Auto Haul--How to check out your Auto Transport company

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License # MC 252018

How to check out your transport company

^{There
are four basic ways to check out your transport company -- the Federal
Government's web site, the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce
where the business resides, and the Credit Card company you may want to
use to pay for your transport.}

One of the most important areas to check out first is the Federal Government's web site: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This will tell you if the company is on file and has a license and bond.

After entering this site, scroll to the bottom and click on "Continue."

When you enter the next page, there is a drop down menu at the top. Click on it and then highlight "Carrier Search." Move your cursor to the right, click on "GO."

This will bring you to the next screen where you can enter in the company's legal name or DBA Name. Try to get the company's city and state to help speed the search. If you happen to get their MC or ICC number, you can enter just that and you will get your search results.

Assuming a match is found, you can click on the button that says: "Screen." (If you click on "Report" you will be prompted for a password)

From here there are several areas that you would want to view. The company should be listed as a Broker and the bond information should be on file with the government.

There are also links listed where you can click to view the company's "Authority History" -- that will tell you how long they have been in business under that name, and if they've ever been suspended or had their license revoked. You can also click on "Insurance History" to find out the name of their insurance company or the company holding their bond.

Important: If you don't find a match, or it shows that the company has Contract or Common Authority only, they are not licensed to take your order and broker it out to another trucking company. It's estimated that about 80% of the companies that advertise on the Internet or in the phone books operate this way. It gives them an opportunity to make a little extra money off the booking commission at the expense of the Shipper. If you choose one of these companies, you may end up with problems that you will not be able to solve in the usual way. If you decide to use someone that is not licensed and bonded, the Government will do nothing in your behalf. (The Government doesn't have the manpower or money to enforce this law.) Using a licensed and bonded company is for your protection. It's also required by the Government.

The next site to look at is that of the Better Business Bureau. Again, you need to know where the company is located. One of the best ways to look up a company is to use their telephone number. First, try their toll free number (if they have one). If you don't get results there, then put in their company name with at least the state they are based in, (city would help).

If you can't find the information through their Internet site, you may find a listing on their site of a local Better Business Bureau office where you can call for help. They can tell you which Bureau handles the city in which the business resides that you are checking out . Then, call them for a report.

The Bureau does not endorse any particular company, but it does keep records of unresolved complaints and problems. If you find that there's an over abundance of complaints and problems with the company your thinking about using, you should probably be looking at a different company.

The Chamber of Commerce is sometimes an area to check if you can't find out anything anywhere else. Sometimes, they keep records of complaints, especially if the company in question is a member of their Chamber. You can find out the name of the Chamber by doing a search on the town or city where the company is based. Our Chamber of Commerce is the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce.

Last consideration:
Does the company take credit cards as a form of payment?

Credit Card Companies are particular about who accepts their card. If the Transport company has too many problems causing "charge backs" or "reversals," the credit card company will eventually revoke the company's privilege to accept their card. See if they take the "Big Four" -- Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and especially American Express. If you use a credit card to pay for your move, and there is a problem, the card company may help as a mediator and/or may even have some additional insurance included for your purchase of the service. Some also give you air travel miles. It's worth looking into!

The above four procedures will get you the most information and help you to become a better informed consumer. We know that price is an important factor, but if you follow these steps you will be able to make an educated choice and feel confident when you see your vehicle going down the road on the transport truck.

References -- Asking for specific names as references really doesn't get you much information, since most companies will only give you the names of references that would give them a good recommendation. Also, if you were the reference, you wouldn't want to have hundreds of customers calling you to give a reference, would you?

We accept the following credit cards	Licensed Bonded Insured
	800 421-2468
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