Are these extra shipping fees even legitimate?

After receiving a great quote for shipping your car, you're later charged "extra." Does that make sense? No vehicle owner in their right mind would love to throw money at scammers in the name of auto shipping services. The process of shipping your vehicle shouldn't be a daunting and worrisome task. It should be easy to trust that you're not being scammed by the auto shipping company you choose.

This blog is for vehicle owners ready to learn how to avoid car shipping scams, save costs, and use only trustworthy transport companies that offer efficient service and peace of mind.

Why Shipping Costs More than You Expected. 

One of the best things that can happen to you before shipping your car is knowing the cost to expect. But we all get it wrong sometimes, and scammers take advantage of it. 

The cost of shipping a vehicle depends on the following:

• Distance factor: Knowing the cost of shipping your vehicle based on the distance is important to know what to expect and avoid getting scammed.
• Vehicle size: the size of your vehicle determines the cost of hauling. Big-sized cars cost more. Use a dimensional weight calculator to calculate shipping cost, especially for large but lightweight vehicles.
• Timing: if you choose a faster shipping option, you will be charged more.
• Location: location is different from distance.

Understanding the factors influencing shipping cost helps you make informed decisions when choosing a trustworthy auto transporter.

Some auto companies give you a lowball offer to bait you. And later add unrealistic extra charges. Let's explore these charges.

Common "Extra" Fees - the good and the bad ones. 

• Legitimate fees you should expect: Fuel Surcharges & Shipping extra fees to account for the fluctuation in fuel prices
• Remote or hard-to-reach locations: If reaching the place is quite a daunting task, an extra fee is not a scam in this case 
• The Questionable Extra Fees

"Last-minute booking charges" (especially when you booked early). There's nothing like extra minute charges when you already booked early. It's one of the scam strategies.

"A Rescheduling Fee" because of a delay caused by the auto company.  You should turn to another transporter company in this case because it's a dubious claim.

Watch Out For These Red Flags

A low quote that seems too good to be true. Imagine someone selling you a Tesla Cybertruck at a 2010 Corolla price. It's too good to be true, which makes it a potential scam you must quickly avoid. 

• Clearly Explained Pricing

When a company's pricing is not clear - you cannot make out what they're trying to communicate—please leave to protect your wallet. 

• Pressure (book right now) 

On their website, you're asked to book immediately, or the price increases. 

When an auto transport company is pestering to book and schedule quickly without a proper breakdown, it's a red flag.

• Insurance Coverage 

Avoid getting scammed before booking. 

Do your homework: Research the company. Check their ratings, reviews, and certifications.

• Verify the company's registration with the FMCSA. 

Genuine auto transport companies are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Verify this through the FMCSA website. If you can't verify the company, it's a scam alert. 

• Little to No Online Presence presence 

Imagine you went to McDonald's, and nobody attended to you. 

It's similar to when an auto transport company doesn't have an online presence. Don't drop off your valuable assets to ghosts. 

• Documentation and Inspection 

Make sure to document your car's interior and exterior condition - take pictures.

Additionally, ensure a thorough inspection report with the auto transport representative - no stone should be left unturned. At the end, ask for your copy of the report.

• No Insurance Coverage 

Every legitimate auto transport company offers insurance coverage, as it is a testament to the quality and integrity of their services. 

In conclusion,

With these guidelines provided in this blog, you can avoid auto transport company scams. If you're shipping your vehicle to or from anywhere within the U.S., Revoway is your best partner. Our services are reliable and affordable, and restore peace of mind to vehicle owners.