Advice on freight shipping

[bugsyjones]

Hey everyone,

I MIGHT be purchasing a large household appliance. The catch being that it's 1500 miles away. I would have to use a freight shipper to get it here. However, I've never sent anything by freight. This item is probably too big to crate, so it would be sent uncrated. I'm also pretty sure the seller wouldn't bother with crating anyway. I've done a few price quotes and have an idea of what it will cost, but I want some input and advice on how to go about it and your experiences.

Thanks

Tim J.

 

[launderess]

If You Want It There In One Piece

And seller won't do the required proper crating and packing there is only one obvious choice, Craters & Freighters or some other highly rated similar outfit.

Purchasing something sight unseen and having it shipped means putting quite allot of trust in both the seller and whomever will be doing the shifting. You can be sure that if the item arrives damaged each will usually point the finger at the other. This is why you choose a company well regarding in shifting big items.

UPS does freight shipping but don't think they will crate/pack.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I suggest posting the shipment on UShip. This is an eBay owned website that matches carriers with capacity to shippers with stuff to move.

First, you sign-up free with UShip, then post your shipment. Something like "One large GE refrigerator" and then tell them where it is originating and where it is to be taken.

You answer a few questions, then your shipment gets posted to UShip's many thousands of member carriers. Everybody from large trucking companies to a guy with a Chevy pickup who is driving empty from point A to B can offer their services on UShip provided they qualify by meeting a number of service criteria. Carriers are rated with feedback just like on eBay.

Recently I noticed a 1961 Kenmore dryer as a mate to my 1961 washer. It was in Seattle. In about one week, I found a hauler on UShip willing to take it to my destination in California. Several people bid on my shipment, which drove the price down, bid by bid, until it reached the level I wanted with a guy I felt like I could trust. You are under no obligation to accept ANY bids, so you have nothing to loose.

Chances are good that if you aren't in a hurry, you'll find somebody who has just a little bit of space in a moving van, or a panel truck, etc. who would like to make a little bit more money, and will bid accordingly. 1500 is a lot of miles, so the bids won't be 'cheap', but this is the best way I know to attempt to get the most favorable rate. Bids will start out ridiculous, so just refuse them as being "too high", and the price will come down.

Since I began collecting washers, I have used UShip at least one dozen times.

Gordon

 

[launderess]

Have Used U-Ship As Well

But remember you are dealing with independent agents and while rare *things* do happen, just as on fleaPay.

As with the latter mentioned above best go with a highly rated/recommended shipper. There are plenty of persons looking to get in on the action with nothing more than an Econline van or rented U-Truck. Either way they will low ball bid to get the job without really thinking through what the move entails.

Better to use someone that gives an honest (if not a bit high) bid that seems to know what they are doing.

It goes without saying when using U-Ship for anything of value/you treasure inquire about insurance.