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

Double brokering plagues the auto transport industry. It's a scam. Shippers lose money. Vehicles vanish. I've seen it ruin deals. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I deal with this daily. We don't double broker. We assign vetted carriers upfront. Learn what it is. Spot the signs. Protect your car.

What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport?

Double brokering happens when a broker books your car shipping job. Then, they hand it off to another broker. Not a carrier. No truck. Just another middleman. They pocket your deposit. The second broker scrambles for a real carrier. Or they don't.

Brokers need authority from the FMCSA. That's the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Legit ones have an MC number. Scammers fake it. They take jobs they can't handle. It's fraud.

How Does Double Brokering Work During Car Shipping?

Step one: You call a "broker." They quote low. Too low. You pay a deposit.

Step two: They list your load on load boards. Like Central Dispatch. Hope a real broker or carrier bites.

Step three: If no one takes it, your car sits. Deposit gone. If someone does, you're double brokered. The original broker vanishes.

Carriers hate this. They get stuck with no-pay loads. Brokers like us buffer that. We handle sales and coordination. Carriers drive. That's the deal.

Why Is Double Brokering a Major Risk for Vehicle Shippers?

It's a disaster. No insurance coverage. No accountability. Your vehicle could end up anywhere. Damaged. Stolen. Abandoned on the roadside.

The industry is fraud-filled. Roads are dangerous. Scammers exploit that. A good broker guides you. Keeps rates reasonable. We do the frontend work carriers skip.

People can't always book direct with carriers. Most won't take individual loads. They demand payment upfront. Brokers negotiate. But double brokers ruin trust.

What Happens to Your Car If a Double Broker Is Involved?

Worst case: Carrier drops it. No pay from the double broker. Your car sits in a lot. You pay twice.

Or damage occurs. No cargo insurance. You're out thousands.

I've handled claims from this. Vehicles totaled. Customers furious. One guy shipped from Houston to LA. Double brokered. Car abandoned in Arizona. Took weeks to recover.

How Can You Spot Signs of Double Brokering Before Booking?

Trust your gut. If it smells off, walk away.

Demand carrier details upfront. No legit broker hides them.

What Red Flags Indicate a Broker Might Be Double Brokering?

• Quotes unrealistically low. Like open car carrier transport cost under $0.50 per mile cross-country.
• No carrier MC or DOT number provided immediately.
• Pressure to wire money or use sketchy payment. Avoid that.
• Broker won't share load board confirmation.
• Vague on pickup times. No 72-hour window.
• Poor reviews. Check BBB, FMCSA complaints.

| Red Flag | Why It's Bad |

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

| Super low quote | Can't be real. Scams lure you in. |

| Hides carrier info | No direct assignment. They're re-brokering. |

| Cash or wire only | Can't trace. They pocket it. |

| No contract details | Hides the double broker clause. |

How Do You Verify a Broker Isn't Double Brokering?

Verify everything. It's your job.

Ask for the carrier's MC number. Check FMCSA site. Confirm active authority.

Use QuickPay? Red flag. Legit brokers pay carriers direct.

At AMG Transport Co., we give you carrier MC upfront. Vetted. Insured. Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door.

What Tools and Checks Confirm a Legitimate Carrier Assignment?

1. FMCSA Safer website: Search MC/DOT. Check insurance on file. Crash rates.

2. Load board peek: Ask for DAT or Truckstop screenshot with your load posted under their carrier.

3. Call the carrier direct: Verify they accepted your load.

4. Bill of Lading: Must list real carrier, not broker.

5. BrokerSure or Carrier411: Paid verification tools.

We use VIN scans at pickup. Stripe deposits only. Secure. Honest quotes. No games.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Double Brokering After Booking?

Act fast.

Contact FMCSA. File complaint.

Call your credit card. Dispute deposit.

Demand carrier contact from broker. Verify.

Cancel if possible. Find a trusted car shipping broker.

Relist with a real one. Like us. We've shipped classics enclosed. SUVs open. Cross-country from Texas to California.

Report to BBB. Help others.

Choose Safe Auto Transport: Why AMG Transport Co. Wins

Double brokering thrives on shady operators. Don't risk it. Pick an experienced car shipping broker you can trust.

AMG Transport Co. is your buffer. Parent company AMG Endeavors runs carriers. We know both sides.

We assign vetted, insured carriers. MC numbers upfront. 72-hour pickup windows. VIN scans. Stripe payments. No hidden fees.

Door-to-door nationwide. Honest quotes. Strong customer experience in a fraud-filled world.

Texas-based auto transport broker serving coast to coast. Ship from Houston to LA? We got you.

Get your free quote today. Sleep easy.

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