What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport and How to Spot It?

Double brokering is a dirty trick in the auto transport world. It happens when a broker books your car shipment. Then, they turn around and re-sell that load to another broker or a shady carrier. They pocket the difference. Your vehicle? It ends up with someone unqualified. Scams like this are on the rise. Shippers lose money, cars get damaged, and timelines blow up.

I've seen it too many times as a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker. We handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We know both sides. Brokers like us do the sales, coordination, and backend work. Carriers focus on driving. That's the deal.

What Exactly Is Double Brokering?

A legit broker contracts a vetted carrier for your load. They have relationships. They check insurance and safety records.

Double brokering skips that. The first broker takes your deposit. They post your load on load boards. Another broker or low-rent carrier grabs it cheap. The original broker vanishes.

It's illegal under federal rules if not disclosed. FMCSA bans it for brokers without authority. But it happens anyway.

How Does Double Brokering Harm Shippers?

You pay upfront. The double broker disappears.

Your car sits. No pickup in the promised 72-hour window.

It goes to an uninsured hauler. Damage happens. No recourse.

Rates spike later. Unqualified carriers jack prices or bail.

I've dealt with shippers burned by this. One guy shipped his SUV from Houston to Los Angeles. Broker took cash. Carrier never showed. Vehicle sat a week. Cost him double to fix.

What Are the Red Flags of Double Brokering?

Spot them early. Save your cash and car.

• Crazy low quotes. If it's too cheap, it's bait. Real cross-country car transport costs $1,000-$2,000. Not $500.
• No carrier details upfront. Legit brokers name the carrier before deposit.
• Last-minute carrier switches. "Your original carrier broke down." Bull. It's a handoff.
• Payment demands via wire or crypto. Brokers use Stripe or credit cards. No shady apps.
• Broker won't share MC number or insurance. They dodge.
• Pickup delays beyond 72 hours. Pros hit windows.

| Red Flag | Legit Broker Practice |

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

| Quotes unrealistically low| Honest quotes with full breakdown|

| No carrier info pre-deposit| Vetted carrier named early |

| Wire transfers only | Stripe deposits, secure |

| Endless delays | 72-hour pickup guarantee |

Why Do Brokers Use This Practice?

Greed. They book loads fast. Flip them for profit. Zero skin in the game.

Some lack carrier networks. They can't haul themselves.

Others chase volume. Take every quote. Dump the risk.

Carriers hate it too. They get stiffed on pay. Shippers get bad service.

How Can You Avoid Double Brokering Scams?

Pick experienced brokers. Texas-based auto transport brokers like us know the game.

Check FMCSA license. Verify USDOT and MC numbers.

Read reviews. Look for trusted car shipping broker reviews.

Demand transparency. No deposit without carrier info.

Use brokers with systems. VIN scans at pickup. Insured carriers only.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Broker?

• Who's hauling my car? Give me their MC number.
• What's your process for vetting carriers?
• Can I see proof of insurance?
• How do you handle deposits? Stripe?
• What's the pickup window? 72 hours?
• Any carrier changes allowed?

Good brokers answer straight. No fluff.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Double Brokering?

Stop payments. Demand refunds.

Contact FMCSA. File a complaint.

Call the carrier direct. Verify the load.

Get legal help if out cash.

How to Verify Your Carrier's Legitimacy?

Go to FMCSA site. Search USDOT/MC.

Check insurance filings. Active?

Call carrier. Confirm they booked you.

Ask for safety ratings. Low CSA scores? Run.

We at AMG vet every carrier. Full insurance. Clean records.

Why Choose AMG Transport Co.?

Double brokering? Not here. We're a broker who gets it right.

Vetted, insured carriers only. VIN scans at pickup and delivery.

Stripe deposits. No wires.

72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes. No games.

Nationwide door-to-door. From Texas to anywhere. Open or enclosed.

Ship a car cross country? Relocating to Florida from Texas? We handle it.

Carriers trust us. Shippers do too.

Don't risk scams. Get real service.

Get your free quote today.

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