[Milsurplus] USPS Info... Saga of the Crate

[Mike Feher]

Wow, that is the crate without contents. Amazing. I have been fortunate not
to have to ship anything very heavy (over 35 pounds) overseas, however, I
have received a lot of very heavy items over the years. One was a Marconi
1912 vintage receiver that was found by a scuba diver in a wreck of off the
UK. This was heavy. When I got it the newspapers he wrapped it in were still
soaked with salt water. This thing was under water for about 90 years. The
total package was probably in the order of about 45 pounds or about 20 some
kg. I think he wrapped it when the insides were still full of sea water.
Regardless, even though the radio cost me in the many thousands, the
shipping was less than $100 US. This was probably about 8 to 10 years ago,
and I know a lot has changed since. Seems now even the smallest item from
the UK to here costs a lot more for the transit than for the item. Regards -
Mike

Mike B. Feher, N4FS
89 Arnold Blvd.
Howell, NJ 07731
732-886-5960 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of J. Forster
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 9:14 PM
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] USPS Info... Saga of the Crate

This is the next installment of the Saga of the Crate.

I want to ship a NOS crate of radio gear to the UK. I called UPS, FedEx
and UPS. All quoted betweeen $450 and $500 for a box 18x18x24 weighing 57
pounds. That's the crate w/o contents.

I thought that was pretty high, so I called the British Consulate. They
gave me the name of a freight forwarder/consolidator.

The freight guy quoted me about 10 days door to door, for well under half
the $$. Oh, and the crate is going too, for a total of about 110 pounds.

FWIW,

-John