How to List a Job on Shiply: A Beginner’s Walkthrough

Listing your first job on Shiply takes about ten minutes, but the gap between a vague listing and a sharp one can easily be a few hundred pounds in the quotes you receive. If you’re figuring out how to list a job on Shiply so that serious couriers actually bid — and bid low — this walkthrough covers every step, plus the beginner mistakes that quietly cost people money.

Shiply is a London-based transport marketplace running since 2008. You describe what needs moving, independent transport companies compete for the work in a reverse auction, and you pick the winner. Listing is free; you only pay (a deposit to Shiply, then the balance to the transporter) when you accept a bid. If you want the bigger picture first, read how Shiply works before you start.

How to list a job on Shiply: what you’ll need first

Couriers price what they can see. The more concrete your listing, the sharper the bids — because drivers don’t have to pad the quote against unknowns. Have this ready:

• Exact description — not “some furniture” but “three-seater sofa, 210cm wide, plus a solid oak dining table”.
• Dimensions and weight — a tape measure and a rough weight estimate take two minutes and transform your quotes.
• Pickup and delivery postcodes — full postcodes get you accurate routing; vague towns get vague prices.
• Access details — stairs, lifts, narrow lanes, parking restrictions. Movers charge for awkward access, so declaring it upfront avoids re-quotes later.
• Your dates — and how flexible you are (more on this below).

Step 1: Pick the right category

Shiply organises listings by category — furniture delivery, vehicle transport, house removals, pianos, boats, and so on. Choose the closest match. A miscategorised listing still appears in search, but it gets shown to fewer of the right specialists, which means fewer bids and higher prices. If your job genuinely spans two categories (say, a car plus household boxes), mention both in the description and pick the category that matches the bulk of the work.

Step 2: Write a description couriers can price from

This is where most beginners lose money. Write your description as if you were the driver planning the load: what is it, how big, how heavy, does it come apart, and what will the driver face at each end? A listing that says “wardrobe, 180x120x60cm, flat-packable, ground floor both ends, photos attached” will pull noticeably better quotes than “big wardrobe needs moving”.

Also state anything unusual honestly — fragile items, valuable antiques, items needing two people to lift. Surprises on moving day lead to cancelled jobs or on-the-spot surcharges, both worse than a slightly higher honest quote.

Step 3: Add photos (this matters more than you think)

Shiply claims that listings with photos receive quotes around 34% cheaper — and whether or not the exact figure holds for your job, the logic is sound. Photos remove guesswork. Take clear shots in daylight, include something for scale (a doorway works), and photograph any damage or awkward angles. Five decent photos beat twenty blurry ones.

Step 4: Set your dates — and be honest about flexibility

You’ll be asked for a preferred date. Here’s the insider point: couriers discount hardest when they can fit your job around trips they’re already making, especially empty return legs. If you can offer a window (“any weekday next week”) rather than a single fixed day, say so prominently. Flexible listings consistently attract the lowest bids on the platform.

Step 5: Publish and let the auction run

Once published, bids typically start arriving within the hour — sometimes within minutes. Resist the urge to accept the first one. The reverse auction needs time to work: as more transporters see the job and undercut each other, prices fall. Give it around 24 hours where possible, then compare not just price but each bidder’s feedback profile and completed-job count.

When you accept, you’ll pay a deposit by card. Remember that this deposit is Shiply’s success fee and goes to Shiply — the balance goes to the transport company, usually on completion. Our Shiply fees guide breaks the money side down in full.

Beginner mistakes that cost real money

• One-line descriptions. “Sofa, London to Leeds” invites padded quotes. Detail is free; vagueness is expensive.
• Rigid dates. “Must be Tuesday” kills backload discounts. Flexibility is the single biggest lever on price.
• Accepting the first bid. Early bids are rarely the cheapest. Let the auction breathe.
• Ignoring feedback scores. The cheapest quote from a courier with four reviews is a gamble. Read the written reviews, not just the stars.
• Going off-platform. If a bidder offers a “discount” for paying direct, you’re being asked to dodge Shiply’s fee — and with it, every protection you have. Keep everything on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to list a job on Shiply?

Nothing. Listing your delivery and receiving quotes is free. You only pay when you accept a bid: a deposit to Shiply at booking, then the remaining balance to the transport company.

How long does it take to get quotes?

First bids often arrive within 30 minutes of publishing. For the best prices, though, leave the listing open around 24 hours so the full field of couriers can compete.

Can I edit my listing after publishing it?

Yes — you can update the description, dates and photos. If the job changes substantially (different items, different route), it’s better to be upfront with bidders, since quotes were priced on the original details.

What if nobody bids on my listing?

It happens with very remote routes or extremely tight dates. Try widening your date window, adding photos and measurements, and double-checking the category. Unusual jobs sometimes need a few days to find the right specialist.

Do I have to accept any of the quotes?

No. You’re under no obligation. If the bids are too high, you can walk away, adjust the listing, and relist — it costs nothing to try again.

Ready to get quotes? You can request your move here and have matched UK transport companies send you their best prices — or ask the community in our Shiply Help Desk forum if anything about your listing is unclear.