“Just Google it!”
How did we find anything before the internet, social media, and search engines? It’s hard to remember and nearly impossible to imagine life without them today.
Internet utilization transformed the way business gets done by transcending the barriers that limit the reach of products and services. The secret sauce of internet business is its ability to connect strangers far and wide to buy and sell products and services – quickly, easily, conveniently.
For example, you, a pet owner (lover), and an independent contract pet transporter.
The only problem is, there are a lot of transporters. And despite years of internet existence, the pet transportation marketplace remained fragmented with no leading sources or trusted hubs for owners and transporters to conduct business. As a result, the only option available to you was to “roll the dice” with drivers found on Facebook, Craigslist, and a dizzying array of small, “mom-and-pop” transport services.
So, while internet searches made it easier for a pet shipping customer to find a pet transporter, it made it more difficult to find the RIGHT one.
Enter CitizenShipper.
CitizenShipper is an innovative, industry-leading, online platform utilized by thousands of independent pet transporters to offer their services and build their businesses. We bring this huge marketplace to you in one convenient site to begin your pet transport search.
But that’s not where we leave you.
While CitizenShipper gives you one, centralized place to look for a pet transporter to hire, there are potentially thousands of options to sift through. That’s why we’ve incorporated parameters and filters in our platform search options which you can select when listing a pet for transport. This streamlines the selection process by directing the invitation to quote to your defined transport inputs.
As you begin receiving quotes, CitizenShipper provides additional tools and resources that can help you make an informed decision about which driver is the best hire for you and your pet. We know this part can be a little confusing, so we want to be clear. CitizenShipper does not hire the pet transporter, you do. However, our platform does offer safeguards, suggestions, and other support features that may be beneficial and factor into what is ultimately your decision. The most notable of these are detailed below and demonstrate the added value CitizenShipper brings to the pet transport decision process.
Background checks
To level the playing field and provide peace-of-mind, every independent contract pet transporter must pass a general background check before initiating his or her first shipment with CitizenShipper. We continue to improve this process and conduct recurring verifications annually.
Please keep in mind, as any law enforcement professional will tell you, background checks do have limitations. Background checks only work when an independent contract transporter gives us his or her full, correct legal name and date of birth. Also, a background check is usually limited in scope as in regard to time periods - for instance, a 7 to 10-year look-back history. Another limitation is that the databases we check are not necessarily complete and what is reported in them can vary widely from state to state. As a result, we cannot guarantee the background check we conduct will identify all past criminal activity or testify to a transporter’s actions in the future.
Despite limitations, background checks are useful as another resource to help you determine which transporter to hire, however, they should not be the deciding factor. Instead, they are most effective combined with other supporting information and your sound judgment.
Communication access
Once a transporter sends you a quote, you can open a communication channel with him or her through our platform to further discuss details of your pet’s shipment. In fact, we encourage it. Often it is this dialogue that proves the most critical in ensuring the pet transport you expect is what you receive. Details of the delivery can be fully discussed including special needs and requirements, as well as the method and frequency for keeping in touch with the driver throughout your pet’s journey. In addition, communicating with the transporters through our channel supplies an extra measure of security. Because our channel is recorded and monitored, any inappropriate discussions can be accessed promptly and dealt with swiftly.
Peer reviews
Our robust system of peer review is one of the most popular and valuable assets available on our platform. How other pet owners rate a driver’s past transport performance is powerful. We contend reviews are one of the most important considerations in your driver decision process.
Customer service team support
The dedicated members of our Customer Service Team are true professionals and the heroes of our platform! They are available via email, chat, and phone to answer your questions promptly, provide helpful suggestions, and most importantly, step in and take control if any issues develop during the transport of your pet. Time and time again our shipping customers say it is our Customer Service Team that truly elevates the CitizenShipper experience to the next level.
Additional suggestions for working with the driver you hire
Securing the best quote
Transporters who use our platform know they are bidding against each other which benefits you by driving competitive bids your way. However, we advise our shipping customers to consider all aspects of a potential transporter before actually hiring him or her. The best fit for you and your pet may not be the least expensive. There is a lot of truth to the saying, “you get what you pay for.” There is value to a transporter who consistently receives good reviews or is someone you bond with through our communication channel. Feeling comfortable with the transporter you hire is something that money just cannot buy.
Protecting your payment
You pay the transporter directly, based on the previously agreed-upon quote. Although CitizenShipper is not involved in this transaction, we do recommend that the form of payment is disputable – such as Visa or PayPal. This way you can possibly stop payment or recover the funds should the driver not deliver on the terms of the transport. The only money you pay CitizenShipper directly is a small Success Fee for utilizing our platform.
In conclusion
As fellow pet lovers, we understand the anxiety involved in finding and selecting a driver to transport your furry family member. We created CitizenShipper to help you minimize the risks and uncertainties by providing options, suggestions, and tips. We encourage you to explore all of the information, resources, and precautions on our site to create a positive transport experience for you and your pet. And if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Support Team. Happy Shipping!
What to read next
For detailed information on what a background check entails, click here.
For an overview of limitations typically associated with background checks, click here.
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