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CitizenShipper

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mmatasc (talk | contribs) at 00:34, 9 March 2024 (Removed "especially citizens already driving the customers' routes anyway." because it is no longer relevant/true.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

CitizenShipper LLC
Type of businessPrivate
Type of site
Online auction
Founded2008 (2008)
HeadquartersTyler, Texas
Area servedUnited States
IndustryTransportation, Internet
URLcitizenshipper.com
LaunchedJuly 2008

CitizenShipper is an American online auction-based peer-to-peer shipping marketplace that aims to connect shipping customers with couriers and transport providers. The company matches "citizen shippers" to couriers and drivers who bid on shipments in a reverse auction format.

History

Physicist Richard Obousy founded CitizenShipper in 2008, citing both high gas prices and U.S. Department of Transportation figures suggesting empty trucks account for 29% of single-unit truck traffic.[1][2][3]

As a graduate student at Baylor University, Obousy wondered how he could make a little extra money for gas each month by transporting items for people with the spare capacity in his vehicle.

He imagined there were other drivers doing the same type of repetitive routes who would be interested in making extra cash. Based on this premise, he launched a very basic version of CitizenShipper in 2008 on a budget of $2,000. The earliest version of the website simply connected shippers with drivers. There were no added features such as integrated messaging, driver profiles, or background checks.

By 2012, the website steadily gained momentum, and shipping customers and drivers were connecting with each other more effectively. CitizenShipper grew into a small development team, marketing team and a customer support team.[4]

Joining the ranks of other two-way marketplaces, or shared economy marketplaces, such as Uber and Lyft, CitizenShipper focused its energy on engaging the transportation needs of American citizens. In 2018, analysis of industry research exposed an opportunity in pet transportation in U.S. homes. This information, combined with the burgeoning acceptance and expansion of two-way business models, steered the company toward embracing pet transportation as a market differentiator.

The company's website is designed to match people who need items shipped economically to certain locations with people already traveling in those directions, thus reducing overall carbon emissions.[5][2] Obousy believes clients "can make a significant impact on reducing the country's carbon footprint."[6] CitizenShipper is available nationally and now has drivers in all 50 U.S. states.[7][5][6]

According to the CitizenShipper website, in 2021 50% of pet shipment listings received driver bids within 5 minutes and 79% within 10 minutes. CitizenShipper surpassed 1,000,000 miles in total traveled by drivers in 2016. By the end of 2021, the website reached 3,758,787 total bids from drivers using CitizenShipper, who have collectively traveled over 100,000,000 miles in total—a farther distance than a trip to the sun, plus 11 million additional miles.[8]

As of 2022, CitizenShipper has facilitated the transport of 100,000,000 pets.

CitizenShipper has worked with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a specific focus on animal welfare and education. It's an initiative that's both historical and ongoing.[9][10] "Pet transportation in particular presents unique shipping challenges and often requires consumers to navigate a confusing landscape," Richard Obousy, CEO of CitizenShipper says. "The USDA provides a wealth of educational and other resources regarding animal welfare regulations and best practices, so as the #1 pet shipping platform in the US, we are always looking for new ways to encourage USDA registration and engagement with the agency among our large network of transporters."

As of 2023, drivers on CitizenShipper have traveled over 160,000,000 miles, and the website has surpassed 7,350,000 bids.

Company evolution

As of 2022, CitizenShipper has almost 40 employees located all over the world. While pet transportation remains popular on the platform, customers are increasingly connecting with feedback-rated and background-checked drivers to transport items other than, pets such as cars, boats, and motorcycles, heavy equipment, and freight.

Drivers who specialize in pet transport have branched out to "air nanny" services, in which they accompany a pet during its flight.[11]

Programs and partnerships

CitizenShipper introduced a $1,000 Pet Protection Plan on September 20, 2021, which covers all pet shipments listed from that date on. This program is a first among pet transportation services.[12]

Select drivers on CitizenShipper have access to 24/7 veterinary video consultation coverage through the company's partner FirstVet. Using a mobile app, these drivers can receive professional veterinary advice, treatment recommendations, and referrals to a local animal clinic. 65% of cases through FirstVet are resolved remotely and do not require an in-person vet visit.

CitizenShipper launched a breeder-focused program in 2019 that connects U.S. breeders with consistent transportation for their litters. This program currently has over 5,000 members.[13]

In March 2022, CitizenShipper partnered with Swyft Filings,[14] claiming that their "partnership makes it easy and affordable to incorporate your business and improve your bottom line. Swyft Filings will prepare and file all the required documents for incorporation ... the entire process can take you as little as 10 minutes."[15]

CitizenShipper entered into a marketing partnership with Everlance in June 2023 to offer drivers on its platform a discounted rate on the premium version of Everlance's app. Everlance helps gig economy professionals monitor their mileage, track expenses, and discover tax-saving opportunities.[16]

Puppies.com and CitizenShipper

In 2022, CitizenShipper and Puppies.com teamed up to provide secure puppy transportation for customers throughout the United States. This partnership is founded on a mutual dedication to customer satisfaction, peace of mind, and the safety and well-being of every dog involved. Breeders who list on Puppies.com can offer a ground transportation option, enabling customers to utilize CitizenShipper's network of transport professionals for a smooth and hassle-free rehoming experience.[17]

In the news

CitizenShipper has been mentioned in online articles that feature unique "side hustles," "innovative gigs," and flexible job opportunities, including the Los Angeles Times, Entrepreneur and Forbes.[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] The New York Times acknowledges CitizenShipper as an alternative option to airplanes "for people who need their animal moved... [CitizenShipper] matches animals in need of transport with drivers. "[26] Baseline has named driving on CitizenShipper as a niche business option. "[CitizenShipper] is a good example of a niche business set to thrive ... As the number one pet transport marketplace in the US, its Uber-like ability to move beloved animals safely from point A to point B is a popular service."[27]

ReadWrite has praised CitizenShipper's community and how it has helped shape the brand into what it is today. "When someone posts a listing on CitizenShipper, [the listing] is seen by countless pre-vetted drivers. Consequently, interested drivers can bid on the listing, and posters get to decide which driver meets their needs. Though this is a systematic process, it's not an impersonal one. As a company, CitizenShipper has done its best to promote personalization, above transactions. Yes, a transaction occurs. But the transaction has a very human touch."[28]

Inc. has recognized CitizenShipper's differentiating features. "Rather than reinvent the wheel, [CitizenShipper] built on its core platform by adding proven, value-rich features over time, like rideshare-like capabilities, driver-to-customer contact channels, and 24/7 phone access to veterinarians."[29]

CitizenShipper has been recognized as an option to make moves less stressful for homeowners with pets.[30][31] "You may want to consider using pet transport services. They can be booked in advance and provide peace of mind that your animals will arrive at their new home safely. These services can even move pets long distances, if flying isn't an option. Plus, setting that up ahead of time means you have more time to prepare for other aspects of the move."[32] Varsity and other websites have recognized CitizenShipper as a "smart" pet transportation option for new pet parents.[33] "These services [CitizenShipper] have drivers who will pick up and drive your pooch straight to your house, even from several states away. These drivers know how to handle pets while in the car, and they'll send you plenty of updates along the way."[34]

Reviews

According to Courier Magazine, CitizenShipper claimed to have had zero complaints of lost or damaged shipments or of unpaid drivers during its first three years of operation. Obousy attributed this to staff listening to "every suggestion and request from every member." Significant cost savings over FedEx and UPS have been reported.[2][3][35]

Mother Earth News stated that shipping "could be both environmentally-friendly and easier on your pocketbook .... The green shipping service is free and offered worldwide to reduce the need for inefficient delivery vehicles."[6] Clean technology blog CleanTechnica said, "Shipping ... in a vehicle that is being underutilized helps greatly to reduce greenhouse gases .... [CitizenShipper] looks like it would get you the cheapest and one of the greenest deals out there."[3]

According to Breeding Business, "The [CitizenShipper] online marketplace makes it fast and affordable for shipping customers to find an ideal dog transporter to match their needs, budget, and schedule. While it may sound daunting to put your pet in someone else's care, it's often a great option for long-distance travel .... The safer alternative is a drive with a background-verified and user-rated dog transporter. The service can also be useful for transporting puppies to new owners. Distances between puppies and new pet owners can make a meet-and-greet challenging. In those instances, CitizenShipper has become the go-to source for breeders."[36]

Accesswire cites CitizenShipper as a platform that "eliminates the stress of air travel for pet parents."[37]

The Spruce Pets has recognized CitizenShipper as the best marketplace for pet transport. "[CitizenShipper] is a website that allows you to gather bids from qualified, professional pet transporters from across the country, so you can find the solution that fits your budget and needs perfectly. All pet transportation professionals have reviews and testimonials, so you can be sure to trust the driver in charge of your pet's move."[38]

References

  1. ^ Alam, Maks; Fekpe, Edward; Majed, Mohammed (27 June 2007). "FAF2 Freight Traffic Analysis". Federal Highway Administration Office of Freight Management and Operations. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014. In "2.2.2.5 Cost of Freight Inventory Delay". Work Zone Road User Costs - Concepts and Applications. Table 7. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Office of Operations. December 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2014.{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^ a b c "Escrow.com Adds Security to Moving and Shipping Transactions: Payment option protects consumers and shippers from fraud". Yahoo! News. 26 Feb 2013. Archived from the original on 26 Feb 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Shahan, Zachary (1 May 2010). "Cheap and Green Shipping Service — CitizenShipper". Transport. CleanTechnica. Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  4. ^ "About Us". CitizenShipper. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference discovery was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Rosner, Sean (Oct 2009). "CitizenShipper: Green Shipping". Mother Earth News. Retrieved 26 May 2014. An old idea is new again with a green shipping twist: the CitizenShipper website connects people who need items shipped somewhere with people who are already traveling in that direction, potentially lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference stuff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "About Us". CitizenShipper. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  9. ^ Zhang, Kimberly (2023-03-27). "How Private Businesses Can Partner With Government Agencies to Facilitate Change". Under30CEO. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  10. ^ Under30CEO (2023-03-28). "How Private Businesses Can Partner With Government Agencies to Facilitate Change". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2023-04-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Sullivan, Julia (2022-12-22). "How to become a flight nanny: What you need to know about caring for furry companions on-the-go". Care.com Resources. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  12. ^ "CitizenShipper teams up with Tint to offer pet transport protection plans". Coverager - Insurance news and insights. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  13. ^ "Top quality dog transportation for breeders | CitizenShipper". try.citizenshipper.com. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  14. ^ "Form a Limited Liability Company Online | Swyft Filings". www.swyftfilings.com. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  15. ^ "CitizenShipper Partners with Swyft Filings". CitizenShipper Blog. 2022-03-22. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  16. ^ "Everlance: Automatic Mileage Tracker & Expense Management". www.everlance.com. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  17. ^ "Find Puppies for Sale at Puppies.com". puppies.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  18. ^ "Dirty jobs can rake in good money". Los Angeles Times. 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  19. ^ "Where to find a holiday job". Los Angeles Times. 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  20. ^ Zenger News. "These People Turned Pandemic Disaster Into Financial Success". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  21. ^ "From Pet Nanny to Metaverse Real Estate Agent, These Side Hustles Scream '2022'". Crossroads Today. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  22. ^ "Side jobs for people who are strong or athletic-minded". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  23. ^ "Pet Transporter Side Gig Can Pay Good Money". www.thepennyhoarder.com. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  24. ^ Herald, Blog (2022-12-19). "5 Companies Bringing Disruptive Innovations to Their Industries". The Blog Herald. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  25. ^ Daisyme, Peter (January 20, 2023). "8 Easy Side Hustles in 2023".
  26. ^ Weed, Julie (2022-09-15). "How to Take Your Pet Along for the Ride (or Flight)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  27. ^ Jones, Howie (2023-05-24). "3 Niche Businesses That Can Ride Out a Recession". Information Technology Planning, Implementation and IT Solutions for Business - News & Reviews - BaselineMag.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  28. ^ "How CitizenShipper Uses Community to Catapult Their Company Forward". ReadWrite. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  29. ^ Comm, Joel (January 19, 2023). "3 Ways to Effectively Differentiate Your Company".
  30. ^ "5 Tips to Help Your Dog Transition from the Suburbs to the City". HeckHome. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  31. ^ Averilla, Daniel (2023-03-07). "How To Make A Move Less Stressful For The Whole Family". Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  32. ^ Team, Icy Tales (2023-03-07). "Don't Leave These 4 Essential Tasks Off Your Moving-Day Checklist - Icy Tales". Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  33. ^ "5 Tips For New Pet Parents". Varsity Online. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  34. ^ Bird, Alannah (2023-07-14). "How to Avoid Triggering Your Puppy's Anxiety". Earth and World 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  35. ^ "How Does It Work?". CitizenShipper. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  36. ^ "Review: CitizenShipper For Dogs". Breeding Business. 2021-08-24. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  37. ^ "How CitizenShipper Eliminates the Stress of Air Travel for Pet Parents". Accesswire. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  38. ^ "Best Pet Transportation Services of 2023". The Spruce Pets. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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