Handle bait-and-switch scams and unexpected payment demands at pickup. Protect your quote, rights, and vehicle with proven steps for safe car shipping.

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What Should You Do If Your Auto Transport Driver Demands More Money at Pickup?

You're standing there at pickup. Your car is loaded. Then the driver hits you: "Pay more, or it doesn't go." Heart sinks. This is the bait-and-switch scam. Common in auto transport. Happens too often.

I've seen it. As Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I deal with this crap daily. Carriers cut corners. Brokers sometimes too. But you? You need a plan. Here's what to do. Step by step. No BS.

Why Does This Happen?

Drivers demand extra for one reason: greed. Or pressure from shady carriers. Your quote was lowball. They quoted open car carrier transport cost cheap. Now they claim "fuel surcharge." Or "heavy vehicle fee." Lies.

Carriers avoid direct deals with folks like you. Why? Non-payment risks. Direct customers flake. Brokers like us handle that. We take deposits via Stripe. Balance on delivery. But cut-rate brokers? They skip vetting. Drivers show up rogue.

Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door sounds simple. It's not. Roads are hell. Delays happen. But demands at pickup? That's fraud. FMCSA rules say stick to the quote. Period.

Spot the Red Flags Before Pickup

Don't wait for the demand. Watch for these:

Quote too good. Cross-country car transport from Texas to California for peanuts? Suspicious.
No contract details. Vague terms on payment.
Driver ghosts pre-pickup. No VIN scan. No photos.
Carrier not insured. Or insurance sketchy.

At AMG, we vet carriers. All insured. We do VIN scans. Photos before load. 72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes upfront. No surprises.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now

Driver demands more. Don't panic. Act fast.

1. Stay calm. Say no. Firmly: "My quote is final. No extra pay."

2. Document everything. Video the driver. Record words. Photos of truck, car, paperwork. Note time, location.

3. Call your broker immediately. Not later. Demand they intervene. Good brokers have carrier relationships. They fix it.

4. Refuse to unload or pay. If loaded, let it sit. Call FMCSA hotline: 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238). Report scam.

5. Check Bill of Lading (BOL). It locks the rate. Driver can't change it.

6. If broker flakes, escalate. File DOT complaint online. Use your evidence.

I've pulled trucks off loads this way. Saved customers thousands.

Comparison: Shady vs. Legit Auto Transport

| Issue | Shady Operation | Legit Broker like AMG |

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

| Payment at Pickup | Cash demands. No receipt. | Stripe deposit. Balance delivery.|

| Quote Protection | Changes last minute. | Locked. Honest from start. |

| Carrier Vetting | Unknown drivers. No insurance. | Vetted. Insured. Safety records. |

| Pickup Window | "ASAP" vague. | 72 hours guaranteed. |

| Scams Handled | Ghost you. | Intervene. Fix it. |

Table shows it clear. Pay now for protection. Or risk later.

Prevent It: Choose Right from Jump

Work with experienced auto transport brokers. Texas based like us? We know nationwide. From Houston to LA. SUVs or classics.

Ask:

How do you vet carriers?
Deposit secure?
Quotes binding?
What if driver demands?

Red flags? Run. Brokers buffer you. Carriers hate people problems. We handle sales, coords, systems. They drive.

Direct with carriers? Hard. Most won't touch retail. Need volume. Brokers fill that.

SEO tip: Search "trusted car shipping broker reviews." Or "how to choose a reliable auto transport broker."

Real Story: What Happened to One Customer

Guy shipping sedan Houston to Florida. Quote $900 open carrier. Driver shows: "$1200 or walk."

He called his cheap broker. No answer. Panicked. Called FMCSA. Truck left empty. Broker refunded half. Lost time. Stress.

If AMG? We'd dispatch another vetted carrier. Same day. No extra.

AMG Transport Co. Way: No Drama

We do it right. Stripe deposits secure. VIN scans verify. Vetted insured carriers only. 72-hour pickups. Door-to-door nationwide.

Shipping non-running? Multi-car for families? Luxury enclosed? We got it. No hidden fees. Quotes compare apples to apples.

Parent AMG Endeavors? Carriers ourselves. We know both sides. Brokers solve what carriers dodge.

Cross-country? Coast to coast. Texas to Cali expert broker. Safety first.

Conclusion: Don't Risk It

Bait-and-switch kills deals. Wastes time. Costs money. Pick a broker who fights for you. AMG Transport Co. is that no-brainer.

Texas auto transport broker nationwide. Honest. Tough. Reliable.

Get your quote now. Sleep easy.

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