The Complete Buying ProcessThe Shipped.com users dashboard was designed so that the navigation is quick and intuitive. From sign-up to delivery of your container, we've broken down the process into detailed steps. If you are ever stuck or don't entirely understand the process, just refer to this document and your questions will be answered.
From the Shipped.com home page, simple click the on the Buy A Shipping Container link at the top of the site, or the I'm Ready to Buy Blue link in the middle of the page. You'll enter your name, email address and password and click the blue Submit button.
Next, you'll enter the information on the type of container you are looking to purchase, including: Type, Size, Grade and the number of container you are looking for. Below you'll need to enter some basic personal information, including your full name, the name of your business (if applicable), your address and any special requests (for example, if you prefer a specific color or have any specifications that aren't already listed above). After you've entered all of that information, you click the blue Submit Request button.
At this point you will be at your own unique users dashboard. There are a couple of things you can do at this point. You can sit back and wait for the email notification that you have a new bid waiting for you on your container request. You can also click on Request tab in the grey navigation bar to check on the status of your request. As the bids come in you'll be able to compare the bids (price, delivery time, photos, etc) in the requests tab. The tabs are aligned, left to right to allow you to easily navigate through the process.
You'll also be able to modify your account information by clicking the blue Account Settings button. Or, you can always submit a request for another container by clicking the blue Submit A New Request button.
You'll receive an e-mail each time you receive a new request. And when you do, you'll return to your dashboard to review each request. Just click the Review Bid button and you'll be able to quickly see the all of the important information on the bid: on the left under Container Info, you'll see a review of your request, and on the right under Delivery Summary, you'll see your information. Finally, on the bottom, is the important part -- the particulars of the bid; How long ago the bid was submitted, the bid expiration time/date, photos of the bid (which you can click through, then return to the summary), the bid price, days for delivery and, of course, the price, including all delivery charges, banking fees, etc. That's the price, all in. If you've requested more than one container, you'll see the price breakdown, per container.
After reviewing the bid, you can either return to the dashboard to review the other bids, wait for additional bids to come in, or accept the bid. You do this by clicking the blue Select This Bid button.
Next, you'll be at a page where you'll confirm your delivery information. You'll also be able to add any special shipping instructions at the box on the bottom. This might include preferred delivery days, special delivery locations (for example, 4th loading dock, bay 3, or behind the shed). When you're satisfied the information is correct, click Submit.
Next, it's time to wire the funds for the container to the Shipped.com Beneficiary Bank, where we will hold your payment in escrow until your container is shipped and you have accepted delivery. It's important to keep in mind at this step that due to world currency fluctuations, the bid price is valid for only 4 hours. You can easily update the payment amount, which might cause the payment to go up or down, by clicking the "update payment amount" in blue text. If you need to go to your bank and wire the money in person, simple click the blue Print Page button on the left, and give this page to your banker to ease the transaction.
Once your payment has been sent, click the green Payment has been sent button, then the OK confirmation button.
Next, you'll arrive at the Your Order Is Shipping page. You'll notice that while the delivery is pending, the Shipping tab is active. Once we receive verification from our bank that your funds have cleared, we'll notify the seller to ship your container. He will will ship the container to the address listed and in the delivery time promised on the bid. You'll receive an email of this information (as you will with all of the steps in the process) which will also include the tracking information of the shipper.
You can see that you're now at the Shipped tab in the dashboard. From here, there's nothing left for you to do except hang tight and prepare for the delivery of your container. For information on preparing for and accepting delivery, please refer to the "Delivery is Shipped" FAQ page, which goes into detail on how to accept your delivery.
