What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport and How Can You Avoid It?

Double brokering. It's a scam that hits hard in auto transport. Shippers lose time. They lose money. Worse, their cars vanish or arrive damaged. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I've seen it all. Brokers like us handle the frontend sales and coordination that carriers hate. But some play dirty. They double broker your load. Here's the straight talk on what it is and how to dodge it.

What Exactly Is Double Brokering?

Double brokering happens when a broker books your car shipment. Then, instead of assigning a real carrier, they re-post your load to another broker. That second broker finds the carrier. The first one pockets a fee without doing the work.

It's illegal under federal rules. The FMCSA bans it. Brokers must have authority to arrange transport. But they can't subcontract to other brokers without disclosing it. Violators face fines up to $10,000 per violation. Reality? Enforcement lags. Scammers thrive.

In auto transport, it's rampant. Why? High demand for car shipping services in Texas and nationwide. People move cross-country. They ship from Houston to Los Angeles. Brokers promise quick, cheap door-to-door service. Then they flip the load.

Risks pile up. No real carrier means no insurance coverage. Delays stretch weeks. Your vehicle sits in limbo. Or worse, it ends up with a fly-by-night operator.

Carriers know this. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs trucks. They avoid direct customer hassles. Deadbeats don't pay. Brokers buffer that. Good ones build carrier relationships for fair rates. Bad ones double broker to chase margins.

Why Double Brokering Plagues Auto Transport

Roads are rough. Carriers focus on driving, not drama. They deal with breakdowns, weather, regulations. Customers? Complicated. Brokers step in for quotes, tracking, issues.

But not all brokers are equal. Some lack carrier networks. They take your deposit. Repost the load on load boards like Central Dispatch. Hope a carrier bites.

Market fuels it. Open car carrier transport costs fluctuate. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars runs higher. Shippers hunt deals. Scammers undercut with fake bids.

Texas sees tons. Relocating to Florida? Ship car from Texas? Demand spikes. Fraud follows.

Red Flags of Double Brokering Scams

Spot them early. Don't ignore gut feelings.

• Price too low to believe. Quotes way below market? Red flag. Real brokers can't sustain it.
• Pressure for quick deposits. \"Pay now or lose the truck!\" Classic tactic. Legit brokers use secure methods like Stripe.
• Vague carrier details. No DOT or MC number. Or they change last minute.
• No contract or packet. Real brokers send carrier info upfront. Insurance, W-9, photos.
• Broker lacks authority. Check FMCSA site. Active broker authority? Verify.
• 72-hour pickup slips. Promised tomorrow? Delays signal double brokering.
• Untraceable payments. Wire transfers, Venmo, crypto. Avoid. Use credit cards or Stripe.

Here's a quick comparison:

| Legit Broker | Double Broker Scam |

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

| Provides carrier packet | Dodges specifics |

| Secure Stripe deposits | Demands wire or cash app |

| Vetted, insured carriers | Unknown trucks |

| Honest quotes, no bait-switch | Lowballs then adds fees |

| 72-hour pickup guarantee | Endless delays |

How to Verify and Avoid Double Brokering

Protect your shipment. Follow these steps.

1. Check FMCSA Licensing. Go to fmcsa.dot.gov. Search broker's MC number. Must be active. No unsatisfied complaints.

2. Demand Carrier Packet. Before deposit, get carrier details. DOT number, insurance, authority. Call the carrier. Confirm they accepted your load.

3. Use Secure Payments. Deposits via Stripe or credit card. Retractable if issues arise.

4. Get VIN-Specific Quotes. Brokers scan your VIN. Ensures accurate pricing.

5. Read Reviews Wisely. Trusted car shipping broker reviews matter. But check dates. Scammers buy fakes.

6. Ask About Process. How do they assign carriers? Vetted network or load boards?

7. Insist on Direct Carrier Contact. Legit brokers allow it post-assignment.

For cross-country hauls, like how long does car shipping take cross country, transparency rules. Expect 5-14 days coast to coast.

Why AMG Transport Co. Eliminates These Risks

We're not like the scammers. As an experienced car shipping broker you can trust, we do it right.

• Vetted, Insured Carriers Only. No load boards. Direct relationships. Our parent carrier, AMG Endeavors, sets the standard.
• VIN Scans for Accuracy. No guesswork on vehicle size or value.
• Stripe Deposits. Secure. No wires.
• 72-Hour Pickup Windows. We stick to it.
• Honest Quotes. No hidden fees. Affordable car shipping without surprises.

Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. From Texas to California. Luxury? Enclosed. Classic cars? Protected. Non-running vehicles? Handled.

We buffer carriers from customer noise. They focus on safe delivery. You get peace of mind.

Final Word: Choose Right, Ship Safe

Double brokering ruins shipments. Don't risk it. Pick a broker with skin in the game. One that verifies everything.

AMG Transport Co. is that broker. Texas-based. Nationwide reach. Proven track record.

Get your free quote today. Protect your vehicle. Sleep easy.

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