Is there a method to transport an auction win cheaply?

[Lu-Max]

It seems that every time I find a really great online auction (I'm not talking eBay here, but rather used equipment, fabrication, or machining gear from businesses being liquidated), the auctions always seem to take place a considerable distance away so I end up watching the items sell for well within my desired bidding range but I have to pass on them go due to the cost of logistics. About 2 weeks ago I watched a brand new 'still in the shipping crate' item sell for $800 at auction. To purchase and get a new one delivered here would cost me ~$2250 total. But I couldn't find a reasonable (cost) way to get it shipped to me if I had bid on it and won. The drive time for me would have been ~11 hours one-way.

Today there was another big auction but the drive time one way for me was ~7 hours and I don't presently own a truck or trailer big enough for me to haul the item that I wanted to buy home by myself. I looked at a one-way truck rental (Penske and U-Haul), but the best price was ~$550 not including gas and insurance. There would be people to load the gear at the auction site and I can unload it when I get home, but $500 plus a long day of driving make the total cost not such a good deal any longer.

For one recent auction I called the 3 companies that were doing the machinery shipping for that auction, and the lowest quote I got (load, ship, and unload) for just one item was ~$1000.

So, is there a shipping or transportation method out there that I may not be aware of that could load and transport these items to my shop at a reasonable price? I realize that the shipping companies have to make a profit, but I was curious if possibly I may simply be unaware of some other possible options?

Yes, I could move closer to the auction site but that's not really an option, and I can't afford a truck or big trailer currently. I also can't afford to buy these particular items new.

 

[rslaback]

There really isn't. That is why the deals exist at all.

You do also need to consider that the selling price for an auction is solely based on who is there to purchase it. If you had also bid on the items the price would've been higher; maybe even much higher.

 

[JamieK]

Maybe try uShip.com

 

[bczygan]

UShip is a joke.

 

[bczygan]

The cheapest solution is a trailer pulled by your car.

What kind of car do you have?

And remember that your time is worth nothing, and a drive to get something is like a walk in the park.

 

[Thumper68]

I can feel your pain, I just passed up a K&T vert mill that I could have gotten for $2, the issue being that I don't have a way to transport a mill that weighs in at 20,000 pounds and the shipping put it out of my range.

I have had good luck in the past with a few moving and shipping companies adding my small load in with another load. The only issue there is I have had to wait up to a year before they could get it to me.

 

[Ray916MN]

I've used UShip and Freightquote.com and also gotten quotes from Fastenal. Many people use Forward Freight to ship stuff and some stuff can be shipped via bus lines. Depends on what it is your shipping, but Freightquote was really effective for the last thing I shipped. About 40% less than UShip or Fastenal.

 

[Lu-Max]

[sarcasm]

And remember that your time is worth nothing, and a drive to get something is like a walk in the park.

[/sarcasm]

That's specifically why I mentioned the drive time, I consider that to be a significant cost in wages that could have been earned, gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, etc.

I currently drive a small SUV which pulls a small (1200# capacity) trailer on shorter hauls, but no trucks or other tow vehicles currently within my budget. Also why I shop auctions.

 

[bgarrett]

The least expensive is Fastenal. We shipped 300 pounds 1000 miles for $100. You cant drive that far, that cheap

 

[Steevo]

Next time, contact me.
I'll either buy it out from under you, or offer you a cheaper shipping option, provided it is in the CA, OR, WA, ID, NV region.

I am delivering a tractor to WA in June. A paid haul in the return direction would have been sweet indeed.

 

[Lu-Max]

Will do Steevo. This item was down near Santa Ana CA.

 

[6768rogues]

My son has a dumpster business with two hook lift trucks. When we need to haul something, we use a dumpster. They work great. Plop it down on the driveway, drive a tractor, bobcat, whatever in, close the back door and pull it up on the truck. No tie downs or anything; it cannot get out of the dumpster. They work great for gravel, dirt and mulch, too.
For something not too far away, it might be worth calling a dumpster company. If they have some free time, it is easy revenue.

 

[Strouty]

I want to set up a network of members that are willing to pick things up and store them for a small fee. I think if we worked together we could have our own shipping department. The initial pickup seems to be the biggest hassle, once you have the item, then you can take a breather to find a good price to ship it.

 

[Lu-Max]

I've heard that a network like that already exists for antique, heavy-duty, industrial items. A friend mentioned it to me once, and they actually have a name for temporarily holding or storing stuff for other members but I do not recall what it is, and have no idea what site they use to coordinate.

 

[joe_padavano]

X2 - Uship is a joke. Fastenal, on the other hand, is the real deal. I've used it and been very happy with both the service and the price. Google them to find the nearest locations to your auction item and yourself. Be aware that you'll have to arrange to have the auction item delivered to Fastenal, since they don't pick up.

 

[Strouty]

I've heard that a network like that already exists for antique, heavy-duty, industrial items. A friend mentioned it to me once, and they actually have a name for temporarily holding or storing stuff for other members but I do not recall what it is, and have no idea what site they use to coordinate.

My Dad just paid someone $1200 to go pick up and pack some things from an auction he won in Texas. I think some people could make some good money and some good connections.

 

[Strouty]

I think we should set something up just like that.

 

[Diesel Dan]

When I sold my backhoe the buyer listed it on Uship and a local guy ended up hauling it.
It was a 200 mile total trip, on a sunday, for $300.
Didn't seem like a bad price to haul a 12-14K pound tractor on short notice.

 

[drivesitfar]

LU: some auctions will have their items on a pallet so if they or you can arrange for that pallet to get delivered to a Fastenal store with a fork lift or one of their main warehouses in that state Fastenal will ship reasonably. unfortunately i hear Fastenal has most of its trucks coming to California full so you might have to wait in line for delivery.

also some auctions can arrange shipping so ask who they might use to get the item to you.

nice idea for a thread because i would like to know better answers if there is any.

 

[Strouty]

LU: some auctions will have their items on a pallet so if they or you can arrange for that pallet to get delivered to a Fastenal store with a fork lift or one of their main warehouses in that state Fastenal will ship reasonably. unfortunately i hear Fastenal has most of its trucks coming to California full so you might have to wait in line for delivery.

also some auctions can arrange shipping so ask who they might use to get the item to you.

nice idea for a thread because i would like to know better answers if there is any.

And you just happen to have a truck!

 

[kazlx]

I'm down in SoCal, Santa Ana is 5 min from me. I have a local guy that moves stuff for me and I could always help with storage (or transportation/storage) if it's not huge.

 

[kbs2244]

I have never seen it at a commerical auction, but at farm auctions it is not unusual to hire a guy who showed up with a truck and didn't buy much.
I wouldn't advise it with someone I was biddding against though.