evandailey Report post Posted May 17, 2013 (edited) Can anyone make any recommendations on the best way to go about having a used cylinder arm machine and stand shipped approximately 1000 miles? I am trying to buy a used one from a forum member that had posted in the classified section. He is going to crate it up, but neither of us know anything about freight shipping. I did some quick calling around today and was getting quotes like $550! I knew shipping would not be cheap, but I was expecting more like $200. Is this an unrealistic expectation? The seller is willing to take it to a shipping hub and I am willing to go to one to pick it up. I told the company I spoke with this, but still got the huge numbers. One girl on the phone acted as if the fact that it was a sewing machine put it in some higher price class. Does it really matter what's in the crate (beyond the obvious hazardous and liquid restrictions)? I filled out a quote request on uship.com and got a quote of $183 which is perfectly reasonable and it's from a reputable carrier who's depot is not far from me. However, the only shipping category available to choose that a sewing machine seemed to fit under was "Business and Industrial Goods". I don't want to rely on these numbers if when the seller takes it to a carrier and says it's a sewing machine that the price goes back to $500. Any suggestions are welcomed. I really want to make this deal work as its exactly what I've been looking for for quite a while. But I won't pay nearly half the cost of the machine to ship it. Edited May 17, 2013 by evandailey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tnawrot2 Report post Posted May 17, 2013 Try USHIP.COM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted May 17, 2013 A buddy of mine packed up an Adler patcher into a heavy box, then strapped it and the iron base onto a standard pallet and shipped it from the UPS depot in Flint Michigan to California for about $250. Our dealers routinely ship the large Cowboy and Cobra machines across the US and Canada for prices ranging from about $220 to $350, give or take. If the trucker has to navigate a side street and lower his lift gate, he charges another $50 to $100. Therefore, it is cheaper to ship from a terminal to a terminal, than residence to residence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted May 17, 2013 Look either online or in your phonebook & see if here's a Fastenal company store by you & him.I've they ship for around $100.00 or so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evandailey Report post Posted May 17, 2013 (edited) Look either online or in your phonebook & see if here's a Fastenal company store by you & him.I've they ship for around $100.00 or so. This is intriguing. There are Fastenal's very close. Did you just ask them to use their account with a carrier, or do they ship as a service? Also do you find it necessary to enclose the machine in a crate, or is it sufficient to remove the head from the table and secure it all to a pallet? I don't know how carefull LTL Freight carriers are. I know a crate is best, but it also adds weight and size. Edited May 17, 2013 by evandailey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted May 17, 2013 You can call them & ask but the way I understand it is you have it packed up,take it to your local shop & they deliver to the shop closest to where it's going. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted May 17, 2013 Quote //// Also do you find it necessary to enclose the machine in a crate, or is it sufficient to remove the head from the table and secure it all to a pallet? I don't know how carefull LTL Freight carriers are. I know a crate is best, but it also adds weight and size. A crate will add to the cost, but i would rather pay a little more for a crate than maybe have a busted machine ?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evandailey Report post Posted May 17, 2013 You can call them & ask but the way I understand it is you have it packed up,take it to your local shop & they deliver to the shop closest to where it's going. Thank you so much Bob for this recommendation. Fastenal will ship it for $200. It takes a little longer to get here through them, but I'll wait a week to save $3-400! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted May 17, 2013 We also ship them in a box w/carefully placed Styrofoam in it & then strap the box to the pallet & bolt & strap the stand too & even put a strap around the motor too.There's a lot of viabration the back of the trailers & the nuts can loosen & the motor will fall of usually breaking the clutch arm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
