The shipment process involves the use of complex tools, shipping equipment, and knowledge of various aspects of auto shipping. You cannot simply hand over the car shipping responsibility to any auto transport company or service provider you come in contact with on the internet. This can give opportunities for deceptive and fraudulent service providers to take undue advantage of customers.
Therefore, it is extremely important to learn about your service provider before considering their services. Auto transport brokers and car carriers are the two most popular and widely preferred shipping options across the globe. But, which one to choose can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you don’t know what to expect from their services.
In this article, we will walk you through the pros and cons of using auto transport brokers and car carriers to help you understand the best suitable option for you.
Let us understand what services an auto transport broker offers.
What is an Auto Transport Broker?
Auto transport brokers are the middleman that helps you connect with vehicle carriers. They have access to a large network of carriers from all over the country to choose from. Auto brokers are not directly involved in the shipping process. They help carriers connect with customers who don’t have their own websites or can easily get in touch with a large number of customers.
What is a Car Carrier?
Car carriers are service providers who have their own trucks or trailers to transport vehicles from one location to another. They either connect with brokers or directly with customers when finalizing any deals. They have full control and involvement in the shipping process. Generally, they are more reliable service providers than other options.
Pros and Cons of working with an Auto Transport Broker
Pros
- More flexibility
Customers don’t have to worry about physically traveling from one place to another to find an ideal service provider in the market. You can get access to a wide range of service providers online by simply filling in the necessary information on the auto broker websites.
- Time-saving
Another best part of working with auto brokers is that you can quickly and effectively get access to a wide range of options at your fingertips. All you have to do is go on the auto broker website and fill in the necessary information about your shipping services, destination, price range, and more to get access to affordable shipping options.
- Shipment management
From finding reliable shipping options to coordinating all aspects of the shipping process, the auto broker manages the entire shipping process.
Cons
- Involvement of the third party
You don’t have direct control over the shipment process. To know about your shipment process, you would have to first interact with the broker and wait for the carrier’s reply for the same. This can be a time-consuming process.
- Slightly expensive
Compared to other options, dealing directly with an auto transport broker can be quite expensive. You will have to pay extra for the commission of the broker and separately for the shipping services.
Pros and Cons of working with Car Carriers
Pros
- Cost-effective
Unlike other options, you don’t have to worry about paying extra for the broker fees and other additional costs above your shipping charges.
- Elimination of the third party
You directly deal with the car carrier and have more control over the shipping process. You don’t have to interact with a middleman first to know about your shipping process. It is a more reliable and convenient option than auto broker services.
Cons
- Not readily available
One of the biggest drawbacks of car carriers is that they are not easily available. Many car carriers rely on auto brokers to find customers and appealing deals online. Without the involvement of an auto broker, it can be challenging to discover them on your own.
Which option to choose depends on your shipping needs and preferences. We hope, with help of this article, you were able to find a suitable option for your shipment process.
