In a Nutshell
pros
- Competitive marketplace pricing
- Cool features like tracking and online payments
- Includes vehicle transport
cons
- Hard to get the hang of the moving process
- Not a typical moving experience
uShip at a Glance
Main Services Covered: Moving large item transportation, shipping, auto transport, boat transport, furniture, specialty items, pet transport
Participating States: All states
Online quote tool: Yes
Insurance included: Basic insurance included additional coverage optional
Services Covered
Let’s be clear about something. uShip is not a moving company. Rather, it is a shipping marketplace that helps homeowners and businesses find the best deals on shipping companies for their various moving needs. uShip works like any other marketplace does. Post your shipping needs (items, amounts, weights, etc.), and then shippers will supply you with quotes for your shipment. You can accept the quote and get your belongings moved from one place to another from the comfort of your couch.
uShip deals with major national and international corporations, transporting hundreds of thousands of items all the time. But for the sake of this vertical, we are going to primarily focus on the home moving services. uShip offers shipping options for all types of moves, including:
- Vehicle shipping
- Motorcycles shipping
- Furniture shipping
- Boat shipping
- Heavy equipment
- Household moves
Additionally, there are some specific services we thought you should know about, including white-glove service, mover loading, and pet shipping. uShip is an all-heart kind of company, or at least it seems to be so according to its pet shipping page and policy. The company puts an emphasis on trust and compassion for your 4-legged friends and makes a point of noting that it works hard to save thousands of shelter animals from being killed every year. uShip also lists health and risk factors that owners should consider before shipping their pets, along with tips for making a safe and smooth transport for your pets. You’ll also get access to cool features, including a stuff tracker. This tool gives you frequent status and location sharing updates so you can keep tabs on your belongings at all times.
Pricing
uShip is just a marketplace. Therefore it doesn’t have any set pricing. Besides, movers generally don’t provide you with specific pricing. You’ll get a price based on your load, how many boxes, how heavy the item, where you’re shipping to and from, etc. You can get an online quote using the convenient online tool. Input the details about your shipment (size, content, weight, etc.). Shipment pricing will vary considerably. uShip suggests being as accurate as possible with your shipment details. This will help you get the most accurate pricing quote. Include size, weight, and any special requirements needed for your shipment. Always round up when estimating how many boxes so that you’re not surprised by extra charges.
One thing we love about uShip is that you can book and pay for the entire process online. uShip also offers insurance. Basic insurance is included in the payment plan, but you can opt for additional coverage. How much you’ll pay depends on how much insurance value you determine at the time of booking.
Moving Process
uShip has a slightly more complex moving process than your average household move. Here’s what it looks like:
- List your shipment
Select the category of items you are going to ship. Categories range from vehicles and boats to full freight, heavy equipment, animals, and others. Of course, there’s a home and office move option as well. To do that, you’ll size up your move, whether a small studio apartment, 4-bedroom house, etc. Finalize the project by adding details like detailed inventory, pickup location, and delivery details.
- Next, you’ll create your uShip account
Input your basic info, including name, email address, and number.
- Retrieving and reviewing bids
There are 2 options for getting bids. You can get quotes generated by various companies. This generally takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. That’s pretty fast either way. Alternatively, you can name your price. This is a good way to get the rock-bottom pricing. Just be aware that if you shoot too low, you won’t get any bids. If you receive multiple bids, you can compare the offers and choose the best one for you.
- Finalize and move
Once you select a shipping company, you’ll finalize the details with the company directly, choose a shipping date, and set up a payment plan. You may need to pay part of the move or just a downpayment immediately. One great thing about uShip is that it sticks with you throughout this process. So you’re not left high and dry if the mover isn’t cooperative.
Fleet Details
uShip has an impressive resume, clocking in more than 6 million customers to date. Of course, you’re not dealing with your run of the mill backyard moving company. uShip is a major player in this industry. The successful shipping and transport service has more than 41,000 service providers within its vast network, along with 9.1 million shipment listings.
Customer Service
uShip has an incredible help center. It’s got articles upon articles of information that are both useful and easy to read. You can also send them an email online.
Testimonials
“Extraordinarily skillful, pleasant experience. Casey was a joy to work with and extremely knowledgeable about horse transport. Would gladly hire again. Went above and beyond.” - Kat R
“My Spyder arrived in pristine condition, Ian and Shannon were two of the nicest and personable people I've ever met, and they were very timely and professional. They will always be my first and only call on my next transportation job, I would highly recommend them to my family, friends and all others.” Chuck Hewitt
“My uship experience was perfect. I chose a driver with 5 star reviews and was not disappointed. Alvin Jr and Alvin Sr were great. They kept me updated at all times. Awesome job!” - Debbie Canavino
Bottom Line
uShip works just like most marketplaces in that it has a large network of service providers and helps you find the best prices via comparison shopping. On the other hand, uShip is different in that it sticks with you every step of the way, acting as a middle man. So you aren’t left stranded once you decide on a mover to use.
