Vehicle Shipping Red Flags

If we could wave a magic wand to get rid of all the fraud in the shipping industry, let us tell you, we would! Sadly, yes, fraud remains prevalent in the industry, and it can be a real bummer to be on the receiving end of this horrible behavior. 

It is crucial as a consumer to know what should be avoided, what the fraud warning signs are and how to recognize red flags. Why are we doing this? Because we are experts in vehicles and the shipping industry and we feel it is our duty to share our knowledge with others! We know the ins and outs of shipping a vehicle at a fair price and how to do it safely and efficiently. 

Keep reading to learn about the red flags and how to spot problems! 

1. Bad or fake reviews

There are a lot of reasons a company may rely on falsified reviews for their brand.  Fake reviews are most certainly a violation of the terms of service for business review sites, as it is a manipulation of the business reputation. Yet, people can still post false reviews on any website that does not require proof of purchase to prove that they are a legitimate customer.

So, a company that wants to exaggerate their company and reviews could ask family, friends, employees, or even pay someone to write false reviews. When this happens, it will rank the company higher on the internet, and build the illusion they are doing an incredible job, when it’s not the truth. 

To spot a fake review, look for the following: 

• Reviewer’s name.  Check if the name is anonymous or generic without a profile or any additional details. This could be a sign they are writing a fake review. 
• Whether or not proof of purchase is necessary. If the company is not requiring proof of purchase to review, this is a red flag because it means that absolutely anyone can put in their two cents. 
• Time frames. If they are fake reviews, there’s a chance they are bundled together over a specific, very short time frame. 
• Vague reviews. A fake review can be spotted if it is super generic and vague such as “bad service” or “horrible customer service.” 
• Poor grammar. If there are a million spelling mistakes—big red flag! Sure, sometimes we all make mistakes but if there are multiple or more than one, it could be a sign of a fake review. 

The other red flag is flat out, bad reviews. Reviews have become fundamental in how we shop and learn about businesses. 

Always carefully read the reviews and if you do scroll through them and see a majority of negative reviews, it’s best to avoid that company. Read the review and the reasons for the negative review as it could be possible the reviewer was having a bad day and it’s not accurate. Most of the time though, a bad review is there for a reason. Someone was so exasperated and disappointed in what happened to them that they took the time to warn other people. Take those warnings to heart! 

2. A lack of business details

A big, bright, red flag is when a business is lacking  fundamental details.  A basic need for an established, legitimate business is one with an address, license, and established identity that is easy to find. 

You should also be able to research the company on Better Business Bureau or the Transport Reviews website. Even if it’s a new company, these details should be accessible on their webpage.

A solid brand will have a detailed website complete with helpful content, a frequently asked question page, reviews, and linked to social media pages—that are regularly updated. 

3. Customer service impossible to reach 

Reputable companies will want to be loud and proud about their offerings and will be very happy to talk to their customers and to answer any questions. 

Oppositely, suspicious companies will be hard to reach, fail to get back to you, or just have an automated answering service that will spit out genetic robotic answers.

If you dial the company phone number, and it is rejected, or just bounces you directly to voicemail, this is not good practice. This can get incredibly stressful and will not lead you to feel very certain or comfortable in spending your money with them. 

One thing we do at ShipLux is offer 24/7 customer service, robot free. Real humans are always on the receiving end of all requests, and we provide detailed updates, are happy to answer questions, and meet you where you are, on the communication platform that you prefer. 

Alt text: vehicle shipping customer service

4. Payment ahead of any service provided 

It is considered common for companies to ask for a deposit for their service. In fact, with ShipLux, we ask for a deposit upon booking, which is charged when the pickup is scheduled and should a remaining balance remain, it will be charged at the time of delivery. 

However, if a company asks for a significant deposit, or to pay the full price at booking, this can be considered odd, because they may not perform the service! 

Look out for the method of payment that the company accepts, as well. Certain payment methods, including money transfer services, can be really difficult for customers to track. Opt for a company that accepts major credit cards for added protection. 

5. Lack of a detailed agreement, quote or insurance

It’s important to receive a detailed agreement that you can review to know what service you are getting, and what you can expect. This statement is a contract and holds the company responsible for its actions. 

Similarly, a company not providing a quote is a very large red flag! A quote should be very comprehensive and include all of the details regarding the specific vehicle being shipped, the origin and drop-off location, the type of carrier, gas charges, driver considerations, and other details for elements that you will be charged for. 

Hidden costs are the worst, and there should never be any surprises that will leave you scared and shocked.  With ShipLux, we offer a comprehensive quote that takes around five minutes to complete and we are big believers in transparency. What you see on that quote will be what you pay. No matter what.  

Companies should also always be upfront and share with you about their insurance policy. It’s vital that you know exactly how they will protect your vehicle and what and who is responsible should something go wrong. If they don’t, that is not good practice and a big red flag. 

Alt text: vehicle shipping agreement

6. Delivery time and date is specified…. Or they keep changing it!  

When shipping vehicles, it’s not possible to provide a specific delivery date and time, like on Amazon. This is because shipping vehicles rely on and use the same roads and highways that the rest of the world does, and the driver needs to take a lot of security and careful precautions—including plenty of breaks. Their goal is to ship your vehicle safely and carefully. Furthermore, most shipping companies do multiple vehicles in each shipment, which can impact timeframes.  There are plenty of factors that can come up which is why a reliable company will offer something like a 24-48 pickup window and will continue to update you along the way. 

Companies, including ours, may offer expedited shipping. With this option, delivery slots are prioritized so you will get your vehicle as close as possible to your desired date.  

Ultimately, any company that says they can 100% guarantee a pickup and delivery date and time is not familiar with how the industry works and is likely being deceitful. 

Similarly, if you’ve booked your shipment but suddenly the company is changing the pickup date, over and over….and over: red flag. This means they are possibly struggling to nail down a carrier and may never secure one! Beware of this. 

7. Consistent breakdowns and issues

If you keep hearing about truck breakdowns or if there are similar, constant issues, consistently, this is sketchy. A reputable company will strive to keep their trucks in functioning condition, to avoid delays and safety concerns. If it happens once, sure, maybe it’s true but consistent issues like this could signal some deceit happening behind the scenes. 

8. Wildly low prices or prices changes 

If it seems too good to be true…it probably is! While you might be excited by the prospect of a “deal” shipping isn’t cheap. The reality is that actual vehicle carriers will not do a shipment if they aren’t being paid sufficiently, and so that means your vehicle might end up just being stuck waiting to make its trip and slowing down arriving at the final destination. Prices should not be exorbitant but they should be reasonable and realistic! Super low prices can mean a lack of experience and a lack of concern for customers. 

One way to dispute this is by gathering quotes from various companies so you can compare and contrast. 

If your company suddenly changes the price after you have booked, without a valid reason (such as requiring additional tools for your specific vehicle), this is a bad sign. 

9. No bill of lading

A bill of lading is an essential legal document provided by a vehicle carrier and given to the shipper. The form includes all the information needed to correctly process the vehicle shipment, such as the name of the carrier and shipper, details of the vehicle, date of departure and destination. The bill of lading template can serve as a document, contract or receipt of the vehicle shipment. 

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a dependable  shipping company, ShipLux is your premium, white glove service. Our reliable and professional team works in tandem with a professional network of carriers that work to ship your vehicle efficiently and safely. We have been in operation since 2018 and are a fully licenced and bonded broker, ShipLux, LLC., is a fully licensed and registered with the USDOT with Broker MC #92282 and USDOT #3129383. We work diligently to earn our clients’ trust and stellar service.