Those of you that have used Uship before

[kneedeep]

@clemsonfor - It is quite common for internet based companies to receive alerts when they are mentioned online. The purpose of this practice is to keep in touch with the customer base, and of course to manage our online presence to the best of our ability.

I saw a reality TV show about contract haulers that bid online for freight of all types. One guy bid on a metal horse that would not fit through the door of the building it was in and he had to get busy with tools and lay it on its side, remove the tail and head, build a shipping frame and move it out to his truck. another guy bid some freight for less than the fuel cost and another guy couldn't get the freight (some fiberglass figuires) in his van and lost the load.

Is this uship brokering freight??

also several contractors got their loads and delivered on time and undamaged to satisfied customers.

 

[MasseyWV]

It is quite common for internet based companies to receive alerts when they are mentioned online. The purpose of this practice is to keep in touch with the customer base, and of course to manage our online presence to the best of our ability.

Receive alerts, from where? I see companies responding to forum posts and commentary all the time, but it's usually in response to negative feedback. In other words, damage control.

I have never used it before, but uShip sounds a lot like eBay/PayPal, where they control the money. I'm sorry, but I like to manage my own transactions by paying for services AFTER they have been rendered to MY satisfaction.

 

[Beltzington]

I used uship to have an heirloom piano shipped from NE to GA. Had one flake try to close the deal in a hurry by emailing me he was on his way before I ever responded to his offer. The shipper I ended up using specialized in hauling pianos and we both agreed on all aspects before I accepted his bid. They did an outstanding job protecting the piano during shipment and took the payment in full upon delivery. As with most online transactions expectations should be agreed to prior to closing the deal. By the way, they accepted a personal check. Good Luck!

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

I'm sorry, but I like to manage my own transactions by paying for services AFTER they have been rendered to MY satisfaction.

Did you not read JamiuShip's post? He said they offer two options. The second option was a small deposit upfront with the payment due on receipt, exactly as you described.

I think uShip is a great idea. It lets me shop for shipping in a competitive marketplace, which should allow me to find a shipper who meets my needs. My needs may be lowest cost, or my needs may be best quality. Either way, I've got options. Kudos to uShip for keeping capitalism alive.


HH

 

[flusher]

Cash on delivery and get an invoice/receipt. I also get the haulers driver's licence number (along with picture ID so you know who you're dealing with). It also is a good idea to snap a few photos before the shipment is unloaded to document the condition on arrival.

I used uShip a few years ago to have an old IH 2-bottom plow shipped to me from Illinois.

 

[MasseyWV]

Did you not read JamiuShip's post? He said they offer two options. The second option was a small deposit upfront with the payment due on receipt, exactly as you described.

Yes, I read his post and no it was not exactly as I described. The "small deposit" goes to uShip, then uShip pays the shipper. When I said "I like to manage my own transactions", I meant precisely that, I pay the shipper directly, not uShip. Perhaps I should clarify... I don't deal with middlemen.

I have never used it before, but uShip sounds a lot like eBay/PayPal, where they control the money. I'm sorry, but I like to manage my own transactions by paying for services AFTER they have been rendered to MY satisfaction.

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

Yes, I read his post and no it was not exactly as I described. Perhaps I should clarify... I don't deal with middlemen.

Not trying to pick a fight, but everyone deals with middlemen. Are you saying you've never bought anything retail before? You always buy direct from the manufacturer?

This is no different than shopping Amazon, for example (although more accurately it's a reverse auction (Reverse auction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). If I can save my time (which is money), by not having to place phone calls and competitively compare shippers, then that's worth more money to me. And if uShip can make a profit and I get a better total cost than I would otherwise, then everyone wins. That's called added value, and that's a free market economy at its finest.


HH

 

[MasseyWV]

Not trying to pick a fight, but everyone deals with middlemen. Are you saying you've never bought anything retail before? You always buy direct from the manufacturer?

Pick a fight? Not even close. :laughing:

Technically speaking, yes most of us have to deal with middlemen. However, uShip is different because they are acting as an escrow service, something I will NOT use. You are not buying something (IE: Merchandise) from uShip, they are holding your money, then passing it to the shipper after taking their cut.

I would buy directly from the manufacturer if I could, but most of the "systems" currently in place "protect" their distribution or "dealer" network by refusing to sell to individuals.

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

Pick a fight? Not even close. :laughing:

Technically speaking, yes most of us have to deal with middlemen. However, uShip is different because they are acting as an escrow service, something I will NOT use. You are not buying something (IE: Merchandise) from uShip, they are holding your money, then passing it to the shipper after taking their cut.

I understand your point, and it's your money and your prerogative how to spend it.

Personally, I make no distinction between goods and services. Whether it's a piece of metal or a financial transaction, it boils down to this: If they offer me value (i.e. saving my time or my money), then I'm inclined to go with it. If they can't offer me value, then I'll go elsewhere.


HH

 

[MasseyWV]

I understand your point, and it's your money and your prerogative how to spend it.

Personally, I make no distinction between goods and services. Whether it's a piece of metal or a financial transaction, it boils down to this: If they offer me value (i.e. saving my time or my money), then I'm inclined to go with it. If they can't offer me value, then I'll go elsewhere.

You're starting to sound like you work for uShip.

Regardless, where you see value, I see risk. If I give uShip my money, I lose all control, then if something goes wrong, uShip decides what to do, not me. The bottom line is that uShip smells too much like PayPal for my liking, and that's an experience that I'd rather not repeat.