How RideShipper makes money
RideShipper does not charge customers. Auto transport companies that receive a quote request may pay RideShipper for that introduction. That payment does not change a star rating, which reviews are shown, or a company's place in a ranking. RideShipper does not haul the car or set the carrier's price.
Key facts
- Who pays
- Auto transport companies that receive a quote request may pay. Customers do not.
- What payment does not buy
- A higher star rating, removal of a review, or a higher editorial rank
- What RideShipper does not do
- Haul the car, set the carrier's price, take a deposit, or insure the vehicle
The sources are listed on this page.
Customers do not pay RideShipper. Companies that receive a quote request may pay RideShipper for the introduction. That payment does not change star ratings, which reviews are shown, or editorial rank.
RideShipper is a comparison and quote-request service owned by World Media Group LLC. It is not a motor carrier and it is not a broker. It does not haul the car, negotiate the rate, assign a truck, take a deposit, hold a card for the shipment, or appear on the bill of lading. Federal law defines a broker as a person, other than a motor carrier or an employee or agent of a motor carrier, that sells, offers, negotiates for, or holds itself out as arranging transportation by motor carrier for compensation. FMCSA's guidance of June 16, 2023 says that merely making information about potential shippers publicly available, whether or not a fee is charged, does not require broker authority, as long as that business is not otherwise involved in any transaction between the shipper and a motor carrier. FMCSA says that guidance does not have the force of law.
Who pays, and for what
The customer sees a price range first, without giving contact details. Sending that range by email takes an email address only. It does not create a lead and is not sold.
If the customer asks for quotes, they give their name, email, and phone and tick a consent box. Licensed auto transport companies that serve the route then contact them. RideShipper does not show a list of those companies beforehand, does not let the customer pick them, and does not say how many will respond. Those companies may pay RideShipper for receiving the request. The price the customer pays for the shipment, if they book one, is set by the company they book with. RideShipper does not add a fee on top.
An optional household-goods checkbox is separate. It is unchecked unless the customer ticks it. If ticked, it creates a second request for household movers. It is not part of the vehicle request unless the customer asks for it.
What the payment does not change
| Payment can | Payment cannot |
|---|---|
| Buy delivery of a quote request the customer submitted | Raise a star rating |
| Remove a review, including a negative one | |
| Move a company up an editorial ranking | |
| Change the price-range model | |
| Turn a profile into an endorsement |
A company that pays is not labeled as recommended. If RideShipper later sells a sponsored placement, that row is labeled as advertising and is kept outside the ranked list. The rules are on the advertising disclosure.
The older RideShipper site said it had no sponsored companies. That line is not used here. Companies may pay to receive quote requests, and that fact is stated on this page.
What the customer still controls
The price range is an estimate, explained in how price estimates are made. It is not an offer and not a locked price. The customer can request quotes, or stop after the range. Consent to calls and texts is a separate unchecked box, described in the calling and text terms. Sharing contact details with companies may be a sale under California law. The opt-out is Do not sell or share. Opting out does not hide a quote request the customer chooses to send.
World Media Group LLC also owns MoveAdvisor. Reviews brought over from that site are labeled. The relationship is on who owns RideShipper.
Questions
Is a RideShipper quote free?
The price range and the quote request are free for the customer. RideShipper does not charge a fee and does not take a deposit. A company that receives the request may pay RideShipper.
Does a company that pays get a better rating?
No. Payment does not change the star average, which reviews are shown, or the order of an editorial ranking. A paid placement, if one is sold, is labeled and sits outside that ranking.
Does RideShipper move the car?
No. RideShipper is a comparison and quote-request service. The contract and the price are between the customer and the company the customer books with.