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{{Short description|Web based transport service}}
⚫ {{Infobox Company
{{Lead too short|date=January 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

⚫ {{Infobox company
| name = Shiply Ltd. | name = Shiply Ltd.
| logo = | logo = Shiplylogo.png
| type = ] | type = ]
| genre = | genre =
| fate = | fate =
| predecessor = | predecessor =
| successor = | successor =
| foundation = {{start date and age|2008|3}}<ref name="companies-house-api">{{cite web | title=URI | url=http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/06536861 | access-date = 7 June 2015 }}</ref>
| foundation = June 2008
| founder = Robert Matthams | founder = Robert Matthams
| defunct = | defunct =
| location_city = ] | location_city = ]
| location_country = ] | location_country = ]
| location = | location =
| locations = | locations =
⚫ | key_people =
| area_served = ], ], ], ], ], ]
| key_people = | industry =
| industry = | products =
⚫ | services = ] For ]
⚫ | products =
⚫ | market cap =
⚫ | services = ] of ]
| market cap = | revenue =
⚫ | operating_income =
⚫ | revenue =
⚫ | net_income =
⚫ | operating_income =
| net_income = | aum =
| aum = | assets =
| assets = | equity =
| equity = | owner = Robert Patrick Matthams
| owner = | num_employees =
| num_employees = | parent =
| parent = | divisions =
| divisions = | subsid =
| subsid = | homepage = {{URL|http://www.shiply.com}}
| homepage = http://www.shiply.com/ | footnotes =
| footnotes = | intl =
⚫ | intl =
}} }}


'''Shiply''' is a UK-based limited company<ref name="companies-house-api" /> providing an ] where transport service requesters may list items they need to move, and where providers of transport services can ] in a ] format. The website attracts a variety of transport providers, including vehicle shipping companies, household movers, general freight transporters, and other types of logistics companies that essentially look for jobs via the Shiply Load board, where users (customers) are posting moving requests that the providers can then bid on. The customer can then sift through the prospective bids on their posted request, and select a provider they are comfortable with. Shiply got its start back in 2008 in the United Kingdom, but eventually expanded to several additional countries including the US and Canada.
'''Shiply.com''' is an ] for ], matching potential clients with transport companies already carrying deliveries on the same route.


Shiply charges a service fee to the shipper as well as the transport provider, although it is free to post jobs, and it is free for transport providers to search jobs, fees are eventually charged once a customer accepts and signs off on a shipping provider.<ref>{{cite web | title =Shiply Terms & Conditions | author = | publisher = Shiply | date = 13 January 2024| url =https://www.shiply.com/us/terms| access-date = 9 March 2024}}</ref>
==Overview==


==Concept==
Shiply provides an online space where people list items they need to move to a specific location, and then receive bids in a ] format from transport companies having a shipment scheduled on the respective route. The concept employed by Shiply aims to put to use the transport capacity that is usually wasted and to provide cost cuts for the customers (up to 75%).<ref name="NYT"/> In the usual haulage business framework, the companies are unable to find enough customers for a specific route at a specific time, thus many vehicles are not filled to capacity, while 25% of lorries and 15% of the vans (UK ] statistics) make their return journeys empty.<ref name="Evening Standard"/>


The concept employed by Shiply aims to utilise transport capacity that may be wasted in inefficient transport operations and as a consequence enables transport service providers to offer ] to transport service requesters.<ref name="NYT"/>
The potential clients create user accounts and list the items to be transported, stipulating the maximum they are prepared to pay and specifying whether they can be flexible on delivery time or need it moved immediately. The transport companies which have unused capacity on the respective route and in the specified time bid the lowest amount they would accept for the transport service. A user feedback system is enabled in order to keep track of the reputation of the companies and to help the users in making choices.


Service requesters create accounts and list the items to be transported, stipulating the maximum they are prepared to pay and specifying whether they can be flexible on delivery/pickup dates or need the listed items moved subject to specified date parameters. The transport service providers bid the lowest amount they would accept to perform the transport service.<ref>{{cite web | title =The Age of Energy: Boosting business by cutting carbon | author = Andrew Cave| publisher = ] | date = 17 February 2011| url =https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/earth/future-of-energy/8330217/The-Age-of-Energy-Boosting-business-by-cutting-carbon.html | access-date = 16 March 2011}}</ref> A user feedback system is enabled in order to keep track of the reputation of the transport service providers and transport service requesters, this allows the transport service requesters the ability to frame their procurement decision on factors other than solely price.<ref name="TT"/><ref name="TDG"/>
The registration is free for both clients and companies. The transport companies pay a transaction-based fee (between 3.9% and 9.9%, depending on the amount of the transaction).<ref name="NYT"/>

Registration is free for both transport service providers and transport service requesters. Transport service providers' bids are subject to a transaction based tiered fee structure, (in the UK this is between 3.9% and 9.9% -dependent on the amount of the transaction-with a minimum fee of £6) the cost of which is borne by the transport service requesters. Transport service requesters may also be subject to an auction service fee. This fee amount is dependent on the shipment in question and is displayed before the transport service requester accepts a bid.<ref>{{cite web | title =Shiply > Shiply User Agreement | publisher = Shiply.com | url =http://www.shiply.com/terms | access-date = 8 June 2015}}</ref>

In September 2010 Shiply had 17,500 transport service provider accounts, and helped voice their concerns over trade-related issues.<ref>{{cite web | title = Air fares sent soaring after ash clouds, fuel and strikes | author= John Ingham| publisher = ] | date = 29 September 2010 | url =http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/202330/Air-fares-sent-soaring-after-ash-clouds-fuel-and-strikes | access-date = 2 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Shiply aims to build European green logistics network | author= | publisher = ] | date = 11 October 2010 | url =http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2271299/hiply-aims-build-european-green| access-date = 14 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = BBC News 24 | author= | publisher = | date = 10 December 2010 | url =http://www.shiply.com/press-centre/coverage.php?article_id=54 | access-date = 16 March 2011}}</ref>

⚫ ==History==

=== Formation ===
⚫ Shiply was founded in March 2008 by Robert Matthams, in ]. He has said he had the idea of this business concept when a pool table he ordered was delivered to his university in Manchester. The driver complained that he would have to make the return journey to London empty, thereby wasting fuel and his own resources.<ref name="Evening Standard">{{cite web | title = Amid all the gloom, here's one man on the road to success | author= Mickey Clark | publisher = ] | date = 29 October 2009| url =http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-business/article-23762098-amid-all-the-gloom-heres-one-man-on-the-road-to-success.do | access-date = 27 August 2010}}</ref>

⚫ Initially, only haulage companies from UK participated in the marketplace. In October 2009, the company expanded in Germany, opening a German website and allowing German haulage companies. In August 2010, when the company expanded to France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, 15% of shipments on Shiply already crossed national borders and 10% of its business came from the German website.<ref name="NYT"/> according to the French website Shipedi<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toueress |first=Yannis |date=2023-12-30 |title=Transport de voiture international : Obtenir des devis abordables |url=https://shipedi.fr/transport-de-voiture-international/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Shipedi |language=fr-FR}}</ref>


===eBay=== ===eBay===
In March 2009 Shiply launched an ] widget to be inserted by sellers into eBay auction listings. This gives prospective bidders on larger "local collect only" items the option to import items they have won, or on which they are currently bidding, into Shiply.com. The widget allows them to enter their delivery post code and then Shiply imports the rest of the necessary information.<ref>{{cite web | title = Announcing Shiply's new eBay widget | author= | publisher = Shiply.com | date = March 03, 2009| url =http://blog.shiply.com/2009/03/announcing-shiplys-new-ebay-widget.html | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref name="TDG">{{cite web | title = Plan to cut transport waste moving forward with Shiply.com | author= | publisher = ] | date = May 12, 2009| url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/businesstruth/5314494/Plan-to-cut-transport-waste-moving-forward-with-Shiply.com.html | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref> In March 2009 Shiply launched an ] widget to be inserted by sellers into eBay auction listings. This - now part of the item listing process - gives prospective eBay bidders the option to import items they have won - or on which they are currently bidding - into Shiply.com. The widget allows them to enter their delivery post code and then Shiply imports other pertinent information into their listing.<ref name="TDG">{{cite web | title = Plan to cut transport waste moving forward with Shiply.com | author= | publisher = ] | date = 12 May 2009| url =https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/businesstruth/5314494/Plan-to-cut-transport-waste-moving-forward-with-Shiply.com.html | access-date = 27 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Announcing Shiply's new eBay widget | author= | publisher = Shiply.com | date = 3 March 2009| url =http://blog.shiply.com/2009/03/announcing-shiplys-new-ebay-widget.html | access-date = 27 August 2010}}</ref> In January 2011, Shiply signed an exclusive agreement with eBay Motors UK, becoming the site's transport partner. At that time, 50% of its business came from eBay users.<ref>{{cite web | title = Shiply inks deal with eBay Motors UK to become transport partner | author= Steve O'Hear | publisher = ] | date = 6 January 2011 | url =https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/06/shiply-inks-deal-with-ebay-motors-uk-to-become-transport-partner/#disqus_thread | access-date = 16 March 2011}}</ref>


==Area covered== ==Operations==


=== Areas covered===
⚫ Initially, only haulage companies from UK participated in the marketplace (some of them with overseas routes). In October 2009, the company expanded in Germany, opening a German website and allowing German haulage companies. In August 2010, when the company expanded in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and France, 15% of shipments on Shiply already crossed national borders and 10% of its business came from the German website.<ref name="NYT"/>
Shiply operates in multiple countries, including; The United States, The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, Spain, Italy, India, Canada, Brazil & Australia according to their website as of March 2024.


===Types of freight moved on Shiply===
⚫ ==History==
⚫ Shiply was founded in June 2008 by Robert Matthams, in ], ]. He had the idea of this business concept when a pool table he ordered was delivered to his university in Manchester. The driver complained that he would have to make the return journey to London empty, thereby wasting fuel and his own resources.<ref name="Evening Standard">{{cite web | title = Amid all the gloom, here’s one man on the road to success | author= Mickey Clark | publisher = ] | date = October 29, 2009| url =http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-business/article-23762098-amid-all-the-gloom-heres-one-man-on-the-road-to-success.do | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref> Matthams created a computer program capable of matching empty lorries with people wishing to transport goods<ref name="TDG"/> and set up Shiply with an initial investment of £25,000.<ref name="MEN"/> He was warned that a ] was not a good environment for a new business, but, once started, it proved that the timing was right for a business saving customers money. Mattham's story was covered in UK media as an example of successful start-up business during recession.<ref name="TTL">{{cite web | title = New firms can find an upside to downturn | author= Andrew Stone | publisher = ] | date = January 4, 2009| url =http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/entrepreneur/article5438701.ece | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref> The company broke even in half a year and then it became quickly profitable.


Shiply advertises several types of items that they help to arrange shipping for on their website, including:
Nine months after its start-up the company took its first employee.<ref>{{cite web | title = Graduates find hope in small firms | author= Katie Taylor | publisher = ] | date = March 23, 2009 | url =http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/work/small-business/article.html?in_article_id=480913&in_page_id=10 | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref name="CMB"/> As of June 2009, Shiply employed four people including Matthams, and was planning to expand overseas.<ref>{{cite web | title = Shiply motors to success | author= Ben Rooth | publisher = ] | date = June 10, 2009 | url =http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1119787_shiply_motors_to_success | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref> At a later date, the company moved its headquarters to London.
* Motor Vehicles
* Boats
* Furniture
* Household items
* Auto parts
* Heavy equipment
* Pets
* General freight
* LTL freight


==Reception== ==Controversies==


=== Legal dispute ===
⚫ Shiply has been covered in mass media as successful start-up business during recession times,<ref name="TTL"/><ref name="Evening Standard"/> as a provider of cheap shipping alternatives,<ref name="TT">{{cite web | title = Confessions of a saveaholic: How I saved more than £1,000 by shopping around | author= Kara Gammell | publisher = ] | date = February 19, 2009 | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/4697744/Confessions-of-a-saveaholic-How-I-saved-more-than-1000-by-shopping-around.html | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Hot Links: www.shiply.com | author= | publisher = ] | date = July 20, 2008 | url =http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article4356805.ece | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Top ten: Click here to save yourself a fortune | author= | publisher = ] | date = August 01, 2009 | url =http://business.scotsman.com/personal-finance/Top-ten-Click-here-to.5514280.jp | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref> and as an innovative idea for tackling climate change,<ref name="Shellspringboard"/> reducing ] emission (6,5 million kg saved as of September 2010, according to Shiply website). The website has been described as an eBay for transporting goods,<ref name="TT"/><ref name="Shellspringboard"/> with an important role in helping out haulage companies during recession, especially the small family firms.<ref name="CMB">{{cite web | title = Online middleman saves hauliers from running empty | author= | publisher = ] | date = June 10, 2009 | url =http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090610/FREE/906109995/1083 | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref>
On 24 February 2011 ] and Shiply jointly announced a settlement regarding uShip's claims of trademark and copyright infringement. As part of the settlement, Shiply has agreed to redesign some parts of its web site, and pay an amount in compensation to uShip.<ref>{{cite web | title =uShip and Shiply Announce Settlement of Their Legal Dispute | publisher = prnewswire | date = 24 February 2011 | url =http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=312997 | access-date =26 February 2011}}</ref>

=== Misleading Advertising ===

On 19 December 2012, UK's ] published an adjudication against Shiply Ltd about misleading advertising on www.shiply.com.<ref name="archive-org-asa--on-compliant-online-advertisers-shiply">{{cite web |url=http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Non-compliant-online-advertisers/Shiply.aspx |title=Shiply |website=www.asa.org.uk |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075431/http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Non-compliant-online-advertisers/Shiply.aspx |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The ASA investigated whether www.shiply.com made it sufficiently clear that a credit policy applied to cancellations. The ASA concluded:

"The home page breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising), 3.9 and 3.10 (Qualification)."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2012/12/Shiply-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_206172.aspx |title=ASA Adjudication on Shiply Ltd - Advertising Standards Authority |website=asa.org.uk |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424051055/http://asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2012/12/Shiply-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_206172.aspx |archive-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
"Because of Shiply Ltd's continued non compliance we took the decision to place the details for www.shiply.com on the ASA section of the website on 14 October 2013. Shiply Ltd's details shall remain in place until such time as www.shiply.com clearly and prominently states the significant condition of its cancellation policy on its home page."<ref name="archive-org-asa--on-compliant-online-advertisers-shiply" />

Shiply Ltd's details are no longer on the ASA section of the website.

=== Carrier Compliance (USA) ===

One notable concern some have brought attention to, is the possible lack of oversight as to the credentials of trucking companies on the Shiply platform. An investigative piece <ref>{{cite web | title =Shiply Car Shipping Review | author = | publisher = ] | date = 13 January 2023| url =https://www.airryd.com/Shiply-Car-Shipping-Review.html | access-date = 9 March 2024}}</ref> found that many of the companies bidding on loads do not have active DOT numbers required by the FMCSA to haul freight. Shiply does not disclose the DOT info or FMCSA info of motor carrier providers during the bidding process, it only shows a provider's username, jobs completed, and their overall Shiply Rating.

==Reception==
⚫ Shiply has been covered in the UK media as successful start-up business during recession times,<ref name="Evening Standard"/><ref name="TTL">{{cite web | title = New firms can find an upside to downturn | author= Andrew Stone | publisher = ] | date = January 4, 2009| url =http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/entrepreneur/article5438701.ece | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110611234647/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/entrepreneur/article5438701.ece | url-status =dead | archive-date =11 June 2011 | access-date = August 27, 2010}}</ref> as a provider of cheap shipping alternatives,<ref name="TT">{{cite web | title = Confessions of a saveaholic: How I saved more than £1,000 by shopping around | author= Kara Gammell | publisher = ] | date = February 19, 2009 | url =https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/4697744/Confessions-of-a-saveaholic-How-I-saved-more-than-1000-by-shopping-around.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090221135009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/4697744/Confessions-of-a-saveaholic-How-I-saved-more-than-1000-by-shopping-around.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =February 21, 2009 | access-date = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Hot Links: www.shiply.com | author= | publisher = ] | date = July 20, 2008 | url =http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article4356805.ece | access-date = August 27, 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Top ten: Click here to save yourself a fortune | author= | publisher = ] | date = August 1, 2009 | url =http://business.scotsman.com/personal-finance/Top-ten-Click-here-to.5514280.jp | access-date = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Delivering the goods | author= | publisher = ] | date = September 24, 2010| url =https://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/cash-queens/2010/09/24/delivering-the-goods-115875-22584627/ | access-date = October 2, 2010}}</ref> and as an innovative idea for ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Green heroes working for the right kind of environmental change | author= ] | work = ] | date = September 10, 2010 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/sep/10/green-heroes | access-date = October 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Shellspringboard"/>


==Awards== ==Awards==
Robert Matthams won the title of ''] Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009'' for the success of Shiply as a carbon-friendly transport site, saving over 1.6 million kg of ] and over £3 million in reduced transportation bills (as of 2009).<ref>{{cite web | title = Robert Matthams (Shiply.com) crowned Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 | author= | publisher = ] | date = | url =http://www.shell-livewire.org/news/award2009 | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Evening Standard"/><ref name="MEN">{{cite web | title = Shiply.com entrepreneur is number one | author= | publisher = ] | date = October 29, 2009| url =http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1179745_shiplycom_entrepreneur_is_number_one | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Shell winner's site saves £3m | author= | publisher = ] | date = November 10, 2009| url =http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sme/business-extra-news-in-brief-1817685.html | accessdate = August 27, 2010}}</ref> He was also awarded the 2009 ''] Essence of the Entrepreneur Award'',<ref>{{cite web | title = Innovative Entrepreneurs Keep UK Spirits High | author= | publisher = Fresh Business Thinking | date = April 01, 2009| url =http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/news.php?CID=&NID=3008&PGID=2 | accessdate = September 02, 2010}}</ref> the 2010 Shell Springboard ''Climate Change Innovation Prize'',<ref name="Shellspringboard">{{cite web | title = London Business Wins £40,000 Climate Change Innovation Prize | author= | publisher = Fresh Business Thinking | date = February 18, 2010| url =http://www.shellspringboard.org/news/69 | accessdate = September 02, 2010}}</ref> and won 100,000 euros in the Dutch Postcode Lottery’s 2010 ] competition.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web | title = Shipping Goes Green as Shiply Expands Across Europe | author= Ciara Byrne | publisher = ] | date = August 20, 2010| url =http://www.nytimes.com/external/venturebeat/2010/08/20/20venturebeat-shipping-goes-green-as-shiply-expands-across-76729.html?partner=rss&emc=rss | accessdate = September 02, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Shiply wins £90,000 in green competition | author= Joanna Bourke | publisher = RoadTransport.com | date = September 30, 2009| url =http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2009/09/30/134696/Shiply-wins-16390000-in-green-competition.htm | accessdate = September 02, 2010}}</ref> In 2010 Shiply was awarded the Shell Springboard ''Climate Change Innovation Prize'',<ref name="Shellspringboard">{{cite web | title = London Business Wins £40,000 Climate Change Innovation Prize | author= | publisher = Fresh Business Thinking | date = 18 February 2010| url =http://www.shellspringboard.org/news/69 | access-date = 2 September 2010}}</ref> and was runner-up in the Dutch Postcode Lottery's 2010 Green Challenge competition.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web | title = Shipping Goes Green as Shiply Expands Across Europe | author= Ciara Byrne | work = ] | date = 20 August 2010| url =https://www.nytimes.com/external/venturebeat/2010/08/20/20venturebeat-shipping-goes-green-as-shiply-expands-across-76729.html?partner=rss&emc=rss | access-date = 2 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Shiply wins £90,000 in green competition | author= Joanna Bourke | publisher = RoadTransport.com | date = 30 September 2009| url =http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2009/09/30/134696/Shiply-wins-16390000-in-green-competition.htm | access-date = 2 September 2010}}</ref>

== See also ==
* ]
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
* *{{Official website|http://www.shiply.com}}


] ]
]
]
]
]
]
] ]

Latest revision as of 21:31, 1 December 2024

Web based transport service
This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (January 2021)

Shiply Ltd.
[REDACTED]
Company typePrivate Limited Company
FoundedMarch 2008; 16 years ago (2008-03)
FounderRobert Matthams
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
ServicesOnline marketplace For transport services
OwnerRobert Patrick Matthams
Websitewww.shiply.com

Shiply is a UK-based limited company providing an internet marketplace where transport service requesters may list items they need to move, and where providers of transport services can bid in a reverse auction format. The website attracts a variety of transport providers, including vehicle shipping companies, household movers, general freight transporters, and other types of logistics companies that essentially look for jobs via the Shiply Load board, where users (customers) are posting moving requests that the providers can then bid on. The customer can then sift through the prospective bids on their posted request, and select a provider they are comfortable with. Shiply got its start back in 2008 in the United Kingdom, but eventually expanded to several additional countries including the US and Canada.

Shiply charges a service fee to the shipper as well as the transport provider, although it is free to post jobs, and it is free for transport providers to search jobs, fees are eventually charged once a customer accepts and signs off on a shipping provider.

Concept

The concept employed by Shiply aims to utilise transport capacity that may be wasted in inefficient transport operations and as a consequence enables transport service providers to offer marginal prices to transport service requesters.

Service requesters create accounts and list the items to be transported, stipulating the maximum they are prepared to pay and specifying whether they can be flexible on delivery/pickup dates or need the listed items moved subject to specified date parameters. The transport service providers bid the lowest amount they would accept to perform the transport service. A user feedback system is enabled in order to keep track of the reputation of the transport service providers and transport service requesters, this allows the transport service requesters the ability to frame their procurement decision on factors other than solely price.

Registration is free for both transport service providers and transport service requesters. Transport service providers' bids are subject to a transaction based tiered fee structure, (in the UK this is between 3.9% and 9.9% -dependent on the amount of the transaction-with a minimum fee of £6) the cost of which is borne by the transport service requesters. Transport service requesters may also be subject to an auction service fee. This fee amount is dependent on the shipment in question and is displayed before the transport service requester accepts a bid.

In September 2010 Shiply had 17,500 transport service provider accounts, and helped voice their concerns over trade-related issues.

History

Formation

Shiply was founded in March 2008 by Robert Matthams, in Manchester. He has said he had the idea of this business concept when a pool table he ordered was delivered to his university in Manchester. The driver complained that he would have to make the return journey to London empty, thereby wasting fuel and his own resources.

Initially, only haulage companies from UK participated in the marketplace. In October 2009, the company expanded in Germany, opening a German website and allowing German haulage companies. In August 2010, when the company expanded to France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, 15% of shipments on Shiply already crossed national borders and 10% of its business came from the German website. according to the French website Shipedi

eBay

In March 2009 Shiply launched an eBay widget to be inserted by sellers into eBay auction listings. This - now part of the item listing process - gives prospective eBay bidders the option to import items they have won - or on which they are currently bidding - into Shiply.com. The widget allows them to enter their delivery post code and then Shiply imports other pertinent information into their listing. In January 2011, Shiply signed an exclusive agreement with eBay Motors UK, becoming the site's transport partner. At that time, 50% of its business came from eBay users.

Operations

Areas covered

Shiply operates in multiple countries, including; The United States, The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, Spain, Italy, India, Canada, Brazil & Australia according to their website as of March 2024.

Types of freight moved on Shiply

Shiply advertises several types of items that they help to arrange shipping for on their website, including:

  • Motor Vehicles
  • Boats
  • Furniture
  • Household items
  • Auto parts
  • Heavy equipment
  • Pets
  • General freight
  • LTL freight

Controversies

Legal dispute

On 24 February 2011 uShip and Shiply jointly announced a settlement regarding uShip's claims of trademark and copyright infringement. As part of the settlement, Shiply has agreed to redesign some parts of its web site, and pay an amount in compensation to uShip.

Misleading Advertising

On 19 December 2012, UK's ASA published an adjudication against Shiply Ltd about misleading advertising on www.shiply.com.

The ASA investigated whether www.shiply.com made it sufficiently clear that a credit policy applied to cancellations. The ASA concluded:

"The home page breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising), 3.9 and 3.10 (Qualification)." "Because of Shiply Ltd's continued non compliance we took the decision to place the details for www.shiply.com on the ASA section of the website on 14 October 2013. Shiply Ltd's details shall remain in place until such time as www.shiply.com clearly and prominently states the significant condition of its cancellation policy on its home page."

Shiply Ltd's details are no longer on the ASA section of the website.

Carrier Compliance (USA)

One notable concern some have brought attention to, is the possible lack of oversight as to the credentials of trucking companies on the Shiply platform. An investigative piece found that many of the companies bidding on loads do not have active DOT numbers required by the FMCSA to haul freight. Shiply does not disclose the DOT info or FMCSA info of motor carrier providers during the bidding process, it only shows a provider's username, jobs completed, and their overall Shiply Rating.

Reception

Shiply has been covered in the UK media as successful start-up business during recession times, as a provider of cheap shipping alternatives, and as an innovative idea for tackling climate change.

Awards

In 2010 Shiply was awarded the Shell Springboard Climate Change Innovation Prize, and was runner-up in the Dutch Postcode Lottery's 2010 Green Challenge competition.

See also

References

  1. ^ "URI". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  2. "Shiply Terms & Conditions". Shiply. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  3. ^ Ciara Byrne (20 August 2010). "Shipping Goes Green as Shiply Expands Across Europe". New York Times. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  4. Andrew Cave (17 February 2011). "The Age of Energy: Boosting business by cutting carbon". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  5. ^ Kara Gammell (19 February 2009). "Confessions of a saveaholic: How I saved more than £1,000 by shopping around". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Plan to cut transport waste moving forward with Shiply.com". The Daily Telegraph. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  7. "Shiply > Shiply User Agreement". Shiply.com. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  8. John Ingham (29 September 2010). "Air fares sent soaring after ash clouds, fuel and strikes". Daily Express. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  9. "Shiply aims to build European green logistics network". BusinessGreen. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  10. "BBC News 24". 10 December 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  11. ^ Mickey Clark (29 October 2009). "Amid all the gloom, here's one man on the road to success". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  12. Toueress, Yannis (30 December 2023). "Transport de voiture international : Obtenir des devis abordables". Shipedi (in French). Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  13. "Announcing Shiply's new eBay widget". Shiply.com. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  14. Steve O'Hear (6 January 2011). "Shiply inks deal with eBay Motors UK to become transport partner". TechCrunch. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  15. "uShip and Shiply Announce Settlement of Their Legal Dispute". prnewswire. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Shiply". www.asa.org.uk. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  17. "ASA Adjudication on Shiply Ltd - Advertising Standards Authority". asa.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  18. "Shiply Car Shipping Review". Shipping News. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  19. Andrew Stone (4 January 2009). "New firms can find an upside to downturn". The Times Literary Supplement. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  20. "Hot Links: www.shiply.com". The Sunday Times. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  21. "Top ten: Click here to save yourself a fortune". The Scotsman. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  22. "Delivering the goods". Daily Mirror. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  23. George Monbiot (10 September 2010). "Green heroes working for the right kind of environmental change". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  24. ^ "London Business Wins £40,000 Climate Change Innovation Prize". Fresh Business Thinking. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  25. Joanna Bourke (30 September 2009). "Shiply wins £90,000 in green competition". RoadTransport.com. Retrieved 2 September 2010.

External links

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