Shift (business)
Shift is an online, peer-to-peer, marketplace for buying and selling used cars.[1] Founded in 2014, Shift is an American company based in San Francisco’s Mission District.[2] As of 2019, the company offers its services in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose and San Diego, California as well as Portland, Oregon.[3][4]
Type | Public |
---|---|
NASDAQ: SFT | |
Industry | E-commerce, peer-to-peer, Automotive industry, transportation industry |
Founded | 2014 |
Founders | George Arison, Minnie Ingersoll, Christian Ohler and Morgan Knutson |
Headquarters | San Francisco California, United States |
Area served | urban areas of San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, San Jose, CA, and Portland, OR |
Website | shift.com |
The leadership team includes Co-CEOs George Arison and Toby Russell, also co-founders of Taxi Magic; Sean Foy chief operating officer; and Christian Ohler chief technology officer.[5][6]
Backed by Lithia Motors Inc., Goldman Sachs Investment Partners (GSIP), Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Highland Capital Partners, SV Angel, Great Oaks Venture Capital, DCM Ventures and others. [6][7] As of 2019, Shift has raised approximately $300 million, a mix of debt and equity.
Shift's employees manage the process of car buying and selling for the customer.[6] They facilitate test drives, financing options, inspections, Department of Motor Vehicles interactions, detailing, pricing and merchandising.[8] When a seller wishes to sell cars directly to Shift, Shift's employees assess the car, give the customer a price and sign a contract, transferring the vehicle ownership and payment on the spot. Then they bring the car to the Shift facility and prepare it for sale.[6] Once listed, potential buyers can schedule a free test drive and Shift will deliver it to their door and purchase the car on site. Cars sold through Shift include a seven-day, 200-mile return policy and a 30-day powertrain guarantee.[9]
References
- "LA tech roundup: Shift comes to LA, Zest heads to China, & more". Built in Los Angeles. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- "S.F. Auto Startup outgrows teen years with new Mission office". San Francisco Business Times. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- "Bay Area car-selling marketplace to invest $20M in Virginia expansion". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- "Adios car dealers, there's a new kid in town". The San Diego Tribune. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- "Online Used Car Startup Shift Adds Another $40 Million, Snags COO in Road to IPO". TechCrunch. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- "Shift Technologies Raises $23.8 Million to Build Used Car Marketplace". WSJ. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
- "This Startup Drives Used Cars Right to Your Door". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- "On-demand used car buying and selling comes to L.A." LA Times. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- "What if I don't like the car after I buy it?". shift.com. Retrieved 2 July 2020.