Easy Auto Ship
About the Company
Easy Auto Ship, based in Youngstown, Ohio, is a vehicle shipping brokerage specializing in shipping privately owned vehicles (POVs) across the country. Approximately 80% of its business involves POVs, while the remaining 20% serves dealerships and relocation companies. The company’s key service is matching clients with qualified carriers for vehicle transport, charging a broker fee of about $200. With a reputation for excellence, the company has been ranked as the Best Overall Car Shipping Company of 2020 and maintains a stellar 4.6 Google rating with over 1,500 reviews. Easy Auto Ship has expanded its services to include Canadian car shipping and general freight transport under its Full Load Logistics division.
Idea Behind Company
Eric Ray’s entrepreneurial journey began after a personal experience with vehicle shipping in 2012. Disillusioned with the inconsistent pricing and subpar service in the industry, he identified the need for a more accurate pricing system, particularly for non-metro areas. Leveraging his background in business and technology, Ray envisioned a brokerage that would address inefficiencies in the auto transport industry. His goal was to create a platform that combined instant, reliable pricing with excellent service, meeting the growing demand for vehicle transport driven by online car purchases.
Creating the Company
Ray spent weeks researching the auto transport industry, securing the necessary licenses, insurance, and technology to start his business. He partnered with Superflo Systems to enhance their Transport Auto Quoter (TAQ) technology, enabling accurate pricing for jobs in both metro and rural areas. This innovation streamlined operations, allowing sales agents to generate quotes instantly, saving time and boosting efficiency. With a commitment to long-term employee retention, Ray prioritized hiring salaried employees with benefits rather than using contractors, ensuring stability and loyalty within his workforce.
Launching the Business
In the early days, Ray operated out of his one-bedroom apartment in Miami, working up to 20 hours daily. He turned his living room into a makeshift call center to save on costs. After a year, he moved the business back to his Ohio hometown, where he could find dependable employees seeking stable careers. By focusing on SEO strategies and building partnerships with websites like Hemmings, Easy Auto Ship attracted and retained a growing customer base. The company also invested in reputation management tools like Birdeye to maintain high ratings and credibility in the competitive vehicle transport market.
Earnings
Today, Easy Auto Ship generates $1.5 million in monthly revenue, with approximately $100,000 in net profit each month. The company has grown to employ 28 full-time staff and operates out of a 3,000-square-foot office, with plans to expand to a 6,000-square-foot space. Its diversified income streams include general freight and cross-border shipping, with ongoing efforts to enhance SEO and digital marketing strategies. Eric Ray’s dedication to hard work, innovative solutions, and long-term planning has positioned Easy Auto Ship as a leader in the auto transport industry.
