uShip Review (2023)

Matt Chasen founded uShip in 2003 after he had a bad experience handling a do-it-yourself (DIY) move. Chasen was inspired to make shipping options more accessible to the average moving client. As a result, uShip provides an easy-to-use platform that connects customers to moving companies and drivers with little to no hassle. Today, the company partners with more than 40,000 independent carriers nationwide, including car shipping providers and some of the best moving companies.

 

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Fast Facts About uShip

• Founded: 2003
• State availability: 50
• Service model: Full service
• Standout service: Small moves
• Get a quick quote: Visit uShip’s Site

 

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Benefits and Drawbacks of uShip

Benefits: 

• Offers a “ship with confidence” guarantee
• Provides GPS tracking for most shipments
• Has more than 40,000 shipping partners across all 50 states

Drawbacks:

• Has no defined vetting process for shipping partners
• Provides no definite claims process for damaged or lost goods

 

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uShip Services

Thanks to thousands of partners, uShip offers nearly any shipping service to customers nationwide. In addition to partnering with various types of shipping companies, uShip provides helpful tools via its website and app to streamline your move and give you greater peace of mind.

Online Tools

The company’s online marketplace functions as more than just a platform for booking shipping accommodations. It provides online tools that help reduce the general hassle and stress clients feel while their items are on the road. These include real-time shipment tracking and shipment management via a mobile app.

Moving

Many of uShip’s partners are full-service moving companies that offer services to simplify conventional residential moves. That said, your shipping costs with these companies will be higher than with other uShip partners.

Whether you need a single large item moved—such as a piano, pool table, or heavy appliance—or you’re scheduling a full-scale home relocation, you can find a solution for moving your household goods on uShip’s marketplace.

Vehicle Shipping

For shipping vehicles of all sizes, uShip provides open and enclosed transport options. Its partners include large, nationally known vehicle carriers and independently owned and operated single-truck providers. Through this platform, you can book shipping for the following vehicles:

• Aquatic vehicles
• Boats
• Cars
• Farm equipment
• Heavy construction equipment 
• Motorcycles
• RVs
• SUVs
• Trucks

Miscellaneous Shipping

By partnering with miscellaneous freight service companies, uShip is able to transport single large items, including pianos, jacuzzis, pool tables, outdoor and lawn equipment, woodshop tools, and more. If needed, you can also arrange to ship animals, including dogs, cats, and livestock. 

Business Shipping

If you’re a small business owner, signing up for a uShip business account could expedite pickup and delivery of frequent shipments. This provider is a logistics manager for eBay, Etsy, and similar marketplaces.

 

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uShip Cost

The uShip marketplace requires each client to set up an account. You must supply your email address, but no immediate fees are due. After this initial step, enter your shipping criteria into a separate page to create a job listing. Include the origin and destination addresses, as well as the dimensions and details of the items you need shipped.

You can set your desired price or leave the price field blank. If you leave the price field blank, carriers can bid on your shipping needs. Whether you’re setting your own price or allowing a shipper to bid, you should first utilize uShip’s cost calculator to get a ballpark price. This is effectively an instant quote and should give you an idea of market shipping rates in your area.

Security deposits and cargo insurance costs vary greatly from provider to provider. However, uShip has service fees that range from $25 to $150 per shipment. If you book with uShip, we recommend placing your shipment listing at least four to six weeks before your preferred shipping date. One of the major downsides of this provider is that publishing a listing doesn’t guarantee a transportation service provider will handle your needs.

 

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uShip Reviews

Its status as a “shipping broker” means uShip doesn’t directly provide service. Rather, it facilitates connections between clients and independent shipping providers. This leads to varied quality across shipping request types, geographical locations, and shippers booked. We’ve listed a few recent customer reviews to illustrate this.

“Easy process to make my shipping request and review bids. Did exchange messages with a potential shipper (negotiation!), and I believe we both got what we needed. Love the funding process—i didn’t have to release funds until I was satisfied with the delivery.” —Don via Trustpilot on March 27, 2023

“Loved uShip. Because contractors and private transporters have to fight to underbid for your job, it benefits you as the customer. The company also provides options for additional insurance on top of the carrier’s. Will absolutely use again.” —Brandon via Trustpilot on March 10, 2023

“Horrible experience. Although uShip is aware that their vendor is lying to its customers, they continue to allow them to continue in their platform. In fact, uShip refunded us their $100 fee as acknowledgement that their vendors were frauds. Now our shipment of very important files has been out [for a month] with no indication as to when we will receive it. I’ve asked that they remove the vendor, but they simply ignore the emails.” —Ray via Trustpilot on January 30, 2023 

“Several ‘carriers’ reached out to us and then never responded to any questions—not sure if they were scammers or what. Finally got a good carrier and had a good experience with them. I’d say uShip was basically ‘OK’ but not great.” —John via Trustpilot on November 28, 2022

The Good

By connecting clients with service providers via a unique online interface, uShip.com makes even the smallest or most specialized shipping needs accessible. It coordinates with movers, auto transport companies, pet shipping providers, and general freight carriers from its headquarters in Austin. It has an A+ rating* with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 4.57 out of 5 star rating. This matches its largely positive reviews on Trustpilot.

*BBB rating is current as of April 2023.

The Bad

Negative reviews for uShip report intentionally misleading practices by independent carriers. Some uShip customers have run into issues with communication regarding shipment details. And since uShip does not properly vet its many partner shipping companies, it’s entirely up to customers to research whichever carrier or truck driver they book.

 

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uShip Alternatives

See the table below to compare professionals in the moving industry. 

 

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Our Recommendation

If you decide to book your shipping needs through uShip, we recommend thoroughly vetting any carrier you contact through this provider. Because uShip doesn’t comprehensively vet its partners, you may be left open to scams, poor pricing practices, and lost goods. Research carriers that bid for your job—especially if you are booking more expensive services, such as closed-container auto shipping, or are shipping an antique across state lines. If you want to book a full-service move, check out our list of the best moving companies.

 

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How We Chose the Top Moving Providers

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.