The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Can anyone recommend a shipping service from the East Coast to California that's affordable and reliable with a good record for shipping safely?

I recently found a Victrola orthophonic in New York for an insanely low start bid but, upon receiving a $1500+ shipping quote from Craters & Freighters, found that I couldn't afford to have it shipped. End of bidding aspirations.

The same with a VV 410 in Michigan; a low start bid, but C & F wouldn't even consider the job; a 500 mile round-trip that'd make the shipping cost prohibitive. End of bidding aspirations.

Suggestions and recommendations, please? Thanks.

I used Craters and Freighters once a few years ago. Their service was great, but very expensive. I've since used a Philadelphia outfit called "Antique Transport Company."
http://antiquetransport.com

They can do "blanket freight" shipments for about half the cost of the above. For the lower price you're on their schedule, more or less, as their trucks make their way across the country, picking up and dropping off shipments. The website is undergoing an overhaul, but in my experience they were easy to reach by email or phone, and very helpful and agreeable, both in the office and the drivers themselves. I'd definitely use them again!
Bob B.

I used Craters and Freighters once a few years ago. Their service was great, but very expensive. I've since used a Philadelphia outfit called "Antique Transport Company."
http://antiquetransport.com

They can do "blanket freight" shipments for about half the cost of the above. For the lower price you're on their schedule, more or less, as their trucks make their way across the country, picking up and dropping off shipments. The website is undergoing an overhaul, but in my experience they were easy to reach by email or phone, and very helpful and agreeable, both in the office and the drivers themselves. I'd definitely use them again!
Bob B.

Greyhound used to be the cheapest long-distance shipper for large items. "The maximum weight per package is 100 pounds. The extreme measurements of length, width, and height shall not exceed 30" x 47" x 82"". The problem is with the seller, who in my experience does not want to bother with secure packaging and delivery to a Greyhound station. Typing maximum weight and dimensions into "quote" calculator shows coast-to-coast charge of $126.60.

You might want to see what ForwardAir can do for you. This company specializes in ground shipment of freight from one airport to another. Their rates are among the lowest I've seen for shipping large bulky items. I had a crated Victor 10-35 shipped by them from New Mexico to North Carolina for about $300 a few years ago, if I remember right. One catch is that they are a commercial shipper and don't usually do business with private clients. You might have to engage them via a local furniture or antique store who already has an account with them. The other catch is that they are only a shipper - you will have to do your own packing and crating. And you'll have to arrange delivery to one of their terminals at the originating airport and arrange pickup at the closest airport to your final destination. But the price is pretty right.

http://www.forwardair.com/

I'll second the recommendation for Forward Air. I was shipping with them pretty regularly a few years back. A crated Automatic Orthophonic VV10-50X cost less than $700.oo to ship to Norway back in 2007. Forward Air is pretty fussy about identification, these days, due to Homeland Security regulations. Air Freight is a real hassle I the current environment for the small shipper.

I used uship to get my 8-35 from Indiana to Michigan for $90. You post an ad of the item to be shipped and private shippers will competitively bid on your business. There's a feedback system just like eBay, so you can check them out before entrusting them with an expensive Victrola.