This is my experience with shipping my latest Stude, the M16. Shipping has been discussed here before, and we all have the basics down (Shipping 101). This is another layer in the discussion, hence the 201 designation[
)]
DETAILS:
M16 1 1/2 ton truck
23' overall length
not running
need transport from Kimball MN to Parish NY- 1140 miles
I was high bidder on the truck, reserve not met on 11/22. Contacted seller and agreed to price next day; sent MO.
I had been looking at shipping from beginning of listing. I posted the info on yesterdaystractors.com on the advice of Guido (thanks, Gary!). I received 9 bids, most from trucking companies- highest $2400, lowest $702.24. The lowest bid was from Neiser Trucking. Talked to Bill Neiser, and he said it would be on a LTL (Less Than Load) shipment; would probably get it picked up in 3-4 days. Sounded great, so I booked it and bought the truck.
Didn't hear anything for a week, so I called Bill. He said "the job hadn't been picked up" yet. This is where I learned how this works: The company bids the job, then puts it out on their network hoping someone takes it on- they sub-contract it. The week turned into 2, then 3, with me calling, and Bill promising. I contacted others who were saying a couple weeks from the time I book it and $4-500 more; so I waited. Asked Bill if there was anything I could do to help the process. He said, "Well, what do you want to pay?" I said, what I agreed to!! I then asked if more money is what was needed to get the job picked up, and he said yes- probably another $50 would do it. I agreed, and went back to waiting.
Bill called me this last Wed. and said he had a truck there, waiting for my approval- but it would cost me another hundred. I agreed, the trucker hooked up with the seller who helped load it, and he was headed East that afternoon!
Arrived today (Sun.) safe and sound, total cost $830.24. Still not a bad price, considering the size of the vehicle and distance!
[u]LESSONS LEARNED</u>
1. LTL shipping can save you a lot, but it can be a little sketchy
2. Always determine before you buy that the seller can/will be flexible on pickup time
3. If the vehicle does not run and STOP on it's own, that may complicate things
4. If all else fails, more money will always help the process along
This move was a little more complicated due to it's size; it could't go on a regular multi-car transport. The regular shippers only handle cars and pickups. Guido told me once never to worry about shipping something, because it's not that big of a deal, and he was right. I can't say this experience was bad, just not how I thought it was going to go.
All's well that ends well![^]
Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131
)]DETAILS:
M16 1 1/2 ton truck
23' overall length
not running
need transport from Kimball MN to Parish NY- 1140 miles
I was high bidder on the truck, reserve not met on 11/22. Contacted seller and agreed to price next day; sent MO.
I had been looking at shipping from beginning of listing. I posted the info on yesterdaystractors.com on the advice of Guido (thanks, Gary!). I received 9 bids, most from trucking companies- highest $2400, lowest $702.24. The lowest bid was from Neiser Trucking. Talked to Bill Neiser, and he said it would be on a LTL (Less Than Load) shipment; would probably get it picked up in 3-4 days. Sounded great, so I booked it and bought the truck.
Didn't hear anything for a week, so I called Bill. He said "the job hadn't been picked up" yet. This is where I learned how this works: The company bids the job, then puts it out on their network hoping someone takes it on- they sub-contract it. The week turned into 2, then 3, with me calling, and Bill promising. I contacted others who were saying a couple weeks from the time I book it and $4-500 more; so I waited. Asked Bill if there was anything I could do to help the process. He said, "Well, what do you want to pay?" I said, what I agreed to!! I then asked if more money is what was needed to get the job picked up, and he said yes- probably another $50 would do it. I agreed, and went back to waiting.
Bill called me this last Wed. and said he had a truck there, waiting for my approval- but it would cost me another hundred. I agreed, the trucker hooked up with the seller who helped load it, and he was headed East that afternoon!
Arrived today (Sun.) safe and sound, total cost $830.24. Still not a bad price, considering the size of the vehicle and distance!
[u]LESSONS LEARNED</u>
1. LTL shipping can save you a lot, but it can be a little sketchy
2. Always determine before you buy that the seller can/will be flexible on pickup time
3. If the vehicle does not run and STOP on it's own, that may complicate things
4. If all else fails, more money will always help the process along
This move was a little more complicated due to it's size; it could't go on a regular multi-car transport. The regular shippers only handle cars and pickups. Guido told me once never to worry about shipping something, because it's not that big of a deal, and he was right. I can't say this experience was bad, just not how I thought it was going to go.
All's well that ends well![^]
Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131
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