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CitizenShipper


Country United States
State Texas
City Houston
Address 5925 Kirby Dr e443
Phone 713-893-3386
Website https://www.citizenshipper.com/

CitizenShipper Reviews

Most Useful Comment
  • Jan 16, 2018

I was charged >$90 for their service of background checking the driver, but the profile did not match the deliverer at all. They had no cell phone and knocked on my door 9 hours late, which caused me to miss work. My dog arrived in inhumane conditions. As seems true of everyone on line, I cannot reach anyone in costumer service after multiple attempts.

Mark as Useful [1 vote]
Most Useful Comment
  • Sep 12, 2016

Wow, and I glad I researched this company before signing up!

I've helped people transporting things many times using connection sites which do not take a percentage or charge other fees, and had great expereinces. I travel a lot with empty space and thought Citizen Shipper (CS) might be a great grass-roots way to expand the "win-win" for everyone.

1- There are mixed reviews about the site and providers who list services on the site from consumers and providers.

2- One indicated they cut and paste ads from UShip to flesh out thier ads. I did look on UShip and there are some copy and pastes, so this might explain some of the complaints about lack of replies to ads by service providers (becuase they list on USIP, not CS), which is disengenuous and serves no one in the end.

3- So, I did my "due dillgence" and Googled complaints and there were quite a few. I found replies to only 2 by CS at 2 different sites (other than this one or thier own) about poor/nonexistent customer service. The replies by CS did not attempt to address the complaint, were argumentative, deflected responsibility, one included threats and neither offered an apology for poor service. The second review did the same, minus the threats, and stated thier "customer service person had just gone on maternity leave," and they were "backlogged and were working as fast as they could to get to everyone." The time and effort to produce both of these replies (in a public forum) could have been used to address the issue and was not, and there was no subsequent attempt to resolve the complaint, as any professional who cared about thier reputation would have done asap, indicating they are likely a small operation lacking Customer Service skills.

4- As I perused the page to become a provider, it required that I enter my SSN and valid credit card # (the instructions stated it was for alleged backgroud and credit checks), there was also an already checked box stating "I agree to the Terms and Coonditions." Since they'd not been provided, I clicked on the link in the menu to find out what they were. I read through about 12 pages of fine print. Only in the fine print was there was there mention of a monthly "subscription" fee that would be charged to my credit card and there are a number of other questionable fees...including that I agreed to pay them a $1000 fine for each negative review and threats of legal action for "defamation and loss of business." and the usual you get 30 days for free and can quit any time after that," which is the structure of almost every online subscription, but there was no email or phone# listed in the fine print or anywhere on the website. I was reminded of how much trouble (and expense) I experienced with a couple of companies who kept on charging me for "subscriptions" even after I called and emailed to cancel. Even a small claims suit costs hundreds in filing fees, so was less expensive and more efficient to cancel my card and deal with the inconvenience of trying to get my bank to refund me the charges for unused services. There are companies who bank thousands a day on conduct like this and no one does anything becuase of the added expense of filing interstate lawsuits, and the unlikelihood of that happening, so it is very useful to read every contract and understand it before you agree.

It is also definitely prudent to research any company that asks for your personal information, and any service provider to see what thier track record is. All of the above are red flags which inspired me not to sign up or give them my personal financial information which are required to be a provider or a patron of their "service."

Every start up will have mixed reviews. Based on the text, this company began operating in 2009, so they're 7 years in, and many complaints are from this year. Very established companies have mixed reviews too, but you detixify them by addressing them politely, professionally, fairly and productively, right away, especially in a public forum. I used to train people in customer service who worked for service-based companies for face to face, virtual, and phone contacts, and they would have failed thier training had they responded as Cititzen Shipper did...and threatening people with fines an lawsuits for exercising freedom of speech is not just unprofessional, it is illegal and amounts to bullying and lack of accountability...which supports the reasons for the negative reviews.

Whether you are a huge corporate entity or a small home-based virtual operation, you have to conduct yourself in a mature, respectful, legal, and professional manner or you are doing a disservice to everyone, including yourself.

Hopefully this review will help protect other honest consumers and service providers and this company get thier act together in a positive way.

Mark as Useful [1 vote]
  • Jan 22, 2020

Run away

This company is a joke! They feel the need to dictate your routes, timing and so on. Even thought it clearly says in their policy that they dont Get involved at all. Save yourself the hassle and book with a private company in avoid all of this drama. Jennifer is nothing but a discriminatory person and makes racial comments about black people.

  • Sep 26, 2019

Our experience

Our daughter sent 120.00 by Money Gram to a woman in Ohio listed in Citizen Shipper for transport of a dog from Texas to Oregon. After the money was sent, the woman quit responding to phone calls and emails. The CS representative in Tyler, TX was helpful in providing the woman's contact information. After the woman denied any knowledge of the transport agreement, we are reporting her to local authorities in her hometown.

  • Aug 9, 2019

Before signing up I surfed the available jobs in my area. There were a few. Maybe 4 in the state. As soon as I start registration & load my location into their system, like magic, there are all these jobs in my area. Statewide. Of course I can’t message these potential jobs until I pay the website.

I don’t pay & I just keep bidding. So now the next day, the jobs start getting closer & closer to my location.

basically they are falsely advertising jobs to get your credit card information &/or to bill you for using their so-called free website.

  • Sep 11, 2016

Buyer Beware

There have been many significant complaints/negative reviews posted on various websites, with responses from the CitizenShipping (henceforth CS or the Company) being unprofessional and unproductive despite evidence presented, deferring responsibility to customer error based on 12+ pages of "fine print" in well hidden "terms and conditions," several of which are contrary to what appears on certain Company web pages. Interestingly, these "Terms and Conditions" are only available after you enter your personal information (Name, address, phone, SSN, Credit Card #) by performing several clicks on links next to(already pre-chosen)"I Agree" boxes on sign up pages many people would not notice because it is not required you check it yourself, indicating you know they exist and have taken the required 20-30 minutes to read several documents, none of which can be downloaded for future reference in writing, as required with a bank, credit card, or other financial services entity.

Clicking on several almost hidden links and reading through the 12+ pages of documents is the only way to find out about the hidden fees ...and an additional (illegal) threat of punitive financial action. Citizen Shipper is the middle man offering transportation of goods connections based on a "sustainability" theory; to save fuel by enlisting what might otherwise be empty space in transit for positive environmental impact satisfying a need for small scale shipping/transport. CS collects fees for this in 3 ways that are not clear on the webpages, only in "the fine print" after clicking on the almost hidden links. They are the gatekeeper for all monies.

The fine print surveyed on both provider and client registration areas notes this company collects;

1- a recurring $25 monthly membership/subscription fee for anyone wanting to access or post an ad which you can allegedly "cancel at anytime" by contacting "customer service."

2- a percentage from the person needing shipping service/posting an ad

3- a percentage from the provider of transportation.

4- there is also a statement that you give CS the right to a $1000 fine for each negative comment you might author for "defamation" and "loss of business"

The personal information such as your SSN and credit card# for alleged "background and credit checks" has no stated limitations on use (or abuse, CS doesn't specify which agency(s)they enlist, and it is only stated in "the fine print" that your credit card will be charged for the above fees.

All financial transactions pass through CitizenShipper, and depend on their "customer service" to resolve any questions of concerns. Therein lie the foundation for all complaints.

Some of the complaints posted online are by providers who did not get paid for services they provided, and others by people who paid for services who did not get refunded for cancellations by providers who withdrew after not being paid. Others were for items not delivered and others for the fees on both ends that are not made clear on the web pages, and if it did respond, the Company refused responsibility.

Many more were for cancellations of the monthly fees for "subscription/membership" that were not followed through upon by CS as it states on the web page, despite proof of those requests provided to the BBB and other sites. This is a perennial problem with online subscriptions that nets thousands of dollars/day in profits for these kinds of companies. The subscription/membership providers know small claims is useless for interstate disputes, so the only legal recourse is to write to the overburdened State Attorney General of FCC, gather others who've been wronged, and if there are enough, hire a lawyer to file a class action suit, who will take most of any profit. You must also remember to address it with your bank or credit card company, once you discover the cancellation has not been addressed, which is usually AFTER the "90 day refund period offered by CS," meaning you have to order a new credit card to keep them from continuing to charge you, and they keep the money already paid to them that's in dispute because the bank usually writes it off.

Any replies to (reasonable) complaints by CitizenShipping were very rare, perfunctory, and inconsistent, one even citing the personal reason for lack of customer service as "maternity leave." In cases where there was any concession, it was for a small percentage of what was in dispute with an offer of partial credit towards "future services," claiming limited liability in "the fine print."

There were several assertions over the years that CitizenShipper copies and pastes ads from UShip and other competitors to make themselves look busier, and it is still accurate as of 9/10/2016.

CitizenShipping also claims approval by the Better Business Bureau on their website, yet Googling them on the BBB website states otherwise.

All of these practices are abusive, some are illegal, and the threat to silence complaints/free speech via an illegal $1000 fine per compliant is also unconstitutional.

These very real concerns provide a significant and sobering ethical/legal contrast to the alleged ideal stated as the foundation for this business, and reveal disingenuous and legally questionable aspects of doing business that the public should be aware of.

  • Sep 11, 2016

Many questionable policies and practices

There have been many significant complaints/negative reviews posted on various websites, with responses from the CitizenShipping (henceforth CS or the Company) being unprofessional and unproductive despite evidence presented, deferring responsibility to customer error based on 12+ pages of "fine print" in well hidden "terms and conditions," several of which are contrary to what appears on certain Company web pages. Interestingly, these "Terms and Conditions" are only available after you enter your personal information (Name, address, phone, SSN, Credit Card #) by performing several clicks on links next to(already pre-chosen)"I Agree" boxes on sign up pages many people would not notice because it is not required you check it yourself, indicating you know they exist and have taken the required 20-30 minutes to read several documents, none of which can be downloaded for future reference in writing, as required with a bank, credit card, or other financial services entity.

Clicking on several almost hidden links and reading through the 12+ pages of documents is the only way to find out about the hidden fees ...and an additional (illegal) threat of punitive financial action. Citizen Shipper is the middle man offering transportation of goods connections based on a "sustainability" theory; to save fuel by enlisting what might otherwise be empty space in transit for positive environmental impact satisfying a need for small scale shipping/transport. CS collects fees for this in 3 ways that are not clear on the webpages, only in "the fine print" after clicking on the almost hidden links. They are the gatekeeper for all monies.

The fine print surveyed on both provider and client registration areas notes this company collects;

1- a recurring $25 monthly membership/subscription fee for anyone wanting to access or post an ad which you can allegedly "cancel at anytime" by contacting "customer service."

2- a percentage from the person needing shipping service/posting an ad

3- a percentage from the provider of transportation.

4- there is also a statement that you give CS the right to a $1000 fine for each negative comment you might author for "defamation" and "loss of business"

The personal information such as your SSN and credit card# for alleged "background and credit checks" has no stated limitations on use (or abuse, CS doesn't specify which agency(s)they enlist, and it is only stated in "the fine print" that your credit card will be charged for the above fees.

All financial transactions pass through CitizenShipper, and depend on their "customer service" to resolve any questions of concerns. Therein lie the foundation for all complaints.

Some of the complaints posted online are by providers who did not get paid for services they provided, and others by people who paid for services who did not get refunded for cancellations by providers who withdrew after not being paid. Others were for items not delivered and others for the fees on both ends that are not made clear on the web pages, and if it did respond, the Company refused responsibility.

Many more were for cancellations of the monthly fees for "subscription/membership" that were not followed through upon by CS as it states on the web page, despite proof of those requests provided to the BBB and other sites. This is a perennial problem with online subscriptions that nets thousands of dollars/day in profits for these kinds of companies. The subscription/membership providers know small claims is useless for interstate disputes, so the only legal recourse is to write to the overburdened State Attorney General of FCC, gather others who've been wronged, and if there are enough, hire a lawyer to file a class action suit, who will take most of any profit. You must also remember to address it with your bank or credit card company, once you discover the cancellation has not been addressed, which is usually AFTER the "90 day refund period offered by CS," meaning you have to order a new credit card to keep them from continuing to charge you, and they keep the money already paid to them that's in dispute because the bank usually writes it off.

Any replies to (reasonable) complaints by CitizenShipping were very rare, perfunctory, and inconsistent, one even citing the personal reason for lack of customer service as "maternity leave." In cases where there was any concession, it was for a small percentage of what was in dispute with an offer of partial credit towards "future services," claiming limited liability in "the fine print."

There were several assertions over the years that CitizenShipper copies and pastes ads from UShip and other competitors to make themselves look busier, and it is still accurate as of 9/10/2016.

CitizenShipping also claims approval by the Better Business Bureau on their website, yet Googling them on the BBB website states otherwise.

All of these practices are abusive, some are illegal, and the threat to silence complaints/free speech via an illegal $1000 fine per compliant is also unconstitutional.

These very real concerns provide a significant and sobering ethical/legal contrast to the alleged ideal stated as the foundation for this business, and reveal disingenuous and legally questionable aspects of doing business that the public should be aware of.

  • Feb 4, 2016

Citizenshipper will not answer phone messages or emails about money that is owed to me either by them or customer. Looks like a dishonest business. Public beware. They allow people to transport animals across state lines without USDA license. Your pets are in danger, pets are stolen, mistreated, and even can die.. Ever driver should give you a USDA number so you can verify with USDA.

Citizenshipper Citizenshipper will not return multiple emails or phone calls. I worked 8 months with Citizenshipper and their escrow account. I never knew which clients paid or what was due to me. They said they sent an email each time, yes they sent an email, I received such an email this morning," The eagle has landed" for a shipment that is not scheduled for pickup until February 22, 2016. I have compared my bank statements against the jobs I have completed there is a $3,475 still owed to me. I have tried contacting Richard the owner, Jennifer the support staff multiple times and they will not answer emails or phone messages. Did they go out of business?

  • Jan 9, 2016

I hired this company to transport a German Shepherd that was from one of my litters. She will be living with me permanently as her current owner has been traveling a lot. Of course I would love to have her, as her mother I had passed away last May. Once I made the payment they put me in touch with the driver. I emphasized that the dog must be picked up before January 6th as her current owner was leaving the country the 7th! I have come to find out that the driver has never been payed by this fraudulent comapny!! He does not have the means to do all this driving. I have had to make other arrangements as well as someone had to take care of the dog in this emergency situation. We have all be horribly inconvienced for sure!!! NEVER USE THIS COMPANY! THEY ARE RIPP-OFF ARTISTS!!!

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