When you need your car to get from A to B safely and in a given timeframe, but you’re not able to drive it yourself, car shipping services can be a huge relief. However, given just how valuable that car is, you want to make sure that you can trust those you’re giving the keys to. Which is why it is so surprising that so many cars pick the cheapest car shipping company, only to be left stranded and without their deposit.

There are many ways to work out which car transport company works best for you, but whether or not they have refundable deposits should be one of the signs you pay attention to.

Here, we’re going to look at why you should never ship your car with someone who doesn’t offer a refundable deposit, and how to protect yourself from getting burned.

Are Shady Car Shipping Companies Becoming More Common?

Your car is likely to be one of, if not the most valuable thing that you own. As such, you want to trust those who have the keys or the vehicle itself. There are plenty of legitimate car shipping companies out there to help you. However, flash websites and low prices can give many the appearance of legitimacy, even if they’re just a middleman with no trucks, drivers, or a real plan to ship your vehicle.

There has been an unfortunate rise in brokers that will take your deposit upfront and then try to find a carrier who is able to take your vehicle for them, often taking a hefty cut for themselves as they do. This becomes a serious problem if they can’t find someone to take your car. Some will tell you that you’re out of luck, but some will simply stop communicating or answering the phone.

Either way, you could be stuck with nothing but lighter pockets after having paid out that deposit with no refund.

Read Douglas F.‘s review of American Auto Transporters on Yelp

The Real Risk Of Being Left Stranded

Most who have worked in the car transport industry have heard plenty of horror stories of customers who have tried other services, only to find themselves getting effectively scammed out of a deposit. Some get ghosted before a big move. Others are promised a driver, only to be hit with delay after delay until the crucial time passes.

Non-refundable deposits are, unfortunately, totally legal. Usually, they have to be able to prove that they are stated in the terms and conditions that you agreed to at the point of signing up with them. Companies may also have to prove that they incurred costs of saving a spot on your behalf, but that often isn’t difficult and could still allow them to hold onto the lion’s share of the deposit.

However, non-refundable deposits can become shady, or even illegal, under a few circumstances. For instance:

If the deposit is taken without ever scheduling a pickup or assigning a carrier.
If the company never tries to assign a carrier but still refuses a refund.
If the refund policy is hidden in fine print or not disclosed upfront.
If the broker misleads you about timelines or availability.

If a shady broker takes your deposit, but never provides a service and ghosts you, they could get in trouble. However, there are many who straddle the line to be able to hold onto that deposit.

The worst thing about dealing with any shady broker who doesn’t pick up your vehicle and takes your deposit is that you’ll likely have to book again and pay more to get a last-minute carrier.

The Importance Of Refundable Deposits

If you want to ensure that you’re treated fairly and get the service that you deserve, or your money back, then you should ensure that any company you work with accepts refundable deposits. It might sound like the bare minimum, but it’s a major indicator of that company’s trustworthiness.

Refundable deposits ensure that you’re not left out of pocket if your auto transporter isn’t able to fulfill your needs. It also indicates a few important factors:

They’re confident that they’re able to follow through on the jobs they take on, showing a customer-first mindset.
They’re flexible, meaning that if your plans change, you won’t necessarily be penalized for it.
They’re accountable, meaning that they have a reason to deliver on time, since they want to keep the money.

To put it simply, if your money is safe with a company, your car is much more likely to be safe with them as well. Companies that offer refundable deposits typically value long-term customer satisfaction and relationships over quick profits.

So ask yourself: Would you pay in full for a ride that might not show up? Of course not. Don’t do it with your car either.

Read Mark S.‘s review of American Auto Transporters on Yelp

Spotting A Trustworthy Auto Transport Company

If you want to make sure that you’re in good hands, there are a few key indicators that you should keep an eye out for. These include:

A refundable deposit policy so you’re not likely to lose money by relying on them
No bait-and-switch quotes, but clear pricing based on the specifics of the job.
Real customer reviews that highlight the real experience of working with the company.
Clear contracts and communication, no double-speak, no jargon, no small print.
Direct access to support, not just a call center.

A reliable and trustworthy company will gladly answer what questions you have and never pressure you into booking right away. If a company gets defensive or neglects to provide the information you want, that should be treated as a major red flag.

Don’t Get Burnt By Bad Brokers, Rely on American Auto Transporters

At American Auto Transporters, we provide a refundable deposit that lets you know we value our customers and their trust in our business. Don’t find out about shady car transport companies the hard way. Get in touch with a team that’s reliable, transparent, and actually shows up when you need them.