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AnyVan

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Anyvan Ltd.
Company typeLimited company
FoundedMarch 2009
FounderAngus Elphinstone and Ben Goor
Headquarters,
ServicesOnline marketplace For transport services
Websitewww.anyvan.com

Anyvan is a UK-based limited company providing a reverse auction internet marketplace where European delivery requesters may list items they need to transport, and delivery and transport providers, such as haulage providers and private car owners.[1], can bid on the listing.

Concept

The concept employed by Anyvan aims to minimize unused haulage or delivery space from private transport requester deliveries. It is an expansion of the groupage concept utilized by large haulage providers and performs an identical role to US-based uShip and UK-based Shiply.

Transport requesters create accounts and list the items to be transported, along with data such as size, location, maximum price and flexibility of timing. Transport providers then bid on the delivery requirements.

Traditionally listings are awarded to the lowest bidder, although a user-feedback system is included on the site to minimize rogue trading[2] and enable delivery requesters to make service delivery decisions based on factors other than cost, such as reputation and insurance levels.

Anyvan has a free registration system for both transport providers and transport requesters. Fees are taken from the service provider at a tiered rate of between 2.5% and 9.9%,[3] with a minimum fee of £5. The rate taken as commission is determined by the winning bid of the listing. As of September 2012, Anyvan had 275,000 registered service requesters and 14,000 registered delivery providers.


History

Formation

Anyvan was founded by Angus Elphinstone and Ben Goor in March 2009 and launched in October 2009. Elphinstone, who was running a white van man delivery business, often received calls from customers who wanted something moved but could not afford the cost of a one-off job.

The business was launched with £125,000 and a further £250,000 for expansion and as of December 2011 deliveries totalled approximately 10 million miles. [4] Anyvan reports to reduce carbon emissions by an average of 274kg per successful listing. [5]



Operations

Area covered

Anyvan operated exclusively in the UK between October 2009 and Feburary 2012. In March 2012, the company expanded in Germany, opening a German website and allowing German delivery providers to bid. [6]

Reception

Anyvan has been covered in the UK media in reference to the economic climate[7] [8] , environmental issues[9]and delivery cost-saving[10].

Awards

Anyvan.com received thegoodwebguide.co.uk website of the year award in 2010.[11] It also received a 5/5 rating from Webuser.com.[12]


References

  1. ^ Miles Brignall (March 12, 2011). "Make a delivery and cover your petrol costs". The Guardian.
  2. ^ {{cite web | title = Search the web for a man with a van | author = Chiara Cavaglieri | publisher = [[The Independent | date = May 9, 2010| url = http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/search-the-web-for-a-man-with-a-van-1968944.html }}
  3. ^ "Anyvan Terms and Conditions". Anyvan.com. March, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Tim Heming (December 14, 2011). "Cashflow's small business heroes". The Sun. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  5. ^ "CrunchBase Profile". TechCrunch. April 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: Text "2010" ignored (help)
  6. ^ Anyvan (February 19, 2012). "Anyvan.de".
  7. ^ Miles Brignall (March 12, 2011). "Make a delivery and cover your petrol costs". The Guardian.
  8. ^ Linda Harrison (March 8, 2011). "Earn money by using your car for courier work". The Telegraph.
  9. ^ Alice Logan (July 10, 2010). "Moving with the times". The Daily Mail.
  10. ^ Jessica Johnson (November 12, 2010). "Website to change the way we transport goods". theexpress.co.uk.
  11. ^ "Website of the year 2010 won by Anyvan". The Good Web Guide. November 17 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ web user (February 11, 2010). "Web User review". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)

External links