First, off, yes, I work as an auto shipper. If you search my name—Carl Rodriguez—you’ll find the company site and a lot of articles I’ve written over the years. This post isn’t a sneaky way to promote any of that. It’s the opposite. My goal is unbiased, direct, no-BS information that helps you understand how auto transport actually works, what it really costs, and what standards brokers (and carriers) should be held to.
Why This Site Exists (and What to Expect)
For shippers (customers)
You’ll learn:
- How auto shipping works from first quote to final signature on the Bill of Lading.
- What drives cost (distance, lane popularity, vehicle size, open vs. enclosed, timing, seasonality, and speed).
- How to vet a broker: licensing, bond, carrier network, written commitments, and communication standards.
- What to demand in writing so there are no “surprises” later.
- How to prep your vehicle and your location to avoid delays and damage disputes.
The tone is practical and transparent. I’ll give you ranges you can sanity-check against the market, explain why prices change, and show you what a good process looks like—before you book.
For brokers (and carriers who want stronger broker partners)
You’ll find:
- Pricing discipline: how to quote lanes you can actually move without bait-and-switch.
- Expectation setting that prevents chargebacks and bad reviews.
- SOPs and checklists for dispatch, inspection photos, and claims hygiene.
- Tools that help (and the ones that waste time)—CRMs, lead sources, and communication workflows that scale.
- Ethics that pay: honesty and transparency as a growth strategy, not a slogan.
If you’re here to run a company—not a burner phone—these playbooks will help you build something durable and respected.
Ground Rules You Can Hold Me To
- No BS. If I don’t know, I’ll say so and test it.
- No lowball theatre. We’ll discuss pricing with receipts and reasoning, not wishful thinking.
- No invisible strings. If I ever reference a tool or vendor, I’ll clearly disclose any relationship.
- Documentation or it didn’t happen. Templates for BoL notes, inspection photos, and confirmations will be shared openly.
- Respect for carriers and customers. Fair pay, clear instructions, realistic windows, and fast communication are non-negotiable.
What “Good” Looks Like (Standards You Should Demand)
From a broker:
- A clear explanation of price rationale (not just a low number).
- Written terms covering pickup windows, payment, carrier type (open vs. enclosed), and cancellation.
- Proof of licensing and bond and a willingness to show you the carrier’s insurance details before pickup.
- Proactive updates—especially if anything changes.
From a carrier:
- On-time communication and a heads-up before arrival.
- A proper BoL inspection at pickup and delivery.
- Reasonable accommodation for tight streets (meet-up spots are normal with big rigs).
- Professional handling, secure loading, and clear documentation.
What Most People Get Wrong About Auto Shipping
Auto transport isn’t like Uber or UPS. There’s no single app with a fixed rate card and a fleet waiting around the corner. It’s a marketplace of independent carriers moving through changing lanes, weather, and demand cycles—coordinated by brokers who match shipments to the right trucks on the right routes at the right time. Prices move with supply and demand. Timelines depend on distance, lane popularity, and the number of stops a truck must make.
Because that reality is messy, misinformation thrives. Lowball quotes, vague ETAs, last-minute price bumps, and weak documentation create confusion and distrust. We’re here to replace the mythology with mechanics you can verify.
Why I’m Optimistic
The industry is better than its loudest critics think—and worse than its best operators admit. But change is already happening. When customers know what to ask for, bad incentives die. When brokers price honestly and set expectations up front, chargebacks and disputes plummet. When carriers get clean information and fair pay, on-time performance improves.
Those are the wheels Car Transport University is here to spin faster.
What’s Coming Next
- How Auto Shipping Actually Works (Step by Step)
- Car Shipping Cost Explained: realistic ranges and why they move
- Open vs. Enclosed: when to upgrade and what it should cost
- How to Vet a Broker in 10 Minutes (with a printable checklist)
- Broker Playbook: pricing lanes without regret, scripts that respect the customer, and SOPs that prevent disputes
- Claims 101: documentation that gets taken seriously
- Best CRM’s: CRM Reviews and Comparisons
If you’re a shipper, you’ll leave here confident and prepared. If you’re a broker or carrier, you’ll leave here better at your job.
Welcome to Car Transport University. Let’s make this industry better—together.
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