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uShip Adds Free Self-Storage Finder to its Shipping Marketplace

Online shipping marketplace uShip has assembled the largest selection of storage units on the Web through a partnership with online self-storage marketplace SpareFoot. uShip Self Storage is tightly integrated into uShip’s current listing process, appearing where customers naturally require storage units as part of a move. One in 10 U.S. households, or about 30 million homes, use some type of self-storage.

Austin, TX (Vocus) November 15, 2010

The whole meaning of life, according to legendary comedian George Carlin, is based on the collecting, moving and storing of one’s stuff. While online transport marketplace uShip has played a part by helping nearly a million customers connect with shipping services and move their stuff, it has now launched a complementary service – uShip Self Storage – to help people find storage units in case they have too much stuff.

Powered by leading online self-storage marketplace SpareFoot, uShip Self Storage assembles the largest selection of storage units on the Web, removing the headache of researching and comparing locations to put excess belongings. The service is tightly incorporated into uShip’s current online listing process, appearing where users naturally require self-storage units as part of their move.

“Moving and storage are so closely tied together across many of our categories – household goods, antiques, boats, cars, and even business moves – so offering an easy way to access self-storage is a natural addition to uShip’s existing services,” said Matt Chasen, founder and CEO of uShip. “By partnering with SpareFoot to create uShip Self Storage, we combine two online and complementary marketplaces that help simplify people’s lives when it comes to the challenges of moving, storage and dealing with all their ‘stuff.’”

uShip members can now browse through thousands of online local storage facilities, comparing real-time pricing, unit sizes and availability, as well as location, photos and customer reviews. Once a customer locates the ideal unit, they simply book it through uShip Self Storage for free.

“We’re excited to be working with uShip on this effort,” said Chuck Gordon, founder and CEO of SpareFoot. “Integrating our platform into uShip’s marketplace will make it much easier for shipping customers to find the storage they need – and it will give our network of storage facilities access to more new tenants.”

Nearly one in 10 U.S. households – or about 30 million homes – use some type of self-storage. At the end of 2009 across America, there were 50,000 storage facilities covering 2.22 billion square feet of self-storage space, an area more than triple the size of New York’s Manhattan Island. (Source: Self Storage Association, as of April 2010)

About uShip
uShip helps relieve the stress and high cost of moving hard-to-ship items, such as cars, furniture, pianos, boats, freight, heavy equipment, and more. As the first and largest online transport marketplace, uShip connects people and businesses with feedback-rated transporters. Carriers place competitive bids to win business, often filling extra space in their trucks and saving customers an average of 50 percent. The uShip marketplace has attracted $150 million in business transactions, one million listings and 170,000 service providers. Launched in 2004, uShip operates globally with localized functionality in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, European Union, and Australia. http://www.uship.com

About SpareFoot
SpareFoot is the leading online marketplace for self storage. With real-time pricing and inventory for more than 5,000 self storage facilities nationwide, SpareFoot helps consumers compare storage locations in their area and find the exact storage unit they need. Established in 2008 and based in Austin, TX, SpareFoot powers storage offerings across a network of sites including SpareFoot.com, SelfStorage.com, uShip Self Storage, Apartments.com, and many others. SpareFoot helps storage operators find new tenants and increase occupancy through an entirely pay-for-performance model. http://sparefoot.com