uShip for Ritchie Bros. Auctions:
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does uShip work? What should I expect?

A: By choosing to list your shipment on uShip, it’s now visible to thousands of independent transport companies who place competing bids to win your business. These are professional providers, each with a public profile on uShip so you can see their service history. When you find one that meets your requirements, you accept their bid. Once you pay for your shipment on uShip, you’re then put in touch with your provider to work out the shipping details.

Q: I listed my shipment, but don’t have any bids yet. Did I do something wrong?

A: If you received a confirmation email from uShip, then your shipment was successfully listed. How quickly bids are placed varies by shipment. To expedite the process, we encourage you to make bid requests to providers or let us make them for you.

Q: What is the normal response time when I can expect to see bids?
A: Initial bids from providers can arrive anywhere from 10 minutes to two days or more after listing, depending on the item, schedule, and location. Keep an eye on your email for bid notifications, but also for questions from providers. They’ll often ask questions before bidding in order to place the most accurate quote.

Q: Are these carriers vetted/insured?

A: Many providers carry insurance but this is a case by case basis. We encourage customers to review a provider’s profile, insurance information, and feedback before accepting their bid. uShip also offers cargo insurance at checkout that is backed by Lloyd’s of London. And every shipment also comes with a Ship with Confidence Guarantee.

Q: The bids I’m receiving are really high so I just may go with someone else.

A: On the uShip marketplace, competition drives prices down. It’s not uncommon for initial bids to come in a bit high; however, competing bids help to determine the market rate so you know you won’t overpay.

Q: I’ve got a hard deadline for pickup / delivery. Are these providers held to any contract to get my item delivered on time?

A: While providers are not held to a contract, most will accommodate special time frames and requests. It’s important your time frame is explained within your listing details. You can also communicate your specific time frame to providers in the listing’s Q&A section before accepting their bid and booking with them.

Q: Can I just get a ballpark price?

A: Transport prices are constantly changing so the most accurate market rates will come through providers’ bids, keeping in mind that competition brings prices down. uShip also has shipping estimates based on what others have paid for similar shipments, but this is only an estimate and can vary depending on your specific requirements.