Shiply Review 2024: Cost, Services & Customer Experience
Here’s the bottom line: Shiply isn’t actually a shipping company, but it connects customers to reputable delivery companies in the U.S. and U.K. It takes the hard work out of vetting and requesting quotes from companies while mitigating potential moving scams.
Shiply is an online shipping marketplace for people looking for moving companies that move cars and furniture, as well as boats and other vehicles, across long distances. The website is straightforward and user-friendly, demonstrating a strong commitment to streamlining the moving process. The company has partner carriers in all 50 states, but it’s primarily based in the U.K.
Keep reading our review of Shiply to discover if the company’s the right fit for your budget and the items you need to ship.
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Pros & Cons of Shiply
- Inexpensive shipping costs compared to many of its competitors
- Free quotes
- Full refunds if transporters cancel
- Participates in eco-friendly initiatives and holds credentials, such as the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge and National eWell-Being Award
- No real-time customer support, even by phone call, is available in the U.S.
- Quotes may take hours or days to arrive, so next-day service may be challenging
Key Takeaways
- Shiply is a marketplace where verified shipping carriers can bid on customers’ moving needs.
- The company maintains largely positive customer reviews on review sites, but it’s important to note that the service quality can vary considerably from provider to provider.
- It advertises that its prices are 75% cheaper than booking directly with carriers.
Jump to the Shiply info you’re looking for:
- Shiply pricing
- Shiply services
- Shiply vs. the competition
- How moving with Shiply works
- Who Shiply is best for
- FAQ
Shiply pricing: How much it costs to move
After posting your service request, you’ll receive pricing estimates from various providers via email.
Here is a breakdown of Shiply pricing:
- Automobile shipping rates vary based on the vehicle size, condition, location, distance, and other factors. The prices in the U.S. market range from $0.78 to $2.92 per mile.
- Auto parts shipping rates range from $0.26 to $1.36 per mile.
- Based on standard rates, furniture transportation ranges from $75–$250 locally or $300–$600 long-distance.
- Moving services (household) range from $300–$500 locally and $1,500–$3,000 for interstate or long-distance moves.
- Pet transportation services range from $300–$500 locally and $350–$600 for long-distance U.S.-based destinations.
After accepting the quote, you’ll be required to pay a deposit using a credit or debit card. You’ll pay the remaining balance when your items are delivered. You can discuss the acceptable payment methods with your chosen service provider.
Check out our guides to compare car shipping companies and prices by state.
Shiply offers a wide variety of services
Shiply’s marketplace model allows it to offer a wide variety of delivery services to meet the needs of its customers:
- Motorbike transport: Motorcycles can either be driven to the destination by a service provider or transported on a moving company trailer that is either open or enclosed.
- Car transport: Automobiles generally may be either transported door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal. The vehicle is driven by a service provider to the destination or transported on a trailer. Vehicles are either loaded and shipped in an open or enclosed trailer.
- Boat and RV transport: Boats moving to international destinations are generally rolled on and off a trailer for transport. Sometimes, they tightly secure boats to a transport boat on a flat rack. Recreational vehicle (RV) transportation options include flatbed, tow-away (tow-behind), or driven by an authorized person.
- eBay deliveries: Shiply maintains compatibility with eBay’s application, and their buyers and sellers represent many of the site’s customers.
- Fragile item transport: Shiply advises shippers of fragile items about the importance of correctly sized packaging, using protective material such as bubble wrap or tissue, and clearly labeling the package as fragile.
- Truckload freight shipping/pallet shipping: Before pickup, items are often placed on pallets or in crates and transported by various transportation methods via land, sea, or air. The two primary options include less-than-truckload (LTL) — which is part of a truck used for a different shipment — or full truckload. They put the contents of LTL shipments in pallets for easier movement during the more frequent pickup and drop-off activities.
- Heavy equipment transport: Equipment commonly used in industrial or construction activity can be transported by Shiply using include lowboy trucks, flatbed trailers, step deck trailers, and removable gooseneck trailers. This type of shipping is inherently challenging and typically involves obtaining permits for more substantial liability insurance coverage.
- International shipping: Shiply fits well into this sector, as finding goods for backload transportation remains important within the international market.
- Auto parts shipping: Shiply offers transportation services for new or used auto parts and components.
- Pet shipping: Pets require placement in a suitable carrier for safety reasons.
- Moving/household goods shipping: Available services range from self-service moves with minimal service provider assistance to white-glove moving services, which are all-inclusive and hassle-free. White-glove services typically include packing and unpacking, among other services.
- Furniture delivery: Shiply can deliver new and used furniture with optional assembly, disassembly, upper or lower floor placement, and more.
How Shiply stacks up against the competition
Shiply didn’t make it onto our list of the best car shipping companies, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth consideration. You can decide by comparing Shiply’s service offerings, reputation, guarantees, and delivery time frame to similar companies like uShip and Ship A Car Direct.
Shiply vs. uShip
Like Shiply, uShip is a marketplace. Customers moving locally or on a smaller scale can rent a portion of another customer’s truckload or schedule large items and auto transport in a dedicated truck of their own.
Because uShip is a marketplace, it also doesn’t offer a traditional quote process. After you submit your service request, uShip‘s verified carriers will send you competitive bids.
You can ship specialty items like pianos, antique cars, and even precious items like your family pet or a boat. Shiply’s services are remarkably similar, and both companies maintain a Trustpilot score within the excellent range.
We recommend requesting bids from both companies and comparing your results to get the best deal and timeline for your shipping needs.
Shiply vs. Ship A Car Direct
Shiply’s marketplace model allows you to shop and compare bids from different transport companies, while Ship A Car Direct brokers deals directly.
Instead of sending bids your way, you’ll go through a more conventional quote process that estimates your expected cost to ship your items, then the company will finalize the deal with a partner carrier.
Ship A Car Direct is only an option if you’re shipping a car. It doesn’t provide transport for boats, RVs, or household goods.
If you’re heading several states away, here are the cheapest ways to ship a car across the country.
| Company | BBB score | State availability | Guaranteed delivery time? |
| Shiply | NR | 50 | No |
| UShip | A+ | 50 | No |
| Ship A Car Direct | A+ | 47 (not in AK, ND, or SD) | No |
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How moving with Shiply works
Shiply’s process is straightforward, and the company transparently outlines each step on its website.
We’ll break it down for you here:
- First, you’ll fill out a simple quote form detailing the items you need to move and where you need them to go.
- After you submit the form, your information will be advertised to various shipping carriers that will place bids on your booking. It’s important to note that Shiply doesn’t follow the typical quote process.
- Shipping companies will submit bids outlining the cost for your expected services and other details, such as the expected timeline.
- Before hiring a company, you can look at past customer reviews and confirm the company’s advertised credentials.
- When you’re ready to book, you’ll pay an initial deposit and receive your carrier’s direct contact information for any additional coordination and scheduling.
Shiply Customer Reviews
Shiply is perfect for people who want a reliable auto transport company with glowing customer reviews.
The shipping industry is a mixed bag of transport companies with some positive customer reviews and some scathing, so finding a company that meets all your needs can be challenging. Shiply takes the hard work out of locating a shipping company yourself, and its services have landed it more than 52,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot.
All you have to do is fill out a simple form and the company will publicize your job to verified carriers that can fulfill your needs. From there, you’ll receive bids and can choose the one that best meets your needs and timeline. You can also review previous customer reviews to ensure you work with a reliable company.
Need to move more household items? Take a look at our best interstate moving companies round-up to find more self- and full-service providers.
FAQ
How long does it take for Shiply to ship?
Shiply doesn’t have a standardized shipping timeline because it works with independent transport companies. We recommend prioritizing great communication with your chosen shipper so you understand the shipping timeline, especially your expected delivery date.
Is Shiply expensive?
No, Shiply isn’t expensive. Shiply advertises that its prices are up to 75% cheaper than its competitors, but we recommend requesting several quotes from Shiply and comparing them to similar companies to find the best price.
Does Shiply provide packing materials?
Shiply doesn’t provide packing materials by default, but you can request them in your booking if you need them for your move.
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