02.03.09 Use empty lorries to save petrol, the environment and money

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13 comments 85 votes

Are delivery costs too high?

PetrolPrices.com already helps you save money on petrol for everyday and business driving - but we've also found a way to slash petrol costs on shipping and deliveries.

www.shiply.com is an innovative new web site which matches people who need things delivered with empty lorries already making journeys in the same area. Shiply say 25% of all lorries on Britain’s roads travel completely empty - that's more than 112,000 lorries pumping out an unnecessary 36 million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Members simply list goods and eBay items they need delivered on the site for free, and wait for offers from the thousands of transport providers who are already making similar trips to make a bid. As hauliers are fitting deliveries in with an existing planned route they can offer discounts of up to 75%.

Shiply has also developed tools which allow bidders to import items they have won or are currently bidding on from eBay into Shiply – ready to receive to bids from transportation service providers. At any one time there are over 930,000 items listed on eBay which are listed as available for local collection, usually because they're too big (and therefore expensive) to send. Ordinarily, arranging a courier is time consuming and pricey, but Shiply make it simple, easy and cheap.

A Daily Telegraph reporter recently used the service and saved £81 moving a sofa from Berkshire to London.

Shiply is a great way to save money, avoid congesting Britain's roads further and cut pollution - find out more or give it a try by visiting www.shiply.com.

Your Comments

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What a great idea, will be giving this a go!

Posted by John Davies, 3rd March 2009 6:09pm


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Posted by Peak Oil, 3rd March 2009 6:39pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

Use empty lorries to save petrol, the environment and money.

Here comes yet another blog/bandwagon for peak oil to jump on.

Posted by Old News., 3rd March 2009 9:34pm

Come on PO, this thread doesn't really justify it don't you think?

Brendan, great article, thanks. Hopefully this will get some real publicity and some real use.

The poll question does seem a bit pointless, though.

Posted by Bandidoz, 4th March 2009 1:10am

That's a brilliant idea, just frustrating how Peak Oil ruined the show.... again

Posted by Boo To Peak Oil, 4th March 2009 10:21am

Hi,
An excellent idea.
As a frequent eBay buyer and seller this is a great chance to not only reduce the high postage charges by some members but also make use of empty vehicles.

I recently sold some bulky items where the cost of courier was so excessive it was easier to brand it as collect in person.

One chap drove from Northumberland to the Midlands for collection, the cost of diesel still out priced the item. Crazy really.

Mr Peak Oil has posted his usual blog once too often. Shame he wasn't more
adventurous. With some thought and personal input he could/should have been more educational.

Hi to Bandidoz, Adrian and BtPO.

Posted by Steve M, 4th March 2009 4:55pm

I fully agree with this initiative an excellent idea that needs publicising.
Well done to ? for the initial idea.

Posted by Adrian John Bell, 5th March 2009 7:02pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

Hi,

In the Birmingham and surrounding areas the price of diesel is 96.9ppl at 7 stations.
the unleaded is 87.9 at 8 stations.
As well as diesel slowly coming down the gap between the two fuels is shrinking.
Hooray for small mercy's.

Hi Adrian. catch you later hopefully. (8ish)

Posted by Steve M, 6th March 2009 10:25am

Unleaded Diesel LPG
Tesco 088.9 097.9
Total 090.9 100.9
Total 090.9 101.9
Jet 090.9 099.9
Gulf 097.9 110.0

Posted by Joshua Walker, 9th March 2009 7:42pm

fully agree with this initiative an excellent idea that needs publicising.

Posted by 808 Opinion, 17th March 2009 12:54pm

While I agree in principle it's a very good idea, as a genuine courier I'd like to see Shiply implement some form of system to ensure that only reputable companies are allowed to place bids on the loads on offer. I'm a member of other courier websites offering a similar service who take precautions that it's operators are fully legal and a genuine business.

Shiply doesn't check whether the operator has the correct insurances, or is indeed a bona-fide company. There are a couple of operators using company names which are registered to other established companies - illegal to do so!!

In fact, there is one "courier company" on the system that has such a bad reputation he is well known within the industry.

How many people know, for example, that a special license issued by DEFRA is required to carry ANY form of live animal by road transport, but Shiply has not implemented any way of excluding the more unscrupulous operators ignore the law.

Posted by A Courier, 25th March 2009 9:56am

greattttttttttttttttttttttttttttt . don't tell the chancellor or he will find away to tax it

Posted by Colin Bennett, 10th April 2009 8:50am

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

This idea has been out a long time before Shiply.What make Shiply different is their marketing strategy and social networking according to their budget and knowledge of the internet advertising power.
It is not a niche. It is how well you market your business.
Does it work? Of course however at times drivers would be earning next to nothing because of the competition. Generally customers have a choice as well as taking risks.

Posted by Richard Samson, 4th January 2010 1:07am
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