Thursday, May 22nd
2025 Auto Transport Reviews
Shiply
- Free quotes
- Full refunds if transporters cancel
- Piano shipping
- International shipping available
- Reverse bidding method
In 2008, the founder of Shiply contracted a carrier to have a pool table delivered to his home. When the driver arrived, his truck was almost completely empty: he'd driven from London with just the pool table all the way to Manchester (a distance of 163 miles). Robert, the founder of Shiply, felt like this was a complete waste of miles, fuel, and bad emissions, so he designed a company to connect customers with carriers, and Shiply was born. Shiply is privately owned, and although it started in the UK, it is now available in the United States.
A simple auction platform
Shiply is a platform, not a broker or carrier. The platform is set up a lot like eBay. You list your job, and carriers bid on it. You are responsible for vetting and choosing a carrier. The website is actually very clean and minimal, and you can even see a preview of listings and how it works without giving out any personal information.
Refunds if carrier doesn't show up
Shiply offers a refund if your chosen carrier is a no-show. While that really isn't that comforting when you are supposed to be moving but instead are having to deal with a no-show driver, it's good that they do this. The refund process isn't difficult. Shiply will ask a few questions about what went wrong. Your refund can take up to 10 working days to process, and Shiply sends an email once the refund has been issued.
You are in control
One of the standout factors of Shiply is the way that it places the process in your hands. Instead of waiting for a broker to find you a driver or carrier for what you need, you look through quotes and prices yourself to find the best match for your needs.
So many options
An advantage Shiply has over other auto transport services is that Shiply doesn't just put you in touch with auto carriers - they put you in touch with carriers that will transport almost anything. If you posted multiple bids, for example, you could have your car transported along with your household goods, your tractor, your pet pigs and horses, and your grandmother's heirloom piano. Some of the things you can ship are:
- Motorcycles
- Freight
- Boats
- Vehicle parts
- Pianos
- Livestock
- Heavy equipment
There is even an "other” category in case you have something unusual to ship. (LEGO replica of the Eiffel Tower, perhaps?)
Great for the DIY personality
Shiply is great for the DIY type who doesn't mind a little extra legwork in choosing a carrier. Remember, you are in charge of your move, and Shiply is merely a platform. Some individuals find immense comfort in knowing all the details and making their own decisions. If this is you, you'll like Shiply.
Customer complaints
Unfortunately, Shiply garners a lot of complaints from customers who did not understand that Shiply has no involvement in transactions with the carriers. It wasn't made clear to them that Shiply is just an auctioning platform, and their expectations were not managed well. Shiply could do a better job at explaining just how neutral they are in this process.
Not BBB accredited, quality control issues
Shiply has not claimed their profile on the Better Business Bureau, but they do have a myriad of complaints there, mostly involving bad carriers. From the number of complaints regarding the partner companies, we wish that Shiply would do a little more vetting and improve their quality of carriers.
Not the best, but not the absolute worst
If you feel confident that you can vet carriers and understand that you are fully responsible for your choice of carrier, you will probably find a good fit with Shiply. It's really all about knowing what to expect and your level of confidence in rooting out less-than-savory carriers. For the majority of people who have never shipped a vehicle before, this is not the best option, but it's not the absolute worst, either.
More Auto Transport Reviews
The 10 Best Auto Transport Companies
Where Can You Find the Best Auto Transport Companies?
Auto transport companies make it easy and fast to move vehicles from one place to another. The biggest benefit is that it saves time. Driving a car across long distances can take a lot of time, especially if you're not familiar with the route or don't have enough time. Auto transport companies handle everything, so you don't have to worry about the trip. Many companies also offer door-to-door service, picking up and delivering your car exactly where you want it, which makes the whole process easier.
Whether you're a car enthusiast, classic car collector, snowbird, or being relocated by the military, there are lots of brokers and other options out there available to help you transport your car to wherever it is you're going.
Auto Transport FAQ
Continued from above...
One big advantage for using an auto transport company is that these companies keep your car safe during the journey. They use special trucks, like open or closed trailers, to make sure your car is protected from road debris, bad weather, or accidents that could happen on the road. Some companies even offer insurance to cover any damage, so you don't have to worry. This is especially important if you have a valuable or classic car that needs extra care.
Another plus for auto transport companies is they can actually be cheaper than driving the car yourself. When you add up costs like gas, food, lodging, and the wear and tear on your car, driving long distances can get expensive. Auto transport services usually include everything in the price, and it can be more affordable than you think. If you need to move more than one car, many companies give discounts for transporting multiple vehicles, making it a great option for businesses or people moving with several cars.
The car transport industry includes any company that ships finished vehicles. That means that many car transport companies deal in businesses and corporate-level car hauling in addition to working with individuals. Some carriers deal mainly with individuals, as they are smaller and independent. Other companies have a fleet - but most do not deal directly with individuals. They instead rely on brokers who post your job on a bid board that only brokers and carriers have access to see. Then, your broker will give you the best quote and set up your pickup and delivery, charging a fee for their services. The carrier's part of the total money billed is given directly to them by you. The broker is not associated with the carrier and is not responsible for damages or theft of your vehicle - the carrier is the only one liable for damages.
The average cost to ship a car across the country is around $1,500. However, numerous variables affect pricing. And although auto transportation companies can feel similar at first glance, it's important to consider the best fit for your needs and your vehicle. Most companies can transport your car to almost any location.
So, how do you choose the auto transport company for your needs? With so many different services out there, it can be hard to select the best option. If you're not sure where to start, here are a few things to help you decide:
- Location. Find out where your vehicle will be picked up. Do you want the vehicle picked up and delivered to your door, or can you take a drive to a terminal instead?
- Size and modification inclusivity. Do you need a service that offers transport for large vehicles? Or do you only need smaller sedans shipped? Do you need a service that specializes in modified vehicles or sport models? Do you live a life of luxury and need a yacht transported (we only wish we did)?
- Timeline. Do you have a tight delivery timeline? Or are you more flexible with your delivery and pickup?
- Insurance options. There are a lot of different things covered by insurance. Do you need separate insurance for the move, or do you want a company that offers insurance with the transportation? Do you have gap insurance for things that the mandatory cargo shipping insurance doesn't or won't cover?
- Expectations and understanding. Do you understand that the broker is not in any way responsible for your vehicle? Does the company you're working with explain that there can be unexpected issues and there is no specific date that can be guaranteed? Would you rather manage expectations, vetting, and choosing a carrier yourself and bid for a carrier on your own?
- Customer service. With something as important as your car, you want to pick a company you trust. How can you contact the company? If you read online reviews, make sure the reviewers have read the company's responses to complaints - sometimes their responses will shed light on the company culture and the quality of customer service training.
To help you find the right transportation for your vehicles, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked today's most popular auto transport companies across the US. We hope this will make it easy to choose the best way to let someone else get your dream car safely home.
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