corsia logo

Car shipping scams

Car shipping scams

Car shipping scams may come in different forms. But in simple terms, a car shipping scam is a dishonest way to make money by deceiving customers either by misrepresenting information about auto transport services or selling services that do not exist. Price deceptions are the most common elements of a car shipping fraud.

Unrealistically low quotes often end up costing customers a small fortune, once all the sweet talk is over, and the shipment is booked.

How to avoid car shipping scams?

You can avoid car shipping scams by arming yourself with knowledge. In this post, we will share some practical information to help you understand how auto transport works. You will learn what entities are involved in the process and understand the auto transport price equation. We will emphasize the importance of reading the terms and conditions and asking questions. The more you know the better experience you will have.

What kind of car shipping company are you dealing with?

In your search for an auto transporter you will come across the following entities: lead providing and auction websites, carriers, and brokers.

Lead provider websites make you believe they are either a carrier or broker when in reality they are none. They collect your information and then sell it to multiple other companies.

Auction websites foster underbidding wars between companies driving auto transport rates to unrealistically low values. Booking at a “too-good-to-be-true” price means you will have to wait weeks before your vehicle gets picked up or you will receive a call asking for more money in order to move your car.

Most carriers are mom and pop businesses that will physically transport your vehicle. Many of them don’t even have an online presence and rely on brokers to fill their empty spots on the trailer.

Many companies, like Corsia Logistics, are both a carrier and a broker. Most brokers, however, don’t have their own fleet, but their license allows them access to all carriers in the country.

They do all the legwork to find the right carrier and accommodate your particular situation. A reputable broker will make sure the price you receive is fair, as well as the carrier’s rate. This is called offering current, realistic, and fair market prices to both the provider and the end consumer.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you better grasp the difference between brokers and carriers and their roles in the auto transport industry.

How to choose an auto transport company?

We recommend staying away from lead providers and auction websites. But whether you decide to work with a broker or carrier, make sure you select a reputable company.

Gather all the information you can about your potential auto transport company – name, address, phone numbers, USDOT license information, and insurance policy. Consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and see if the car shipper’s license is active.

Ask the company rep for referrals. A business referral is always a good source of legitimacy. You can go further and read online reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. Don’t dismay if you find some complaints and negative reviews – it is normal for a business to receive some negative feedback.

How is the auto transport rate calculated?

To avoid car shipping scams, it’s important to understand what affects the cost to ship a vehicle. In general, the cost to ship a car depends on several factors:

  • distance and location
  • car’s make, model, and modifications
  • car’s condition – running or not
  • type of carrier – open or enclosed carrier
  • current supply and demand situation

The car shipping business is competitive, so it is only normal the quotes you receive will vary. But here is why you shouldn’t settle for the lowest price.

Both brokers and carriers use the same third-party database, which shows vehicles that are awaiting shipment, what customers are willing to pay to ship their cars, and what has been paid for the same route in the past. So, after checking the database, carriers pick the higher paying vehicles first.

The current supply and demand on any given route is extremely important – so is paying the current market price, if you are looking for timely auto transport service.

Carriers prefer loads that pay a realistic price. Anything lower than the current market rate means that you will have to wait longer for a carrier to pick-up your vehicle.

Unfortunately, certain dishonest companies take advantage of this situation and use it to make money off their unsuspecting customers. They intentionally lowball the price to induce you into leaving a deposit and secure your shipment. It further means that if the company fails to pick-up your vehicle as promised, you can’t cancel the order without losing your deposit.

Why should you read your auto transport terms and conditions?

In vehicle shipping, there are no paper contracts that you physically sign. Similar to many other services and products you buy online, your confirmation and the company’s terms and conditions represent the contract. The confirmation email will walk you through the process, and the terms and conditions will go into the details of service.

If you forgo reading the terms of service, you end up keeping yourself in the dark about your rights and responsibilities until something goes wrong. Hence, it’s really important you understand everything before you enter into a legally binding agreement.

Why it’s important to speak with a company representative

Despite all you have found out online, call and talk to a person. Pick up the phone and dial the number on the company’s website; ask all of your car shipping questions. Ask the person on the phone to walk you through the terms and conditions of service and explain how shipping a car works.

In most cases, you will be able to trust your instincts and learn a lot from a phone call. If you feel that you can trust the company, after you have talked to an agent, it means they have really answered all of your questions and made you feel at ease.

enclosed auto shipping Sacramento California

To ship your vehicle with Corsia Logistics, fill out our online quote request, call us at (818) 850-5258, or chat with us online. We work hard to provide our customers with realistic car shipping prices that reflect the most current market conditions and ship cars fast.

 

Share our experience:
Are you ready to ship a car?
Recent posts
Rusty Slammington shipping

Shipping a custom vehicle

Shipping a custom vehicle The auto transport industry is small in comparison to other sectors of logistics, but it is still a vital element in

Read more

Corsia Logistics team works hard every day to ensure reliable expedited car shipping service. Our customer reviews prove that.

5-Star Rated Car Shipping Company

5/5
5/5
5/5

they trusted us

and here's what they say

Simon Moore
Great company
Read More
Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
Read More
Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
Read More
Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
Read More
I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
Read More
Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
Read More
Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
Read More
Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
Read More
Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
Read More
Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
Read More
Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
Previous
Next