Here are the basics:
Most Car Transport companies you find online are auto transport brokers, they do not have their own fleet of trucks. Some brokers have a truck and they become broker/carrier, but they cover only one basic route and the rest they broker out. Once you book with an auto transport broker, he will contact an owner/operator driver or a trucking company that usually runs this route.
Vehicle transporters always seek for cars that are shipping on their planned routes. Trucks should be fully loaded before leaving its origin or have already reservations along the route for pickup. Auto Transporters often use sites like load boards to get more vehicles. Good carriers establish a relationship with dealerships, auctions and other brokers so they can have enough sources to get more orders.
Auto transporters do not deal directly with consumers as they try to avoid the extra overheads.
Also, by combining several sources, they're able to find enough cars to move; all, in a timely manner.
In the majority of cases, brokers don't have a driver lined up when initially contacted by a customer to get a quote ( unless its a well traveled route that they have drivers running frequently).
Once reservation is actually placed, the broker will find either an owner/operator or a trucking company to perform the job.
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