The Pros and Cons of Using Online Vehicle Shipping Marketplaces

The vehicle shipping industry is a complex and competitive market where several influential factors count when determining the cost of shipping a car. Understanding the dynamics of the market, from seasonal demand to regional responsible considerations, is important for anybody desiring to ship a vehicle. In this guide, we take a look at how seasonal demand drives vehicle shipping prices up or down, how to plan around this fluctuation, and the benefits that online marketplaces have for shipping vehicles.

Key Facts:

The price of shipping a vehicle varies with seasonal demand. Prices rise during peak summer and holiday weeks in comparison with the lower off-peak winter and spring seasons.
A snowstorm or a hurricane can indeed impede the process of shipping due to foul weather and cost more.
Online marketplaces for vehicle shipping are as easy and cheap as they can get. The inclusions include real-time tracking, insurance if needed, and a top-notch support system for customers.
Seasonal shipment planning will not only save money but also avoid the hustle and bustle of the last moments.

Continue reading to learn more about the effect of seasonal demand on vehicle shipping prices and how you can plan your shipment accordingly. Besides, learn more about the use of online marketplaces for vehicle shipping and how you can save both time and money on your next shipment.

The Pros of Using Online Vehicle Shipping Marketplaces

Transporting a car can be an overwhelming affair owing to the large number of options that one has to choose from, not to mention sifting through the reviews of various carriers. This is where online marketplaces like uShip can be a good solution for this trouble. They offer a most convenient, easy-to-use platform for booking and getting vehicle shipment management done.

Convenience and Ease of Use

The greatest benefit associated with an online marketplace for vehicle shipping is convenience. By just making a few clicks, you can compare many carriers, acquire instant quotes, and book your shipment. No more hours wasted on the phone or driving to different carrier offices. Online marketplaces give you an easy way of managing your shipment from the comfort of your home.

Competitive Pricing

Another advantage of the online marketplaces is competitive pricing. They are capable of comparing several quotes from several carriers provided by the online market, hence the competition and lower prices. In this way, you can get the best deal for your vehicle shipment without spending hours and hours on research and negotiations with individual carriers.

Access to a Large Pool of Carriers

Online marketplaces provide a large network of vetted carriers, granting relatively easy access to the best deal with a lot of options and flexibility. However, from searching for the best carrier in relevance to the needs and budget, online markets also cater to every vehicle, from cars to trucks to motorcycles and others. With the power to read reviews and check ratings, you can rest assured you work with a reputable and reliable carrier.

Transparent Reviews and Ratings

Another benefit that speaks even louder of online marketplaces is that they allow clients to write reviews, thus rating the carriers and helping others make a decision. You may check the reviews and carrier ratings in different sections, such as reliability, communication, and overall service quality. This factor will protect you from potential pitfalls and help you make a preference toward the carrier of your choice.

The Cons of Using Online Vehicle Shipping Marketplaces

Online vehicle shipping marketplaces may be a very convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation, but considering the following, there may be some potential cons to this mode as well.

Potential for Hidden Costs

Among the concerns about using online marketplaces be it LTL shipping or any other type of transportation is the potential for hidden costs. One can be easily carried away by the joy of finding the best bargain with manageable prices and services. However, if one is not so cautious, one might end up incurring unexpected fees or charges that were never clearly articulated from the start. This can be frustrating and expensive, so taking the time to read the fine print and ask questions before booking your shipment is very important.

Differentiated Quality of Service

Another possible detriment of using online marketplaces is that the service is much less reliable. In fact, when you book a shipment, you are actually entrusting your vehicle to a stranger. Although many carriers are professional and trustworthy, some may really land you in problems because of bad communication, delays, or—worse yet—damage to your car. Reduce the risk by doing good research on the carrier and reading what other customers have to say in reviews.

Limited Control Over Carrier Selection

Some online marketplaces might curtail your control over the ultimate pick of the carrier for your shipment, which can be really frustrating, especially if you have certain different wants and needs. For example, you may prefer a carrier dealing with classic car transport or one who has experience carrying large clumsy vehicles. If the platform does not give you an option to select the carrier, it might land you with a carrier that does not meet your wants.

Customer service challenges

In the end, there is bound to be a challenge with customer service. In any case, if there is a problem, communication is key. In the case of answered or unhelpful customer service from the platform, it would be a big bother and would get you frustrated for the fact that you would feel stranded out there. Prevent this by looking for platforms where good customer service is guaranteed, and there are many different contact ways like phone, email, or live chat.

How uShip Addresses the Cons

We understand that, with all the goods being shipped, customers consider the downside that may come with using an online vehicle shipping marketplace. For this very reason, at uShip, we have taken steps to help control these downsides and provide a hassle-free way of shipping.

Transparent Pricing with No Hidden Fees

We uphold transparency related to pricing. The platform itemizes all the costs, including the costs of shipping, insurance, and any other service that is covered. That way, you can see what you are paying for, and there will be no surprise fees.

Quality Assurance with Vetted Carriers

Quality is a cornerstone we value. During our due diligence vetting process, each carrier is given a full vetting of its safety record, insurance coverages, and customer testimonials. Per FMCSA, the top 10% have a 95% and higher safety rating. We are pleased to share that we hold most of the trusted carriers.

More Control in Selecting Carriers

We understand the importance of consumers having a choice over their shipping experience. With this in mind, let them have the option of choosing a carrier of choice based on reviews, ratings, and other criteria. According to a study, 85% of consumers brought online reviews as a vital point in deciding to make a purchase. Our huge network gives you the freedom to choose the best carrier that fits best for you.

Customer-Centric Support

We are dedicated to ensuring that your needs are well-served. Our service team will eagerly and kindly assist you with anything during or after the shipping process. A recent survey stated that 90% of customers considered service a vital basing factor when choosing a carrier. This is because our team is always available to serve you every day of the week so that your shipping experience is smooth and free from hassle.

Is an Online Vehicle Shipping Marketplace Right for You?

You may be considering shipping a vehicle and are wondering whether an online marketplace is the way to go. Breaking down your shipping needs and alternatives will help you decide more intelligently.

Consider Your Shipping Needs: Spend a little time before signing on with an online marketplace and nail down exactly what kind of vehicle shipping you’ll need. Ask yourself:

What type of vehicle would I want to ship?—car, truck, motorcycle, etc.
Where is it picked up, and where is it going?
How soon does it need to get there? Urgent, flexible, etc.
What is my budget for shipping it?
Do I have any special requests or concerns (insurance, tracking, etc.)?

Comparing Alternatives

Online marketplaces are very well-known for their services in vehicle shipping. There are, however, alternative methods through which one can get his vehicle moved from one point to another. Here are a few:

Direct Carrier: If you are insistent on using a specific carrier or have special requirements, then going directly to the airline is the best bet. Doing this, however, may narrow your choices and really jack up the prices.
Brokerage Services: Brokerage services put you in contact with a network of carriers but could charge you for their mediation services.
Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping: In this case, you will be dropping off and picking up your vehicle at assigned terminals. Although cheaper, it can be more of an annoyance to you in terms of the effort needed.

Under what circumstances might these options make more sense than an online marketplace?

If you are working with any one carrier or need specialized services, going direct with the airline might be your best avenue.
If you want more personalized service or other added services, then a brokerage service may be more suitable for your needs.
If you have an exceptionally low budget and do not mind the hassles of taking your car to the terminals and picking it up afterward, terminal-to-terminal shipping may be appropriate.

Conclusion

To sum up, online marketplaces are an easy and cheap way of shipping vehicles, but you always need to handle them through a reputable platform to make the experience smooth. Yes, it does come with pros and cons, but a trustable platform like uShip easily takes the risk out of the equation. So, when you choose uShip, it means competitive prices, wide options in shipping, and a network of trusted carriers.

Ready to start? Find out more about uShip vehicle services other members have used and get a rate now. Compare rates, read past experiences, and book with confidence at uShip. Don’t wait to get a quote and start shipping with uShip today!