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PSA: a dispatcher in Reno told me my carrier quote was 'a red flag' and it saved me $400
I moved my sister's Honda from Sacramento to Boise back in March and I was about to book the cheapest quote I got, which was $650. Before I paid, a dispatcher named Marcus called me back and said flat out that the price was too low for that route and it usually means the carrier will hold the car for a broker auction later. I did not believe him at first because who turns down money, right. He told me to ask two questions: is this a binding quote, and does the carrier have cargo insurance listed by DOT number. I called the cheap company back and the guy got weird and would not give me the DOT number, so I walked. Booked with a carrier at $1,050 instead and the car showed up in 4 days with no games. Now I always ask for the DOT number and check it myself before I sign anything. Has anyone else had a broker quote jump up after the car was already on the truck?
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the_ruby4d ago
Same pattern as cheap flights and hotel rooms, the too good price is bait and they get you later.
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the_tara4d ago
Did the dispatcher who warned you get anything out of it, like a fee or a cut from the carrier you ended up booking with? That part is what always makes me side eye these calls, because a random dispatcher calling you back out of nowhere to save you money does not add up. @the_ruby is right that it's the same bait and switch playbook, but I want to know who Marcus was working for before I trust the warning. Because if he handed you off to his own guy at $1,050, that's not a PSA, that's just a better sales pitch.
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