posted on April 13, 2001 07:07:58 PM
Hi
I am planning listing an antique sofa in the very near future. Obviously this will nto ship priority mail and i think ups is also out. Anyone have experience with using freight lines, packing companies for tjhis type item.......How about any online packing/shipping companies.......Any and all input is greatly appreciated...thanks
posted on April 13, 2001 11:13:39 PM
I would suggest contacting someone like Craters and Freighters. I have no connection with them. At one time I worked for the insurance agency that carried there insurance. They have 60 nationwide location and I know they crate it and delivery either right to your door or to their nearest location and you pickup from them.
I have no idea of the cost. They have a website that says it does quotes but I never had a need to try it.
posted on April 13, 2001 11:23:53 PM
why don't you do what many of the Real auction houses do and state in your auction that the winning bidder is responsible for arranging and paying for all shipping costs.
posted on April 14, 2001 12:25:00 AM
I have never had luck with that statement. The bidders don't pay attention to it and when you point it out to the winner, they have absolutley nothing to offer in the way of suggestions for freight carriers.
Maybe I should have put the statement at the beginning of the auction in big letters or something because I don't think people read all the junk we put at the end anymore.
posted on April 14, 2001 07:42:22 AM
Zazzie -
"why don't you do what many of the Real auction houses do and state in your auction that the winning bidder is responsible for arranging and paying for all shipping costs."
In a 'real" auction, the buyers are physically at the same location as the item, and can make local phone calls to arrange shipping.
If my 1750s Adam chair is in West Swampy, Florida, and the buyer is in Foggy Hollow, Washington ... the buyer has limited access to shipping information from source to destination. The person on the spot (the seller) is far better equipped to know what is available and get quotes.
At the very least, the seller should provide an ACCURATE weight and dimensions for the piece if theyu are going to be so arrogant as to expect the buyer to arrange shipping from a distance.
patscouch
Try an eBay regional listing and specify BUYER MUST PICK UP prominently in the ad. YOu might ghave better luck with a classified ad or a consignment shop.
posted on April 25, 2001 05:32:32 AM
I once sold a conference room table and six chairs and stated that buyer was responsible for shipping or pick up. Once the high bidder found out how much it was going to cost to ship (they did all the legwork) they decided to send a company truck from Talladega, Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee for pick up.
A local antique mall owner told me recently that he uses Craters and Freighters and is highly pleased with their work.
