You live and you learn..

[tammymacb]

Well, it all started off by me blowing my DGSs Christmas budget on a $300 rocking horse. I know, I know, $300 for a rocking horse. But it's a beautiful rocking horse, completely had made of solid maple and cherry by a craftsman in North Carolina.

I have to admit, I was concerned about the shipping costs. The man who makes them doesn't ship at all, so he couldn't give me a guestimate. I guessed $70 to $100 dollars..but it made me feel all sweet and happy thinking that this was an heirloom that my great great grandchild could rock on someday.

So, today I trekked with it to the shipping store...

Total to ship the rocking horse.... $423!

I didn't ship it. I called my husband in tears and then called my daughter to warn her that the rocking horse probably wouldn't make it in time for Christmas. GS will have other gifts from me and it's just going to have to wait until we drive up...$800 for a toy is just too much.

So, lesson learned is that if you find something but are concerned about the cost of shipping it, there may be good reason.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Sounds like a great reason for a visit to your grandson. I would love to see a picture of the rocking horse. Don't worry, it will be fine.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Total to ship the rocking horse.... $423!

Just to ship it?

That is insane!

Road trip time....

 

[auralia]

i got one from a man in south carolina look up tom browns wooden rocking horses there is an email listed on the site. I know he ships his. I know you already have yours but he is a nice man and i bet if you called or emailed he'd tell you how he ships his!

 

[sherry7]

Wow! That horse needs to travel coach instead of first class.

I want to see a picture too please.

 

[ldietiker]

I'm not sure if you checked out Amtrak, but they also do shipping of large items. I once had an antique chair shipped from my aunt's house in PA to to me in CA. It came in great shape in pretty good time -- it might have taken a week. I don't remember the cost, but I bet it is a lot cheaper than UPS.

Just an idea! Good luck!

 

[disneyhand]

I remember a friend saying her son shipped his soon to be ex wife, all her belongings by a freight truck line. My friend said he researched options and found that to be cheapest. Hope that helps.
Sounds like a wonderful gift too!
Good luck!

 

[rosebud4]

Greyhound ships reasonably too.

 

[nunzia]

Shipping stores add quite alot to prices..have you looked into UPS? The freight idea and bus and AMTRAK are also good ideas.

 

[ceecee]

I ship a lot and that is high! First, don't go to a shipping store. Pack it up yourself and then check USPS (depending on the zone you live and where it's going it may be cheaper). UPS also includes insurance, but again DON'T go to a shipping place as most have extra charges. We shipped a very very old computer from UPS and it only cost around $50 it was large too.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

That is expensive! I would definitely check around and find some place cheaper. Depending on where you are, it may just be cheaper to go get it.

Is it to late to cancel your order and find one some place else?

 

[ceecee]

That is expensive! I would definitely check around and find some place cheaper. Depending on where you are, it may just be cheaper to go get it.

Is it to late to cancel your order and find one some place else?

I think she already has it and wants to ship it to her GS for Christmas.

 

[CowboyCO]

It needs to be shipped as freight. The reason it is likely so high is due to that outsized items shipped regular ground are termed "dimensional weight". So you can be charged 3-4X more than it's actual weight due to the dimunesions of the box.

 

[staceyhzoo]

Well, it all started off by me blowing my DGSs Christmas budget on a $300 rocking horse. I know, I know, $300 for a rocking horse. But it's a beautiful rocking horse, completely had made of solid maple and cherry by a craftsman in North Carolina.

I have to admit, I was concerned about the shipping costs. The man who makes them doesn't ship at all, so he couldn't give me a guestimate. I guessed $70 to $100 dollars..but it made me feel all sweet and happy thinking that this was an heirloom that my great great grandchild could rock on someday.

So, today I trekked with it to the shipping store...

Total to ship the rocking horse.... $423!

I didn't ship it. I called my husband in tears and then called my daughter to warn her that the rocking horse probably wouldn't make it in time for Christmas. GS will have other gifts from me and it's just going to have to wait until we drive up...$800 for a toy is just too much.

So, lesson learned is that if you find something but are concerned about the cost of shipping it, there may be good reason.

Try a freight company (Fedex Freight, Estees freight, etc) they tend to be cheaper for large items. You have to get the item off the truck, but since it's a small item no big deal. If you know any truck drivers that long haul they may be willing to help-my dh has done that before (including a dog once!) PM if want, I'm in NC too.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Well, it all started off by me blowing my DGSs Christmas budget on a $300 rocking horse. I know, I know, $300 for a rocking horse. But it's a beautiful rocking horse, completely had made of solid maple and cherry by a craftsman in North Carolina.

I have to admit, I was concerned about the shipping costs. The man who makes them doesn't ship at all, so he couldn't give me a guestimate. I guessed $70 to $100 dollars..but it made me feel all sweet and happy thinking that this was an heirloom that my great great grandchild could rock on someday.

So, today I trekked with it to the shipping store...

Total to ship the rocking horse.... $423!

I didn't ship it. I called my husband in tears and then called my daughter to warn her that the rocking horse probably wouldn't make it in time for Christmas. GS will have other gifts from me and it's just going to have to wait until we drive up...$800 for a toy is just too much.

So, lesson learned is that if you find something but are concerned about the cost of shipping it, there may be good reason.

Did you check other options? There are a number of other shippers besides the UPS Store, and a freight company might give you a better price. If you have the dimensions and weight, it might not hurt to check into them. You have enough time to do ground shipping.

Best wishes -- I'm sorry it might not work out for you.

 

[DawnM]

I am a bit confused as well.

You bought this already?

Can you take it back? Are you planning to visit anytime in the next few months to drive it to them?

Or did you order this and not have it yet?

Dawn

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

what state do you like in and what state does it need to go to?

any way friends are driving that way? any college students in your town driving home to that state who could take it?

any friend of friends? email people you know and see if anyone knows anyone you could trust to deliver it. People are usually very helpful this time of year.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am a bit confused as well.

You bought this already?

Can you take it back? Are you planning to visit anytime in the next few months to drive it to them?

Or did you order this and not have it yet?

Dawn

She bought it from a local person who doesn't ship at all (so he had no guesstimates as to the shipping cost...I have a feeling that there's a reason he doesn't ship!). She has it. She tried to ship it through a shipping store. And now needs to create a visit to deliver it in person, which IMO sounds way better anyway.


But definitely try a place that isn't a shipping store! I love the ideas of Greyhound and Amtrak here...

 

[tammymacb]

Thanks all.

I'm checking Amtrak next and moving on to other ground shipping.

I live in Charleston, SC. My DD lives in Saratoga Springs NY. About a thousand miles away. I visited in October and she was supposed to meet us in Disney in December, but she can't make it. We usually fly.

I bought the rocking horse at a Craftsman's Classic. The maker is in NC and is long gone.

My other option is waiting for my 20 year old son to come visit. He's 20 and not so dependable with schedules ( he's in college in NY ) but if he comes and visits me for Christmas and will drive it back I've told him on top of his other gifts, there will be a $200 gas card in it for him.