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Re: Online Shipping Auctions Gearing Up for Long Haul
Posted by: Jennifer LeClaire 2005-07-04 23:38:11
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When Matt Chasen's mother called him in tears because she couldn't afford to pay $800 to ship an heirloom dresser across the country, he set out to solve the problem. His solution was the genesis of an innovative online company called uShip. The light bulb moment came when Chasen was driving from Seattle to Texas. The Boeing engineer took note that his rental truck was two-thirds empty and began brainstorming about how he could lower shipping costs.
Re: Online Shipping Auctions Gearing Up for Long Haul
Posted by: Consumer 2008-01-26 18:23:37 In reply to: Jennifer LeClaire
The 2 issues that trouble me with this site called UShip are:
1.)Your article indicates that UShip has "brokered" more than $1 million in shipments since launching the company in March 2004. The web site states within their User Agreement that they are not a Broker. So what are they actually?
2.) The other thing that troubles me is that most consumers aren't aware of the fact that most pickup trucks pulling trailers and that transport goods in a “For Hire” capacity across state lines fall under the same laws as semi’s!
Then you have to take into consideration that that is compounded by the fact that the consumer doesn't know how to check carriers out through the use of the government website run by the Federal Motor Carrier safety Administration http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
It's imperative to ensure that who ever they choose as a carrier is properly licensed and commercially insured.
Using a Carrier without the Federally mandated credentials when they are transporting “For Hire” will leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong. It is classified as a Civil matter in the eyes of the law.
So the bottom line is that the site is OK as long as you do your homework on the Carriers. The site doesn't check them out to make sure that they are legally transporting according to the site’s User Agreement. To make matters worse, Uship does NOT provide you specific guidance on how to go about doing your research that they charge you with the responsibility of doing.
So to expand on some important issues on behalf of the Consumer, I’ve spelled out what I feel should assist you if you use the site called Uship.
When transporting “within” state lines in a “For Hire” capacity, each state has their own laws. Each state level DOT site can be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm If you are unable to navigate your respective state’s DOT link, then call your state for assistance.
If you have your property being transported across state lines then you have to use the Federal site to verify that the Carrier is legally transporting. To guide you, use: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Verify your bidding Carrier’s MC & DOT #’s using the guidance below. If the Carriers have nothing listed in their profile, ask them for it within the Q&A section of your listing. It’s permissible by site rules to ask them for it. See the user agreement. http://www.uship.com/user_agreement.aspx
1.) This link will take you to the Company Snapshot
http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
You enter the Carrier’s DOT or MC number and then you will see a screen that shows what commodities that the Carrier can legally transport and whether they have Intrastate or Interstate authority.
After you review this page then click on the Licensing and Insurance in the upper right hand corner of the page.
2.) Select REPORT
a) Verify type of Authority
Common = for hire to the general public and are required By Law to carry Cargo Ins
Contract = Carrier transports for a dedicated company(s) and is required to have
Liability but NOT Cargo Ins
Note: There are some Contract Carriers that DO carry Cargo Ins and therefore they are safe to use by the public. Just check that Cargo Ins IS on file
Broker = self explanatory
b) Verify Insurance requirements
The liability will normally show $750,000
The Cargo Ins will be shown as $5000, even though the Carrier most likely has more, if they have any at all.
Notes:
-You simply have the Carrier’s Ins Agent FAX you a copy of the policy after you have accepted a Carrier's bid.
-The DOT number is really no more than a tracking/audit number. It’s the MC number that is needed in order to be legal when transporting "For Hire" across state lines.
- Closely examine all information to ensure that all infomation on the governemnt's web site and that of the carrier's profile match.
-Lastly, don’t be surprised at the results when checking out the carriers on Uship. Since the site doesn't verify their licensure etc.. and the general public doesn't know how, they register at free will.
1.)Your article indicates that UShip has "brokered" more than $1 million in shipments since launching the company in March 2004. The web site states within their User Agreement that they are not a Broker. So what are they actually?
2.) The other thing that troubles me is that most consumers aren't aware of the fact that most pickup trucks pulling trailers and that transport goods in a “For Hire” capacity across state lines fall under the same laws as semi’s!
Then you have to take into consideration that that is compounded by the fact that the consumer doesn't know how to check carriers out through the use of the government website run by the Federal Motor Carrier safety Administration http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
It's imperative to ensure that who ever they choose as a carrier is properly licensed and commercially insured.
Using a Carrier without the Federally mandated credentials when they are transporting “For Hire” will leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong. It is classified as a Civil matter in the eyes of the law.
So the bottom line is that the site is OK as long as you do your homework on the Carriers. The site doesn't check them out to make sure that they are legally transporting according to the site’s User Agreement. To make matters worse, Uship does NOT provide you specific guidance on how to go about doing your research that they charge you with the responsibility of doing.
So to expand on some important issues on behalf of the Consumer, I’ve spelled out what I feel should assist you if you use the site called Uship.
When transporting “within” state lines in a “For Hire” capacity, each state has their own laws. Each state level DOT site can be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm If you are unable to navigate your respective state’s DOT link, then call your state for assistance.
If you have your property being transported across state lines then you have to use the Federal site to verify that the Carrier is legally transporting. To guide you, use: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Verify your bidding Carrier’s MC & DOT #’s using the guidance below. If the Carriers have nothing listed in their profile, ask them for it within the Q&A section of your listing. It’s permissible by site rules to ask them for it. See the user agreement. http://www.uship.com/user_agreement.aspx
1.) This link will take you to the Company Snapshot
http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
You enter the Carrier’s DOT or MC number and then you will see a screen that shows what commodities that the Carrier can legally transport and whether they have Intrastate or Interstate authority.
After you review this page then click on the Licensing and Insurance in the upper right hand corner of the page.
2.) Select REPORT
a) Verify type of Authority
Common = for hire to the general public and are required By Law to carry Cargo Ins
Contract = Carrier transports for a dedicated company(s) and is required to have
Liability but NOT Cargo Ins
Note: There are some Contract Carriers that DO carry Cargo Ins and therefore they are safe to use by the public. Just check that Cargo Ins IS on file
Broker = self explanatory
b) Verify Insurance requirements
The liability will normally show $750,000
The Cargo Ins will be shown as $5000, even though the Carrier most likely has more, if they have any at all.
Notes:
-You simply have the Carrier’s Ins Agent FAX you a copy of the policy after you have accepted a Carrier's bid.
-The DOT number is really no more than a tracking/audit number. It’s the MC number that is needed in order to be legal when transporting "For Hire" across state lines.
- Closely examine all information to ensure that all infomation on the governemnt's web site and that of the carrier's profile match.
-Lastly, don’t be surprised at the results when checking out the carriers on Uship. Since the site doesn't verify their licensure etc.. and the general public doesn't know how, they register at free will.
Also consumers should know that UShip double dips on fees, this is how it works: You submit an item to be ship, you take bids for a period of a few days. You deside that you are going to accept the cheapest bid for an example: the bid was $500.00. So $500.00 is what it's going to cost to ship your item across the states. You are asked to make a deposit to the Transport Carrier of $72-$75.00 plus your fee to ship the item. In reality the Transporter never sees the deposit it's UShip Fees and it goes directly to UShip and you as the Shipper pay it.
Second most Transporters on UShip are illegal using false documentation or someone elses. UShip doesn't weed these people out because they would loose money.
Most Transporters if you look at they're profile photos never have a business name or numbers on their vehicles they use for hauling. Why? because they are running illegally even if they have a high feedback some people just don't care and take the chance.
Think about it some of the bids that are placed on most of the items shipped are rediculously cheap. I've seen some as cheap as .23 a mile after fees. How can you opperate with that? I've seen it were Transporters ask the shipper that he will do it for a tank of gas? It's like the old saying "If it's to good to be true" well you the rest.
People should Google the Transporter and see if they have a website. That would be the best and all around cheaper and safer.
Also UShip is in a law suite also by some major transport companies around the United States.
So Shipper beware!
Second most Transporters on UShip are illegal using false documentation or someone elses. UShip doesn't weed these people out because they would loose money.
Most Transporters if you look at they're profile photos never have a business name or numbers on their vehicles they use for hauling. Why? because they are running illegally even if they have a high feedback some people just don't care and take the chance.
Think about it some of the bids that are placed on most of the items shipped are rediculously cheap. I've seen some as cheap as .23 a mile after fees. How can you opperate with that? I've seen it were Transporters ask the shipper that he will do it for a tank of gas? It's like the old saying "If it's to good to be true" well you the rest.
People should Google the Transporter and see if they have a website. That would be the best and all around cheaper and safer.
Also UShip is in a law suite also by some major transport companies around the United States.
So Shipper beware!
