Broker vs Carrier: When to Choose Which for My Car Shipment?
You want to move a car. You go online. You get flooded with calls. Most of these people don't own trucks. Some do. You’re confused. You want the best price and you don't want your car thrashed.
I’m Mike. I run logistics at AMG Transport Co. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, actually owns the trucks. I see both sides. I know where the bodies are buried. Most people think they want to work directly with a carrier to save money. They're usually wrong.
Here is the truth about how this industry works.
What Is an Auto Transport Broker?
A broker is a coordinator. We are the frontend. We handle the sales, the paperwork, and the scheduling. At AMG Transport Co., we act as a buffer. We find a reliable carrier and we keep the rates reasonable.
Carriers are good at one thing: driving. They are not good at customer service. They don't want to talk to you about your feelings or your schedule changes. They have a 53-foot trailer to maneuver through traffic. They have breakdowns. They have logbooks. They rely on us to solve the people problems.
What Is a Carrier?
A carrier owns the equipment. They have the duallys and the multi-car hauler trailers. They are the ones actually performing the nationwide vehicle shipping door to door.
If you find a carrier directly, you might think you’re cutting out the middleman. You aren't. Most carriers won't even talk to a private individual. Why? Because individuals are high-risk. They don't pay on time. They don't understand how loading works. Carriers prefer brokers because we speak their language and we ensure they get paid.
The Price Reality
People think brokers make the job expensive. It’s the opposite. If a carrier works with a regular person, they often charge more. They know you don't know the market rate. They take the "retail" price.
When you use an experienced car shipping broker you can trust, we use our volume to keep prices down. We have relationships. We know what it should cost to ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles. If a carrier asks for too much, we tell them no. We keep the margin fair so the job gets done right without you getting gouged.
Comparison Table: Broker vs. Carrier
| Feature | Broker (AMG Transport Co.) | Carrier |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Inventory | Thousands of trucks nationwide | Only their own trucks |
| Service | Customer support, tracking, claims | Driving, loading, unloading |
| Pricing | Market-negotiated rates | Flat retail or fluctuating |
| Reliability | Vets insurance and safety records | Variable based on the owner |
| Best For | Out-of-state moves, luxury, reliability | High-volume commercial routes |
Why You Can’t Usually Hire a Carrier Directly
A vehicle could be anywhere. If you need to ship a car from Texas to Florida, what are the odds a single-truck owner is in your driveway today and heading to your exact destination? Slim.
We have a massive network. We find the person who is already on that route. That is how you get affordable car shipping without hidden fees. You’re paying for a spot on a truck that’s already moving. Trying to find that guy yourself is a full-time job. You have better things to do.
The Risks of Going Direct
Carriers are not saints. If they aren't tied to a broker, they have no accountability. If they damage your car, good luck getting them on the phone.
As a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide, we vet every driver. We check their auto transport safety record and reputation. We ensure they have active insurance. If they mess up, they lose our business. That is a lot of leverage. You, as an individual, have no leverage.
How AMG Transport Co. Does It Differently
The industry is full of fraud. Shady brokers take your money and disappear. We don't.
1. VIN Scans: We track the hardware. No guessing games.
2. Stripe Deposits: We use secure systems. Your financial data is safe.
3. Vetted Carriers: We only use insured, high-rated drivers.
4. 72-Hour Windows: We give you a realistic 72-hour pickup window. No fake promises.
5. Honest Quotes: We tell you what it costs. Not what you want to hear.
Whether you need enclosed auto transport for luxury cars or a standard open car carrier transport cost, we handle the logistics so the driver can focus on the road. The road is a dangerous place. Drivers have enough problems. They don't want yours. We take those problems off their plate and yours.
Making the Choice
If you want the cheapest price possible, you’ll probably end up with a carrier who cancels on you. If you want a door-to-door car shipping service that actually shows up, you need a broker who knows the business.
We know the difference between shipping an SUV vs sedan cost, and we know which trailers are equipped for shipping a non-running vehicle. We do the legwork. You get your car.
Conclusion
Stop wasting time calling carriers who won't pick up the phone. Don't risk your vehicle with a broker who doesn't understand the trucking side of the business. We know both. We keep the carriers in line and we keep your car safe.
If you want the job done right the first time, there is only one choice.
Get an honest quote from AMG Transport Co. here.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.