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2 specific questions about shipping 42 lb speakers within US

I've read a lot of good advice. I'm shipping some equipment and the hardest are my old B&W DM-603 S2 speakers.  I'll be building a box using 1' or 2' foam boards.  I have two specific questions and would appreciate any input. 

Q1.  Should I use something to prevent the speaker cones from moving?  For example, by placing an air pillow or bubble (like the kind Amazon uses), then applying the plastic wrap around it.  So the cone should not move during transit.  I'm considering that because I've read that the speaker cones can move a lot and the magnets could get dislocated. 

Q2.  Has anyone used CoolParcel.com to book the shipping? 

It seems to be like a priceline for shipping.  I input my package weight and dimensions, then CoolParcel shows me a bunch of quotes from Fedex, UPS, and USPS.  Fedex Ground is cheapest and about 30% less than my quote from the Fedex website itself.  Perhaps it gets a corporate rate and volume discounts that I don't get it?  I'm inclined to give them a shot but would be great to hear if anyone has used them.

Thanks in advance.

tkbk123
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,404 posts
 

I would use a freight company instead of FedEx et al. 

tkbk123 OP
2 posts
 

Could you recommend a company? 

 

whart's avatar
whart
2,967 posts
 

I’m no expert in shipping but will tell you what I know. Shipping brokers can be really helpful, but I think they are mainly looking for volume. Thus, someone who regularly ships, like a manufacturer, is going to get a much better rate than you are as a civilian.

When I was shipping stuff back and forth to Slovenia, pre-Covid, Franc Kuzma could send something overnight, using his account, for less than it cost me to ship a cable across the country that was insured for low fair value (not necessarily retail replacement).

Shipping has gotten way more expensive in the last couple years. The bigger the vendor, the better their leverage if they pass it onto you.

For big stuff, I palletize, use wooden crates and air freight.

I knew a guy who shipped priceless cars all over the world by air- back in the day, it was 5 grand to load and fly one from NY to the Mid-East. Now, it’s probably at least triple that price.

If you are working with or shipping to someone who has a business account, they may be able get a better price than you.

 

slaw's avatar
slaw
20,399 posts
 

A friend used Shippo to ship his Zu Dirty Weekend and had no issue. The factory packing is excellent however.

I would leave space between speaker cone and box.

tkbk123 OP
2 posts
 

Can't figure out Shippo.  Its offering looks limited.  Cost for UPS and USPS came out way higher on the CoolParcel website.  DHL could be cheaper but I can't figure out how to get a quote from Shippo.

Freight sites seem to not be better than CoolParcel.  One site deems my package to be a "parcel" and not "freight"  because it weighs less than 150 pounds; and they don't do parcels anymore.  Another site will give me a quote, but it was $1,100.  Versus CoolParcel's quote of $150. 

I'll probably just go with CoolParcel for the speakers.  And I'm going to check in 2 boxes on my flight as checked luggage (I'm flying to visit the friend to whom I'm shipping my speakers). They'll contain a receiver and a center speaker.  That's probably the cheapest way to transport the entire system.

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