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

Double brokering. It's a scam that burns shippers. Brokers take your money. Then they pass your load to another broker. Or worse, an unqualified carrier. No authority. No insurance. Your car vanishes or arrives damaged. Happens too often in auto transport.

As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I've seen it all. We're upfront. We handle frontend sales, coordination, backend systems. Carriers drive trucks. They don't want customer headaches. Roads are rough enough. Brokers buffer that. But some brokers cut corners. They double broker to chase margins.

This post cuts through the noise. Spot the signs. Verify brokers. Book safely. Save your vehicle and sanity.

What Is Double Brokering?

Double brokering means a broker books your shipment. Then resells it. To another broker. Or a carrier without proper credentials. It's not always illegal. But FMCSA frowns on it. Brokers must have authority. They subcontract legally sometimes. Shady ones don't disclose. They pocket fees. Leave you exposed.

Carriers hate it too. They get stiffed on payments. Shippers face delays. Damage. Theft. In auto transport, your car is collateral. One bad handoff ruins everything.

Why Double Brokering Hurts Everyone

Shippers pay upfront. Broker vanishes. Sub-broker flakes. Carrier never shows. Or demands cash on delivery. No recourse.

Carriers wait for pay. Brokers ghost them. They blacklist loads. Industry grinds slower.

Good brokers build carrier relationships. We vet them. Ensure insurance. Invest in your shipment. Double brokers chase quick cash. No skin in the game.

Texas to California? Houston to LA? Cross-country hauls amplify risks. Vehicles anywhere. Timing tight. Double brokering blows schedules.

Red Flags Your Auto Transport Broker Is Double Brokering

Watch these signs. They're blatant.

• Too-good-to-be-true quotes. Lowest bids win. But they add fees later. Or disappear.
• No carrier details upfront. Legit brokers share carrier info post-booking. Names. MC number. Insurance.
• Pressure to pay deposit fast. Wire transfers. Cryptocurrency. Red alert. Use credit cards or Stripe like we do at AMG.
• Pickup delays beyond 72 hours. We guarantee 72-hour windows. Excuses pile up? Broker shopping your load.
• Vague communication. No VIN scans. No photos. No updates. Ghosts after deposit.
• Unverified authority. Check FMCSA site. Broker lacks broker authority? Double brokering likely.
• Carrier shows up unknown. Driver demands extra cash. Or wrong equipment. Open vs enclosed mismatch.

List your concerns. Ask direct questions. Good brokers answer straight.

Good Broker vs. Double Broker: Quick Comparison

| Sign | Good Broker (like AMG) | Double Broker |

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

| Quote Process | Honest, transparent. No hidden fees| Unrealistically low. Fees later |

| Payment | Stripe, credit card. Secure. | Wire, cash. Risky. |

| Carrier Vetting | Insured, vetted carriers only. | Unknown subs. No checks. |

| Pickup Guarantee | 72-hour window. Reliable. | Delays, excuses. |

| Tracking & Updates | VIN scans, photos, real-time info. | Radio silence. |

| FMCSA Authority | Full broker authority. Verified. | Questionable or none. |

This table saves time. Spot patterns early.

How to Verify Your Broker Isn't Double Brokering

Don't trust words. Check facts.

1. Search FMCSA database. Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Enter broker's MC or USDOT number. Confirm active broker authority. Not carrier only.

2. Request proof of insurance. $750K auto liability minimum. Contingent cargo. Ask for certificates.

3. Demand carrier packet pre-booking. Driver license. Carrier MC. Insurance binder. We provide at AMG.

4. Use BBB, Transport Reviews. Read complaints. Double brokering leaves trails.

5. Call references. Past shippers. Carriers they use.

6. Avoid double brokers yourself. Book direct with experienced brokers. Texas-based auto transport brokers like us serve nationwide. Door-to-door.

For cross-country car shipping, like Texas to Florida relocations, verification prevents nightmares.

Safe Booking Tips for Reliable Auto Transport

Book smart. Not cheap.

• Compare quotes from 3-5 brokers. Factor cost per mile. Open carrier cheaper than enclosed for luxury cars.
• Insist on contracts. Bill of lading terms clear.
• Pay deposits securely. Stripe at AMG. Refundable if no pickup.
• Track obsessively. Apps, portals, calls.
• Inspect vehicle on pickup and delivery. Note damage.

Multi-car families? Ask about discounts. Non-running vehicles? Disclose upfront. SUVs cost more than sedans. Know factors.

Door-to-door service standard. But verify pickup feasibility.

Why AMG Transport Co. Eliminates Double Brokering Risks

We're not saints. But we're straight shooters. Part of AMG Endeavors, a carrier ourselves. We know both sides.

Our practices prove it:

• VIN scans and photos. Document condition.
• Stripe deposits. Secure. No wires.
• Vetted, insured carriers. Relationships built over years. They care because we pay on time.
• 72-hour pickup windows. No endless waits.
• Honest quotes. No bait-and-switch. Nationwide vehicle shipping, door-to-door.

Auto transport scams plague the industry. Fraud everywhere. We guide you through. Buffer carriers from headaches. Keep rates reasonable.

Ship from Houston to Los Angeles? Relocating to Florida from Texas? Multi-car loads? We've got you. Best auto transport company for out-of-state moves. Trusted reviews back it.

Most carriers won't touch direct bookings. Broker required. Choose experience. Choose reliability.

Ready for worry-free shipping? Get a free quote today. No games. Just results.

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