What Qualities Make for Dependable Auto Movers?
Many auto transport companies exist, but dependable auto movers possess qualities that make them stand above their competitors. The best way to find a reliable company is through diligent background research.
Ask Around
Nothing can replace word-of-mouth recommendations. Ask friends, family, work colleagues and acquaintances if they have personally (or know of someone who has) used an auto transport service, or if they used any car shipping services from moving companies. Customers who experienced high-quality service or had a negative experience are usually more than happy to recommend or discourage you from using a particular company.
Auto-Reviews
You can access many auto-transport review websites on the Internet for both broker and carrier companies. Always check out more than one review site and look at the policy section to see if customers were paid for reviews or if the site is somehow connected to a particular company. Sometimes consumers are given incentives to write reviews such as being entered into a contest, while other sites don’t solicit information.
Before shipping with any company we recommend you check with the website over at A-1 Auto Transport to read reviews and get learn about the whole shipping process.
Dependable auto movers often have consistent results – customers satisfied with delivery time, cost, special services and their interactions with company employees.
Consumer Watch-Groups
Consumer advocacy groups are another way to determine the reputation of a company. Search the websites of organization such as:
1.) Consumer Affairs – informs you of new, inexperienced companies and lists questionable transporters
2.) Better Business Bureau (BBB) – provides “accreditation” for quality companies such as dependable auto movers; you can also file and search for a history of complaint
“Watch-dog” groups can give you a heads-up on companies that you should avoid.
Government Regulators
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – a subset of the Department of Transportation (DOT), regulates auto transport companies. Broker companies are issued MC numbers and carrier companies a USDOT (note that some carriers also have MC authorization) – identifiers that can help you search the reputation of any cross country moving companies.
The FMCSA site provides consumers as well as fellow motorists a means to report problems directly on their website. If you witness unsafe driving or have been taken advantage of by a company, the FMCSA investigate complaints such as:
Operating without the proper authorizations, such as a broker company moving your car
Failure to address damages for which the company is liable within 120 days of service
Invalid insurance certificates
Failure to abide by stipulations of the pre-move agreement
Failure to notify customers of delivery delays in a timely manner
These and other grievances deemed legitimate become part of the permanent record of the transport company. Keep in mind that companies have the opportunity to redeem themselves; the FMCSA notes on future inspections if they have taken corrective steps to prevent the recurrence of such problems. Consumers can obtain information regarding investigations and inspections; certain auto-transport review sites also contain the information available to consumers on their site.
The FMCSA also provides a service called “Protect Your Move,” where they detail your rights and responsibilities, make suggestions for how to locate dependable auto movers and also provide general suggestions and information helpful to those making a move.
The Best Company
The most dependable auto movers are those with a solid reputation of quality – including honoring the written contract in terms of scheduled delivery, cost and insurance. A transporter should notify you in a timely manner if they are unable to fulfill an obligation, such as an unforeseeable delay in delivery time, and take responsibility should they be liable for any damages. Consumer watch groups, review sites and word-of-mouth all provide insights into the customers experience; however, in the end, make sure that you choose a reputable company based on your needs.
