If you want to offer transport services through an online ad, you need a clear service description, a realistic price with a cost estimate, a fast response to inquiries, and a simple written order confirmation. The ad should state the vehicle, scope, area, and approximate price. This way you get serious inquiries and fewer complications with transport and moves.
In Slovenia, transport services are often offered by sole proprietors, part-time sole proprietors, small companies, and individuals with their own van. Demand is strongest in Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Kranj, and Koper, where people move between neighborhoods such as Bežigrad, Šiška, Vič, and Center, or between the city and surrounding municipalities like Domžale, Vrhnika, Grosuplje, and Škofja Loka. That's exactly why an ad that precisely states what you transport and where is more effective than a generic "I transport everything."
This guide is for providers who want to offer transport services through a classified ad without losing time on non-payers or vague agreements. The steps are arranged in the order you'll actually need them: description, price, response, protection, and reputation.
- The ad should include the vehicle, load capacity, area, schedule, and approximate price.
- Write the price in three parts: base fee, price per kilometer, surcharges.
- Respond to inquiries within a few hours and ask three filtering questions.
- Confirm the agreement in writing before the transport, even if it's just a short message.
How to describe the service and show references
The service description is the first filter that works for you. If you write in the ad that you transport furniture in a van up to 3.5 tons with a lift, you'll get different inquiries than with "transport by arrangement." Being specific deflects calls you couldn't have accepted anyway.
What must be in the ad
The vehicle and its limitations are the foundation. State the make and model, the length of the cargo space, the maximum load weight, and whether you have a loading ramp. For moves to apartment buildings in Šiška or Bežigrad, information about elevator height is often more important than the vehicle itself.
The service area should be clear. Some providers cover only Ljubljana and its surroundings up to 30 kilometers, while others drive routes from Ljubljana to Maribor or Ljubljana to Koper. If you also handle international transport, list that separately, as it involves different terms and pricing.
Schedule and response time affect trust. If you're available on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., say so. If you take urgent transports on weekends, state the surcharge and don't promise immediate availability if you can't guarantee it.
References without making things up
References are most powerful when they're verifiable. Photos of a loaded van before and after a move, a shot of wrapped furniture, a brief description of a completed transport from Celje to Novo mesto. Don't publish photos of customers without their permission, especially not shots of apartment interiors.
If you don't have customers yet, start with smaller jobs and ask for a review after the transport. On EX & GO, the seller's history and buyer reviews are visible on the ad, so the first reviews pay off quickly. Read the posting rules on the rules page before posting your first ad.
The best reference isn't a number but a concrete example: "Last week I transported a washing machine and a refrigerator from Škofja Loka to Kranj; the customer was satisfied with the arrival time." One sentence with a place and an item says more than ten generic praises.
How to structure the price and write a cost estimate
Price is the most common question and often the source of misunderstandings. So break it down into parts the customer understands: base fee, price per kilometer driven, surcharges for floors without an elevator, waiting, and special packaging. This way you can quickly respond to any inquiry and avoid negotiating over the phone.
Three parts of the offer
The base fee covers the vehicle's arrival and preparation. The price per kilometer covers the distance, separating the empty trip to the customer from the loaded trip. Surcharges should be listed in advance, for example 15 euros for each floor without an elevator, 10 euros per hour of waiting beyond the agreed 30 minutes, a surcharge for Sunday work.
A range is better than a single number. If you write "studio apartment move in Ljubljana from 120 to 180 euros," you give the customer orientation while keeping room for the difference between the ground floor and the fourth floor. In inquiries about moving and transport, the price thus remains dependent on scope, not guesswork.
What to include in the cost estimate
The estimate should be short and written. State the date, time, pickup and delivery address, list of items, number of people helping with carrying, and the total amount with any range. Add what's not included: disassembling furniture, waste removal, insurance for items above a certain value.
Define payment in advance. Cash on pickup, bank transfer before transport, or a combination are common options. If you require prepayment, explain what happens on cancellation. On the EX & GO platform, the parties reach an agreement directly, as the site doesn't hold payments, so a clearly written estimate is even more important.
| Model | Who is responsible | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private ad | Individual with own vehicle | Low overhead, flexible schedule | Lower load capacity, no team for heavier moves |
| Company | Registered company or sole proprietorship | Invoice issued, multiple vehicles, clear liability | Higher price, longer booking time |
| Subcontractor | Main provider and contractor | Covering larger time slots, division of work | Need clear division of responsibility and payment |
How to respond to inquiries and identify non-serious customers
Response speed decides who gets the job. If you respond within an hour, you have a much better chance that the customer is still looking for a provider. So prepare a template with questions to send immediately, and adapt it only with dates and addresses.
Three filtering questions
The first question is always scope. What is being transported, how many pieces, whether it's furniture, appliances, construction material, or personal items. The second is access. Is there an elevator, how many stairs, can you stop in front of the entrance, is access difficult due to a pedestrian zone in the center of Ljubljana or Maribor.
The third question is timing and budget. A customer who doesn't state a date and won't give an approximate amount rarely closes the deal. If price negotiations start before the scope is known, it's better to ask back than to lower the price without data.
Signs the customer isn't serious
Late calls without basic information, requests for immediate transport without an address, and insistence on cash without a receipt are warning signs. You should also be wary of an offer to do the transport without an invoice and without a record. In such cases, politely end the conversation and offer to get in touch when the information is available.
Don't send documents or personal data before the agreement is clear. Photos of an ID card or driver's license aren't needed to estimate transport. If the customer insists on this, it's a reason to break off communication.
How to protect yourself with a simple written agreement
A written agreement doesn't need a lawyer to be useful. A short confirmation by email or message stating the parties, the item being transported, the date, the amount, and what's not included is enough. If a dispute arises, such a record is far more useful than a verbal agreement over the phone.
What the confirmation must contain
State the full name and address of the client and the provider, the date and time of transport, the pickup and delivery address, a description of the items and their approximate value. Add the amount, payment method, and the deadline for the offer's validity. If the transport includes help with carrying, write down how many people are helping.
Specifically define liability for damage. If you don't insure the items, state that clearly. If you do, state up to what value. Ask the customer to remove fragile items from cabinets and drawers before transport, as you're usually not responsible for the contents of closed items.
Cancellation and changes
Agree on a deadline for free cancellation, for example 24 hours before transport. Later cancellation may mean partial payment of the base fee, as the time slot was reserved. Confirm changes to the address or date in writing to avoid confusion when billing additional kilometers.
For doing business in Slovenia, check which obligations apply to your type of activity, such as issuing invoices and keeping records. General information about business and obligations is available at gov.si. If you're not sure which form suits you, consult an accountant.
How do reviews and responsiveness build a provider's profile?
Reviews are the only part of the profile a customer can't buy. They build slowly and are hard to fix, so it's worth collecting them systematically from the first job. Every completed move with a review increases the likelihood that the next inquiry will come without negotiating trust.
When to ask for a review
Ask right after the transport, while the impression is fresh. A short message asking whether the transport was done as agreed works better than a request a week later. If the customer isn't satisfied, ask what could be improved rather than insisting on a review.
On the platform, we see that buyers most often check the seller's history and previous reviews before even sending a message. That's why regularly updating your profile with photos of completed transports and clear answers to questions is more important than the number of ads posted.
If a dispute arises about the agreement or the ad, the path to resolution is described in support. Complaints about ad content are handled by moderation, so it's useful to keep copies of messages and confirmations.
Checklist before posting the ad
Before you post, check whether the ad answers all the questions a customer would otherwise ask over the phone. An ad that does this saves hours of conversations and brings better inquiries.
- The vehicle, load capacity, and length of the cargo space are stated.
- The service area and any international routes are clearly written.
- The price is split into base fee, kilometers, and surcharges.
- Photos show the vehicle and an example of loading, without third-party images.
- Response time and availability schedule are stated.
- The written agreement and payment method are prepared in advance.
- The ad complies with the platform's posting rules.
Once the ad is posted, monitor which questions repeat. If five people ask you the same thing, add it to the description. This way the ad improves from month to month without extra effort. For additional questions about posting and how the platform works, see post an ad, where instructions for service providers are collected.
If you want to compare demand for transport in different cities, check out moving and transport and see how similar providers have described their services. Comparing with existing ads helps you set a price and scope that are realistic for your area.
Frequently asked questions about offering transport services
Do I need a sole proprietorship or a company to offer transport services?
It depends on the scope and frequency of your work. Occasional transport for acquaintances is different from regular advertising and issuing invoices. If you plan to offer the service publicly and regularly, check the obligations for your business form and consult an accountant. The platform's posting rules apply regardless of whether you operate as an individual or a company.
How should I set my price so I don't operate at a loss?
Calculate fuel, depreciation, insurance, and your time, then add a buffer for unexpected situations. Split the price into a base fee, mileage, and surcharges. Before posting, check what similar providers in your city charge and use that as a guide, not a rule. It's better to have a clear range than a single number you can't hold.
What should I do if the customer doesn't want to sign an agreement?
A confirmation by email or message stating the item, date, address, and amount is enough. If the customer refuses any written record, that's a warning sign. In that case, we advise against the transport, as there would be no proof of the agreed scope and price later. Politely explain that the record protects both parties.
How to handle a situation if an item gets damaged during transport?
First, determine what happened and whether the damage occurred due to handling during loading or the condition of the item. Take photos of the condition and talk to the customer the same day. If you have insurance, follow the insurer's procedure. Clearly stated liability in the order confirmation makes the conversation easier and reduces the chance of a dispute.
Can I offer transport outside my city as well?
Yes, but clearly state the area and any surcharge for longer routes in your ad. For transports between Ljubljana and Maribor or between Ljubljana and Koper, it makes sense to separate the price of the loaded trip from the empty trip to the customer. If you also take on international transports, list that separately, as different terms and billing apply.
How should I respond to an inquiry that is too short?
Ask three questions: what is being transported, what is the access to the address like, and when should the transport take place. At the same time, state an approximate price for a typical case and explain that the final amount depends on the scope. This way you get the information you need for an estimate, and the customer sees that you're not guessing. If there's no reply, don't insist with multiple follow-up messages.
Conclusion
Offering transport services through an ad mainly means communicating clearly. An ad with the vehicle, area, and a broken-down price attracts people who know what they need. Fast responses and three filtering questions save time, and a written agreement reduces the chance of a dispute. When you add collecting reviews, your profile becomes verifiable and inquiries start repeating.
Start with one well-written ad and supplement it based on customer questions. If you encounter uncertainties about posting, check the platform rules and support before changing the price or scope of service. Gradual improvement brings more than a perfect post you never update.