Man and Van Club vs Shiply
An auction-style bidding marketplace versus one verified mover who reviews your job properly. Here is how the two models actually compare, including where Shiply is the better tool, so you can choose with your eyes open.
Key Differences
Bids vs One Quote
Shiply works like eBay for transport: you list the job and drivers bid the price down. Man and Van Club sends your request to one verified mover who reviews the details and sends a considered quote.
Who Vets The Driver
On Shiply you assess drivers yourself through their feedback ratings. With us, Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance are verified before a mover can see a single request.
Fees On Top vs Fee-Free
Shiply adds a service fee, typically around 10-15%, on top of the winning bid. Man and Van Club adds nothing on top: the quote you accept is what you pay.
Side By Side
| Feature | Man and Van Club | Shiply |
|---|---|---|
| How quotes work | One verified mover reviews your details and sends a quote | Drivers place bids on your listing, auction-style |
| Platform fees | No commission or fee added on top of the mover's quote | A service fee, typically around 10-15%, is added on top of the winning bid |
| Who checks the driver | We verify Goods in Transit + Public Liability insurance before a mover gets access | You review driver feedback ratings and credentials yourself before accepting a bid |
| Your contact details | Private until you accept the quote and pay the deposit | Shared with the winning driver once you accept their bid |
| What gets moved | Home moves, flats, furniture, single items, pianos | Almost anything: house moves, cars, boats, motorcycles, freight |
| Quote accuracy | Mover reviews access, stairs, parking and items before quoting | Bids are based on your listing description and can change if details differ on the day |
| Who handles the job | The mover who reviewed your details, no substitutions | The driver whose bid you choose to accept |
| Booking deposit | Deposit paid after accepting the quote, deducted from the total | Deposit paid via Shiply when you accept a bid |
| Bargain hunting | One honest quote from a mover who has reviewed the job | Drivers with spare van space (backloads) can bid very low if your dates are flexible |
Information about Shiply is based on their publicly available website and terms as of July 2026. Features and fees may change. Always check the platform directly before booking.
When to Choose Which
Choose Man and Van Club if you want:
- A home move, flat move, furniture or single-item delivery
- A mover whose insurance we have verified before they quote
- Your contact details kept private until you accept
- No platform fee added on top of the price you accept
- One considered quote instead of managing a stream of bids
Shiply may suit you if you want:
- Multiple bids to compare, and you enjoy the auction process
- To move a car, boat, motorcycle or specialist freight
- A backload bargain and your dates are flexible enough to wait for one
- To assess drivers yourself through detailed feedback histories
Both platforms connect customers with independent drivers. Neither is a removal company with its own fleet. The right choice depends on whether you prefer competitive bidding across many categories or a single reviewed quote from an insurance-verified mover.
Pricing Example
Illustrative example, not a quote
Single Sofa: Manchester to Leeds
Man and Van Club
One verified mover reviews the collection access, stairs and parking, then quotes the full price.
£70 – £110
Nothing added on top. The quote you accept is what you pay.
Shiply
Drivers bid against each other. Backload drivers already travelling the route can bid low.
£55 – £100 + fee
Shiply's service fee, typically around 10-15%, is added on top of the winning bid.
These figures are illustrative, based on typical 2026 UK rates for this route and item. Real prices depend on dates, access and the individual driver or mover. Compare actual totals on both platforms before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Man and Van Club cheaper than Shiply?
It depends on the job. On Shiply, drivers bid down against each other and Shiply's service fee, typically around 10-15%, is added on top of the winning bid. On Man and Van Club, one verified mover quotes the full price with no platform fee added on top. For competitive routes Shiply's bidding can produce a low headline bid, so the honest answer is to compare the final totals on both.
Is Shiply a legitimate company?
Yes. Shiply is a genuine, long-running marketplace, operating since 2008, where customers list jobs and transport providers bid on them. It works a bit like eBay for transport. Like any bidding platform, the experience depends heavily on the individual driver you accept, so reading their feedback scores carefully matters.
How does Shiply make money?
Drivers pay nothing to sign up or bid. When a customer accepts a bid, Shiply adds a service fee, usually between 10% and 15%, on top of the driver's quoted price, which the customer pays. The driver receives their bid amount and Shiply keeps the fee.
Does Shiply verify its drivers?
Shiply runs on a feedback and ratings system: drivers build reputations from past jobs and customers review those ratings before accepting a bid. The checking of a specific driver's insurance and credentials is largely done by you at the point of choosing. Man and Van Club takes a different approach: we verify Goods in Transit insurance, Public Liability insurance, business details and service areas before a mover can see any customer request.
Can I use both platforms?
Yes, and for bigger or unusual jobs many people do. List your job on Shiply to watch the bids come in, and submit a free request on Man and Van Club to see what one verified mover quotes with no fee added on top. Then compare the final, all-in totals rather than the headline figures.
What if I need a car, boat or motorcycle moved?
That is genuinely Shiply's strong ground. It carries virtually every transport category, including vehicles, boats and freight. Man and Van Club focuses on household moves, flats, furniture and single items, so for vehicle transport Shiply's category breadth will usually suit you better.
More honest comparisons
Try Man and Van Club
Submit your move details for free. One verified mover reviews your request and sends a quote, with nothing added on top. No obligation.