I just received a back seat and other parts that were shipped from TX to TN. I've concluded that the major cost involved at least on small loads (1 or 2 boxes) is actually getting the truck to the load/unload spots.

Professor Google identified a list of possible shipping sites where you punch in the particulars and receive a bid. The major things are Start Zip, End Zip, Box dimensions, Weight & number of pieces.

Go online and get a price for 1 piece slightly smaller and lighter than actual. Now try something larger and closer to actual. The price likely won't change but you want to know what it is for your negotiations. The quoted price for multiple pieces will be higher. Ignore the high price. You want to get the base price & negotiate to there. An extra box or 2 doesn't matter to a truck but dollars are important to you.

Now, call the contact number listed on the site & tell them what you're trying to do. In my case move car seats & a few other misc parts in X number of boxes from Zip Y to Z. I also noted that parts weren't worth much & I'd have to go to the local yards if shipping was too high.

The person I talked to ran a quote and came back with the same price for all (2 in my case) boxes that had been quoted for 1 box. He then tried to get me to commit to a time & place the order.

I simply refused to commit because I needed to confirm convenient pick up times with the person actually doing the packing. Everything went smoothly.

One piece of packing tape broke in transit and there were a couple of obvious punches to the shipping boxes but nothing was damaged. Make sure to pack with a couple of layers of cardboard so that bending, throwing or punching won't damage your stuff. Don't bother to mark it "Fragile" since that won't help.

We used FreightCenter.com

Total price was ~ $160 for 2 boxes estimated at 80# each and large enough to fit a rear SD seat, door cards & other stuff.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Did you try Greyhound ? Very reasonable and very quick. Never a busted part like the clowns at UPS. UPS is the worst in my book.

The large box had a few holes in it already but it was big and sturdy enough to do the job. Send me pics and I can verify if the hole was there before or if it is new. The smaller box shouldn't have had any holes in it.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

I don't remember Greyhound. Packages were too large for UPS, FedEx, USPO. I doubt any go out of their way to be careful. I've had friends that worked at UPS and FedEx over the years. They are concerned with moving stuff past their spot and doing whatever record keeping is necessary as easily as possible, nothing else.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I have successfully shipped hoods, trunk lids, doors, windshields, transmissions, et cet thru Greyhoud. Perfect Service. UPS ... not so perfect. Greyhoud was very reasonable and got from S.C. to California in about 3 days. I was impressed.

This is good information. Thanks for sharing.

I used Greyhound to ship a 300TD hatch complete with glass --- it made it safely to the destination.

The latest thing I shipped via Greyhound was a 300TD windshield:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/2947113-post78.html
and while it did arrive intact; the shipment took quite a long time. In addition, the clerk who waited on me shipped it to a Greyhound station that does not accept freight. Even though the website said it did.....So, the Buyer had to drive a little bit further to pick it up.


I still think we (PP forum members) should be able to handle shipment of most large items --- by the creation of a Transportation Forum:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-feedback/297144-transportation-forum.html


Crystal Clear???

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

yea -ive shipped auto transmissions before-- but their weight limet has now been reduced to 100 lbs

I had the entire front end of a lesharo motor home shipped via greyhound. Both front fenders, the nose, hood, light buckets, the entire cut off frame around the windshield etc...

From Wa to GA Cost 100 bucks and was perfect when it got here.

I had a boardmember ship a 123 fuel tank from Norfolk to Atlantic City for about $45 four years ago. No special packaging, just cardboard irregular shaped, and no damage.

Also nice about Greyhound No tracking numbers, once on board, just look at the schedule.

Good Luck !

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Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW

Bottom line is to get a price on 1 large heavy item then negotiate the remainder of the load to come along for the price of the 1st box.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.