7 Ways To Avoid Being Scammed By A Transport Company

Online transport truck booking has become increasingly common. If your business involves transporting cargo across the state or country, then you will find it convenient to book a transporter with just one click. But this has also given rise to online fraud and scams.

There are various ways the transport companies can scam you. If you require trucks to move your goods then you should be aware of these scams. Since it’s not enough to only know about them, we will provide you with tips on how to avoid getting scammed by a transport company.

What Are the Different Ways to Avoid Being Scammed By A Truck Company?

One of the most common ways transporters scam businesses is to lure them in with a lower rate and increase the cost once the cargo is on the move. To save their goods, businesses pay the entire price the transporter asks for.

Double brokering is another scam on the rise. Scammers pose as legitimate middlemen and pass the deal to another transporter company at a lower rate and pocket the difference. At times, they often disappear with the money. These scams have made transport truck booking a risky business.

Let’s take a look at how to save yourself from getting scammed by a transport company:

Choose Reputed Transporters 

While looking for a transporter in Hyderabad or anywhere in the country, always go for reputed and established transport companies. There are multiple benefits that boost the success of your business when you choose a reputed company. They maintain transparency and won’t promise you delivery time or rates that are too good to be true.

Even when dealing with reputed transporters in Hyderabad, be transparent about your budget and requirements. Keep every document and payment record and don’t take words as a guarantee.

Check For Registration and Licences

Any transport company shipping across the state or the country will have registered licences including Goods Carrier License, National Permit, and GST registration for tax purposes. Before signing the deal, it is important to analyse all legal documents and certificates of the company. Apart from these, ask them for their local address and contact details. 

Don’t Fall For Low Rates

To save money, businesses often get in touch with companies that offer attractive deals. Remember, there’s a lot at stake here and negligence on the part of the company can result in potential loss and damage of goods. So, don’t fall for the unbelievably low rates. 

Conduct market research, check competitor’s prices and negotiate before signing the deal.

Read The Contract

Always read the contract before signing the deal. Most scams occur because of the business’s negligence in not understanding the contract. If there’s any confusion, ask the transporter about it, and proceed only when you have a satisfactory explanation. It’s essential to understand all terms and conditions mentioned in the contract. If you’re unfamiliar with certain conditions, take advice from a lawyer or expert. 

Check Hidden Costs

The biggest scam in this industry is transporters giving you a bill double the amount mentioned in the contract. It is because of the hidden costs that you didn’t ask about before signing the contract. When choosing a transporter in Hyderabad, ask them about the hidden costs that can occur due to potential damage or missing freight. Also ask them about insurance policy, how much you need to pay upfront and the different payment methods. 

Check Reviews and References

Customer reviews, feedback, and testimonials on their websites and social media platforms can help businesses choose a trustworthy transporter. Avoid going with a company with no reviews. Also, you should be aware of fake online reviews. 

Another way to select an established transport truck booking company is to ask for recommendations from businesses that employ transporters regularly. 

Get Multiple Quotes and Compare

Do not be in haste to accept the first offer you receive from the transporter company. If you want a fair deal, research, get multiple quotes and compare services offered by each company. After this, check if the companies you select fit your budget and start verifying their credentials. Proceed to sign the contract only when you have all legal documents and no doubts about the process.

Our Concluding Thoughts

If you are aware of the common scams and tactics used by scammers, you can avoid falling prey to their tricks. Remember to conduct adequate market research, compare quotes, and never sign a contract without understanding every detail. These tips will be useful the next time you deal with a transporter company.

To avoid confusion, always go with reliable transporters like Vahak. With zero commission and no extra costs, they ensure that all deals are transparent. A trustworthy transporter like them will ensure your delivery always reaches on time and your clients stay happy.