Paying Car Shippers Right

These days, it is not easy to let go of your money even if you know that it is for a good reason. Car shipping is a necessary expense as you pay for professional service, since it is very difficult transporting your car to a faraway destination without professional help. In other words, do not hesitate hiring a car shipping company, but neither should you put your guard down against possible scammers or fraudsters.

Do not pay anything online. The best advice is to personally visit your car shipping company and make the necessary payment in person. Typically, a vehicle transportation company will ask for a 10 to 20% down payment. If the amount goes beyond that, be suspicious and begin asking questions.

If a shipper explains that you need to pay more so that you can guarantee a spot on their truck, most likely that is a scam. As you pay regular down payment, it is the shipper’s responsibility to make sure that your car gets a spot and is transported on the agreed upon date.

The down payment may be paid using your credit card. And since you are there at the shipping office personally, you won’t need to type in your credit card number onto an unsafe website. Know, however, that some shippers charge an additional 2-3% for credit card payments.

The balance is usually paid as COD after you have received your car. You are expected to pay the full amount in cash to the driver who delivered your car. Normally, the final payment is in cash but some companies accept a cashier’s check. You have to pay the balance first before the driver will make you sign the Bill of Lading to release your car.

Most car shipping companies need to receive a payment in cash to make sure that their driver has money on the road. The drivers need this money to pay for fuel or for any emergency situations such as minor breakdowns or a blown-out tire.

Some car shipping companies don’t ask any down payment at all. This gives you some kind of a breathing space and peace of mind that this company is not at all about making money. On the other hand, a car shipping company may require full payment up front. This is not necessarily an indication of scam but you should look closer into the background of that company.

There are places where you can check a shipper’s validity, past performances and competence. Three helpful sources are the Department of Transportation, the Better Business Bureau, and car shipping review websites. The Better Business Bureau or BBB is a network of business organizations that study industry scams and how to avoid them. It’s a third party organization, which means you can trust its objectivity.

Car shipping review websites, on the other hand, can be subjective at times, although still very helpful in detecting possible frauds. Some car shipping companies are said to be hiring their own writers who would come up with positive reviews, while dissing the competition.

Above all, always trust your gut feel when making payments. Avoid being scammed.