Jump to content

AnyVan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Tompey (talk | contribs) at 10:49, 2 October 2012 (External links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This sandbox is in the article namespace. Either move this page into your userspace, or remove the {{User sandbox}} template.

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 a similar role to the US-based groupage company uShip.

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

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]

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]As of September 2012, the company also operates in Ireland [6]and Spain[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 has received thegoodwebguide.co.uk website of the year award in 2010, [11]the Green Entrepreneur Awards' Green Project of the Year 2010 [12]and the Rushlight Award for Environmental Sustainability[13]. It has also received a 5/5 rating from Webuser.com[14].

References

  1. ^ Miles Brignall (March 12, 2011). "Make a delivery and cover your petrol costs". The Guardian.
  2. ^ Chiara Cavaglieri (May 9, 2010). "Search the web for a man with a van". The Independent.
  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. ^ a b c Anyvan (February 19, 2012). "Anyvan.de". Cite error: The named reference "TT" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  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. ^ "Green Project of the Year". Digital Entrepreneur. November 2010.
  13. ^ "Anyvan wins Rushlight Award". Rushlight. October 2010.
  14. ^ web user (February 11, 2010). "Web User review". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)