Uncover red flags of double brokering scams where brokers resell your load without owning trucks. Learn verification steps for safe, direct carrier assignment.

How Can You Spot If Your Auto Transport Broker Is Double Brokering?

Double brokering hurts shippers. It happens when a broker takes your money. Then passes your load to another broker. Or a carrier. Without doing the work. You pay upfront. But service drops. Delays hit. Or worse, your car vanishes.

As a Texas-based auto transport broker, I've seen it all. At AMG Transport Co., we assign vetted carriers directly. No games. Here's how to spot the scams.

What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport?

Double brokering is simple. A broker books your vehicle shipment. They quote you a price. You pay a deposit. Then they re-broker the load. They find another broker or carrier. Pocket the spread. And disappear.

Brokers without trucks do this. They act like carriers. But they just middleman. Legit brokers like us coordinate sales. Dispatch. Tracking. We handle what carriers hate. People problems.

Carriers focus on roads. Driving. Maintenance. They avoid direct customer contact. Why? Non-payers. Complaints. Brokers buffer that. But shady ones abuse it.

Why Do Some Brokers Double Broker Loads?

Cash flow. They get deposits fast. Pay nothing upfront. Then dump the load. Low risk for them. High for you.

Some lack carrier relationships. They can't book direct. So they flip loads on load boards. Like Craigslist for trucks.

Others chase volume. Quote low to win bids. Then offload to cover costs. Greed rules.

Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door sounds easy. But without real networks, brokers cut corners.

How Does Double Brokering Harm Shippers?

Delays. Your pickup window slips. Carrier ghosts you.

Rate hikes. The second broker jacks prices. Or demands more cash.

No insurance match. Coverage gaps. Damage claims fail.

Scams. Load vanishes. Broker bankrupt. You're out money.

Cross-country car transport from Texas to California? One bad broker ruins your move.

What Red Flags Indicate Double Brokering?

Watch for these signs. Act fast.

Super low quotes. If it's too cheap, it's bait. Real costs don't lie.
No carrier packet upfront. Legit brokers share DOT info. Insurance. Photos.
Payment pressure. Demands full upfront via wire. Red flag.
Vague details. No truck type. No driver name. No timeline.

Why Does the Assigned Carrier Differ from the Broker's Info?

You get a contract. Broker lists themselves as carrier. Or fake DOT. Pickup day, different truck shows. New name. New number.

That's double brokering. They lied. Sold to another party.

I've seen it on ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles runs. Broker quotes open car carrier transport cost. Then subs to a rookie.

What If Communication Suddenly Changes Mid-Shipment?

Broker handles booking. Then switches to "carrier." New email. Phone. Excuses.

"Carrier took over." Bull. That's the handoff.

Legit brokers track end-to-end. Like AMG. 72-hour pickup windows. VIN scans. Real time updates.

How Can You Verify Direct Carrier Assignment?

Don't trust words. Check facts.

Ask for carrier packet day one. DOT. MC. Insurance. W-9.

Call them. Verify.

| Red Flag Broker | Legit Broker like AMG |

|------------------|----------------------|

| Vague info | Full packet upfront |

| Wire/full pay | Stripe deposits |

| Delays common | 72-hr pickup |

| No tracking | VIN scans, updates |

What FMCSA Tools Confirm Broker Authority?

Go to FMCSA site. Search broker authority.

Enter USDOT or MC number. Check active status. BOC-3 filing. Surety bond.

No bond? Scam risk high.

For auto transport broker Texas firms, verify interstate ops.

How Do You Check the Carrier's USDOT and MC Numbers?

SaferWeb.dot.gov. Punch in numbers.

Look at inspection history. Crash rates. Insurance on file.

Call carrier direct. Ask if they booked your load. Get dispatch name.

AMG uses vetted insured carriers only. Nationwide. Door to door.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Double Brokering?

Stop payments. Demand refund.

File FMCSA complaint. BBB. State AG.

Cancel contract. Find real broker.

Report to load boards. Protect others.

For how much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Get honest quotes. No games.

Choose Reliable Auto Transport Every Time

Double brokering fills this industry. But not everywhere. Pick brokers with skin in the game.

AMG Transport Co. backs parent carrier AMG Endeavors. We broker smart. Assign direct. Vetted carriers. Insured. Honest quotes. Stripe deposits. VIN scans before load. 72-hour pickups.

Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Door pick-up and delivery car transport service. From SUVs to classics. Open or enclosed.

Don't risk it. Get a quote today. Sleep easy.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.