Friday, September 16, 2011

How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams

Car Shipping was not meant for everyone in the past as this was a type of service that only the rich individuals enjoyed. What these transport companies did not long ago was enter the mainstream market offering their help to everyone. Today, all kinds of people are able to both offer and make use of the service.

Because of the rapid growth of the industry, the presence of less honest companies cannot be avoided. You will encounter a number of companies that offer services that are of great quality but only a handful of them will be telling you the truth and it is pretty difficult to tell which company is honest and which one is not. Here is where you have to protect yourself from scammers and below are a few tips that can help you out.

First impressions really do count and this is something that you have to remember at all times. Do not impulsively go to an auto shipper without contacting anyone from the company first. In this case, service locations matter as well as the number of employees and service vehicles that the company operates with.

The companies that really know what they are doing will not stutter for a second if you ask them something about their operations. When it comes to this, you can ask for customer data from companies that have a solid clientele. What you have here is something that can help you check whether or not a company is legitimate.

Aside from their licensing, it is also a good idea to check their certifications. You can spot fraudulent companies since they will lack these documents. It is important that you be able to verify the documents that the company shows you as some fabricate these.

These are the steps that will help you narrow down your auto transport company options. You’ll then be able to concentrate on what these few car shipping companies can really offer you. When it comes to this, it is important that you take note of advertisements, sites, and contact details.

The easiest way to gain information about your list of companies is to go online and research the company name of your choice. Here is where you should consider the reputation of the company you will be working with. By taking this into consideration, chances are you will get your vehicle without any problems.

Now if the worst case scenario happens and you find yourself being victim of a car shipping scam, know who to contact when it happens. If complaints are to be filed, you need to take note of the limitations. It is then necessary to call definitive associations or administrations the moment you realize that you have been scammed.

More often than not, complaints are filed when it comes to the auto shipping business. Apart from Moving Scams Online, you can contact the American Moving and Storage Association, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General. Aside from providing information on scammers, people can file complaints to report potential abuse on the part of these auto shippers.

With the rise of the Internet, there has been an increase in people making quick, easy and illegal money. You cannot always trust the companies that sell things online and when you are searching for auto shippers, you need to think of this. Always be guarded with your decision and neglect to be a victim of auto shipping scammers.