uShip Forum / Discuss uShip Features & Functionality / The Bidding Process

New "My Rates" Feature

matt@uship.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:16:13 GMT

We're pretty excited about the new My Rates tool. It allows Transportation Service Providers to enter their standard rate tables and/or per mile rates into uShip. We then automatically calculate these rates for corresponding shipments and prefill the bid amount on the bid form.

My Rates is currently available in the Autos, Boats, Motorcycles and Local Moving categories. Please give it a try and let us know what you think. We've already collected a lot of input from our TSP's, but you can never have too much feedback!

You can find the link for My Rates in the Tools section of My uShip for Service Providers or just click here: http://www.uship.com/my_rates.aspx.

The uShip Product Team

Vendor raising price on a bid

ctreada — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:35:14 GMT

Is it against the rules of uShip for a service provider to raise the price on a bid after it has been submitted?

Thanks
Chris

Cancelled bids

AnnesLimo — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:45:32 GMT

Is it reasonable to think a TSP should give a reason why a bid is canceled? If the TSP has multiple bids in for a particular route and the bids auto cancel when one is accepted shouldn't the shipper be advised of such circumstance? Should the TSP be required to explain the cancelation reason?

Bid high or Bid low?

JTrack — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:19:51 GMT

I have a question for the other haulers on these boards. What have you found to be the best strategy when bidding? Make a fairly high bid and then lower it if your first one is outbid? Or is it better to make only one "best offer" bid and let the chips fall where they may? Your wisdom and insight is appreciated. Thank You.

Weird Bids

ConcreteAngel959 — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:41:00 GMT

I'd like to know where and how some of the providers come up with those off the wall bids! I mean, come on, 194.36? I've been running into alot of those lately. Can't you guys just give whole numbered bids please!

NEWS FLASH Tons of neg feedback and match retractions = DONT do business with!!!

SharraiTransport — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:17:25 GMT

First question: Why on earth do some shippers do business with a TSP that has a long history of negative feedback and match retractions??? Even if the TSP has given a $1000 underbid, so what?, "I'll take my chances"?? And then the shipper just ends up leaving more negative feedback themselves to add to the long list. Do they not check out profiles and read feedback? Or maybe they're used to winning in Vegas?

Second question: Isn't there some uShip rule that would keep TSP's like this from being able to use the "book it now" feature? Yes, they may have their 10+ positive feedback, but one guy I saw, that fortunately uShip finally booted, had 76% feedback. Maybe in school that was a passing grade, but when it comes to customer service that is just unacceptable, way below an F. It also seems very unfair for the shipper to have to deal with someone like this, and then when the deal goes south, its just one more job that an other TSP could have done and didn't have the opportunity.

Your thoughts?
-SharraiTransport

Sorry if this ends up being a repeat post, but I didn't see another thread on this subject.

Do bids include escorts if needed

sglover77 — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:37:36 GMT

I know the bids are to be all inclusive for tolls, fuel surcharges, etc.; but do they have to include escort fees since they may not be known? Are they usually included?

Thanks,

Steve

Hourly rates for local moves

4WeHelp — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:25:47 GMT

I placed a bid on a local move for a 1 br apartment with not much stuff at all. Uship posted my estimate as my truck fee plus 6 hours. It will no take 6 hours to do this job, it would be three to four hours tops.

Where did Uship get this crazy estimate and are they going to base my fees on the extremely high estimates?

I beat the target price

newryman — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:48:06 GMT

And still didn't get the job

http://www.uship.com/shipment/5-ton-truck/167324102/

Communication

AnnesLimo — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:17:30 GMT

The new cancellation policy has it's merits but I can't help thinking that the below statement should apply to shippers more than TSPs;

"# Avoid unnecessary cancellations by communicating

When a match is made, contact the other party as soon as possible and stay in contact with them throughout the transaction. Respond to emails and phone calls promptly. Many unnecessary cancellations occur because the customer and the TSP do not communicate well or enough."

In good faith you ask a question, place a bid and then listen for the pin to drop.... it gets very frustrating.

40 brown metal chairs

ramonnc — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:48:20 GMT

I would like to bid on the metal chairs. at $ 4.00 a chair if they are not sold and when will a bidder know when they can pick them up

Bid Clarification

at07 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:18:58 GMT

I am new to Uship and have a question about the bid shown. If I am wanting to make $400 on the load and use the bid calculator it shows to be $470. If I bid $470 is this the actual number that the shipper sees or should I input the $400 number. Just unsure as to whether or not to bid the Uship fees in or not.

Time Payment

RLCMJP — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:01:56 GMT

I Wonder why People can bid as low as 22cents per loaded mile, it cost 28c p m. for fuel, then ins, tires,maintanance, +++

Mininum $35 loading time, = $70 jb Hunt pays drivers 44c per mile

Me Finks J B is worth a CALL, SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNN

Uship fee at VISa statement

marinetransmission — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:17:18 GMT

Hy, does someone know how will the Uship fee apear at my VISA Statement?

As a purchase? Does it mention items to be shipped or listing number?

Thanks for your help.

Below Target Price ??

rtbt — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 08:27:00 GMT

Im trying to see the thinking on some bids I see, just looked at one with a target price of $3000.00 , the two bids were around $2500.00 and $1925.00 ......the man is willing to pay $3000.00 why start out lower than he is willing to pay , if anything go higher ..... you can always come down a little to be competitive......... maybe some one can explain that to me.

carrier or broker?

a2ztransport — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 15:31:27 GMT

I'm new to Uship although not new to vehicle transporting. We haul for dealers, auctions & personal vehicles & I usually get extra loads from Central Dispatch. I came across Uship accidentally thru ebay & decided to sign up. My question is: when I bid (or someone else bids) or when we ask a question of a shipper, is there a way for the shipper to know if we're actually a CARRIER or a BROKER. Nothing against brokers at all......I get majority of my loads from brokers! It's just that I've noticed some negative reactions from shippers when they realize that the person whose bid they've accepted is actually a broker, and can't give them specific information regarding pickup & delivery because they haven't given the shipment to a carrier yet!! Seems that it would simplify things for shippers up front if they were aware who they were dealing with. In some cases, I realize it wouldn't make a bit of difference as some shippers are in no hurry.....they are willing to wait & try for a better price. But others are rushed, and it would save time for them to know what's going on. Just a suggestion.

Where Do I find USHIPS Fees

thefreightman — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:09:24 GMT

Where Do I find USHIPS Fees

Competative bidding

AnnesLimo — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:42:00 GMT

What is the deal with the bidding war crap that TSP's engage. It's frustrating to say the least when bids are consistently undercut by others after they've already bid. No one wins in a bidding war and IMHO it's a dumb thing to start doing.

I know ... competition is the point but I always calculate what I need to make to do the job then bid accordingly as opposed to just trying to underbid everyone else.

Just my $.02!

ship it now

sweetwater — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:46:01 GMT

thanks alot, its hard to get the bids now , that dont break you!

how about uship leaves stuff alone ,thanks !!!

Payment question

neilpatel — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:25:06 GMT

Ok. So there's a fee that needs to be paid and the balance (quote - fee) gets paid directly to the carrier by me and the deposit amount gets paid to the carrier by Uship, correct?

I was quoted $900 for the move, but the carrier has decreased it to $700, via Uship emails. He has not updated this final quote of $700. Is this normal, is he supposed to formally change it, or should I watch out for something.

He wants me to pay him half now, via money gram and the remainder half in cash. Can the carrier dictate terms? What is money gram anyways?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

bid won't go though?

AsylumFarm — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:26:29 GMT

Ok, I've filled out all required fields, I've given my cc info, but when I click on "bid now" nothing happens -my bid won't go through and there is no explanation as to why not. Help!?!

Bid and Additional Fees?

tomjaynie — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:19:04 GMT

What does a bidder mean when they provide me with a bid and then add (plus U-Ship Fees). I'm new to all of this. Can anyone provide me with a description of these fees? I've been afraid to accept a bid because I don't know what these extra fees are. Thank you very much!

Newby Question

nofatwallet — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:37:04 GMT

I am new to uship and just won my first bid. When is payment made? At delivery or prior too? Is it paid through uship and I will have a balance like paypal, or handled outside of uship?

Thanks!

ansporting from USA to Canada

aatak61 — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:33:10 GMT

What is the preferred, most economical, most hassle-free routing to haul a boat trailer from WA state to Quebec, Canada?

Routing "A": Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC thence to Montreal, Quebec? Requires 1 or 2 separate shippers. Transfer point in Vancouver, BC.

Routing "B": Seattle, WA to Detroit, MI transfer point is in Detroit, MI thence by a Canadian shipper to Montreal, Quebec.

Bidding

jade7896 — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:42:43 GMT

This might seem stupid but i am new here and i am trying to figure out the bidding process, for example is there somewhere i can see what shippers mean by max or target?! And some of the bids seem way low, am i just reading it all wrong? How can they bid 200 bucks on a load that is 300 miles? How would a broker make any money off that let alone pay enough for the carrier to want to take the load? Am i just lost on how to read stuff on here? Please help!

underbiding Why.....

navigator — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:55:18 GMT

How can some of you underbid a clint, I see some call profesionals in here underbibing a max price from a clint may be you like to work for the fun of it but you shure are doing a tremendus damage to real pro drivers in here if you underbid a clint you killing your self if the guy say 900 why you underbid for 800 are you stupid or something and they know who I'm refering to I'm not going to mention any names but I see a lot in here.the only thing I can think of is the this providers are mickey mouse or don't pay insurance and have no flag .

DECLINED BID

steelhorsetransport — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 09:54:24 GMT

Mickey,

Any way you can change the place where a shipper declines a bid and puts OTHER to include a reason for the decline other then OTHER. Its pretty vague and I think it would be helpful if the service provider knew the reason behind OTHER. Thanks,

Eric@Steelhorse

Bid Calculator Confusing

Binspector — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:56:57 GMT

Maybe I am stupid but I just dont get it. I have read all the post and tried to figure it out but I cant.

I said I wanted to make 650.00 on a job. Uship put the bid at 730.40

I took 650.00/.921 and came up with 70.57 making it a total of 727.57

Is this correct or am I missing something? Not complaining about 3.00 just trying to figure this out.

Where does the deposit go???

sirshane — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:54:00 GMT

Does the deposit go to the shipper when the transaction is completed or back to me? I don't want to overpay him when he gets here.

Thanks-

RE;CONDUCT

MARKES64 — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:28:33 GMT

I HAD A POST ON HERE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY AND IT WAS REMOVED.FOR WHATEVER THE REASON IT IS NOW GONE.I FIND IT IRONIC THAT WE ALL CLAIM TO BE PROS AT WHAT WE DO BUT YET THEIR IS SO MUCH CHILD LIKE BEHAVIOR IT JUST AMAZES ME.I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN A SHIPPER HAS A TARGET OF $1500 THAT SOMEONE PUTS A BID FOR THAT AMOUNT AND THEN THE NEXT GUY COMES IN AND WOULD GO $300 LOWER.IT HAS TO MAKE IT APPEAR THAT WE ARE AMATURES HERE.IF IT IS A $1500 JOB WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD SOMEONE DO SUCH A CUT THROAT BID.I UNDERSTAND WE ARE ALL HERE LOOKING FOR WORK.BUT I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WOULD USE SUCH A AMATUER APPROACH TO GETTING A JOB.THEN WHEN SOMEONE HAS A .30 CENTS A MILE TARGET THEY GET REAMENED BY ALL THE READ IT.THESE UNREALISTIC TARGET PRICES ARE ONLY REASSURED BY THE CUT THROAT BIDDERS.SO WE ALL MIGHT WANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN THE NEXT GUY PLACES A LOW LOW TARGET.THIS IS JUST MY OWN THOUGHTS AND WAS WANTING TO SPELL IT OUT.WHAT DO YOU THINK???????????????????????

Contractor unreachable

farrahnoah — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:59:23 GMT

I recently posted a job, got 2 bids, excepted 1 b/c he had 42 good reviews and 0 negative ones. I emailed him over a week ago and never heard back, and the phone number says "temporarily disconnected". I tried to email uship service, and they did email me back, but i accidentally deleted it, before I could read it. Does anyone have an actual number for uship customer service, or does anyone know what i do next? uship has my deposit b/c you have to put down a deposit when you accept a bid.

false bids

wrangler7 — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:58:00 GMT

this is our first use of this site and someone named kellet sent a bid for 32oo something and not knowing who it was from and having more then one type of shipment we asked if they could ship other things? kellet then send a bid back for 1000.00 for the shipment with a denied shipment. this seems deceptive to us trying to pervert the bid sabotage our the bidding process or something. is that the tactics of some or is this being missread? it sure doesnt seem honest to us. someone have any experience or explanation of tactics here?

contacting provider

gallagp — Wed, 02 May 2007 14:00:27 GMT

I listed a shipment to move a boat from fla to Houston. Recieved two bids I felt were fair but they expired before I could respond. How can I contact bidders?

Keep it simple

rodL — Wed, 02 May 2007 09:19:28 GMT

Something that would make bidding a lot easier for us..When I have something in my "Watch list" and decide to make a bid on it, it disappears out of my watch list and is transferred down to "Active Bids"---Why not just leave in watch list so if bid is declined, I don't have to search for it all over again? Would make process simpler instead of finding email for bid decline and linking to new page. Just an idea......

is a bid that's accepted not a commitment both ways?

billd — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:04:27 GMT

When the person who has an item to ship accepts a bid, it's stated on the screen that you are making a binding commitment to the process or words to that effect, and commit to use that shipper to move your items.
However, does that not go both ways?
If a "shipper" or the person doing the transporting makes a bid, is there not an expectation that it may be accepted and then an expectation that the service will be performed?

If on ebay, both seller and buyer are making commitments. Don't post if you don't have a reasonable expectation that you can fulfill what you set out to do.

However, here, it seems that a lot of folks make bids, then gee, sorry, I guess I won't do it afterall. That is rude, unprofessional and may be putting the person who has an item to ship through a lot of hardship because of the time you've taken while their item is locked in the agreement - and in the meantime, until you get your act together, or decide you made a bid that will cost YOU money and "change your mind", no one else can bid.
Personally, I view it as an electronic contract.

If you ain't gonna haul it, please don't bid, is my opinion. Flame away.........
I'm sitting waiting for my items to be hauled and keep hearing "next week, next week" and neither I nor the people who sold me the goods and are holding them for me have heard a thing....... granted it's only been a couple of weeks and that's not terrible - I'd not mind had I been told up front it would be 3 weeks or longer.

Am I thinking weird or something?
I see no methods on uship to deal with this sort of thing - posting a "can't get to it, if someone else can, go ahead and take it on" choice would be great.
But I don't want to break this agreement and start the whole process all over again. THAT takes time, too.
Thank you for listening to my rant!
I AM, afterall, viewing this from only MY side of things, NOT from the view of the people who live on the highways hauling this stuff.

New Deposit feature

rtbt — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:21:34 GMT

I think the new feature is fine, we are probably more likely to get an amount we have in mind but im not sure I understand how the deposit is figured . For instance, I want $500.00 to come to me,the deposit is $42.89, 7.9 % of $500.00 is $39.50 , 7.9% of $542.89 is the $42.89.....how was the $42.89 figured?

Quit initial bidding way under target

BradleyShipping — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:48:48 GMT

I just came from listing for bike, $650 target. The morons started bidding at $450, STUPID!!!!! One guy with (1) feedback is at $350. You guys just gave away 2-300 dollars. If they give you a target, use it. You can always come down, jeez. I usually start bidding above target, then you look like a good guy when you come down. If someone beats you down to 350 and you really want it, so be it, but dang people, quit being STUPID!!!!!! with bids. When gas prices go up our intellect cannot go down.

Deposit

jeep05 — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:54:37 GMT

Hi,

I was wondering if the deposit is refundable if the shipment is retracted. My brakes on the trailer went out and there was no way i could get the boat shipped by the time the guys needed to leave. I have reposted the shipment, but was wondering if I would get the 126 deposit back? Thanks?

I could not find it anywhere in writing.

Important Change to Your uShip Account

jay@uship.com — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:04:45 GMT

To all Service Providers,

This thread is for questions and comments on the following notice:

On March 1, 2007, uShip will improve the experience that both Service Providers and customers have by making an important change to the way payments are handled for uShip transactions. From March 1^st forward, uShip will begin collecting a Deposit equal to your match fees from all customers when they accept your bids on uShip. This Deposit will be credited to your uShip account and will offset your match fees due to uShip.

We have been testing this new system with a large group of Service Providers, and we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both customers and Service Providers.

Here are some of the many benefits we have seen:

· Because customers who accept your bids are required to pay a deposit, you know they are serious and committed to completing the transaction. Our research shows that customers are 20% less likely to cancel on bids requiring a deposit.

· Customers are more comfortable paying a deposit through uShip than directly to Service Providers, so they are more likely to accept higher bids.

· uShip can accept credit cards, bank transfers and PayPal payments for deposit payments, so you don’t need a merchant account and pay no merchant fees on the deposit payment.

· Best of all, because customers are pre-paying a deposit equal to your uShip match fee, you don’t have to pay uShip a large lump sum each month. Your monthly invoice will be $0*.

· Since large monthly invoice payments are eliminated*, you will not be charged late fees, interest, or penalties.

How it Works

If you place a bid of $600, the customer pays a deposit of $47.40 (7.9%) when they accept the bid. This deposits shows up as a $47.40 credit on your uShip invoice. The customer then pays the balance of the shipping price, $552.60 ($600 - $47.40), directly to you.

A New Bidding Tool - “Amount to Me”

Many Service Providers choose to pass uShip fees to their customers in the form of higher bids. Our new “Amount to Me” bidding tool allows you to do just that. Simply enter the amount you want to earn on a particular job (ex. $1000) into the “Amount to Me” field and we will automatically add our fees to this amount and present the total bid to the customer. If your bid is accepted, you will then receive the full amount you entered ($1000) from your customer. This feature will be available March 1, 2007.

Remember, this program and the new bidding tool will go live to all uShip members on March 1, 2007.

Regards,

The uShip Team

* Some service providers may still be required to make payments on their invoice, such as for Book it Now matches, and accounts that are currently past due.

Personal info

ciahtran — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:41:57 GMT

What is with all these "service providers" that keep putting their personal information (ie: phone #'s, email address, etc) out there when they ask questions about placing bids? I have flagged 3 or 4 just within the past few hours - 2 were the same person! Doesn't anyone read the rules anymore? Is there any reprimand for the people that do this over and over?

uShip Forum / Discuss uShip Features & Functionality / The Bidding Process

New "My Rates" Feature

Vendor raising price on a bid

Cancelled bids

Bid high or Bid low?

Weird Bids

***NEWS FLASH*** Tons of neg feedback and match retractions = DONT do business with!!!

Do bids include escorts if needed

Hourly rates for local moves

I beat the target price

Communication

40 brown metal chairs

Bid Clarification

Time Payment

Uship fee at VISa statement

Below Target Price ??

carrier or broker?

Where Do I find USHIPS Fees

Competative bidding

ship it now

Payment question

bid won't go though?

Bid and Additional Fees?

Newby Question

ansporting from USA to Canada

Bidding

underbiding Why.....

DECLINED BID

Bid Calculator Confusing

Where does the deposit go???

RE;CONDUCT

Contractor unreachable

false bids

contacting provider

Keep it simple

is a bid that's accepted not a commitment *both* ways?

New Deposit feature

Quit initial bidding way under target

Deposit

Important Change to Your uShip Account

Personal info

NEWS FLASH Tons of neg feedback and match retractions = DONT do business with!!!

is a bid that's accepted not a commitment both ways?