shipping/cargo solution?

**hemicanucksfan** · 11-22-2009, 11:35 PM

hey everyone, i need some help in regards to getting a large item shipped.
my aunt has passed down to my daughter a family heirloom (handmade dollhouse) and drove it from her place in california to my dad's house in b.c. so that he could bring it on the plane with him when he flies out at christmas. apparently the box is 33"x32"x23" and weighs 60 lbs so it's obviously not going on the plane. both my aunt and dad have looked into couriering it out, but have received quotes in/around $200.
does anybody know of some companies/solutions to getting this package out here cheaper?
thanks for any insight. cheers.

**3Dave3** · 11-22-2009, 11:57 PM

That's a tough one Sheldon it's bulky which makes it oversize for most carriers plus I can imagine how fragile it is. The quotes you're getting seem to be fair considering the distance it'll travel, $200 might be a deal if it's handled with care and insured (if it can be at all).

Good luck!

Dave...

**hemicanucksfan** · 11-23-2009, 12:24 AM

actually dave, it's apparently close to overpacked. it's in a full wooden framed box, which is partly why it's so big and heavy. obviously wouldn't want it tossed around, but it's not so fragile that it'll break when you look at it wrong.

**3Dave3** · 11-23-2009, 12:31 AM

Well if that's the case don't have it marked fragile because that'll guarantee it's beating.

Have you tried contacting a trucking carrier that does LTL freight from the west coast? If your dad can drop it off at the terminal and you pick it up it could save you maybe. Look at companies like H&R or Trans-X.

Dave...

**Nightshade** · 11-23-2009, 12:44 AM

Did you look into greyhound? I know they will move stuff too.. this may be too big for them though..

**lumpy92** · 11-23-2009, 08:17 AM

Sheldon,
Let me check with our shipping department. We have some pretty good rates negotiated with carriers, and I may be able to swing something through work.
I'll get back to you as soon as I hear.
Scott

**Pushbutton** · 11-23-2009, 10:04 AM

I just had a 100# dishwasher shipped from Baltimore MD to Rochester, NY...about 380 miles. The freight LTL quote was $185, UPS $230 and FedEx ground $95. I shipped it FedEx and the actual billing was only $65 (I haven't figured out the "why" yet...why complain?).

**EricD** · 11-23-2009, 11:29 AM

Greyhound will cost you about $100. I've sent a couple of large model planes recently and they arrived safe and sound.

**LilRedWagon** · 11-23-2009, 11:47 AM

Ya, a friend of mine just moved from Toronto to Vancouver. She stuffed all her clothing and junk into a couple big chests and sent them out via Greyhound. It was apparantely a relatively cheap way to get these large items cross-country.

**Magnum P.I** · 11-23-2009, 01:41 PM

That $200 sounds fair as the cheapest any of the LTL couriers I deal with is $300+taxes. So it would make no sense for me to try. But good luck on the search.

**AdamC** · 11-23-2009, 03:29 PM

We use ABF might want to check them

**Coopers_Dad** · 11-23-2009, 10:04 PM

If it's well packed then use Canpar.

**hemicanucksfan** · 11-23-2009, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by 3Dave3

Well if that's the case don't have it marked fragile because that'll guarantee it's beating.

Have you tried contacting a trucking carrier that does LTL freight from the west coast? If your dad can drop it off at the terminal and you pick it up it could save you maybe. Look at companies like H&R or Trans-X.

Dave...

i remember seeing trans-x trucks out there, so i'll look into them definitely. might as well try the other too eh? thanks dave.