Avoiding Motorcycle Shipping Scams | Shiplux

Unfortunately, one of the disturbing factors of modern society is an abundance of scams. The daily deluge of scamming phone calls, texts, emails . . . fills technology even for those who take all kinds of precautions. Searching for reliable services and companies can also be fraught in a world where scammers have the skills and creativity to find ways to achieve their nefarious goals.

Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it? Especially when you are looking to entrust someone with shipping something that means a lot to you—like your motorcycle.

Sometimes it happens, though. You need to make a move, and cannot simply ride your bike to its new location. You don’t have a truck to ship it yourself, or time is of the essence. You know you need to find responsible and legitimate motorcycle shipping companies like ShipLux to help you. 

How Do You Know Who to Trust?

Okay, we get it. You are reading a blog post on our website. How do you know that we are being honest with you?

We hope, of course, that you will get to know us and learn more about us. But also, we believe that knowledge is power. We want to help you understand the types of motorcycle shipping scams that exist.

With that knowledge you will be empowered to make the best decision, and hire the company that best meets your needs. While we would love for it to be us, ultimately the decision is in your own hands, your own power.

Ready to understand motorcycle scams? Here is a quick visual, and then we will explain some more.

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False Business Scams
Sometimes scammers create false businesses, using a website with a name or domain that is similar to a legitimate carrier. These scammers may even imitate the real company’s website, so everything seems legitimate.

There are many things to look for to help you be sure that a transport company is legitimate. Here is a list of 11 ways to check the legitimacy of a website.  The most important thing is that you do not send money or sign anything until you have done your research. Look closely at the website URL and any communications, any slight difference might indicate a cloned site. In addition, look for evidence of their reputation online.

• Do they have legitimate reviews? (Not just one or two recent ones)
• Look for their credentials. Legitimate companies must be registered with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA)

The Bait and Switch Scam
In this scam, the carriers will quote you one price. Then, when your motorcycle is in their control (on the truck) they run into “problems” that require more money. Your final bill might also include unexplained charges (such as storage fees, lift gate fees, door-to-door delivery fees, etc.), and you will not get your bike unless you pay them.

To avoid this scam, look for companies that offer Price Transparency. This means honest pricing, with no hidden fees. Ask lots of questions, and get everything in writing!


Lead Aggregators
These are companies that gather the information about your motorcycle and shipping needs, and then sell that information to transport companies. Then you get lots of spammy email as people reach out for your business. While this may be one way to get company names, it’s better if you ask around and do your own research rather than have your private business sold to anyone willing to pay the price.

Too Good to be True
If you find a company that is offering a price (and even a timeline) that seems too good to be true, then it probably is. There’s no getting around the fact that it costs money to ship a bike—with prices ranging between $500 and $1200 depending on distance, location, and other concerns.

Although the best companies may charge a little more, they will also provide more services like enclosed shipping, White Glove care for your bike, and the proper equipment which treats your motorcycle like your own. There may be extra charges if you want expedited shipping.

It’s easy to think the cheapest option is the best, but it could cost you more in the long run if you don’t know all the details of what a company has to offer. Be suspicious of truly low fees and do your research.

Vigilance and Research will Lead You to ShipLux

Of course, we aren’t asking you to take our word for it. We believe that everyone should do these things before they send any money (and never send money by an untraceable source). \

We will tell you, though, that we love motorcycles! In addition to our transparent pricing and amazing team, we “provide the highest amount of protection from pick-up to delivery and the whole road in between.”

Contact ShipLux today for a shipping quote. Our agents are available 24/7 to answer you questions, alleviate your concerns, and help you get your motorcycle wherever you need it to go.