And yet, an estimated 100 million Americans go boating each year.

Segments that drove boat market growth in 2022 included entry-level boats such as personal watercraft, freshwater aluminum, fiberglass fishing boats, and pontoon boats less than 26 feet.

Boat Transport

One of the biggest challenges of watercraft ownership is boat transport, especially at long distances, as an enthusiast or boat dealer.

Year in and year out, uShip continues to be one of the most popular places to get watercraft moved. Here’s a breakdown of boat shipments within the U.S., how much it costs on average, distance traveled, days in transit, and more.

What types of watercraft get shipped?

If it propels through water, chances are it’s shipped through uShip. Since 2020, 6,000 boats per year get hauled on uShip, primarily during “boat season” between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The types of boats shipped include power boats (recreational, pontoon, and fishing boats), sailboats, and personal watercraft (including jet skis, kayaks, and canoes).

Since 2020, powerboats have made up 77% of the watercraft shipment listings on uShip, followed by personal watercraft at 15% and sailboats at 6%.

How much does it cost to transport a boat or watercraft?

Like most things, boat transport has been more expensive since 2020. On uShip, the average cost of boat transport was $1,270 in 2020, $1,462 in 2021, and $1,883 in 2022. That’s a 48% increase from 2020 to 2022.

The time when it cost the least to ship a boat ($1,229) was just as the pandemic began in March 2020. It costs the most to ship a boat ($2,021) in Spring 2022.

What does it cost to transport a powerboat?

The average cost to transport a powerboat on uShip was $1,768 between 2020-2022. In 2020 the cost was $1,069 but doubled to $2,131 in 2021. That rate dipped slightly in 2022, decreasing from $2,131 to $2,104 per shipment.

What does it cost to transport a sailboat?

The average cost to transport a sailboat on uShip was $1,813 between 2020-2022. In 2020 the cost was $1,528, which jumped 12.5% the following year to $1,719 in 2021. That rate jumped again in 2022, increasing 27.5% from $1,719 to $2,192 per shipment.

What does it cost to transport a jet ski?

The average cost to transport a personal watercraft like a jet ski on uShip between 2020-2022 was $753. In 2020 the cost was $631, which jumped 17% to $737 in 2021. That rate jumped again in 2022, increasing 20% from $737 to $889 per shipment.

The average cost to ship various types of watercraft

Does it save money to ship a watercraft trailered or untrailered?

Shipping a non-trailered boat is less expensive – by about 50%. In 2022, the average cost to transport a non-trailed boat was $1,151, while a trailered boat cost an average of $2,102 to ship within the U.S.

The combination of the trailer and the boat simply weighs more and therefore costs more to ship.

Why is boat transport expensive?

Shipping a boat, whether a ski, fishing, or sailboat, takes skill, experience, and the right equipment. Watercraft are often prized possessions, so just no one should handle them.

In addition, the cost to ship anything (including boats) in 2022 increased dramatically due to inflationary pressures, record-high fuel costs, higher demand for truck parts, driver insurance spikes, and high labor and wages. All this raises the price tag for both business and consumer boat transport.

How do you keep boat transportion costs down?

What makes uShip unique is the competitive bidding process between transportation providers. When a business or consumer lists a watercraft on uShip, boat-hauling specialists compete for the business by placing bids.

In fact, since 2020, more than 457,000 bids have been placed on boat shipment listings, and 80% of the 91,000 boats listed on uShip during that time received at least two bids from service providers.

This competition not only gives shipping customers a choice but also allows the law of supply and demand to play itself out so customers know they aren’t overpaying for the service.

How do I find an experienced boat hauler?

Since 2020, over 17k transporters have shipped at least one boat on uShip. Further, each of the top 100 boat transporters has shipped at least 30 boats since 2020, and the top 20 have shipped nearly 100 boats apiece in that time frame.

That’s a lot of experience.

These transporters compete for business on uShip by bidding against each other. For both personal and business boat shippers, this not only keeps rates down but provides choice.

Q&A with Carriers

uShip’s Q&A feature is one way uShip helps shipping customers decide who they select for their boat transport. When a boat is listed for transport on uShip, transporters will often ask questions about the boat before bidding. This information allows them to provide as accurate of a quote as possible. It’s also an opportunity for shipping customers to interview the hauler. For example, shipping customers can ask what kind of equipment the transporter has or if they have experience shipping unique watercraft or boats with outboard motors.

Ratings & Reviews

uShip’s ratings and reviews complement the Q&A feature. The higher the score and rating, the better experience you as a shipping customer will likely receive. Each transporter’s service history is publicly available on uShip, making it easy to do your homework when making an educated decision.

uShip Protection Plan

Boat shippers can safeguard their shipments through the uShip Protection Plan, a simple way to protect high-value boat shipments against unexpected loss or damage. In fact, since 2020, nearly half of the boat shippers on uShip have protected their shipments.

There’s often confusion about which party is responsible if an incident occurs. A uShip survey found 30% of business shippers assumed their carrier’s insurance would cover any damages. If your transporter carries its own protection, there’s a chance that some damages could be covered. However, coverage varies and isn’t guaranteed.

For peace of mind, uShip recommends its all-risk, comprehensive protection plan that covers shipments at a competitive rate.

Who ships boats?

On uShip, personal boat owners such as on-the-water enthusiasts, families, and restorers make up 80% of the shipping audience. In contrast, businesses such as boat dealers, boat brokers, and boat repair shops make up the remaining 20%. Between both groups, power boats ship approximately 80% of the time.

How far do boats get shipped?

Since 2020, most U.S. boats shipped through uShip travel between 1000-1500 miles with an average of eight days in transit. That’s followed by boats traveling 500-1000 miles, taking an average of six days in transit. The chart below shows a full breakdown of miles traveled and days on the road.

Where are boats shipped the most?

In a word: Florida. No surprise that more boats travel to, from, and within Florida than any other state. While the top 10 states for boat shipments have aquatic geography and relatively high population density, Florida leaves the rest in its wake. Over 2.5 times as many boats ship FROM Florida as the second state (California), while 2.5x as many boats LEAVE Florida as the second state (Texas).

The only land-locked state to crack the top 10 in boat destinations is Arizona (No. 10).

One surprising fact: the state with the most boats per capita – Minnesota at 143.6 boats per thousand people – did not make the Top 10 list for boat shipment originations or destinations on uShip.

What are the top places to sell or buy a boat?

Those wanting to get into boats, be it for recreation or fishing, are finding the most affordable way in is by buying a pre-owned watercraft. Used boat sales are outpacing new boat sales 2-to-1. And an estimated 1.15 million pre-owned boats were sold in 2021, up 9.2 percent over 2020.

So if you want to buy or sell a used watercraft, where do you go? Often word of mouth around your marina or among friends can be a place to start, but to truly reach a buying audience and fetch the best price (whether buying or selling), most sales today originate online.

Here’s a short list of options:

Craigslist: Not a lot of bells and whistles here, but it’s effective and gets a lot of eyeballs. If you’re selling, know that the price range (in the thousands) will likely attract scammers and legit buyers. Before jumping in here, get familiar with common Craigslist scams and ways to stay safe when meeting third parties.

eBay: Compared to Craigslist, eBay is the safer bet for buyer and seller engagement. Rely on feedback scores and past reviews to gut-check the legitimacy of the sale. Buyer protection is often included in purchases like this, although final sales may occur off eBay. Be aware of eBay Motors’ listing and selling fees and any processing fees.

Facebook Marketplace: A relatively new kid in town compared to Craigslist and eBay. Often good to attract local buyers who are also on Facebook and looking to buy. Like Craigslist, scammers frequent Facebook Marketplace, so read up on common scams.

Boat Trader: This site is known for serious boaters, so it’s important to know your stuff, whether buying or selling. Boat Trader doesn’t take a commission for private boat sales; there’s just a $59 listing fee up front for any boat size.

Boats.com: Like Boat Trader, Boats.com is a paid classifieds site that has an upfront fee when selling your boat. Package price varies depending on the exposure you want and how long you want to list it. The site offers up tips for preventing and avoiding scams as well.

Broker: If you want to leave buying or selling in the hands of a professional, boat brokers can handle it for you – for a fee. Generally speaking, a brokers take is a 10% commission. If you are selling a yacht, brokers have the ability to reach deep into that market of buyers. For some, this is worth it, but it’s not for everyone.

And remember, no matter how you buy or sell a boat, shipping will likely be involved. If it’s transacted at a distance, be sure to remember to add boat transport cost into the total price.

The post Boat Transport Cost: The Definitive Guide to Boat Shipping Costs and Transport Trends appeared first on The uShip Blog.

To bring that to life, here’s how transporters on uShip – from sprinter van owners to car haulers to box truck drivers – can use uShip Carrier Perks to keep money in their pockets and build their businesses at the same time:

PERKS DAY IN THE LIFE WITH CARL

In our day-in-the-life scenario, our driver Carl has been on the road throughout Texas for the week and will arrive back home in Phoenix later tonight. Carl has been on uShip for 5 years and has a 4.85-star rating. He’s a member of a few In-Home Delivery private carrier networks and has a constant flow of shipments coming from high-volume uShip partners.

AUSTIN

6:00 am

Rise and shine, Carl! He didn’t rest particularly well. His bad back is acting up after awkwardly lifting that surprisingly heavy chest of drawers in Lake Jackson. Fortunately, Carl signed up for a healthcare plan through Stride. Really affordable coverage for himself and his family. He schedules an appointment with his doctor during his time at home. For now, a few Tylenol will do.

6:30 am

On the road, but Carl needs to fill up first. At a Shell station on I-35, he whips out his uShip Fuel Card, powered by AtoB. Throughout the day, Carl will repeat this fill-up process – a Valero in Fort Stockton, a truck stop in El Paso, and a Chevron in Tucson. They all take Visa, so they all take Carl’s uShip Fuel Card. And it works with his other fuel card too. Fill’er up, Carl!

FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS

9:45 am

Ruh-roh! Carl’s tire pressure light goes on in the middle of West Texas. That can’t be good. Fortunately, in Fort Stockton he finds a Discount Tire just off I-10. Diagnosis? Picked up a nail and it’s not looking good. Thanks to his tire maintenance program through Stride, Carl saves 40% on a new set of tires. Sprinter van’s got a set of shoes! Go, Carl!

LAS CRUCES, NM

1 pm

Uh-oh, Part II. Now what?! Carl’s dash light goes on again. This time it’s his oil light. Thanks to Carl’s repair and maintenance program through Stride, he was able to save about 35% on an oil leak fix and oil change. In less than an hour, he’s back on the road.

BENSON, ARIZONA

3:30 pm

While dropping off an antique desk for a uShip customer, Carl books a huge shipment through the uShip app: 16 fishing kayaks going from Phoenix to San Diego. Load’s too big for his sprinter van, so Carl decides to add instant capacity by renting a new 16’ Hertz box truck to handle the job. His special uShip Carrier Perks link gets him a special Hertz pay-now discount that includes a ceiling rate

BONUS: This shipment is for Vibe Kayaks, a uShip In-Home Delivery customer. Carl knows this will give him 50 deliveries for the month and trigger a $500 uShip fee credit through the In-Home Delivery Rewards Program into his account for hitting that confirmed delivery threshold. Rock on, Carl!

TUCSON, ARIZONA

6 pm

Carl’s got finances on his mind. He’s a bit behind on things and knows upcoming taxes aren’t going to be fun. Once he returns home to Phoenix, he decides to use Stride’s tax prep perk and gets 50% off TurboTax software at the same time. Tracking mileage and other write-offs will be much easier for Carl.

CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA

8:30 pm

Carl’s in the homestretch, now driving during dusk. He notices on-coming car lights are extra bright tonight, in a headache-causing sort of way. Not good. He decides it’s time to use the Stride vision plan he picked up for $9 a month, which includes a frame allowance and a free checkup.

HOW TO GET YOUR PERKS

uShip Carrier Perks are offered exclusively to transporters on uShip, not the general public. If you’re a registered transporter on uShip and want to take advantage of the discounts and savings, check your email for information from uShip (including monthly newsletters) or contact us at support@uship.com for a sign-up link.

The post uShip Carrier Perks: A Day in the Life appeared first on The uShip Blog.

For bikers who attend the 82nd Annual Sturgis 2022 Motorcycle Rally (Aug 5-14, 2022) — considered the best of the top six motorcycle rallies in the U.S. — the open road, the thundering rumble, and the camaraderie is what it’s all about.

But sometimes life gets in the way.

Work and family obligations, not to mention the terrible physical toll on your not-so-young-anymore body riding to/from South Dakota. It can be hard on the hips — and hips don’t lie. Collectively, they can be big deterrents on your decision to attend. One way to address all these is to simply ship your motorcycle to/from Sturgis through uShip.

Here’s why uShip is a novel idea:

• Fewer travel days mean less time off work or away from family
• Travel weather and safety is a non-issue
• Avoid the wear and tear the road can put on your bike
• Keep your immune system top notch by avoiding the exhaustion of a long motorcycle trip
• You get home in one piece. No relying on the family-size bottle of Advil

Depending on your pickup point, it can cost between $250 and $550 to get your motorcycle to Sturgis so you can motorcycle wave until your fingers cramp up.

Check out our graphic to get a better idea about the average prices to ship. Or visit our uShip motorcycle shipping site to get a free estimate based on your location.

Simply enter the details of your motorcycle shipment and quality transport companies will then place competing quotes so you get the best deal. Or name your own price if you’ve got a certain budget.

Not familiar with Sturgis?

Since 1938, the town of Sturgis, South Dakota (pop. 7,000), has been home to one of the largest biker rallies in America. Originating as a small event of two dozen racers, the Sturgis 2022 Motorcycle Rally annually draws well over 500,000 bike-lovers from around the world who enjoy the picturesque backdrop and miles of nearby open roads for riders to explore.

2020 Update: this year is sure to be a different Sturgis. Before you go, check out the Press Release from the City of Sturgis, and you may want to look over the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Vendor Protocols around CDC guidelines regarding coronavirus precautions, so you can know what to expect.

The post How to Enjoy Sturgis 2022 Without Paying the Price appeared first on The uShip Blog.

To ease that burden a bit, uShip has partnered with Upside, a free app that gets you cash back at 40,000+ participating gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and grocery stores nationwide.

What’s different about Upside’s cashback over other gas card programs?

Upside is free, and you don’t have to apply for a new physical card. Plus, users can earn 3x more cash back with Upside than any other product. This includes loyalty programs and credit card rewards.

Simply download the free Upside app to see cash back offers near you. When you fill up at a station or load up at a grocery store, pay as usual with a credit or debit card. The app will prompt you to either Check In or snap a picture of the receipt. Cash back will be added to your account. You can cash out whenever you want to your bank account, PayPal, or a gift card.

The bottom line is that it works. Here are 4 ways transporters on uShip are taking advantage of the new partnership with Upside and taking the bite out of high living costs brought on by inflation:

Fuel

This is by far the most popular way transporters are using Upside. Available at 25,000+ name brand and independent fuel stations nationwide, Upside will show you the sign price of gas and the discounted price you’ll get after receiving your cash back.

In fact, transporters on uShip who signed up for Upside and used the promo code USHIP35 got more than 35¢/gal back on their first two fill-ups. That could be up to $10-12 total cash back.

Now you can, too!

Convenience Stores

It’s not just what goes into your vehicle’s tank. The hidden gem when it comes to getting cash back through Upside is what’s in the store. Earn up to 22% cash back on purchases inside the store at participating gas station locations!

Get money back on all the stuff you would be buying anyway – water, soda, chips, toiletries, and more – before getting back on the road.

Plus, if a convenience store offers cash back where you get gas, you don’t need to tap Claim again. Just make your purchase with the same credit card you used to get gas. It’s that easy!

You can tell which stations’ convenience stores offer cash back by looking for the basket icon on the gas offer card.

Restaurants

The great part about Upside is that it works around the clock, not just when you’re on the clock. When you head out to dinner with friends or family (along with getting takeout while driving) you can earn cash back in the process. Available at sit-down and drive-thru locations alike, the cash back perks can really add up.

With an average of 16% cash back offered at 15,000+ restaurants nationwide, including big name brands and local favorites, the cash back earnings can really add up. Don’t forget that cash back is on your entire order, and Upside works for dining in or takeout.

Grocery Stores

Similar to restaurants, when you’re at home or off the road, grocery stores are a great way to really take advantage of Upside. Users who use Upside frequently at grocery stores can earn about $50 a month!

Ready to get started?

1. Tap here to download the free Upside app on your Android or iOS device
2. Enter promo code USHIP35
3. Get more than 35¢/gal cash back on your first two fill-ups

TL;DR: How uShip Transporters Benefit from Upside

• Fuel Savings: Earn cash back at over 25,000 participating gas stations nationwide by using the Upside app.
• Convenience Store Rewards: Receive up to 22% cash back on in-store purchases at select gas station convenience stores.
• Dining Discounts: Get an average of 16% cash back at over 15,000 restaurants, including both sit-down and drive-thru locations.
• Grocery Store Earnings: Frequent users can earn approximately $50 per month in cash back at participating grocery stores.
• Easy Redemption: Cash back can be redeemed directly to your bank account, PayPal, or as gift cards.

The post 4 Ways uShip Transporters Are Earning Cash Back Through Upside appeared first on The uShip Blog.

It’s an incredibly slick cashless service that has saved customers and carriers a ton of hassle. Gone are the days of dealing with the hassle of cash payments on delivery or carrying a lot of cash in your cab.

While uShip Payments is a seamless system by design, customers sometimes need a little nudge and guidance on that last step: finding the payment code that releases funds to you.

Here are three tips to help your customers find the payment code and avoid potential delays along the way:

1. Set the expectation

Once the shipment is booked, you or your customer will be in touch to organize pickup timing and discuss additional details. This is a perfect time to let them know that you will need to receive the payment code at the time of delivery.

2. Explain the location

At booking, both parties receive a Booking Confirmation Email that contains the other party’s contact information. The shipping customer’s Booking Confirmation Email also contains the payment code. It is in the block of text just below your contact info.

3. uShip member support is your wingman

If the shipping customer is concerned, confused, or having a hard time finding their code, they can reach out to member support to ask any questions they have or get assistance finding the code.

When you’re in the logistics business and darting all around the country covering thousands of miles a month, it’s sometimes easy to forget that many customers don’t deal with shipping every day. And they may not be very tech-savvy in the first place.

So, by alerting your customers right up front, it gives them plenty of time to make whatever plans they need to ensure you are able to receive the payment code with fewer delays and less confusion.

Fun Fact

No one other than the service provider who booked the shipment can use the code to access the funds.

If you enter the code and see it was already redeemed, don’t worry, this just means the shipping customer has already released the payment and you can now find it in your Available Balance.

TL;DR: How uShip Carriers Can Get Paid Faster

• Set Clear Expectations: Inform customers at booking that you’ll need the payment code upon delivery to release funds.
• Guide Customers to the Payment Code: The payment code is in the Booking Confirmation email; ensure customers know where to find it.
• Leverage uShip Support: If issues arise, direct customers to uShip Member Support for assistance in locating the payment code.
• Understand uShip Payments: Most shipments use uShip Payments, where funds are held securely until delivery confirmation.
• Withdraw Funds Efficiently: After payment release, access your earnings through preferred withdrawal methods like ACH or Instant Debit.​

The post Three Pro Tips for Getting Paid Faster as a Carrier on uShip appeared first on The uShip Blog.

It’s no secret that widespread Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 drove shoppers online, sending e-commerce into the stratosphere like a SpaceX rocket. In fact, in 2020 online shopping sales hit an incredible $791.70 billion, up 32.4 percent from $598.02 billion in 2019, according to U.S. Department of Commerce figures.

That trend has continued into Q1 2021. Despite rising vaccination rates, declining average daily coronavirus cases, and more cities and states reopening, Americans still shopped on the web in big numbers. E-commerce reached $196.66 billion in Q1, up 39.0% year over year from $141.52 billion in the same quarter of 2020, Commerce Department data shows.

Nearly $1 in every $5 spent on retail purchases came from digital orders. This suggests at a macro level, the pandemic-related boost to online shopping is far from cooling.

Here at uShip, we had a natural curiosity around what all this online hub-bub meant for large and bulky e-commerce purchases, like furniture, sporting equipment, and even mattresses.

We knew it was happening – the shipping volumes going through our marketplace were hitting on all cylinders in the second half of 2020 and into 2021 – but we wanted to explore a layer deeper and take the pulse of American buyers. To discover our answer we called on YouGov, the third-party research firm, to help us poll 2500 US adults.

Ultimately, we wanted to know if the pandemic-fueled e-commerce boom would be a huge shot in the arm for the future of oversized goods online?

If you’re an online seller of big items, we think you’ll find the results encouraging. Here are the top 5 findings:

64% of Americans bought a large and bulky item online in 2020

Once people realized the pandemic lockdown that began in March 2020 wasn’t a two-week inconvenience, they took to the world of e-commerce. They started buying furniture, exercise bikes, kayaks, sprinter vans, you name it, using retail therapy as a way to cope. All in all, not a ton of surprises here.

What’s interesting about this number is that based on past uShip surveys conducted with YouGov, we found roughly 1 in 5 Americans had bought a large item online. While there might be a tendency to draw a conclusion that the number of Americans buying large items online had tripled, that wouldn’t be a safe characterization. Previous surveys were taken before Covid and with a totally different panel of users. It was still nationally representative and kind of an interesting comparison though not statistically credible.

Of the 64% above, 3 in 4 purchased these items online at the same or higher frequency than years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic

This finding definitely highlights the true impact of buying during Covid-19 lockdowns. The 73% figure was derived from comparing the 64% to the 47% (31% the same as before + 16% more often than before) who shopped online for bulky items the same or more than in prior years.

Looking back at uShip’s 2020 numbers, once we cleared the great crevasse that was March and April, we saw record numbers in the third and fourth quarters, especially from our In-Home Delivery segment where online partners, like Chairish and 1stdibs, were selling at alarming rates.

And it wasn’t just the online sellers who experienced the boom. It was our carrier network as well. For example, one driver, Steve Turner of Classic Deco Radio Transport, bought a sprinter van on March 1, 2020. He started booking on uShip and ended up driving over 200,000 miles his first year, making deliveries to every corner of the country.

“Bookings went crazy. I never thought it could be like that. It really becomes addicting,” Steve said. Read more about Steve’s story here.

45 percent of Americans who purchase large or bulky items online say they are very or somewhat likely to continue buying large items online

This goes to the heart of what we were curious about. And we find this number very encouraging. To us, it says a lot of people jumped into oversized e-commerce and liked it. Deliveries were reliable and if they didn’t like something, returns were easy.

As for the other swaths in this finding, 4 in 10 Americans (39%) apparently are those who, for years, have already become comfortable buying large items online, as they indicated they were neither likely nor unlikely to continue buying large items online.

And there will always be a percentage of holdout buyers – the 16% in our study – who can’t get their head around buying a piece of furniture, motorcycle, or piano sight unseen. They say they are very or somewhat unlikely to continue buying large items online. They’ll come around.

The truth of the matter is that for many years, the infrastructure behind e-commerce has been developed and refined. The pandemic simply threw it into overdrive – and that momentum will continue for the foreseeable future.

53% are comfortable with large online purchases arriving between 8 and 21 days

The results of this question show over half of online buyers of large items have realistic expectations when it comes to delivery speed. The 37% who say they expect large items to arrive in less than seven days clearly are under the influence and lure of Amazon Prime’s fast and free delivery. Given the state of supply chain, it’s more like seven weeks for delivery these days.

Communication barely edges delivery speed and carrier professionalism

Now, more than ever, buyers’ delivery experience is playing into buyers’ perception of merchants and online sellers. So it’s no surprise that nearly 6 in 10 (57%) of Americans said shipment status and communication features were very important to becoming a repeat buyer.

Meanwhile, finishing neck-and-neck in second place were delivery speed (51%) and carrier professionalism (50%) as key influences in buyer’s future purchase decisions.

USHIP’S TAKE

Whether you’re an online furniture marketplace like Chairish or 1stdibs, a national kayak seller like Vibe Kayaks, an Etsy seller making one-of-a-kind coffee tables or wood bedframes, or a motorcycle marketplace like Rumble On, the future of selling online is bright. And shipping and supply chain is becoming an increasingly important vital part of that process and customer experience.

“The pandemic has accelerated e-commerce growth beyond anyone’s wildest imagination – and this includes buyers’ comfort purchasing large and bulky items online,” said Kris Lamb, CEO of uShip.

“Our hope is that these survey results give online sellers insight into the future of large and bulky e-commerce, as well as the importance of a solid delivery infrastructure that emphasizes status updates, communication, delivery speed, and carrier professionalism as it relates to establishing a repeat customer base, the lifeblood of any business,” Lamb said.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2461 US Adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between April 12-14, 2021. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US Adults.

The post 5 Key Takeaways from uShip’s National Survey on Large and Bulky E-Commerce appeared first on The uShip Blog.

Before he knew about uShip, Steve was operating his antique radio restoration business out of a 3600sf warehouse in Toledo, Ohio, with upwards of 20,000 transactions on eBay under his belt since the 1990s.

While shipping one of his larger restored radios to a buyer, the transporter making the pickup mentioned uShip as one of his shipping sources. He told Steve there’s a lot of opportunity on the transportation marketplace.

‘Gonna need a bigger truck’

At the time, Steve had an old pickup with 450,000 miles on it, so he thought, “Why not? I’ll give it a try.”

He had a good team running his warehouse so that wasn’t holding him back. He jumped in, quickly filling this truck with restored radios and uShip shipments. As things immediately got busier and business in the January and February of 2020, Steve had a realization.

“I went from not knowing about uShip to knowing I was going to need a bigger truck,” Steve says.

On March 1, 2020 – just weeks before the world went into lock-down mode – he bought a silver RAM Promaster sprinter van.

“Bookings went crazy,” he says. “I never thought it could be like that. It really becomes addicting.” 

During his first full year – between March 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021 – Steve drove 204,000 miles, about 558 miles a day, and used 11,732 gallons of gas. He spent 275 nights in hotels, 20 nights with family sprinkled around the country, and just 60 nights in his own bed in Toledo.

Low 5-Figure East-Coast Swing

Each month he makes an east coast-west coast swing, and every other month, he adds in a shot up and down the I-5 corridor between San Diego and Seattle before heading east.

“Some guys do the same 500-1000 miles, but I prefer to go longer distances to make more money. It’s definitely more lucrative,” he says.

So, how lucrative?

“As I got going, I was making 6-8 stops and netting about $1,000 a day. It didn’t take long – that’s really the addiction,” Steve says. “Now I’m bringing in low 5-figures on an east-west coast trip.”

Not bad, Steve. Not bad at all.

He said he likes traveling solo, which means he looks for loads that weigh less than 150lbs so he can handle them himself.

When he recently had a larger shipment opportunity, he called in reinforcements through movinghelp.com, a site that connects you to local people who can lend an extra hand.

Tips & Tricks to Maximizing Revenue on uShip

In fact, four additional uShip factors are helping Steve maximize his earnings:

1. He’s taking advantage of reduced uShip booking fees on household goods, especially those traveling over 500 miles. Starting last year, uShip has reduced carrier booking fees by 25 percent across all its categories. Check out uShip’s fee promotions page for more details.
2. By meeting the qualification requirements of uShip In-Home Delivery partners Chairish and 1stdibs, he’s part of their carrier networks. This gives Steve access to exclusive, fast-booking furniture shipments WITHOUT bidding, saving him valuable time.
3. Steve also qualifies for uShip’s In-Home Delivery Rewards Program, a program that rebates hundreds of dollars back into providers’ accounts when certain volume thresholds are reached during the prior month.
4. Last, he uses uShip’s electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL) exclusively. While this is more of operation efficiency, by taking photos at pickup and delivery that are stored in a digital PDF, he helps protect himself if a claim is later filed. Plus, it removes paper from cluttering his van.

He says 55 percent of his business comes through uShip, while the rest of his business is through private clients.

Regardless of the source, he can effectively “Tetrus” larger loads (like blanket-wrapped furniture) and smaller shipments (like lamps and art) into his sprinter van so he’s running as full as possible.

uShip Means…

While Steve is enjoying the lucrative nature of his transportation business built on uShip, it’s the adventure of it all that’s captured his imagination.

“I drove over 200,000 miles in my first year on uShip – from Bellingham, Wash., (on the Canadian border) to Key West and Portland, Maine, to Calexico, Calif. – making the largest ‘X’ traversing this great land,” he says.

“To me, uShip means adventure. Seeing the true beauty of our great country and meeting wonderful people over the last year has been awesome.”

The post Driver on uShip Finds Adventure, Lucrative Life on the Road appeared first on The uShip Blog.

Below is a transcript of that interview with Reid:

What is uShip?

REID: uShip is an online marketplace where you can ship anything from cars, boats, motorcycles, and even furniture. We’ve shipped now for almost 15 years. We’re approaching our 3 millionth vehicle listing so we have a lot of experience in this space.

uShip works just like eBay in that it’s a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers. You can go on there and get competitive bids or select instant Buy-It-Now-like prices for your transportation needs. Many have called uShip the “eBay of Shipping.”

You’ll find your users will be very familiar with how it works. And just like eBay, we’ve got auction processes or fixed-price shipping options and we find it’s really easy for people to use.

How does uShip work with eBay?

REID: uShip works with eBay by providing fixed-price shipping options for vehicle listings. If a consumer is surveying a dealer’s listing and considering purchase, they can not only get an instant and guaranteed shipping quote for what that will cost, but when they’re ready, they can also go through with the transaction, pay at checkout, and book with the end-service provider that would handle the shipment.

Frictionless Shipping and Customer Delight

REID: A dealer can make sure they have an easy experience for both their customers and themselves by doing three key things:

First, Make sure the vehicle is ready for pickup so the first available picking date that is communicated to the service provider needs to be as solid as possible.

Next, I’d make sure your vehicle is documented at the point of pickup so that all conditions, any pre-existing damage, scuffs, mileage, all those conditions are noted at the point of pickup.

Finally, you can facilitate the transaction yourself by helping communicate with the driver and making sure they have as easy of an experience as possible, knowing that you know if there are any special hours for loading or any areas of the dealership they need to arrive in they know that ahead of time.

How does it work for the dealer?

REID: While the vehicle is in transport, you’ll be receiving status and updates for how far the vehicle is out and when the expected delivery is. When the vehicle arrives, it’s really easy. All you need to do is work with the driver to complete a delivery inspection. This will be something called the BOL (Bill of Lading). This is where you mark any conditions or damage notes that you may see on the vehicle and also sign-off that it has been delivered. Once that’s complete, the driver will be paid automatically and your vehicle is good to go.

Shipping, from a Buyer’s Perspective

REID: As a buyer, transportation really matters because it helps you expand your shopping experience. A lot of customers don’t necessarily want to stick to their local inventory at area dealerships and they want to be able to easily shop online and look at inventory that might be 500 miles away or even a thousand miles away. Knowing that they have easy shipping solutions and options really helps them work with dealers that might not be in their local footprint.

Car Shipping as a Competitive Edge

REID: For dealerships that are looking to use shipping as a competitive advantage, I would say they want to not only offer home delivery for their buyers, I think with e-commerce continuing to thrive and grow that’s something that customers will be demanding. So, whether it’s local or it’s a cross-country delivery, that’s something that dealers need to enable.

Additionally, I note that on the sourcing side for vehicles, dealers can leverage shipping as a way to get unique inventory into their local market that might have a better margin or might be more in demand in that local market yet is limited in supply. So, vehicle shipping can be a strategic tool to again both move vehicles out but also move vehicles in.

uShip’s Cost Savings and Strategic Advantages

REID: So, first of all, Holding Costs again are the daily expenses that a dealer incurs just keeping a vehicle in inventory. On average, this can be $40 for new vehicles or up to $85 per day for pre-owned. This includes financing, cleaning, depreciation costs, and opportunity costs. By using shipping to impact this, you can make sure that you have expedited pickup and deliveries to try to get vehicles off your books as quickly as possible. So when somebody is buying online you know if you can’t provide expedited shipping services this really helps get that vehicle delivered and paid and cleared from your books.

eBay + Dealer + uShip = Happy Customer

REID: I think the user experience is increasingly important because the industry is becoming so competitive with e-commerce and online buying accelerating you know the end-shipping solution is very critical. Additionally, really specific to eBay, you know the nature of eBay’s inventory involves a lot of passion purchases where people are buying their dream car sometimes. It could be that Corvette they’ve waited a decade to save up for or waiting for the kids to move out of the house. Whatever it is, it’s a very important moment for them.

So for dealers selling to them and leveraging transportation through eBay, you know you really want that end-to-end consumer experience to be tight and transportation is really the final touchpoint in that experience. You want a trusted and reliable provider that can make sure that the final handoff to the customer is as solid as the very beginning was. This ultimately keeps them coming back for more and are very satisfied with your service.

As an eBay dealer, you want a solution like uShip to really make your shipping life as easy as it can be. Because of the integrations we have, because of the robust market data and competitive rates basically, great transportation options are just a few clicks away and allow you to easily connect with great service providers at a great price to both enable your business but also to keep your in customers as satisfied as possible and make it a great experience A to Z.

The post How Auto Dealers on eBay Motors Are Using uShip Logistics to Ship appeared first on The uShip Blog.

Here are five handy tips for transporters looking to ramp up business in 2021 and make more money.

Take Stock of Your Brand

You may not think of your business as a ‘brand’ like Apple, Uber, or UPS, but it is. When you pull up to a pickup or drop off location, you ARE a brand. It makes an instant impression on your customer.

So how do you want your business brand presented in 2021?

Equipment Appearance

More than anything, your van, truck, and/or trailer make the biggest, most significant impression when you arrive at your pickup or delivery location. Is it dirty, scratched, dented, and full of faded bumper stickers? Or is it a clean vehicle, even if well-traveled? Ultimately your vehicle can represent to customers how you care for their goods — and more importantly, determine if they’ll use your services again.

While you may not have the time nor money to fix dents, the easiest way to spruce up your equipment is with a good wash. To find one near you, download the Blue Beacon Truck Wash app to find a place to scrub up near you.

Personal Appearance

Driving many hours and hundreds of miles every day is no easy task. You’re on constant deadlines, problem-solving on the fly, battling traffic, and trying to keep rested as best you can. So it’s no wonder you may feel and appear a bit frazzled on pickup and delivery.

Unfortunately, the customer typically doesn’t see it that way. Similar to your vehicle condition, they instantly make a judgment of your business brand based on how you present yourself.

So how do you balance the realities of the road and customer expectations?

One tip is to pack a small bag with some extra items specifically for pickup and delivery locations. For example:

• Keep a few extra clean shirts handy. “Clean” is the operative word here, and while your beloved Cleveland Browns t-shirt may display your hometown team spirit, it’s not an ideal presentation style. And your customer may be a Steelers fan (gasp!). If you can get shirts with your company name on them, that’s awesome but certainly not required.
• In the jeans/pants vs. shorts debate, pants win. When it comes to customer presentation, throw on a pair of jeans or work pants. Naturally, if it’s 120F and 85% humidity, shorts would likely be considered acceptable. Use your judgment.
• Wear close-toed footwear like boots or tennis shoes. It’s not only far safer, but nothing says “I couldn’t care less” like a pair of Jimmy Buffet flip-flops.
• Throw on an unbranded hat or run a brush across your hair. Your “You Mad, Bro?” hat is really fun and ironic but doesn’t necessarily carry the professional appeal your customers are looking for or are used to from their UPS and FedEx driver.

To be crystal clear, these are not uShip requirements. However, they are based on direct feedback from many In-Home Delivery partners such as Chairish, 1stdibs, Sotheby’s Home, and more who want their customers’ delivery experience to be top-notch. So by adopting these standards, you’ll also be elevating and building your business in 2021.

Over-Communicate and Use eBOL

Amazon Prime has created an e-commerce world where customers expect constant communication about their order status. And that trend is now bleeding into large and bulky deliveries.

To keep up with The Joneses in 2021, this means you need to over-communicate throughout the entire transaction. One important way to do this is by using Electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL) within the uShip app. It not only provides proper and better documentation, but it also enables better status tracking so customers can keep track of the latest developments.

Read more about the benefits of eBOL here and 5 ways eBOL beats the pants off paper BOL.

Review and Update Your Profile

The new year is also a chance to show off a new you. uShip provides every service provider on its shipping platform with a free built-in marketing tool called a profile page.

If you’re a service provider, it’s on this profile page that you have the opportunity to post (or update) a brief writeup or biography in the About The Company section to:

• Make your company shine
• Build trust with potential customers
• Give them a reason to believe you’re the best transporter for the job
• If you’ve already written one, it’s probably time for a quick refresh. Perhaps you’ve added more equipment, categories, or capabilities. You can also add more photos of what you ship and of your trucks and trailers.

Be sure to read our post about the ingredient most commonly missing from carriers’ profile pages.

Take Advantage of Fee Reductions and Account Credits

Thousands of carriers have built their over-the-road transport business on the back of uShip. Why? Because it’s a great place to find and book new and repeat business.

To help you keep more money in your pocket, uShip offers several opportunities for booking fee reductions or uShip account credits depending on what you haul, how far you travel, and how often you book.

Keep track of reduced fee options on our Fee Reductions page, whether you haul motorcycles, household goods, vehicles, heavy equipment, or something else. Above is an example of how much more transporters can earn on longer-distance household goods shipments.

Prepare Your Equipment

No amount of presentation or profile improvements can compensate for equipment that doesn’t work. Do yourself and your customers a huge favor by winterizing your equipment if you haven’t already, everything from tires to belts to lights. A few minutes now will save time, money, and reputation down the road.

Since you’re busy, here is a list from Advance Auto Parts on winterizing your vehicle along with a short checklist below.

Conclusion

It’s time to say buh-bye to 2020 and welcome in 2021 with open arms. Since “luck favors the prepared,” it’s time to get moving and align yourself for success.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Prepare for a Successful 2021 appeared first on The uShip Blog.

And true to the law of supply and demand, more eyeballs increase your chance of getting your asking price, especially from high-intent, motivated buyers on eBay Motors compared to other sites.

Outside of the buying audience, what other key factors make eBay Motors the best way to sell your car online? From the shopping experience to vehicle delivery, here are some key differentiators that set them apart:

Feedback Scores

When buying or selling anything online, you’re likely entering into a transaction with a complete stranger or unknown company. While virtually every site has this function today, buyer and seller feedback scores and reviews were pioneered by eBay and have become a cornerstone of trust in e-commerce.

High-ticket items like vehicles are at stake so feedback and reviews become that much more important, especially when dealing with private parties. The system gives you a glimpse into a user’s background — what they often buy or sell, how they respond to questions, and more. It begins to paint a picture of who they are. When combined with other security measures, it gives you greater peace of mind when transacting online.

Escrow Protection

While feedback and ratings are a critical first step in knowing the legitimacy of potential buyers, how can you trust that you’re about to enter into a safe transaction? There’s no shortage of fraudsters online who will gladly take your money — and that’s the value of Escrow.com.

Escrow.com has partnered with eBay Motors to offer escrow services to protect buyers and sellers during their transactions. It’s a third-party financial organization that ensures your transaction on eBay Motors will be processed quickly, safely, and securely.

It works because, as a seller, you’ll receive a payment confirmation with the funds safely in escrow. This gives the buyer a chance to know the car you’re selling is real and as advertised. Once delivery is confirmed, Escrow.com releases funds to you.

Vehicle Inspections

Outside of payment, one of buyers’ biggest hesitations is buying a car online sight unseen. There’s no shortage of horror stories — cars that arrive and look NOTHING like the photos. That’s where WeGoLook comes in.

WeGoLook has partnered with eBay Motors to offer inspections to customers, providing another level of trust and confidence when buying vehicles online. Customers can request a WeGoLook inspection directly from an eBay Motors listing.

Secure Payments

Since vehicles are a high-ticket item, the payment form is key to making the transaction as safe as possible. eBay Motors offers a multitude of options, but it’s recommended that you use PayPal, Bill Me Later, or Escrow.com.

Caution: if a buyer requests to pay via cashier’s check — and wants to give you more than the agreed-upon price, so you can wire the balance to them, run away. Fast. When the original check fails to clear, you as the seller are out the money that you wired back — and perhaps your car.

Transparent Shipping

Did you know that on eBay Motors over 70 percent of buyers are located at least two states away from the seller? In other words, shipping is a key factor in making vehicle purchase transactions work for both parties across state lines.

In fact, car and truck transport is one of the most underestimated aspects of selling one’s car online. By and large, sellers offer Local Pickup Only or leave it to the buyer to handle the logistics. Most buyers don’t know where to begin.

On eBay Motors, through its integration with long-time partner uShip, shipping providers and the shipping rates are shared right up front within every listing. This gives both parties delivery rates BEFORE any transaction is consummated. This expands your market as a seller and informs buyers so they can calculate the shipping cost into their total cost of purchase.

Shipping providers on uShip shown in each eBay Motors listing are feedback rated, almost identical to eBay’s feedback system for rating buyers and sellers mentioned above.

What’s more, if rates provided are not to a buyer’s liking, they can always turn to the uShip open marketplace where they can get auction-style bids or name their own price to see if they can get a lower rate from thousands of other feedback-rated transport companies.

Purchase Protection

eBay Motors provides Vehicle Purchase Protection, but only for transactions that start and are completed on the eBay Motors website. In addition, eBay does NOT hold payments or extend protection for non-eBay conducted transactions.

The only way to buy a vehicle on eBay Motors is by logging into your eBay account with a user ID/email address and password. One of the following needs to be true:

• You were the winning bidder on the auction
• You clicked ‘Buy it now’
• You sent a Best Offer and the seller accepted it
• In these cases, the item will always appear in the purchase history of your eBay account.

Conclusion

There’s no shortage of ways to buy and sell cars online today. But if you want the best, safe, and secure way to do so, eBay Motors is tops when it comes to getting your vehicle in front of the most, high-intent eyeballs and maximizing your asking price.

The post 6 Reasons eBay Motors is the Safest Way to Sell Your Car Online appeared first on The uShip Blog.