posts: 135137
Data license: Public Domain
This data as json
| post_id | thread_id | thread_title | post_number | author_username | post_date | post_date_iso | post_body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 135137 | 4461 | Stoker V machine - Fowler or Anderson? | 47 | Bruce Fowler | Aug 4, 2018 | 2018-08-04T00:50:03-0400 | ekim said: Bruce does Amtrak. The cheapest way to ship. Call Amtrak Santa barbera and get a quote to your zip. Click to expand... Not sure when this was discussed. Amtrak used to offer great deals when I sent sailboards to the Bay area, Portland Station (for the Gorge) and Seattle...... however, I have been told surfboards will get demolished going "thru the hub" Chicago en route to the east. NOTE : I was told that about the hub years ago by Clyde Beatty. Ancient history really, I'm now looking into Amtrak as of tomorrow because I just reviewed their site, and things do change.... definitely worth a look and I will get back to everyone. I've got two pending orders for V8's since coming on Jamz... and I want to thank people's kind remarks and openess and honest criticism. Constructive criticism IS important! ;-) Since beginning of this year, Fed Ex, which I have a 45% discount as a volume shipper, has jacked their prices significantly for ALL destinations. So have the trucking companies. Most likely they have calculated fuel costs among other things and have adjusted their prices accordingly. The historic problem regarding surfboards is that the freight category isn't fair. Yes they are a large item, but dimensional weight shouldn't apply to them. They are the perfect "top load" item that should be easy to handle. I have been told I will get a better rate when stating HEAVIER WEIGHTS and sending multiple boxes like when I send groups of surfboards to places like Saturdays NYC or Sunset Surf Shack out in Montauk. I will contact Amtrak and see if there is any relief possible and what they have to say about survival thru the hub. I'm also looking at different trucking companies that have experience with surfboards domestically. My shipping agent Dolly, who has been in the shipping business for over a quarter century and has worked with many other board companies (Surfy Surfy, etc.) is very knowledgeable esp. when I am shipping internationally dealing with V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) additional handling costs in airports, docks, etc. and...... well...... tariffs. Then there is also money exchanged that I have had to deal with. Banks & Credit Unions charge about $35 up front from any international check I deposit into my accounts. They take it immediately and state it will take "6 to 8 weeks for processing" due to currency exchange rates which can change minute to minute. I have had customers in Vancouver wanting a surfboard send me a deposit using Postal Money Orders or Certified Checks from reputable banks, it doesn't matter..... the charge is still there. Whether Canada, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Western Europe or elsewhere, the easiest most streamlined method for me to receive money is thru Paypal or a similar method. Western Union is also an option. |