the online shipping marketplace

pcampbell (7/22/2008)

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Being too far away to check it out personally, I've got a guy nearby giving it a once over next week. If that goes well, I'll begin the haggling process, then probably ship mid-August. I would like to sell my other toy first, but I don't want this one to get away. To keep the wife happy, I promised I'd at least give a couple of weeks to sell the current. I'm going to pull the trigger either way, but gotta keep the peace as much as I can.

I'm just not sure on the target. I know fuel prices are ridiculous and hurting the shippers pretty bad. Got an uncle that runs independent from TX-CA in a big rig. It's tough. I did a few quick quotes from the likes of DAS, etc, but I don't trust them and I've heard a lot of horror stories. The mog is hard to damage, but still... I guess I was hoping some of the bids would give me an idea of what the cost is going to be.

Oh yes ....I'm well aware of how critical it is to keep the peace.  I'm not sure how many bids you'll get since you've been honest about only wanting a quote.  I commend you for it and that is refreshing, but it does deter a lot of TSPs since they are usually looking for something to go NOW due to their present location or planned route.   It shouldn't be that way, but it is a fact on this site.  Most of the TSPs here are single truck operations and they need a load at a specific location and time while they're in the area.  Just for grins, I'll give you a quote for what it would be at my rates.  You won't like it and it isn't intended as an offer, but my price would be $1,911.92.  You'll certainly get lower offers and you can really get it down if you're truely flexible on the time line.  Whatever you do, don't be suckered in to using the uShip "estimator".  For a more realistic idea, double the "estimator's" figure and add 20%.  That will get you in to the ball park of what you can really expect to get it shipped for by a reliable hauler.  Also, many shippers are not aware that the TSP doesn't get the entire amount of the bid.  The TSP only receives the difference between the total bid and the uShip deposit.  That deposit is charged to your card when a bid is accepted and is actually the fee uShip charges the TSP.  It is a substantial part of the total bid too, so the TSP isn't left with very much.  If you want to know how much it is, you can go to the "Amount to Me Calculator" http://www.uship.com/popups/bidCalc.aspx?c=txtTotalBid&isSingle=False&commodityID=79 and punch in some numbers.   

It shouldn't be problem for a TSP that is using a standard width or wider car hauler.  Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Mike...

I'm working on a few different angles to see what I can do.  I'll give you a call or shoot you an email and explain.  I'm confident we can figure out some way to help Paul get the Unimog to Texas.  It's too bad it won't fit in a dump truck I'm trying to buy in NY or Tony could come out here loaded........ wait a minute, that didn't sound just right.  I'll get with you later when I have some solid information.

Is John getting soaked in Austin or have you talked with him since Dolly?

.....Don

OOPS!   Sorry, I didn't answer your question.  No I'm still waiting for the balance of the payment on the trailer and then the check will have to clear my bank.  Until that happens, I don't know exactly when I'll run down to the Lone Star State.