Best cost effective way to ship

[Longroof79]

I have a Malibu core support and header panel that a friend has been holding for me. He's 3-hrs south of me. I can't get down there at this time, besides, my wagon is usually my parts hauler and it's currently not road worthy.
My friend wants to send the parts up to me. He was talking about strapping them on a pallet and send them up with a freight carrier. I think he said it would be around $135.00. I think that's way too much. The parts didn't even cost that much.

My question is, what other alternative methods of transportation or carriers do you guys recommend? FedEx, Greyhound, etc?
Does FedEx ship large parts like that?

Or if anyone from the southern part of the state will be traveling I-75 north (with a truck, van, pickup, etc) in the near future heading towards Georgia, that would be willing to carry the parts from Bradenton, Fla to Gainesville, Fl.
I would gladly reimburse you for gas.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bill]

If the part will fit under a Greyhound bus, that would be the cheapest way to ship it. Have it wrapped up in carboard and taped well and it should be fine. Find out what it will weigh after packaging it and then get overall dimensions and check on the Greyhound website. Just be forewarned, they sometimes lose stuff, so get insurance for it.

 

[Longroof79]

Thanks Bill!
I was also concerned whether there was a package size constraint. I guess like you said, pack the parts up first and get the weight and measurements. Then do some comparison shopping.

I did have a set of wagon interior cargo panels shipped several years ago via Greyhound. The box was huge, and was shipped from Ohio. It got here without a glitch.

Has anyone shipped parts such as a core support, and or header panel via FedEx, etc.? Perhaps I could get an idea, or ballpark figure of what I could expect.

 

[Longroof79]

I'm open to other suggestions and feedback..

 

[81Regal]

I have shipped several header panels through UPS and Fedex, expect $50-60 for the header panel, and $75-80 for the core support. Both use dimentional size to charge, weight really doesn't matter anymore until you get over 50 lbs.
Cheapest way would be to find somebody headed to where your friend is and give them some gas money to pick it up.

 

[Hooligans]

This from Greyhound

SIZE, WEIGHT AND VALUE LIMITATIONS

Size: Packages will be accepted for transportation, provided the dimensions of the package are within 30 inches X 47 inches X 82 inches.

Shipments of Skis and/or Ski Poles will not be subject to the size limitations specified herein.

The Carriers participating in these rates, rules and regulations reserve the right to refuse to accept a package if its dimensions, even though within the limits specified herein, exceed the size or capacity of the Baggage and Express Compartments of the available vehicles.

Weight: No single Package will be accepted for transportation that exceeds one hundred (100) pounds in Actual Weight. Provisions for shipments weighing up to, but not exceeding, one hundred fifty (150) pounds apply in selected areas. Shipments over one hundred (100) pounds are limited to the routes of carriers with a (150) after the name. See next page for applicable areas. Xpress Baggage shipments may not exceed 75 pounds per piece.

Value: No single shipment (Prepaid, Collect, or C.O.D.) will be accepted for transportation that exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) in actual or released value. Released or declared value is the value agreed upon between the shipper and the carrier as evidenced by the uniform receipt given to the shipper by the carrier at the time of shipment or within a reasonable time thereafter or as agreed upon. With the exception of Xpress Baggage Service shipments, excess value charges will be assessed for any shipment with value greater than one hundred dollars ($100). Xpress Baggage Service shipments will be assessed excess value charges for any shipment with value greater than two hundred, fifty dollars ($250).

Excess Value Charges: Excess Value Charges will be assessed dependent upon the value declared in writing by the shipper or agreed upon in writing as the released value of the property, as follows:

 

[LSCustoms]

I would not ship anything of any value through greyhound, unless I was on the bus...

that being said, could you ride down there, by greyhound and ride back with it? would it cost extra or would it be considered luggage and would the bus ticket be cheap, I know it would be a day event, but you wouldnt be driving, grab your ipad and go!

or, is he willing to meet you half way? (but I think you said you dont have a vehicle that can transport it?

 

[Longroof79]

I have shipped several header panels through UPS and Fedex, expect $50-60 for the header panel, and $75-80 for the core support. Both use dimentional size to charge, weight really doesn't matter anymore until you get over 50 lbs.
Cheapest way would be to find somebody headed to where your friend is and give them some gas money to pick it up.

=========================================================================================
Thanks Jeff!
I figured if anyone had experience shipping header panels, etc, it certainly would be you... :lol: Thank you for the information. Somehow I didn't expect it to be that much...oh well.
Yeah, if I can get find someone traveling my way from SW Fla. with a vehicle that would fit my stuff, that would be super.

 

[Longroof79]

This from Greyhound

SIZE, WEIGHT AND VALUE LIMITATIONS

Size: Packages will be accepted for transportation, provided the dimensions of the package are within 30 inches X 47 inches X 82 inches.

Shipments of Skis and/or Ski Poles will not be subject to the size limitations specified herein.

The Carriers participating in these rates, rules and regulations reserve the right to refuse to accept a package if its dimensions, even though within the limits specified herein, exceed the size or capacity of the Baggage and Express Compartments of the available vehicles.

Weight: No single Package will be accepted for transportation that exceeds one hundred (100) pounds in Actual Weight. Provisions for shipments weighing up to, but not exceeding, one hundred fifty (150) pounds apply in selected areas. Shipments over one hundred (100) pounds are limited to the routes of carriers with a (150) after the name. See next page for applicable areas. Xpress Baggage shipments may not exceed 75 pounds per piece.

Value: No single shipment (Prepaid, Collect, or C.O.D.) will be accepted for transportation that exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) in actual or released value. Released or declared value is the value agreed upon between the shipper and the carrier as evidenced by the uniform receipt given to the shipper by the carrier at the time of shipment or within a reasonable time thereafter or as agreed upon. With the exception of Xpress Baggage Service shipments, excess value charges will be assessed for any shipment with value greater than one hundred dollars ($100). Xpress Baggage Service shipments will be assessed excess value charges for any shipment with value greater than two hundred, fifty dollars ($250).

Excess Value Charges: Excess Value Charges will be assessed dependent upon the value declared in writing by the shipper or agreed upon in writing as the released value of the property, as follows:

Hey man! Thanks so much for the useful information. I've never shipped anything as big as a core support and header panel.
The largest thing I ever shipped was swaybars and a steering column.

 

[Longroof79]

I would not ship anything of any value through greyhound, unless I was on the bus...

that being said, could you ride down there, by greyhound and ride back with it? would it cost extra or would it be considered luggage and would the bus ticket be cheap, I know it would be a day event, but you wouldnt be driving, grab your ipad and go!

or, is he willing to meet you half way? (but I think you said you dont have a vehicle that can transport it?

Thanks Skip!
Actually that's a good idea, but I hate long bus trips. :? If my wagon was not in the state that it's in, I'd gas it up and take the trip. But unfortunately that's not the situation.

I suppose I could check the U Ship site...another thought. :idea: or I could rent a mini van or small stationwagon/SUV. Something like a Chevy HHR would do the trick.