Replies

1. 
   RMillard | Mar 23, 2004 12:58pm | #1

   I avoid UPS. They have in my experience been quite rough, but they will fulfill a claim , which is little compensation after you spent so much time completing a project. When I first started making furniture for sale, I sent several items UPS, and the damage rate was too high ( for me). I recently relented and sent a shelf clock via UPS, only to see it damaged, despite what I thought to be a sturdy packing job. I have heard from several sources that Fed Ex is better at handling things carefully, but that their insurance program is less than ideal. The problem seems to be with insuring one of a kind items. This information on Fed Ex is second hand and I have not checked it myself, so it could be all wrong.

   I send my completed furniture through Craters and Freighters http://www.cratersandfreighters.com . While not cheap ( Your cradle will cost over $200 to ship) at least you will know it will get there in one piece. I have not had to file a claim with them in the dozens of pieces I've sent, so I don't know how they are at handling an insurance claim.

   Rob Millard

1. 
   Fingrs | Mar 23, 2004 04:45pm | #3

   Thank you for the info and suggestion.  I went to the site you suggested and got a quote...$375.  Looks like it's time to call FedEx!

2. 
   lynnroy | Mar 23, 2004 06:03pm | #6

   Thanks for the feedback. Good to hear who is doing a good job.

   Lynn

1. 
   Fingrs | Mar 27, 2004 06:35am | #7

   Just to follow up:  I built a crate for the cradle out of 1Xs and 1/4" ply for $35 in materials and two hours of my time.  The crate is 50" by 28" by 21"; with the cradle it weights about 60 lbs.  FedEx will deliver it to a business address at the destination for $48.   I think I have the solution...

   Thanks again for your advice and assistance.

1. 
   CharlieP | Mar 28, 2004 07:33pm | #8

   Sounds like you got a good solution that I may have to try. 

   I recently had to ship a toy box from Texas to NYC. 

   Mail Boxes Etc., which is now part of UPS, packed and shipped it for just over $100, and it arrived, on time, in perfect condition.  I made sure they packed it, so there would be no question about damage. 

   I had heard horror stories about UPS, so got a bid from Craters and Frieghters - over $600 for the same delivery, and a week later delivery than UPS. 

   I have a FedEx account, but didn't think they would take wood crates (catch on their conveyor belts).  I will check into that. 

   Incidentally I learned that there are size thresholds that make a huge difference.  As the MBE/UPS guy was packing the toy box, he kept measuring.  It turns out that he had to squeeze a 1/2 inch off the popcorn to keep the freight in a particular category.  With that extra half inch, the cost would have been $125 higher.  ________________________Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texashttp://www.plesums.com/wood

1. 
   TomMGTC | Mar 28, 2004 11:09pm | #9

   Fedex ground is a good alternative to regular fedex. They are different parts of the same company, really seperate company's under one parent. The ground division seems to be far less expensive for large shipments. Another good option is greyhound. You can ship some pretty large items reasonably with them if you are willing to pick up at the terminal. Both give quotes online.Tom

   Douglasville, GA

2. 
   RickL | Mar 23, 2004 01:05pm | #2

   Recent FWW had an informative article on shipping that could shed some light. Sometimes it's easier to deliver it yourself. Expensive to ship is just one of the facts of the matter. I've built my own crates and paid the extra fees with good luck. One time a colleague built a crate to ship a 50 lb cutter head for our moulder to be reamed from a frozen spindle. I couldn't believe how it barely was contained in the same crate as it was returned and the UPS driver didn't bat an eye or ask if we wanted to file a claim. Read that article for some valuable insights.

3. 
   PlaneWood | Mar 23, 2004 05:04pm | #4

   Well, my advise is far to late.  But, I've made 3 cradles and each one could be disassembled for storage under a bed or for shipment.   The 1st one had to be shipped from here (Houston) to California.  But, rather than ship it, I boxed it up and checked it in with our luggage when we flew out there before the baby was born. 

   On a side note, our youngest child (lives here) called the other day and asked if it would be OK to store their cradle in the attic.  I told him to disassemble it and store it under a bed.  He said "Huh?".  He and his wife had been at the hospital when I had taken it over to their house and assembled it.  He didn't know it could be disassembled.   He then said "Damn, Dad, you think of everything!"  (I wish)

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

4. 
   JohnWW | Mar 23, 2004 05:34pm | #5

   Check with a local household moving company, such as Mayflower or Bekins.  I've had good luck with having them move finished pieces at a reasonable price and without having to crate up the piece, since they handle uncrated household furniture all the time. 

   With luck, you'll find a mover with a houseful of furniture going that way and they'll just add it in.  To save the extra handling costs of door to door pick up and delivery, you can deliver the cradle to their local warehouse and have it picked up by your niece at a Philadelphia warehouse.

   John W.

5. 
   Mackwood | Mar 29, 2004 07:22pm | #10

   Lofton,

   I've shipped with the USPS with two smaller pieces.  I constructed the crates out of 7/16" OSB with 2x2 corners.  Both were virtually bullet proof; both arrived safe and sound under cover of heavy insurance.

   Best advice I can give you is:

   A. Crate it yourself (you will do a better job than anyone else!)

   B. Figure out the finished size and check out who will do that size

   C. Bite the bullet on the cost of shipping, it may seem steep but it's really nothing compared to the value of your work.

   Best of luck!

   Mack

   "WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"