LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Britain’s online buyers and sellers, hesitant to deal with large, unusual or delicate items due to high transport cost and hassle, can now turn on the television for inspiration and know-how.
Shipping Wars UK, the new show on Channel 4 that premiered early February, is lifting the lid on how the eBay generation can embrace transport of sometimes seemingly un-shippable and eccentric purchases.
The programme follows a group of delivery trucks and vans as they criss-cross Britain, competing to collect and drop off some of the most gob-smacking goods for UK’s online-buying generation. Some loads seen on the show include two giant Gruffalo sculptures, 300,000 live bees, a vintage military Landrover, a 20-foot sailboat, and three priceless London-bound racing cars. Shipping Wars UK features shipments listed on various delivery websites including uShip.
The issue of transporting unruly loads isn’t just isolated to the UK. In the U.S., where Shipping Wars originated in 2012, each episode is watched by millions of viewers. uShip serves as the source of featured U.S. shipments, including a giant 5-star doomsday bunker, the world’s largest water pipe bong, life-size Simpsons characters and a 40-foot plaster colon.
“Britain’s online buyers and sellers have never had more opportunity to find affordable, reliable delivery companies across the UK. People’s eyes are now open to the possibility of transporting large items they’ve simply been discouraged, almost afraid, to buy in the past”, said Jack Aldridge, country manager, uShip UK. “Today, thousands of couriers, delivery companies and transporters of every kind can now give online, e-commerce buyers and sellers choice and affordable pricing through marketplaces like uShip”.
eBay, recognizing the need to provide its customers with a larger-than-parcel transport solution, signed on uShip as its official global shipping partner for large goods in 2014. This includes vehicles, motorcycles, powersports, and boats, with categories more coming online, as well as integration into global eBay properties, including the UK.
As many as three million larger-than-parcel items are sold on eBay each year. Since 2004, uShip has facilitated shipping for eBay purchases valued at nearly ₤600M.
About uShip
uShip is a global online transport marketplace that’s reinventing logistics, making it much faster, easier and more affordable to move just about anything. Primarily serving the vehicles, household goods and commercial freight markets, uShip seamlessly connects shipping customers – from freight brokers to business shippers and consumers – with feedback-rated transportation service providers that engage in online fixed price, spot market and auction-based transactions. Based in Austin, Texas, and Amsterdam, the company operates globally with localized sites in 19 countries and regions on six continents. It is backed by Benchmark Capital, DAG Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers. http://www.uship.com
