Sherpa Auto Transport: Reviews, Costs, and More (2022)
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Sherpa Auto Transport hasn't been in business as long as some car shipping companies, but its locked-in prices and helpful service representatives are praised in hundreds of positive Sherpa Auto Transport reviews.
Before you make a decision on transport services for your vehicle, consider a company's costs, services, industry ratings, and customer feedback. Read on to learn why our review team named Sherpa Auto Transport one of the best car shipping companies in the industry.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
On This Page
About Sherpa Auto Transport
Sherpa Auto Transport Cost
Sherpa Auto Transport Services
How to Ship a Car with Sherpa Auto Transport
Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Final Thoughts on Sherpa Auto Transport: 4.5 Stars
Top Recommendations for Car Shipping
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
About Sherpa Auto Transport
A fast-growing newcomer in the auto transport industry, Sherpa Auto Transport was founded in 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company is a licensed, bonded, and insured auto broker, meaning it connects customers with its network of motor carriers for car shipping services.
Despite its recent entry into the market, Sherpa Auto Transport reviews suggest the company has already established a strong reputation among customers.
Here's an overview of how the auto shipping company stands out from competitors:
Price Lock Promise: Sherpa guarantees the price you're quoted is the price you'll pay. Many Sherpa Auto Transport reviews praise this transparency, as most other transporters only offer quote estimates and don't determine the final rate until a shipper is booked.
Clean Car Guarantee: Sherpa Auto Transport will reimburse you up to $20 for a car wash within seven days of delivery.
Vetted carrier network: All carriers that work with Sherpa Auto Transport are fully licensed and vetted. The company also requires every carrier to add Sherpa as a certificate holder on its insurance policy.
Variety of shipping services: Sherpa ships sedans, SUVs, classic cars, pickup trucks, and vans to the 48 contiguous states. You can choose between open and enclosed trailers with door-to-door delivery.
Sherpa Auto Transport Pros and Cons
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of shipping your vehicle with Sherpa Auto Transport:
Sherpa Auto Transport Pros:
Locked-in pricing with the Price Lock Promise
Vets all auto carriers in its preferred network
Many positive Sherpa Auto Transport reviews
Clean Car Guarantee
Sherpa Auto Transport Cons:
No terminal-to-terminal shipping
No motorcycle or ATV shipping
No Alaska or Hawaii shipping
Sherpa Auto Transport Cost
Sherpa Auto Transport costs about $1,300 for a 1,500-mile trip, according to quotes our team received. The company's Price Lock Promise ensures you know your final car shipping cost before you book your shipment. The quote you receive includes all fees, taxes, and insurance. If your carrier increases the cost of shipping, Sherpa Auto Transport will pay up to $300 to cover any gaps.
In our 2021 car shipping survey in which we polled 1,000 consumers, 41% said they paid between $1,000 and $2,000 for their car shipments.
Here are a few sample car shipping quotes we received from Sherpa Auto Transport for an operable 2018 Honda CR-V:
Open transport, 1,489 miles: $975
Enclosed transport, 1,489 miles: $1,650
Open transport, 2,445 miles: $1,650
Enclosed transport, 2,445 miles: $2,775
Sherpa Auto Transport does not charge you until a carrier is secured for shipping. The broker fee is then charged to your credit card on file, and you pay the rest of the shipping cost via cash or certified check upon delivery of the vehicle. You also have the option to pay in full by credit card.
To give you an idea of how the cost might be split, the Sherpa quote we received for open transport traveling 1,489 miles would require a $300 initial payment and a $675 payment on delivery day.
The auto broker offers military, student, and medical personnel discounts. Car shipping customers also receive a car wash reimbursement of up to $20 through Sherpa Auto Transport's Clean Car Guarantee.
What Affects the Cost of Auto Shipping?
There are several key factors that affect the cost of auto transport, including:
Miles traveled: Cross-country shipments have better rates per mile than shipments traveling a few hundred miles, but they cost more in total.
Transport type: Enclosed auto shipments are more expensive than open shipments, as there are fewer carriers capable of enclosed transport and they carry fewer vehicles at a time.
Type of delivery: It's more expensive to have your vehicle delivered to your door rather than to a designated terminal.
Shipping seasonality: It's more expensive to ship vehicles during the summer months and in January due to higher demand.
Carrier competition: The more competition between carrier bids, the lower the auto shipping costs.
Vehicle operability: It's more costly to ship an inoperable vehicle than an operable one because it takes more resources to load non-working cars.
Related: How to Ship a Car in 2021
Sherpa Auto Transport Services
Sherpa Auto Transport's services are somewhat limited compared to other car shipping companies. You can choose between open and enclosed transport for door-to-door shipping, with service available in the 48 contiguous states. Sherpa does not offer terminal-to-terminal or expedited shipping.
Here's an explanation of the services Sherpa Auto Transport offers:
Open transport: This is the cheapest way to ship your vehicle, though the vehicle is exposed to the elements during transport. Keep in mind that part of Sherpa's service is its Clean Car Guarantee, which provides reimbursement for a car wash up to $20 in value after your shipment.
Enclosed transport: This option is more expensive, but it protects your vehicle from inclement weather and road debris that may cause damage.
Door-to-door: With this car transport method, your vehicle is picked up and delivered as close to your home as possible.
When your vehicle is in transport, you have access to 24/7 real-time updates through Sherpa customer support. You can choose to receive updates automatically or call Sherpa to find out your vehicle's status. Sherpa Auto Transport does not offer GPS tracking.
Does Sherpa Auto Transport Provide Vehicle Shipping Insurance?
Carriers working with Sherpa Auto Transport must carry a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage.
How to Ship a Car with Sherpa Auto Transport
Sherpa Auto Transport works as a broker, meaning you'll need to provide information to the company so it can connect you with available carriers. To get an initial quote, have the following handy:
Vehicle year, make, and model
Pickup and destination cities
Preferred shipping date
Name, email address, and phone number
After inputting your information, you'll receive your free quote via email. A customer service representative will then follow up with a phone call to discuss your car shipping costs.
After booking your auto shipment, you'll need to empty your car of any personal items and make note of the vehicle's current condition. On the day of drop-off, you'll sign a bill of lading that confirms your delivery.
You can cancel your vehicle shipment with Sherpa at any time prior to the assignment of a carrier, but you'll be charged a $25 dispatch fee. If you cancel after a carrier has been assigned, you will lose your shipping deposit.
What To Expect When Shipping Your Car
When you ship your car with an auto transport company, there are a few things you should know to avoid unnecessary headaches.
Be flexible: There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to shipping your car. Shipping timelines can easily change due to weather or traffic along the route. If you need your car shipped by a certain time, you should be up front with the company you choose to see if it can work with you, especially if it doesn't offer expedited shipping.
Prices can fluctuate: While Sherpa is an exception to this, most car shipping companies do not offer prices that are set in stone. And because Sherpa is different, it may take longer to secure a carrier for a locked-in price.
Have your vehicle prepped before departure: Before the carrier picks your vehicle up, take all personal belongings out of it. Note the condition of your car by taking photos before pick up and after drop-off before you sign a bill of lading. If you notice any new damage to your vehicle, you'll need to file a claim with the carrier, not Sherpa.
Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Sherpa Auto Transport reviews are largely positive, both from customers and organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.9 out of 5.0-star customer rating. Since its founding, Sherpa has only received a handful of complaints on the BBB's website, all of which were resolved. Sherpa Auto Transport reviews on Google also give the company high marks—with over 500 customer reviews, it has a 4.7-star rating out of 5.0.
In our 2021 car shipping survey, 74 respondents out of 1,000 reported that they used Sherpa Auto Transport to ship their cars. Over half of those respondents stated that they would recommend the auto shipping company to someone else.
Below, we've detailed positive and negative Sherpa Auto Transport reviews to give a holistic view of the company.
Positive Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Positive Sherpa Auto Transport reviews on the BBB and Google praise the company's Price Lock Promise, Clean Car Guarantee, hassle-free shipping process, and excellent customer service.
"This was my second time using Sherpa to ship a vehicle between New York and California, and once again, it was a great experience. The [pickup] and delivery process was smooth, and my car was delivered in perfect condition ahead of the scheduled arrival date."
—Deane L. via BBB
"Honest from the get-go and extremely communicative. There was a delay with my car due to driver problems, and they let me know right away and kept me up to date with all developments. Most importantly, my car arrived in perfect condition."
—Meghan W. via BBB
Negative Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
Though they are in the minority of Sherpa Auto Transport reviews, negative customer experiences include issues with damage reimbursement from the company. This is also a common issue that was brought up in our survey, along with poor communication from carriers and guaranteed pickup dates not being fulfilled.
"I used Sherpa in July of 2019 to transport two vehicles across the country … My problem is when my wife met the driver in California, he was very threatening to her and strong-armed her into giving him a better tip … They need to vet their carriers much better."
—Damon O. via BBB
"[I] hired Sherpa to transport my BMW 650 coupe from New York to Washington state for my son in the Army. A week later, I got a call from the driver that he damaged the roof. He offered $1,100 for the repairs. Sherpa's agent promised to pay the difference after the repairs were completed. Four months later, I'm out the deductible [and] the car rental expenses while Sherpa's insurance company denies its responsibility."
—Geo via Google
Our team reached out to Sherpa Auto Transport for a comment on its negative reviews and received the following response:
"We at Sherpa pride ourselves on top-notch customer service, which is reflected in our thousands of five-star reviews and industry-leading total review score. Almost all of our customers are very thankful they chose us to handle their transport. There are extremely rare transports that do not go as expected. In those situations, we stand by our customers and work toward the best possible outcome given the circumstances. We value customer feedback because we use it to improve our internal processes and determine which carriers to retain in our Preferred Network and partner with for future shipments.
"We perform our in-depth carrier vetting process for every shipment, which includes ensuring that even if we have used a carrier in the past, they must continue to live up to our high standards to secure future shipments. We also suspend or ban carriers who do not live up to our expectations."
Final Thoughts on Sherpa Auto Transport: 4.5 Stars
We rate Sherpa Auto Transport 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and name it the Best for Locked-In Prices, placing it third on our list of the industry's best vehicle shipping companies. Sherpa Auto Transport reviews show that the company is well-suited for customers looking for transparent pricing, a great customer experience, and stress-free shipping.
Sherpa Auto Transport Ratings
Reputation: 4.3
Cost: 4.6
Services: 4.5
Customer Experience: 4.6
Overall Rating: 4.5
The best way to get accurate pricing from Sherpa Auto Transport is to reach out for a free car shipping quote. With the Price Lock Promise, you can be sure the price you see in the quote is the price you'll pay.
Top Recommendations for Car Shipping
Car shipping costs are highly variable, so it can really pay off to get several online quotes from reputable car shippers. Sherpa Auto Transport is an excellent company, but it's not your only option for cheap car shipping. We recommend getting quotes from two of our other top auto transport picks—Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight—as well.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Availability
The No. 1 company in our best car shipping review, Montway Auto Transport works with 15,000 carriers nationwide and internationally. It shipped over 100,000 vehicles in 2019 alone. Backed by an A+ BBB rating and many positive reviews, Montway Auto Transport is a reputable and reliable auto transport company.
Read more about the auto transport broker in our Montway Auto Transport review.
AmeriFreight: Best Discounts
AmeriFreight is another popular auto broker that offers low-cost shipping services. What makes it stand out from competitors is its discounts. AmeriFreight offers discounted prices to military members, students, medical personnel, seniors, and more. The company also provides services for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and recreational vehicles (RVs).
Learn more about this budget-friendly broker in our AmeriFreight review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherpa Auto Transport legitimate?
Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport is a licensed and insured auto broker. Its US Department of Transportation (DOT) broker license number is 3053476; MC # 51106. Sherpa has been in business since 2017 and is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating.
How do auto transport brokers work?
An auto transport broker acts as a middleman between a car carrier and a customer. Brokers coordinate pickup and delivery dates with the carrier and help confirm pricing. They do not own a fleet of trucks and do not deliver vehicles themselves.
Is Sherpa Auto Transport a broker?
Sherpa Auto Transport is a licensed and insured broker. It works with a network of vetted carriers to provide customers with a range of car shipping services.
What is the best auto transport company?
Based on our review criteria—reputation, cost, services, and customer experience—Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, and uShip are the best auto transport companies in the industry. Each company holds a 4.4-star overall rating or higher from our review team.
How much does Sherpa Auto Transport cost?
According to quotes we at the Home Services Team received, Sherpa Auto Transport prices are around $1,300 for a 1,500-mile trip.
Is Sherpa expensive?
Compared with other car shipping companies, Sherpa is a relatively cheap car shipping option. We were quoted a final price of $975 for a nearly 1,500-mile trip with open transport. We recommend getting quotes from several car shippers to ensure you get the best car shipping costs available.
What's the best moving company?
If you're shipping a car, you may also be wondering how to choose a moving company that's right for your needs. Read our review of the industry's best long-distance moving companies to learn more about top providers, pricing, and services.
Methodology
Auto shipping ratings are based on a comprehensive comparison between every major car transport company in the industry. We rate providers based on cost, available services, company reputation, and the customer experience. Each auto transporter receives scores in these individual categories and an overall score out of 5.0 stars.
To formulate rankings, our review team considers a company's offerings compared to competitors, ratings from experts like the BBB, and customer reviews. We also collect sample quotes across a variety of shipping routes, distances, and transport types to measure pricing against the industry average.
