car shipping customers find an auto transport company online. Many customers will ask if we have our own trucks. A better question would be “Do you have a truck on my route?”. Even if they have a truck on your route, they usually only pickup every other week. The odds of a customer finding a carrier working the route they are looking for in the time requirement that they need is next to impossible. You could imagine calling dozens of carriers and asking them if they are going to your destination and if so, will they have a truck in your area on a certain day. Not likely.

Another major reason auto transport brokers are necessary to work as a customer’s representative in case of any problems during the transport, namely delays and car damage. Delays are the biggest problem in the auto transport business. Keep in mind that many of these trucks are hauling ten vehicles. That means a trucker will have to deliver ten cars and pick up another ten in just a few days. With twenty appointments with twenty different customers delays will happen. Brokers have the experience and know how to deal with car carriers directly where most customers have never shipped a car before. The scariest problem in the industry is damaged vehicles. Having your vehicle damaged during transport is pretty rare, but when it happens you want help taking care of the situation. Having a professional broker on your side is very crucial if this is to happen to you. A broker will have a file of the carrier which included their license and insurance certificate. The broker can push the carrier to handle the claim quickly and can give negative ratings to the carrier which will prevent them from being used by other brokers in the future.

Ok, so brokers are important, then why the bad reputation?
Partly because everyone wants to cut out the middle man, and partly because of the broken promises a few bad brokers will make in order to close the deal in this highly competitive market. Consider the “get 10 free quotes instantly” factor and you can imagine the competition that brokers are up against. Most customers just want the lowest quote to ship their vehicle. Therefore, bad brokers will often give bottom rates, but then have trouble turning around and finding a carrier to ship the vehicle at that price. This leads to angry customers waiting longer than expected to have their car shipped.

So how do you stay clear of bad brokers?

  • First, find some reputable auto transport companies online and check their customer reviews on www.transportreviews.com
  • Then, make sure to check their license information with the Department of Transportation or Federal Motor Carrier Association. You will need their DOT# or MC#.
  • Next, I would pay attention to their customer service. Are they professional? Do they pressure you to book the order? Ask how long have they have been in business? Do they have a well maintained website with a professional email address?

In the end it always seems to come down to money, and the question is; will the customer pay the extra $50-$100 initially for a dependable transport. By neglecting the research, many sacrifice dependable transport and simply look at the cheapest rate. Like most products and services, you get what you pay for. Hiring a dependable company with a proven track record will gain not only timely service and a good price, but peace of mind.

Lepke Auto Transport works hard to give you a very competitive price for transporting your vehicle without sacrificing the quality and customer service that you desire. Request a free quote today!