<VV> Inexpensive Shipping Source (semi long)

[RoboMan91324@aol.com]

Hello Gang,

Many of us need to ship heavy items on occasion including engines, 
transaxles, etc.  I recently had the privilege of having an engine shipped from Chicago 
to Los Angeles and would like to share some of the experience.  The broker I 
used is located at the following address.

http://www.freightquote.com/

My cost to ship was $177.63 but may be different for you depending on 
locations and the choices you make.  To save money, I had the engine dropped off at 
the terminal in Chicago and picked it up at the terminal in LA.  The cost would 
have been more if it was picked up and delivered door to door.  Of course, 
there are always the BS additional fuel surcharge, fees, etc. which, in my case, 
came to an additional $11.35.  Still a pretty good price in my opinion.  
Insurance is extra, if you choose to pay for it.  

Some tips are as follow.

1.  You will want to put the item on a pallet so that it will arrive intact.  
The shipper will not accept the pallet if it seems unsafe or likely that it 
will be damaged in shipment.

2.  Be honest with the weight and the pick up and drop off conditions.  If 
you tell them that there is a loading platform and there isn't, they will 
probably ding you especially if they need to leave and come back with a truck with a 
rear lift.

3.  Use the agent at FreightQuote.com.  Mine was very helpful and his 
services are at no charge.  Among other things, he told me what category to choose on 
the shipping forms and saved me about 25% compared to the category I had 
originally chosen.  His name is Anthony Schmitt and the toll free number is 
888-595-5664 extension 1850.

4.  Once you wade through the original online form, you will see a multitude 
of choices in order of increasing price.  If the button is there to check out 
shipping options, check it out.  It will let you drop off or pick up the item 
at one or both ends and other options.  In effect; the cheapest company on the 
original list may not be the cheapest when you are through.

As with most aspects of my life, doo-doo happens.  My engine went astray for 
about ten days.  It seems that Anthony took some effort to track the engine 
down over and above what the trucking company did.  The broker rarely does this 
especially for such a small shipment as mine was.  I highly recommend Anthony.

By the way, Anthony told me that they may not be the least expensive broker 
for shipping a whole car but said that he would try to find a cost effective 
way to ship if there was a requirement.  If anyone needs to ship a car, give him 
a call and see what happens.  Who knows?

If you have any questions, please drop me a line.

Doc
'60 Vette; '61 Rampside; '64 Spyder; '65 Greenbrier; '66 Corsa; '67 Nova SS; 
'68 Camaro ragtop