Best way to ship a Colossus???

[Jethro]

Need to ship to prevent breakage.  Yes the 110lb vessel is a bear.

I was thinking of draining most of the liquid out to make the vessel less fragile, but I've seen comments not to open it. Is the cap a real bear?

Also if I can put the liquid into 3 different boxes then I can ship it UPS.

I am also thinking of wrapping the vessel in bubble wrap and then double boxing.

PLEASE HELP...thanks!

[Tim Gill]

I think Fed Ex freight is the best option - its probably the most cost effective and effishient  and also it will remain on its pallet and upright and as its going via air fright it should be transported without much disturbance.

[Mattmos]

Dang, I never thought it would cost $1200 to ship. I was thinking $200-250 at the most. I had a safe that weighed 525lbs. and was shipped from California to Ohio, and I was only charged $125 for S/H. I guess the liquid and glass have something to do with the high cost. 

Jethro said:

Well I checked with several places and one place wants $1200 to ship.  Fed Ex freight wants $600 and insist on shipping it by air because it's on a pallet.  Otherwise it can be shipped by regular ground but wont remain upright.

I also checked with Crate and Freight but they have limited locations across the US and not close enough.

Still looking...open to suggestions

[WeeboTech]

We've heard stories of imperials being shipped by this company safely.

LampHead said:

 Your looking at pretty specialized shipping and not many companies do it. This is probably your best option but be prepared to pay... http://www.cratersandfreighters.com

 

 

[WeeboTech]

Do not ship UPS. I'm dealing with an insurance claim for a Giant Crestworth Jardine.

The UPS Store packed it (So they cannot blame me). I choose a store with a Pack and Ship promise.

I provided outside labels for extra care.  I double checked their packing. All was good. 

Somehow at the last leg of the delivery, In Washington, In in the state and city where it was destined,. It was sent overnight to Texas. I got the delivery exception. They then shipped it back to Washington on a truck, which meant another week in transit. 

It was bounced a couple times from truck to shipping center. It got back to Washington.

Went out for delivery and it just so happened the person receiving it wasn't there at the moment.

It was scanned in the next morning, then I received the exception notice. Destroyed, contents discarded, Balance being sent back to originator. 

Now I have to provide all kinds of receipts, bill of sales, pictures, description, letters, proof of worth, emails and even chemical disposition documents. 

That commercial where they say .. "and we'll even ship your lava lamps safely" is not true.

[WeeboTech]

Have you tried contacting the Lava Lite to see if they could provide any assistance or guidance as to boxed, pallets, willing shipping company. 

[Anson Cheung]

Smash it into a million pieces, and then ship them with a note saying 'some assembly required'

[LampHead]

     Whoa whoa...what kind of quotes are you getting ? Air freight ? NO NO NO. Where are you shipping this lamp from and to ? If this is just in the U.S. do not use air freight, way to costly. I have a feeling you may have contacted FedEx Package vs. FedEx Freight, same parent company but 2 totally different companies in the way they run. You need to look into freight rates not package.

 Shipping freight you will need to box up the lamp real good. The cheapest option is for you to bring it to a dock where it will ship, most decent freight companies will offer a pallet for you to ship on. I can recommend a few to try and a few to avoid based on your location and where the lamp is going to.

 

Jethro said:

Well I checked with several places and one place wants $1200 to ship.  Fed Ex freight wants $600 and insist on shipping it by air because it's on a pallet.  Otherwise it can be shipped by regular ground but wont remain upright.

I also checked with Crate and Freight but they have limited locations across the US and not close enough.

Still looking...open to suggestions

[Jethro]

FedEx freight insists that it be shipped by air if it's on a pallet.  Their cost is is n the $500-700 range plus another $125 for packing.  I'm checking other options but it's very specialize and the seller is not willing to travel much.  Even at these prices it's only going from airport in Huntsville, AL to airport in Boulder CO. 

If i dont need it on a pallet, they say it can go FedEx package based on it's size.  I'll call again, but the rep on the phone said that air freight was the only way to go if I wanted it on a pallet.  I agree that it is too pricey to buy the lamp a plane ticket.  I'm trying to find other options, just have not found any yet...I hope they are out there.

Sure, Lamphead, I would really appreciate some advice.  Feel free to contact me privately if you like.

THANKS!!

[WeeboTech]

With the cost of these shipping options I'm reminded of something my friend did years back.

He wanted something so badly and had great difficulty with shipping options.

He flew to the sellers location, rented a truck and drove it to where it needed to be. 

[Tim Gill]

With the cost of these shipping options I'm reminded of something my friend did years back.

He wanted something so badly and had great difficulty with shipping options.

He flew to the sellers location, rented a truck and drove it to where it needed to be.

DIY job - that sounds like a good option and its probably quite cheep as well providing that you can return the car when you get home, you don't want to do 2 round trips.

Also when you get there you can check out the lamp yourself so there is no hidden surprises that you can get with lamps being shipped as well as this, also if the seller is a fellow collector I like to have a good chat and check out the other lamps.

With the cost of these shipping options I'm reminded of something my friend did years back.

He wanted something so badly and had great difficulty with shipping options.

He flew to the sellers location, rented a truck and drove it to where it needed to be.

DIY job - that sounds like a good option and its probably quite cheep as well providing that you can return the car when you get home, you don't want to do 2 round trips.

Also when you get there you can check out the lamp yourself so there is no hidden surprises that you can get with lamps being shipped as well as this, also if the seller is a fellow collector I like to have a good chat and check out the other lamps.

[WeeboTech]

My friend rented a u-haul one way.

Tim Gill said:

With the cost of these shipping options I'm reminded of something my friend did years back.

He wanted something so badly and had great difficulty with shipping options.

He flew to the sellers location, rented a truck and drove it to where it needed to be.

DIY job - that sounds like a good option and its probably quite cheep as well providing that you can return the car when you get home, you don't want to do 2 round trips.

Also when you get there you can check out the lamp yourself so there is no hidden surprises that you can get with lamps being shipped as well as this, also if the seller is a fellow collector I like to have a good chat and check out the other lamps.

With the cost of these shipping options I'm reminded of something my friend did years back.

He wanted something so badly and had great difficulty with shipping options.

He flew to the sellers location, rented a truck and drove it to where it needed to be.

DIY job - that sounds like a good option and its probably quite cheep as well providing that you can return the car when you get home, you don't want to do 2 round trips.

Also when you get there you can check out the lamp yourself so there is no hidden surprises that you can get with lamps being shipped as well as this, also if the seller is a fellow collector I like to have a good chat and check out the other lamps.

[Jethro]

Yes, funny, I have considered driving.  Crossing Colorado and the Great Plains in winter can be an adventure.  

The process is complicated, but I think a reasonable option can be found.  Mostly matters how much effort the seller is willing to make.  She kinda wants someone to come to her remote house, pack it up and ship it upright without any hassle.  It just is very expensive to get everything, but I'm optimistic that we can find a workable solution for under $500 if she can take it somewhere to be packed and shipped.  I think the key is to be patient and research the issue properly.

Sure do appreciate all the help from fellow gooheads...I'll post pic when I get it and the restoration project I'm considering.

WeeboTech said:

With the cost of these shipping options I'm reminded of something my friend did years back.

He wanted something so badly and had great difficulty with shipping options.

He flew to the sellers location, rented a truck and drove it to where it needed to be.