Shipping a Collection

[iBorg]

I'm trying to buy a collection that's about six hours away. There's about 80 standard sized 1/25 models in it. Any good suggestions? I can't justify the drive. 

 

[GMP440]

16 minutes ago, iBorg said:

I'm trying to buy a collection that's about six hours away. There's about 80 standard sized 1/25 models in it. Any good suggestions? I can't justify the drive. 

 

6 hours driving is not that bad.  If I were in your shoes, I would do that 6 hour drive.  If your there in person your going to be able to check and look at the collection. Any issues or something not right you address it there instead of having to deal with that when you receive the shipment.  I wouldn't do it any other way.

[iamsuperdan]

SIx hours one way or six hours return?

If it was six hours return, I'd do that in a heartbeat.

 

Are the models built or unbuilt?

[cobraman]

I would do the 6 hour drive and maybe just stay over night . Take my wife and have a little road trip.

[440 Dakota]

gonna be a small fortune to ship, when I was a member on NAXJA and Samba, guys would ship large items by Greyhound bus and it was considerably cheaper but you have to pick up and have dropped off at their terminal

[iBorg]

6 hours one way.....

[mikemodeler]

I sold 60 kits about 3 years ago, shipped them from NC to PA. 4 large boxes cost me about $125 due to size, not weight, which is how most of the shippers charge. Ask the seller to split the shipping charge with you. 

[GMP440]

3 hours ago, cobraman said:

I would do the 6 hour drive and maybe just stay over night . Take my wife and have a little road trip.

I agree too.  I drove from Pembroke Pines, FL to Dade City, FL to pick up  trunk lid at a salvage yard.  It was 5 hours each way.  I'm glad I did it.  It was long time since I took a road trip , but I needed to get out and do it.

[Mark]

6 hours one way...do it.  Start during the night, have breakfast near the destination, take as long as you need to check everything in person, pay in cash and load up.  Stop for lunch/dinner right after, hit the road, be home before dark.

[espo]

I have to agree with everyone else and drive. As GMP440 mentioned, this will give you an opportunity to inspect the collection to be sure it is as presented. My biggest concern would be the condition after shipping. I have had my collection moved by professional movers along with all of are belongings across country and had no problems. We moved ten miles to our present home and I think the movers were playing catch with the boxes while throwing them into the truck. Yes there was damage and no they wouldn't do anything about it and even suggested that the kits were already damaged. Very surprising how little recourse you have in these situations. So if you don't already have a vehicle that can carry your new collection safely out of the elements than consider borrowing or renting something that will. 

[1930fordpickup]

Renting a van would be more than the shipping, but like the others have said you get to look at what you are buying. 

[Mark]

Eighty or so 1/25 scale models (even heavy trucks and trailers) should fit in all but the smallest of cars, even with a passsenger along for the trip.

[Tom Geiger]

Road trip!  ??

[wrenchr]

road trip for sure!!

[slusher]

The best way and for no damage is to go pick it up yourself. Gas is not expensive and worth taking care of your investment...

[Bucky]

I believe I would do the drive, even if it was more than six hours away. You would have more control over how the collection is handled, from start to finish.

[GMP440]

Lots of good advice given here about going in person to pick up the collection.  The worst that can happen is you show up and see the collection wasn't what you thought it be.  You just simply walk away.  No dealing with shipping things back in forth.