Is this a normal uShip experience?

I accepted a quote to get my E34 and my Miata shipped to the new place in WV the middle of last week. The shipper I picked (with stellar feedback, albeit not that much feedback - 50+ range) got in touch quickly and I gave them the timeframe when the cars needed to be picked up (end of this week, worst case by Monday, but Sunday preferred).

So far I haven't had any confirmed pickup, and when I ping the contact at the broker he tells me he's working on it and will get back to me later the same day or "shortly", neither of which happens.

I guess we still have 4.5 days until they really need to be picked up, but is this normal or did I accidentally pick a E36 M3 broker?

The problem is that I'll have to get out of town on Sunday or Monday at the latest and if they don't get someone to pick up the cars by then I need to find a place to store them stat, so I can't sit on my behind until Sunday in the hope that something happens.

Your uShip broker experience mirrors mine so far.  If they operate the same way, you can expect surprise pickup late at night, followed by a similar lack of communication, followed by a surprise dropoff under similar circumstances.  I did use the cheapest broker I could find, though, so YMMV and all that.

You picked a Broker, not a driver.  

The Broker is still trying to find a driver who will do the work for a price of less than you are paying the broker. 

When I have done Uship, I prefer to do the "name your own price" version.  For me, this has always gotten me into direct contact with a driver.

Think of broker as a dating service; matching those who can move with things that need to be moved.  

I think the way that Uship originally intended was to be an online dating service...to be the broker.  It seems to now be largely filled with Brokers trying to get jobs that they can then broker out.  

Well, this wasn't the cheapest broker, but one of the cheaper ones who seems to have had the fewest complaints about their communications compared to the other ones.

I guess I'll send them another polite email this afternoon if I don't hear from them. I had some brokers request meeting the driver 30-40 miles away so I politely turned them down, which left these guys and two or three others.

Some previous chatter from me about Uship.

More chatter

And, more

John Welsh said:

You picked a Broker, not a driver.  

The Broker is still trying to find a driver who will do the work for a price of less than you are paying the broker. 

That was understood, but I was hoping that it wouldn't be that hard as just about everybody mentioned that they're running this route (basically I-80, then I-70).

When I have done Uship, I prefer to do the "name your own price" version.  For me, this has always gotten me into direct contact with a driver.

I'll keep that in mind for the next time - the problem was that I didn't have a good idea how much would get me the cars shipped across the country.

 

Think of broker as a dating service; matching those who can move with things that need to be moved.  

I think the way that Uship originally intended was to be an online dating service...to be the broker.  It seems to now be largely filled with Brokers trying to get jobs that they can then broker out.  

Yeah, I don't think I even got a single driver to bid on the job at all.

I spoke with my drivers when the arrived at my house.  They like "name your own price" type trips because they are sure things.  

I list up there on Uship:

• pick up by X-date
• deliver by Y-date
• pay $500

If the driver can do it, he says yes and it happens.  

One driver agreed to the trip about a week ahead and he used my load as a cornerstone of building a load from S-North.   Another driver agreed to the trip and picked it up just about the next day.  He agreed that it was a low pay job but without it he was coming north empty so Low Pay was better than No Pay if he could pick it up right away.  

The quote type trips are "maybe jobs".  The driver says he'll do it for $650 and then someone else says $625 and then a week later the trip is down to $500.  My driver's liked the ability to cut out the "maybe" and shrinking price for the ability to get a job "For Sure."

Your job is now probably on the Brokers website listed with a firm price and that price is less than what you are paying the broker.  Some driver may be coming through and will accept it soon because he needs a "sure thing".  

If you have to relist on Uship, try this for "name your own price" (NYOP)...

There will be a minimum that the NYOP allows you to price the trip at.  Price it at that minimum.  Lets say that is $1,000.

When your trip goes up and becomes live for $1,000 this will also open a chat/message function in Uship to negotiate with drivers. 

The first message you get for your $1,000 trip will be, "we can do it for $1,900."    Great, now you are negotiating so then ask them further questions or kindly just state that you will wait.  Be mindful that all potential suitors can see all the chat.  So, if you tell the $1,900 guy that you might do it if he'll go $1,500 then no one will agree to less than $1,500.  You now have the benefits of the bid system too as one guy tried $1,900 and then another tries $1,800 and it keeps going down.  But, unlike quotes if some guy wants to pick it up today for $1,000 he just has to say so and it is a sure thing for that driver.  

One of my drivers got me agree to about $100 more for a trip I had on NYOP but his offer came with a firm date of when he could pick it up/drop off.  I seem to remeber he said something like, "for $100 more, I'll pick it up tues with my 2 car hauler and deliver it to you thurs."  I could also see he ways a local company and review his feedback.  There were enough facts and definitives in his offer that I agreed.    

The problem with this whole thing re relisting is that I'll end up having to put the cars into storage and then try to get them picked up remotely. That's why I gave the broker close to two weeks to get this arrange.

Let's see if the broker bothers to come back to me at all.

BTW, other than feedback, are there any consequences for the broker to not keep to their side of the deal?

I do not know about the consequences.    Also imagine examples of that the broker wants to keep 40% off the pay.  As the deadline nears he too might move on his price to drivers rather than see no money.  He might hold a last week fire sale and maybe reduce his cut to 25% (raising the drivers cut to 75%).  

I recommend you keep pressure on the broker.  

Well, as I just pointed out to them we have about 4 days left, and I can't wait until Sunday to find out that they can't do the job.

Let's see what they come back with if anything at all before I switch to less polite emails.

Here is actual chat from a trip that I did as NYOP of $457 for 944 miles of travel.  I put the trip up on Uship at 10am and by 10pm the same day it was accepted at my asking price.  

MONTWAY AUTO CARRIERS

October 10, 2016 10:51 AM

Hello, John! Could you please confirm that the vehicle would be able to load/unload under it's own power? We can ship your 2005 Nissan Quest from Jacksonville, Florida to Sandusky, Ohio for $749 via Open Transport Service. We look forward to hear from you whether this would be something you'd consider. Kind Regards - Ben at MONTWAY.

John W.

October 10, 2016 11:03 AM

Yes, the van can be loaded and unloaded under its own power as well as good brakes. Easy pick up and drop off locations with ample room for truck/trailer. Large delivery window. Not a rush delivery. Looking for a lower price that $749

MONTWAY AUTO CARRIERS

October 10, 2016 11:12 AM

Thank you for inquiring. We`ll be able to lower our offer for you to $719. Regards, Montway.

John W.

October 10, 2016 11:21 AM

Thank you for your response. I'll continue to hold for a lower offer but continue to keep your company in mind.

MONTWAY AUTO CARRIERS

October 10, 2016 11:24 AM

Thank you for inquiring. If a lower price becomes available, we will let you know. Montway

John W.

October 10, 2016 11:32 AM

Thank you.

MONTWAY AUTO CARRIERS

October 10, 2016 12:05 PM

You are welcome. MONTWAY

ALL STATE TO STATE AUTO TRANSPORT

October 10, 2016 11:03 AM

Hello! we would like to assist with your transport.The best price we can give you is $739. Our bid includes all taxes,insurance door-to-door service and up to 100 lbs of items in the cargo area. There are no hidden fees! Carlos at allstate786

John W.

October 10, 2016 11:19 AM

Thank you for your response. There is no additional cargo in the van. I'll continue to hold for a lower offer but continue to keep your company in mind. Thank you for your response. There is no additional cargo in the van. I'll continue to hold for a lower offer but continue to keep your company in mind.

ALL STATE TO STATE AUTO TRANSPORT

October 10, 2016 12:12 PM

We appreciate your response.If you have any question please feel free to ask our team of expert available here 24 hours to serve you.Best regards! James at allstate786.

SGT Auto Transport

October 10, 2016 11:03 AM

Hello, we can offer you $729 to ship your vehicle. This rate is all-inclusive, with no hidden fees or charges. We also allow up to 100 lbs of items in the trunk, if needed. Please let us know if you are interested or if you have any questions! Thank you, Sarah - SGT Auto Transport

John W.

October 10, 2016 11:20 AM

Thank you for your response. There is no additional cargo in the van. I'll continue to hold for a lower offer but continue to keep your company in mind.

SGT Auto Transport

October 10, 2016 11:23 AM

We can do $689, please keep us in mind.

John W.

October 10, 2016 11:31 AM

I shall keep you in mind.

SGT Auto Transport

October 10, 2016 11:33 AM

Thank you, have a great day!

Here are the further details of this trip.   

SHIPMENT ACTIVITY

Booked

OCT 10TH | 10:05 PM

2005 Nissan Quest

Picked Up

OCT 18TH | 11:31 AM

 Jacksonville, FL 32246 US

Delivered

OCT 19TH | 4:19 PM

Sandusky, OH 44870 US

Well, they just got back to me and it's pretty clear they don't have a driver yet, just "interest from drivers" and are "confident that they can get me a driver".

I responded setting them a deadline to confirm the shipment and pickup details by Friday night at the latest and started to be a little less polite. Let's see if that gets some movement.

Translation:  they can not find a driver who will do it as cheaply as they are willing to pay.  

Indeed. I'm suddenly getting responses to my emails though, even if they are vague reassurances that they'll "get the cars out of there on time". Uneducated guess is they're starting to cut their commission.

I just went on to Uship and tried to build a request for car shipping from Your area to Your new area.  

I have not used UShip in 2 years and I've got to say it seems to have changed.  There used to be three ways to price

1. Quote

2. reverse auction

3. NYOP

Now it seems to only be quotes.  It sure seems more controlled by Brokers now rather than they way it was with NYOP.   I could not see a way to NYOP other than to just reply to the quotes of $1,500 with a reply of "will you do it for $1,000?"  

That explains a few things - I had wondered how to trigger a reverse auction (mind you, the quotes work along those lines already). 

Weather is likely a factor for it on the East Coast. 

I’ve had good luck with uShip.  I’ve used it for one motorcycle, an engine,  and three or four cars.  I agree with the ones that are saying you have a broker that committed to the job and now can’t find a driver.  You can cancel and move on,  wait,  or allow him to up the amount for a better chance at getting a driver booked quickly.

Right now it looks like waiting or bumping up the amount are the choices I have. I left it a bit to late for canceling  and rebooking. 

Personally,  I’d up the amount to get the job booked and moving quickly.  I know it sucks, but you’ll avoid storage issues and other hassles.

In reply to Cotton :

That’s pretty much what I’m thinking by now. 

I used UShip to try to move my BMW from California to New Hampshire.  I accepted offer from broker with 4.7 rating Sunday.  They still don’t have a driver and today is last pickup day.  Broker promises me daily update call but only communication is when I call.  A neighbor is keeping car until it ships, fortunately for me.  I may have to cancel and repost.

I had a terrible experience with uship and Montway. I picked the most expensive shipper because I needed to get a car I won in an auction moved ASAP. 

They picked it up 3 weeks after they were supposed to. Never again. 

So far I only have had positive experiences with uship, not sure if that is because I have never ushipped a car. I typically go with the cheapest and the small business, because they are trying to build a base.