the online shipping marketplace

First of all, Mr. QballExpress was not truthful in his bid detail Q & A.  It could be because he doesn't know the law or just blatantly lied.  The facts are that you require both a US DOT# and MC#  transport for compensation across state lines IF the vehicles used are 10,001 lbs GVWR/CGVWR.  (MC# is referred to as authority...it is in affect, the TSP's federal license to transport interstate for hire)  It is obvious from the pictures in his profile that he is using CMVs that would be well above that threshold.  So if you want to go with someone that misinforms you in the opening round, that is your option.  If there should be a problem, your avenues of recourse are extremely limited.  If you use a compliant TSP that does have active authority, you will be able to have his valid and current address, contact information, and insurance company name.  That can be obtained from the FMCSA database for all active MC# assignments.

If they're operating vehicles or a combination of vehicles which by their weight class, fall within the FMCSA's definition of a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle), they're required to have an acitive US DOT# & MC# assigned to them or a company they lease to.  Almost any small pick up and trailer will be classified as a CMV when used to transport in interstate commerce.  Without active authority (MC# assignment), that person is transporting illegally.  Anyone can buy cargo insurance.  You can buy it yourself for your own shipment.  It isn't the same type of cargo insurance as the compliant motor carrier's commercial cargo insurance....so yes, they could have insurance and still be illegally transporting.  Individuals can purchase shipment insurance from companies such as PAF for period of time or even for a single shipment.  You don't have to be a compliant motor carrier to do that........but it doesn't make you a legal carrier.

You're very welcome.  Please continue to be vigilant and do your research.  The shippers that get burned are usually the ones that don't do their homework and just take the lowest bid.  If you have any additional questions, just come back and post them.  Someone on here will try to help.

Good luck with your shipment..........

...Don

http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx

http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_html.prc_limain

!!Protect yourself and your property!!

Did you acquire and VERIFY the validity of your chosen Carrier's FEDERALLY MANDATED DOT & MC #'s as per the UShip User Agreement?  

http://www.uship.com/user_agreement.aspx

Note: Did you know that NO active "MC #" = No COMMERCIAL insurance? 

OOPS !!!!!!!

 INTERSTATE" transport requires an ACTIVE "MC" number! You verify it at the Government's "REAL TIME" web site: http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_html.prc_limain

 Still don't understand? Read this:

http://forums.uship.com/Topic46915-14-1.aspx

Don just one more thing I think you should ad if I am right, Mr Qball is from California so doesnt he have to have more than just a DOT & MC Number in the State of California? I thought California had there own number that is required to have, and if he has to run into AZ wont they check him out @ the port of entry? and if he is running as a Illegal Carrier wont there items be IMPOUNDED if they do indeed stop him?

Just a thought that maybe should be addressed, but wait I just looked @ there listing he cancelled. Someone must of read your post.

This is a message to all the people that are using this site to ship something

USE A DOT COMPLIANT CARRIER ONLY

Its the Federal Law that anyone that transports ANYTHING for any kind of PAYMENT be a DOT COMPLIANT CARRIER. It doesnt matter if its as small as a BREADBOX or as large as a ARMY TANK the CARRIER NEEDS to be

DOT COMPLIANT

Ask for their INSURANCE COMPANY INFO before your shipment is picked up to protect yourself from loosing your item.

I am now just using this site for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSED ONLY and will not bid on or take a shipment from this site

Mike can answer that better than I can, but my understanding is that he would have to have CA numbers if he picked and dropped the same shipments within the state of CA.  I don't know if he needs CA numbers if he hauls shipments from CA to another state and another state to CA only.  It may be different since he's based in CA........ Where is Mike when you need him?

Either way..... he doesn't have anything is his profile and tells people he doesn't need numbers under 26K so he's not a compliant carrer anyway.  Just another one of those "sick birds"........