So What's The Deal With Review Sites?

So you’ve found yourself in need of a reliable car shipping company, but don’t know where to start when it comes to picking the right transporter for you. You’re not alone; many others have found themselves in this very situation. The auto transport industry can be confusing to navigate, and selecting the right company is crucial to a stress-free experience.

Types of Review Websites

When searching for the right car shipping company online, you’ll encounter several different types of review sites. Consumer Affairs, BBB, Google Reviews, and Yelp all offer reviews for a wide variety of businesses, and their main focus is not auto transport based. They can still be very helpful when looking into a specific company’s track record. Sites like Move.Org are dedicated to all of one’s moving needs, and can be handy, should you need to relocate more than just your vehicle. Then, there are sites like BestCarShipping.com and TransportReviews.com that focus solely on auto transport. These sites are great for comparing the transport companies you are most interested in. 

Consumer Based Review Sites

Consumer based review websites rely on feedback from a large number of individuals who have used a particular auto transport company. Because they are written by actual customers, these reviews cover a wide range of perspectives and provide valuable insight into the quality of customer service offered by the businesses you're considering. It’s important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of these types of reviews. 

Several sites that offer an excellent variety of customer written reviews include:

• TransportReviews.com 
• ConsumerAffairs.com
• BBB.org
• Google Reviews

Pros:

• Community Insight: User review websites aggregate feedback from a variety of people who have previously used the services of a company, offering a broad perspective on their performance. Being able to view a  complete picture of a company’s quality of work is critical when searching for the best auto transporter. 
• Diverse Experiences: Since these platforms collect reviews from numerous individuals, they often cover a wide range of detailed accounts, which can give you a better idea of what to expect in different scenarios. These user experiences can prove to be quite valuable in showing you the side of a business that a company’s promotional materials won't provide.
• Comparative Analysis: These sites allow for easy comparisons between car shipping companies based on various parameters like cost, customer service, reliability, etc. You’ll be able to see if past customer experiences align with your personal shipping needs. 
• Preemptive Warnings: Negative reviews can shed light on potential pitfalls or consistent issues within an auto transport company. These red flags should not be ignored when researching shipping companies, especially if you see patterns of bad experiences in the reviews, or argumentative business owner responses. 
• Convenience: User review websites can save you time by presenting a collective viewpoint, instead of you having to research each individual vehicle transport company. The best of the best will be easy to spot on review sites. 

Cons:

• Fake Reviews: Some businesses use manipulative tactics to boost their ratings with phony evaluations, which can give a false impression of their actual service quality. Others unfairly target their competition with negative reviews in order to tarnish their reputation. It is important to note that not all companies use these tactics, and most review sites have systems in place to spot fake reviews. 
• Negative Bias: Disgruntled customers are generally more motivated to write reviews than satisfied ones, potentially leading to a skewed perception. This is especially true with companies that do not actively request reviews from their customers, leading to a disproportionately negative view of a shipping company. Because of this, it is important to look into a variety of review sites to get the full picture. 
• Lack of Objectivity: Reviews are subjective and can often be influenced by personal preferences that may not apply to your situation. For example, a customer may write a scathing review revolving around their car being dirty after a trek across the country, while this issue might be of no concern to you. It’s important to consider the specifics when reading reviews. 
• Limited Scope: User reviews typically focus on specific experiences, not providing a comprehensive view of the company’s business practices. A well rounded auto transport company should have a high number of positive reviews on a variety of websites. This is a sign that they are a trustworthy and dependable company to work with. 

Editorial Review Sites

Editorial review websites feature reviews written by professional reviewers or experts in the field. These reviews will offer a different perspective into each of the auto transport companies you’re looking into, in contrast to consumer based review sites. 

Several sites that offer a fantastic selection of editorial reviews include: 

• BestCarShipping.com
• Move.Org
• ConsumerAffairs.com

Pros:

• Professional Evaluation: Editorial reviews are generally more structured and comprehensive, often considering a variety of factors such as cost, service quality, business practices, and more.
• Objective Analysis: As they are written by professionals, these reviews are usually more objective and less influenced by personal preferences or isolated incidents. This allows consumers to see the auto transport company’s big picture, rather than individual customer experiences. 
• In-depth Information: Editorial reviews often delve deeper into the details, offering more comprehensive information about car shipping companies. Typically, these sites will provide details about how long a company has been in business, their reputation in the industry, an overview of their ratings on consumer based review platforms, and much more. You will also learn about the things that make a transport company stand out from their competitors, along with any problematic practices. 
• Credibility: Editorial reviews are often more credible, as they are conducted by experts or industry professionals with a thorough comprehension of the industry's standards.

Cons:

• Limited Number of Reviews: In contrast to user based review sites that may have thousands of reviews for a single auto transport company, there may only be a few editorial reviews available. 
• Potential Bias: Some editorial review websites may receive compensation from the vehicle shipping businesses they evaluate, which could influence their ratings and recommendations.
• Lack of User Experience: While editorial reviews provide a professional perspective, they may not reflect the diverse customer experiences. 
• Timeliness: Editorial reviews usually occur less frequently, and may not reflect the most recent changes or improvements in what a company has to offer. Be sure to check the date of the company evaluation you’re reading. 
• Standardized Evaluation: Generally, editorial reviews employ a standardized method of evaluation that may not take into account specific or unique factors that are important to individual consumers.

Now that you have a better understanding of the many consumer review sites out there and the benefits and drawbacks of each, you can embark on a fact-finding mission to learn more about the quality of service provided by your top picks. We advise that you research the car shipping companies you're considering by reading both user and expert opinions. This will provide the most comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each business. Having a balanced perspective when selecting an auto transport company is a surefire way to set yourself up for success!