Getting Started on AHX: Quick Wins From Your First Shipments

Trying a new transport platform shouldn’t seem like a gamble. With Auto Hauler Exchange, you’ll notice how we’re changing the game in vehicle transportation in the first shipment. From instant carrier visibility to faster booking and streamlined payments, AHX is designed for quick wins right out of the gate. 

That said, your first few shipments are also the perfect time to build good habits that set you up for long-term success. Here’s what to expect from the AHX marketplace, and how to get the most out of your early moves.

Welcome to the Exchange

After you’ve signed up, poked around the dashboard, and maybe watched a demo or two; it’s time for real-world results. 

Breaking the Ice with Your First Shipment

The first step is getting your shipment onto the Exchange. This part is intentionally simple: Log in, click “Upload,” and enter your vehicle’s details. If you’re unsure how to price, the built-in Quote Tool lets you check real-time market rates—most vehicles get booked in under 24 hours when they’re priced right.

You can post now and upload gate passes, auction releases, or other documents later as they come in. AHX is built for the real world, where things rarely line up perfectly.

If you want a quick tutorial, watch this two-minute video. It’s a straight shot from login to live listing, and you’ll see how everything works before you even try it.

What to Expect Next

Once your shipment is posted, it’s instantly visible to more than 5,500 vetted carriers on the platform. For most well-priced loads, you’ll see carrier interest in minutes. Sometimes a booking comes through in less than half an hour. You’ll get a notification as soon as a carrier books or bids on your load, and you can track progress right inside your dashboard.

No more chasing brokers for updates, no mysterious “ghost loads,” and no endless phone tag. Everything you need from status updates, pickup and delivery tracking, and communication is centralized and visible.

And when delivery is complete, AHX handles payment directly to the carrier. You never have to cut a check or hunt down W-9s. It’s all streamlined, so you can focus on your business, not paperwork.

Pro Tips for a Fast First Move

Your first shipment sets the tone, so here’s how to make it smooth:

• Auction pickups are the easiest way to start: they’re familiar routes, carriers love them, and you’ll see fast booking.
• Be accurate with the details: Make sure VIN, pickup, and delivery addresses are entered correctly.
• Check your price: The Quote Tool is your friend. Use it to make sure you’re competitive. If your shipment is time-sensitive, a slight price bump can make a big difference.
• Docs can wait: Don’t let paperwork hold you back. Post first, upload docs later.

If your shipment doesn’t get booked right away, don’t stress. Sometimes all it takes is a quick tweak to your price. Most loads move quickly, but we’re here to help you get unstuck if you hit a snag.

Building Momentum with Your Next Shipments

Posting your first shipment is quick and intuitive. You’ll notice the speed right away. Many users find themselves wanting to see if that can make the next ones even faster. That’s the fun of these next few moves. As you post more shipments, you might save some details for different types of moves like adding gate passes, notes about requirements for inop vehicles, or special instructions for the delivery team.

As you start posting loads that use the same address, it’s a good time to try out the address book in AHX. Save your pickup and drop-off locations that you’ll use again so posting becomes nearly automatic. What started as a two-minute process now gets even faster, and you’ll see the admin work shrink even more with each load.

Pro tip: Including helpful details up front helps answer questions up front for carriers. But, don’t let perfection slow you down when you’re getting started. Posting fast and learning what matters for your business as you go is what builds confidence and efficiency.

Trying Power Features Like Group Loads and Team Accounts

Sometime after your first few shipments, you might be curious about trying power features that turn good shippers into great ones.

Posting Group Loads

If you’ve got multiple vehicles going to or from the same location, try posting a group load. Posting multiple vehicles heading to the same destination together not only attracts more carriers, but can also lead to better rates and more predictable pickup schedules. AHX also lets you add vehicles to an existing load with just a few clicks, which is especially helpful if you’re buying or selling in volume. You can even split a load if you run into a situation where a carrier can’t handle it all. 

Team Accounts

You may also start seeing the value in team accounts. If your operation involves more than one person posting, tracking, or managing shipments, setting up your team in AHX means everyone stays in the loop. With shared dashboards and clear roles, nothing falls through the cracks, even if someone is out of office or focused on a different location.

Power users are the ones who turn AHX from a simple cost savings into a competitive advantage. Every bit of operational efficiency you tap into pays off tenfold as volume increases. 

Stories from Dealers Who Made the Switch

Ask anyone who’s stuck with brokers for too long: the game changes when you control your own shipments. Take it from Mark Harris, a veteran wholesaler who knows what it’s like to juggle multiple load boards. After switching to AHX, he saw the difference immediately:. “They became my primary in literally three weeks and I dropped the other boards,” he says.

Cable Dahmer Auto Group saved half a million dollars in broker fees in their first year on AHX, and cut their delivery times so much that, as their used-car buyer put it, “the recon guys beg us to slow the trucks down.”

Fast Answers to Common Questions

• What if my shipment isn’t booked right away?
  Don’t panic. Most vehicles book fast, but if yours sits, check your pricing using the Quote Tool, and make sure your listing details are complete. Sometimes even a small tweak does the trick. Still stuck? Reach out. AHX support is real, and ready to help.
• Can I edit a listing after posting?
  Yes, any time. Add documents, update pricing, or make changes as needed. You stay in control.
• What about documents?
  Don’t let missing docs delay your listing. You can post now and upload gate passes or titles as they become available.

Keep the Momentum

Once you’ve seen how easy it is to get vehicles moving on AHX, it becomes second nature. Your team saves hours. Your buyers have confidence to source vehicles further afield. And the cost savings become a line item your CFO actually notices.

It’s time to post your first vehicle and let AHX show you how fast, transparent, and hassle-free shipping can be.

Welcome to the Exchange. Let’s get your first five moves on the road.