Guide
Booking platform or local firm: how does each work?
Man and van platforms work in three main ways, by their own descriptions: a fixed instant price paid to the platform, quotes or bids from transport providers, or leads that firms pay to receive. On most of them the firm that turns up is an independent business, while ringing a local firm directly means agreeing the price and terms with that firm alone.
How do man and van booking platforms work?
Platforms use three broad models. Some give an instant price and take payment: AnyVan describes itself as a managed marketplace with fixed prices you book to lock in, and Compare the Man and Van gives instant quotes from local drivers, who set their own rates and availability.
Others collect quotes or bids. Shiply describes a venue where transport providers quote for your job, with a small deposit paid on booking and the balance after delivery. A third group passes your details to firms who pay for the lead: Bark says professionals buy credits to respond, Getamover says firms pay per lead, and Konnect You (formerly Compare My Move) introduces you to companies that then quote you directly.
Who actually does the job on a platform booking?
On most platforms an independent firm or driver does the job. AnyVan's terms say it acts as the partner's agent and intermediary between you and its partner, and its how-it-works page says it works with vetted professional movers, some in AnyVan-branded vans. Compare the Man and Van's customer terms say drivers are not its employees and that the driver terms are between you and the driver.
Bark's terms describe it as a facilitator of introductions to independent businesses, and Shiply's terms say it is not a transport provider or broker but a neutral venue. Konnect You says the contract is directly between you and the company you choose. Whichever model applies, find out the name of the business that will arrive.
How do platforms make money?
Each platform describes its own model. AnyVan's terms say it keeps the difference between the price you pay and the price the partner charges. Compare the Man and Van's terms describe a customer platform fee collected as part of the price. Shiply's terms describe a success fee charged to the transport provider, taken from the deposit you pay.
Bark says it charges professionals for credits rather than commission, and Getamover says companies pay per lead with no fixed costs. Ask a platform what share of your payment reaches the firm, if that matters to you.
How does ringing a local firm directly differ?
When you ring a local firm directly, the price, the terms and any deposit are agreed with that firm, and there is no platform between you. You can ask who will drive, which van will come and what insurance it holds, and speak to the same person on the day.
You also do the comparing yourself, so allow time to ring two or three firms. This site lists local man-and-van firms by town for that purpose. It takes no commission, charges no booking fee and publishes no reviews, ratings or rankings, so the firms' own details are the starting point for your questions.
What should you check either way?
Check who your contract is with, what you pay up front and to whom, and the cancellation terms. Ask for the name and address of the business doing the job, its goods in transit cover limit and whether road charges and parking are included.
Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply to the trader providing the service, so know which business that is before moving day. Keep the booking confirmation, the firm's contact number and any job sheet together.
Common questions
Does AnyVan use its own drivers?
AnyVan says it works with vetted professional partners, some driving AnyVan-branded vans, and its terms say it acts as the partner's agent.
How does Bark charge for removals leads?
Bark says professionals buy credits to respond to customers' requests and that it charges no commission. Customers' details are shared once a professional sends a quote.
Is it cheaper to book a man and van directly?
Not always. Prices vary by firm and date. Booking direct means no platform sits between you and the firm, so compare a direct quote with a platform price for the same job.
Who is responsible if something goes wrong on a platform booking?
It depends on the platform's terms. Several say the contract for the move is between you and the firm or driver, so find out which business is doing the job.