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After the Auction: Shipping Larger Items

by Kevin Savetz

So, you just sold a Victorian writing desk, vending machine, or velvet Elvis painting in an online auction. Now, the question is this: How will you get it to the buyer? Shipping large items is especially challenging for auction sellers. Standard shippers such as UPS and FedEx won't handle those huge packages. Both companies limit packages to 150 pounds, with a combined length and girth of 130 inches.

What's the solution? Using a shipping company that specializes in moving large, unwieldy items.

Don't Be Shy
Let's face it: Some folks shy away from selling heavier items because they don't know that viable and cost-effective alternatives exist. Shipping with less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers is one such option for online auction sellers. These companies have equipment for both business and residential pickups and deliveries. Moreover, they also offer a range of online shipping tools.

"Customers have the ability to get a price quote, schedule a freight pickup, print shipping labels, and track their shipments, all via a Web site," said Chris Baltz of ABF Freight System.

Auction seller Mike Snider specializes in video games--large, heavy stand-up units like you'll find in an arcade--which he sells to collectors around the United States. He has tried many shipping services, and experienced a wide range of delivery speed and cost.

"Some of the companies around are Forward Air, Yellow Freight, and AAA Cooper." Snider has used all three shippers: "Forward Air is the cheapest, but you must crate the item yourself." Some shippers provide door-to-door pickup and delivery, while others are terminal-to-terminal, meaning that the buyer and seller must move the item to and from the shipper's warehouse. On average, it takes five days to ship an item anywhere in the United States, according to Snider.

Handle With Care
Crating an item--that is, installing it within an abuse-proof wooden box for shipping--needs to be done carefully. "I get a palette, and put cardboard around the base and top of the game, then wrap a sheet of cardboard around the whole game," said Snider. "Next I stretch-wrap it, then I get a refrigerator box and make a tight fit. Then I strap about 40 plastic banding strips around it. The process takes around an hour. I do it myself--that way I know it is done properly."

"I take a personal, hands-on approach to shipping," Snider continued. He says it pays to wrap, package, or crate the items yourself--or hire someone to do it--rather than relying on the shipper. If you let the shipping company package your item, according to Snider, "they don't pack with the same concern and care that you would." Of course, there are also sellers who take a hands-off approach to shipping and packaging, and would rather leave the details to someone else.

One other thing to consider here: For fragile or other specialized items it's smart to find a shipper that specializes in that type of product.

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