How to Avoid Hidden Fees When Booking an Auto Transport Service?
The auto transport industry is full of noise. You go online and look for auto transport quotes. You get fifty calls in ten minutes. Most of them are promising you a price that sounds too good to be true. Usually, it is.
I am Mike. I run logistics here at AMG Transport Co. I also see the carrier side through our parent company, AMG Endeavors. I know how the math works. Moving a car three thousand miles costs money. Fuel is not free. Driver time is not free. Maintenance is expensive. If a broker gives you a bottom-barrel quote, they are likely hiding the real cost in the fine print.
At AMG Transport Co., we do the heavy lifting the carriers do not want to do. They do not want to talk to you. They want to drive. They want to avoid the risk of people not paying. We provide the customer experience and the buffer you need to keep rates reasonable while ensuring the job actually gets done.
What Hidden Fees Should I Watch For?
Low-ball quotes are the oldest trick in the book. A broker gives you a low number to get your Stripe deposit. Then, they cannot find a driver to take the load for that price. Suddenly, they need another five hundred dollars to make it happen. That is a hidden fee.
Watch out for terminal fees. Some companies offer door-to-door car shipping how it works by dropping your car at a lot miles away. Then they charge you storage or pickup fees. We focus on true nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. You shouldn't have to go on a scavenger hunt for your own car.
Another one is the non-runner fee. Shipping a non-running vehicle what to know is simple: it requires a winch. If you do not tell the broker the car does not start, the driver will demand an extra two or three hundred dollars on the spot. We verify these details upfront so there are no surprises at the curb.
Are There Fees for Extra Stops or Delays?
Time is money on the road. Carriers have strict schedules. If a driver shows up and you are not there, they are losing money. Some brokers will hit you with a dry-run fee if the pickup fails because of you.
At AMG, we operate on a 72-hour pickup window. This gives us the flexibility to get a vetted insured carrier to your door without rushing the process. If you change the destination mid-trip, expect to pay. Route changes require new logs and more fuel.
How Do Insurance Costs Affect My Total Price?
Every carrier must have cargo insurance. It is the law. Some dishonest brokers try to charge you a separate insurance fee on top of their quote. That is garbage.
A reliable auto transport broker includes insurance in the initial price. We vet every carrier’s insurance documents before they touch your keys. We also use VIN scans to document the vehicle condition. This protects you and ensures the carrier is held accountable. If someone asks for an insurance surcharge, hang up the phone.
Can I Negotiate Carrier Fees?
Usually, no. Not as an individual. Carriers know they can charge a regular person more because the person doesn't know any better. They also take a risk with individuals who might not pay or who create drama at the drop-off.
Brokers have the leverage. We provide carriers with steady work. Because we handle the sales and the backend systems, they give us better rates. We pass those savings to you while keeping a fair margin for our work. It is a balance.
| Fee Type | What It Usually Costs | How to Avoid It |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Dry Run Fee | $150 - $300 | Be ready for your 72-hour window. |
| Winch Fee | $100 - $250 | Tell us if the car doesn't run upfront. |
| Lift Gate Fee | $150 - $500 | Specify the need for enclosed auto transport for luxury cars. |
| Terminal Storage | $50/day | Stick to door-to-door car shipping. |
Why Most People Cannot Work With Carriers Directly
You will find that most carriers will not even take your call. They do not have a sales team. They do not have a customer service desk. They rely on us to solve their problems so they can stay on the road. The roads are dangerous and they have enough to worry about.
You need an experienced car shipping broker you can trust. We act as the guiding light in a fraud-filled industry. We handle the coordinating. We filter out the bad actors.
Finding Affordable Car Shipping Without Hidden Fees
If you want the cheapest price possible, you will likely get a headache. If you want a fair price and a car that actually shows up, you need a professional.
Whether you are shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference or needing enclosed carrier benefits for exotic cars, the price should be honest from the start. We do not sugar coat the numbers. We tell you what it costs to get it done right the first time.
The AMG Difference
We are a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. We know the routes from Houston to Los Angeles or from Texas to Florida. We use VIN scans. We use secure Stripe deposits. We only use vetted, insured carriers.
Don't get played by a broker who works out of a basement and doesn't know a tailpipe from a tire. Work with people who actually understand the trucking business.
If you want a quote that actually holds up, get in touch. We will get your vehicle moved without the games.
Get an honest quote from AMG Transport Co. here.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.