Auto Transport and Hidden Fees

One of the main reasons why people hesitate shipping their cars is the fear of being overcharged. It is very common for Americans to distrust people since so many consumers have been scammed in almost all forms of businesses and transactions, including the auto transport industry.

Consumers are afraid of being made to pay more than they should. Inefficient auto transport and hidden fees are scaring customers away.

Here is an actual complaint lodged by a car shipping customer: “I got a quote from a lot of auto shippers. I have shipped cars many times before and had no problems with any shippers. I called … and he said the total price would be $475. He took my credit card over the phone and charged it $125.00. (He) said … you will owe $350 … (and) said you pay the driver the $350.

So I pointedly asked … “so I pay the driver the $350 and not you?" and (he) said yes. When I paid the driver $350, the driver said we owe $400. (The driver tried) to intimidate me into paying another $50. She says it is on my contract, but if it is it is really hidden very well …. The driver did not tell me … the discrepancy until after the vehicle was delivered. I told them they need to disclose all charges at the time of the sale and do not try to slip in extra charges nobody knows about. Do not use them, they tell lies to make their living.”

This could happen but fortunately not all the time. There are tons of reliable and good-intentioned car shipping companies out there.

Below is basic information that you could use to avoid being overcharged or charged with hidden fees. Coast to coast car shipping of a regular sedan is about $600 (about winter time) to $1,000 (during peak season in summer) Shipping from California to New York is about $800 to &1,100. (Again, it is more expensive in summer.)

From Hawaii to the west coast is about $800 to $1,300. Additional costs may include the following: In summer, car shipping may be $200 to $300 more expensive; when shipping luxury cars, full lift gates and other hauling equipments are needed, which could mean addition $1,000 to $3,000, door-to-door arrangements could mean addition $200; extra handling costs when a car is not in good running condition; or fuel surcharge.

These are legitimate costs and should not be hidden from customers. It is best for the car owner to ask about these beforehand just in case the shipping company forgot to talk about it.

Car shippers that intentionally hide costs must be reported or filed a complaint against. This is illegal practice and the authorities should be notified. If the company is not willing to make amends or to owe up to their malpractice, the car owner may lodge the complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). While BBB may not have the authority to prosecute, it would raise a red flag against the company so that no one else hires their services.

Auto transport and hidden fees should not go together. There are more legit auto transporters that make this industry prosper than there are scheming ones.