Learn about double brokering scams in car shipping, how they work, risks to your vehicle, and questions to ask brokers to ensure direct carrier assignment.

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

Double brokering plagues the auto transport industry. It's a scam where a broker takes your money but doesn't move your car. They pass the job to another broker. Chaos follows. Your vehicle sits. Delays mount. As an auto transport broker in Texas, I've seen it ruin deals. Brokers like us at AMG Transport Co. cut it out. We assign direct to carriers.

What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport?

Double brokering happens when a broker books your car shipping job. They collect your deposit. Then, they re-sell the load to another broker. That second broker finds a carrier. Or they double broker again. It's illegal under FMCSA rules. Brokers must have authority. They can't sub-broker without disclosure.

How Does Double Brokering Actually Work?

Step one: You call a broker. They quote low. You pay a deposit via wire or cash app. They post your load on a board like DAT or Truckstop.

Step two: Another broker grabs it cheap. They contact you for pickup details. Or they ghost you.

Step three: The final carrier shows up late. Or not at all. Your car waits in limbo. Deposits vanish in shady hands.

Why Do Some Brokers Use Double Brokering?

Greed. They snag jobs nationwide vehicle shipping door to door without trucks. No carrier relationships. Quick cash from deposits. Low risk if they vanish. Some lack broker authority. They fake DOT numbers. Real brokers build carrier networks. We handle frontend sales and backend systems. Carriers drive. We solve people problems.

What Risks Does Double Brokering Pose to Shippers?

Your car faces real danger. Scammers prioritize volume over care. Inexperienced subs handle your SUV or classic car. Damage happens. Claims fail.

How Can It Lead to Delivery Delays or No-Shows?

Brokers chase loads. Carriers get booked last. Trucks fill elsewhere. Your ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles waits weeks. Cross-country hauls turn endless. 72-hour pickup windows? Forget it.

Why Is Insurance Coverage Weaker with Subcontracted Carriers?

Sub-brokers use cheap carriers. Coverage gaps appear. FMCSA requires $750,000 minimum. Subs skimp. Proof? Hard to get. Damage claims deny. At AMG, we vet insured carriers. Full coverage verified.

How Can You Spot Double Brokering Before Booking?

Don't trust quotes alone. Dig. Ask for carrier info upfront. Verify everything.

What Key Questions Should You Ask Your Auto Transport Broker?

Will you assign this load directly to a carrier? No subs?
What's the carrier's DOT and MC number?
Can I speak to the driver before pickup?
What's your process for VIN scans and Stripe deposits?
Do you guarantee 72-hour pickup?

Red flags: Vague answers. Carrier details after payment. Wire transfers only.

What FMCSA Tools Can Verify Carrier Authority?

Use SAFER system. Search DOT number. Check active authority. Licensing & Insurance snapshot shows cargo coverage. SMS search for safety ratings. Real brokers provide these. Fakes dodge.

How to Protect Yourself from Double Brokering Scams?

Choose experienced brokers. Demand direct carrier assignment. Pay deposits securely. Track from start.

| Double Brokering | Direct Carrier Assignment |

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

| Multiple middlemen | Broker to carrier direct |

| Delay risks high | 72-hour pickup standard |

| Weak insurance | Vetted, full coverage |

| Deposits at risk | Secure Stripe payments |

| No accountability | VIN scans, honest quotes |

Should You Insist on Direct Carrier Assignment?

Yes. Always. Most carriers won't deal direct. They avoid payment risks. Brokers buffer that. Good ones invest in relationships. Your car gets priority.

People can't reach most carriers anyway. Brokers coordinate nationwide. From Texas to California. Open or enclosed. SUVs or exotics.

Why Choose AMG Transport Co.?

Double brokering? Not here. We're a Texas-based auto transport broker. Parent company AMG Endeavors runs carriers. We know both sides. Vetted insured carriers only. Direct assignment. VIN scans confirm condition. Stripe deposits secure. Honest quotes, no hidden fees. 72-hour pickup windows honored. Door-to-door service coast to coast.

Relocating to Florida? Shipping classics enclosed? Multi-car family moves? We handle it right. Trusted reviews prove it. Skip scams. Get real service.

Get a free quote today. No risk. All reward.

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