Moving machines cross-country for cheap - ideas? | FerrariChat
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Moving machines cross-country for cheap - ideas?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by SRT Mike, Jun 18, 2006.

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  1. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #1 SRT Mike, Jun 18, 2006
    I have been in the market for an electronic placement machine. New they are closing in on $100k, and even used (which I'd be buying) you're looking at $20k for something that you can just plug in and go.

    So... I happened upon a guy in California who has a production line with 2 machines and a third non-working parts machine and he will cut me a KILLER deal. His building is being torn down and he used the opportunity to buy a newer smaller machine. He had listed his old ones at $16k/ea thinking they'd go quick but they have to be out by the end of the month and he's sweating it big time. I can get them for less than 10% of their real value.

    But I am in Boston, they are in Los Angeles. The machines weigh around 2500lbs each. I can hire a freight company but their best price is $1500/ea and they would need crated. I dunno how much that would cost but I'd guess $1000 per machine (hell it cost me $300 just for materials to crate our trade show display and that's less than 1/4 the size). I would also likely need to hire a rigger to get them on the truck (maybe another $500/machine). So I'd be looking at $9k just for transit. Suddenly it doesn't seem so cheap.

    I could also send one of my guys out there to pick 'em up and drive 'em back. Budget and Penske do one-way truck rentals. The truck would be around $2500 and gas would be about $1,000. It would take 4 days so figure $500 for hotels and so on.

    Theres gotta be a cheaper way. I shipped my car from Boston to Vegas and it cost me $1,200 and I'd think a car is heavier and more unwieldly than a machine. Some folks said I should just load them on the truck without a crate, make sure they are strapped in, then request the shipper to put a bulkhead in, but none of the shipping co's will guarantee they can leave them on one truck until they hit Boston. They MUST be out of LA by the end of the month but I am not too picky about when they arrive. If I knew someone (a trucker) who does the cross country route and would have space, I'm sure I could get it cheaper. Anyone know someone? Or have any ideas?

    I'm leaning towards sending someone out but my fear is sometimes you rent a truck and it's a total POS (had that with U-Haul). Is Penske/Budget better? I usually use Ryder but they don't do one-way. I know a guy who does U-Haul one way and he tells me they always give up their biggest POS truck for one way because they know it ain't coming back and they try to keep the nicer trucks for local rentals.
     
  2. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    #2 SrfCity, Jun 18, 2006
    Can you crate 'em up and put them on a train? That'd be cheapest if it works.
     
  3. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 wax, Jun 18, 2006
    Add $9,000 - heck, round it up to $10,000 to the base cost of the machines.

    Now, picture them on the shop floor, paid for.

    How long before another deal like that comes along?
     
  4. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 dm_n_stuff, Jun 18, 2006
    West to East is tougher than the other way round. Tons of stuff move left to right, so there's less dead-heading trucks coming east.

    A rigger is out of the question. cost even more.

    However, a moving company might be just the trick. Make some calls, find someone who'll store the stuff until they have an almost full truck that needs something to fill it out going W to E. We had Allied Van Lines bring us some machinery once, at a fraction of the cost of a rigger. It works, as long as your project isn't time sensitive.

    You might also talk to a freight forwarder. We've had a lot of luck there, getting stuff moved cheaper than I ever thought possible, as they filled trucks. Again here, you'll probably have to crate them, but if the seller is motivated, he might just do it for you, right?

    If you want a couple good forwarders PM me, and I'll send you a couple names Monday when I hit work.

    Dave M.
     
  5. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

    Jan 5, 2006
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    #5 8 SNAKE, Jun 19, 2006
    Mike,

    If your machines can go on flatbed trailers shoot me a PM. I coordinate freight shipments on my company's trucks out of CA to the Northeast all the time. I need to know the dimensions of the machines, their weights, what type of securement is needed and the desired p/u and delivery dates. You'd have to arrange for the machines to be loaded and unloaded, but I can take quote the transportation costs if you're interested.
     
  6. 412monzaindy

    412monzaindy Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2005
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    #6 412monzaindy, Jun 19, 2006
    All the suggestions are great.

    A lot of shipping brokers mat be able to get you a very reasonable rated.
    I will all depend on if the shipment can be cubed. Generally that means that other items can be plced on top of your products.
    Charges can vary using a dimensional weight or cube weight.

    Alway check about the insurance that the shipper will provide. sometimes it is a little as 10 cents per pound. Call your insurance company and see if they will give you the coverage.

    I have had 15,000 lbs of batteries lost on a shipment to Hawaii, The shipper paid the claim, 3 months later, then when the batteries were located 2 months aftter the claim was paid, the Insurance company called and asked me if I wanted the product back.
    One catch, we will ship you the product, but we want our money back.

    good luck
     

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