Advisor

Content on Jalopnik Advisor is commercial in nature and independent of Jalopnik Editorial and Advertising. Jalopnik Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website.

Car carrier on the highway. Freight transport, logistics cargo d

uShip Reviews

We give uShip a 4.5 out of 5.0-star rating and name it Best Shipping Marketplace. See what we learned about the company and its costs in our uShip review.

From our partner, uShip

01/04/2024 01:14 PM
uShip Best Shipping Marketplace
4.5
BBB Rating : A+ Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Offers complimentary vehicle tracking Affordable rates and pricing control Available in 50 states Provides a “Ship with Confidence” guarantee Extra insurance Cons No carrier or broker vetting process Customer service review below average Instant quotes may be more pricy than final rate (no guaranteed quotes). Not a direct shipping provider
Summary

Because of this marketplace structure, uShip is less accountable than brokers because its contracts aren’t standardized across carriers and the company doesn’t vet drivers’ backgrounds or insurance status. For marketplace listings, we recommend reviewing all shipment details, and vetting carriers for customer ratings and insurance status.

Pros

  • Highly customizable car shipping plans
  • Lower prices due to carrier competition
  • Easy shipment tracking
  • Offers a “Ship with Confidence” guarantee

Cons

  • Doesn’t vet carriers
  • No guaranteed pricing
  • Hefty service fees

uShip Rating

4.5

Bottom Line

uShip’s services are unique in the industry since it functions as an online marketplace, where carriers bid on transport jobs. The company has many positive uShip reviews and offers several car shipping services.

Playing the role of neither carrier nor broker, uShip connects you with potential transporters who bid on your auto transport job. It’s a fascinating shipping model that, according to uShip reviews, places control into customers’ hands.

While many view this flexibility as a positive, uShip reviews sometimes reveal overwhelmed individuals who want auto transport companies to take care of the details. If that might be you, check out our full review of the country’s best car shipping companies. If you may be interested in uShip, this review rates the company based on cost, services, reputation, and customer experience.

uShip Rating: 4.5 Stars

Though uShip reviews call its bidding and shipping processes somewhat intimidating at first and a few customers report having issues with its carriers, many love the flexibility and savings that make uShip our choice as the Best Shipping Marketplace.

Review CategoryRatings Score
Reputation4.5
Price4.5
Services5
Customer Experience4.2
Overall Rating4.5

uShip Overview

Year Founded: 2003
Location: Austin, Texas
Service Area: All 50 states and international

Since 2004, the uShip marketplace has connected over 6 million clients with car transporters who fit their budget and needs. The marketplace doesn’t have a dedicated shipping fleet, and instead, lets independent carriers bid for your business. The Austin, Texas-based company is a longtime partner of eBay and a regular on the TV program “Shipping Wars.”

The uShip marketplace lets you post jobs for various shipping services, including vehicle shipping to all 50 states as well as RV, motorcycle, and boat shipping. The company has many positive uShip reviews, including an A+ rating and an average customer rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.0 on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

In our car shipping survey, uShip was the fourth most popular company used by respondents, with 80 people out of 1,000 saying they used the marketplace for their auto transport needs.

Popular car shipping providers placed into a bar graph, including uShip

For these reasons and more, we name uShip the Best Shipping Marketplace of 2022.


Car Shipping Cost: uShip

Since uShip allows for an unlimited number of bids on each shipment, prices in the company’s marketplace can vary widely from one bid to the next. Offers for cheap car shipping are usually easy to find, though pricier bids often provide extra assurances of your vehicle’s protection.

The overall theme, according to uShip reviews, is personal choice. You can generally choose as many or as few benefits as you’d like, since there are countless shipping options available in the uShip marketplace. Expect uShip to meet your budget needs, whether you’re looking for a low-cost delivery or one that includes all the bells and whistles.

uShip Instant Quotes

In addition to posting to the shipping marketplace, you can request uShip instant quotes on uShip.com. While some people may prefer to skip the usual uShip bidding process, they’ll find above-average shipping rates when using the instant quote feature. The provider’s top benefits come via the online marketplace, so it may be best to pass on uShip instant quotes.

However, to give you some idea of instant quote prices, we’ve included a few in the table below. Quoted rates are for an operable vehicle shipping in November.

uShip Quote

Shipping DistanceVehicleOpen/Enclosed TransportuShip Instant Quote Estimate
Charlotte, North Carolina to Cleveland, Ohio (515 miles)2018 Hyundai ElantraOpen$638
Rapid City, South Dakota to Atlanta, Georgia (1,504 miles)2018 Hyundai ElantraOpen$1,596
Rapid City, South Dakota to Atlanta, Georgia (1,504 miles)2018 Hyundai ElantraEnclosed$2,118
Washington, District of Columbia to Seattle, Washington (2,761 miles)2018 Hyundai ElantraOpen$1,614

Prices in the table reflect instant quote estimates, so expect considerably lower prices if you let carriers bid on shipping your vehicle in the uShip marketplace. Because uShip does not offer guaranteed pricing, your car shipping costs could unexpectedly increase under the wrong conditions.

uShip Auto Shipping Cost Factors

Rates received from uShip could also rise due to a range of outside factors, including:

  • Time of year: Summer months and January tend to be more expensive
  • Vehicle size: The larger the car, the more expensive it will be to move
  • Urgency: The sooner you need the delivery date, the more it will cost
  • Transport type: Open car transport is cheaper than enclosed car transport
  • Distance: Coast-to-coast car shipping costs more overall than regional routes but less per mile
  • Delivery location: It costs less to deliver vehicles to major cities like New York than more rural areas
  • Delivery method: Door-to-door shipping is pricier than terminal-to-terminal
  • Price of fuel: If fuel prices are higher, expect your car shipment rates to be as well

Some of the best ways to keep delivery costs down are to send your shipment using open transport and to choose terminal-to-terminal delivery. Leaving a wide-open window for potential delivery dates can also contribute to lower shipping prices.


Car Shipping Services: uShip

Due to the vast scale of its online marketplace, there’s very little that can’t be delivered through uShip. Though challenging orders lead to increased prices, uShip can generally cover:

  • Cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks
  • Motorcycles
  • All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
  • Boats, campers, and recreational vehicles (RVs)
  • Heavy equipment
  • Inoperable vehicles and some bulky household items
  • Collector and classic cars
  • Open or enclosed transport
  • Door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport
  • Expedited shipping
  • Shipping a car to Hawaii, Alaska, and international long-distance delivery locations
  • Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping

One major advantage mentioned in uShip reviews is its real-time vehicle tracking service, which comes at no extra cost and can be pulled up anytime via the uShip mobile app. Another great feature is the “Ship with Confidence” guarantee, through which uShip offers to pay up to $500 if items in your shipment are damaged, lost, or stolen and you can’t get compensated through the carrier’s insurance company or the optional policy you purchased from uShip.

Where uShip falls short is in its approval of all car carriers, regardless of customer reviews or shipping standards. Some transporters on the uShip marketplace may offer no cargo insurance whatsoever, so be extremely careful when selecting a carrier.


uShip Reviews

uShip reviews are generally impressive, especially considering that its marketplace is open to providers with varying track records. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and gets overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.0 from the website’s users. It also has a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars from more than 11,000 customers on Trustpilot.

uShip Customer Satisfaction

According to our survey, we found that 59 percent of respondents who used uShip were satisfied with their vehicle transport. The most common complaints about uShip from customers regard shippers missing their pick up dates and poor communication with truck drivers. 

Here’s a closer look at how uShip customer satisfaction broke down in our survey:

Pie chart showing uShip reviews and customer satisfaction from our survey

Positive uShip Reviews

Positive reviews of uShip mention the ease of using uShip’s marketplace, the excellent car tracking services provided, and low overall uShip costs.

“As a first-time user of uShip I found the process fairly easy. The estimate and listing process was straightforward. I found excellent drivers within one to three days of my listing. The drivers were experienced and friendly. I got up-to-date reports on their status.”

– Susan G., BBB

“Well designed and easy to use. Within two days I had multiple bids on my shipment. The shipper I went with was professional and on time–at less than half the price of quotes I received when I directly contacted large providers.”

– Joe R., BBB

Negative uShip Reviews

Less satisfied patrons leave uShip reviews mentioning the hassle of dealing with irresponsible carriers and a hands-off approach to conflict resolution.

“Worst customer service I have ever dealt with. Refuse to take responsibility for the companies that haul for them. Pass the buck seems to be the way.”

– Mike R., Trustpilot

“Beware. uShip brokered a delivery job and their service provider took my money without doing the job. uShip has been nothing but unresponsive and unhelpful in getting my full refund.”

– Dozie A., Trustpilot

Keep in mind that uShip pairs customers with drivers, so your final experience will depend largely on the mover that books your shipment.

uShip Best Shipping Marketplace
4.5
BBB Rating : A+ Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Offers complimentary vehicle tracking Affordable rates and pricing control Available in 50 states Provides a “Ship with Confidence” guarantee Extra insurance Cons No carrier or broker vetting process Customer service review below average Instant quotes may be more pricy than final rate (no guaranteed quotes). Not a direct shipping provider
Summary

Because of this marketplace structure, uShip is less accountable than brokers because its contracts aren’t standardized across carriers and the company doesn’t vet drivers’ backgrounds or insurance status. For marketplace listings, we recommend reviewing all shipment details, and vetting carriers for customer ratings and insurance status.


uShip Car Shipping: Conclusion

While you can find competitive prices on uShip, it’s worth comparing prices from brokers too.

uShip Auto Transport Competitors: Our Top Picks

We recommend reaching out to Sherpa Auto Transport and Montway Auto Transport for car shipping quotes.

Sherpa Auto Transport: 4.5 Stars

If you’re looking for some of the industry’s highest customer service standards, consider Sherpa Auto Transport. Though its rates are slightly more expensive than those from other providers, few car moving companies can match Sherpa’s customer focus.

Various Sherpa Auto Transport reviews praise the company’s transparency, even during shipping. Perhaps the top advantage of Sherpa Auto Transport, though, is the Price Lock Promise, which promises that the cost for your shipment won’t increase once a quote has been accepted.

Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport reviews

Sherpa Auto Transport Best For Locked-In Rates
4.5
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 888-202-7706 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Locked-in shipping rates through the Price Lock Promise Vetted network of reliable and friendly carriers Strong customer service ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Offers a Clean Car Guarantee Cons Slightly higher prices than competitors Does not provide terminal-to-terminal shipping
Summary

Sherpa Auto Transport has many strengths, from excellent customer service to the added security of the Price Lock Promise. We name Sherpa the Best for Locked-In Rates in the auto transport industry, though the company’s benefits go far beyond that.

Montway Auto Transport: 4.6 Stars

It’s hard to find a better bang for your buck than what’s offered by Montway Auto Transport. Rates from the provider are consistently some of the cheapest around.

Customers seem happy with Montway Auto Transport overall, giving it a 4.7-star average out of 5.0 from more than 15,000 Google reviews. With a low average price and content customers, Montway Auto Transport earns our recognition as the Best Reputation car transporter.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport review.

Montway Auto Transport Our #1 Rated Provider
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 844-601-0286 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Strong reputation, customer satisfaction, and industry ratings Carrier vetting Large network of 30,000+ carriers Offers expedited delivery Competitive pricing Cons No real-time tracking or mobile-app; must contact company for tracking info No guaranteed pricing $249 cancellation fee No specialty shipping services for recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, trailers, or other watercraft Intrusive Pop-up Ads
Summary

Montway Auto Transport is a reputable auto transport broker offering several car shipping services and cheap car shipping rates. We named it the Best Reputation car shipping company for 2024.

uShip Reviews: FAQ

We reviewed uShip and rate it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Below are some frequently asked questions about uShip:

Is uShip safe to use?

Though uShip is generally safe to use, fraud does exist in the shipping industry. uShip provides guidelines to avoid scammers on its website.

Is uShip reputable?

As shown by its BBB accreditation and 4.3-star rating from over 11,000 Trustpilot reviews, uShip is a reputable car shipping company. Customers have come to expect a cost-effective uShip marketplace, and the vast majority walk away satisfied. uShip reviews also mention friendly customer support staff.

How long does uShip take to deliver?

Transports 1,000 miles and under can take up to five days. Shipments 1,500 miles or more can take up to nine days for delivery.

Can you get scammed on uShip?

While uShip works to make its platform reputable, it’s possible for uShip customers who don’t carefully vet vehicle movers to get scammed. The company doesn’t check whether transportation service providers on the marketplace carry insurance coverage, and you’ll need to check whether each auto shipping company is licensed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for your own peace of mind.

What is the uShip fee?

While uShip service charges vary based on the shipment, they’re usually under $100. Many uShip reviews criticize the company for its fees, though, believing them to be too high at checkout.

How does uShip work?

Along with basic vehicle details, uShip asks the shipping customer where the car will be heading and what the time frame for delivery is. Then, the customer can either ask for an instant quote or post the details of their shipment in the uShip marketplace to receive bids from trucking carriers.

Where does uShip operate?

Since uShip operates in all 50 states and internationally, most customers will find that uShip can transport their vehicles wherever they need to go.

How does the uShip cancellation process work?

If you need to cancel a uShip order before it’s been picked up, head to the uShip website or uShip app and log into your account. Click “cancel” next to your specific shipment and fill out the following form. While uShip doesn’t charge cancellation fees, uShip reviews mention that your specific shipping provider may.

Does uShip have a deductible?

Your uShip premium for cargo insurance depends on the value of the item you are shipping when booking. The price will be displayed at that time. Typically, the company offers minimum deductibles of $50, $250, $500, or $750 depending on the type and value of the goods being shipped.

How We Rate Auto Shippers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
  • Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
  • Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.

*Data accurate at time of publication.