Off Topic-Greyhound Freight

I had a front grill panel sent to me once via Greyhound. It arrived and they called me and I went down to pick it up. Since it was my first time with that, I was a bit surprised to see it sent with no packaging at all. The guy had just used a magic marker to write my address on the face of the panel. But, it arrived totally fine with no damage. I figured maybe it was actually better open than wrapped because they could actually see what it was and how to handle it appropriately. That is my theory anyway, but might have just been luck on that one. It was a lot cheaper and I would definitely do it again.

 

I use greyhound all the time to ship chopper frames. The last frame was about $44.00 to ship. I try to get the people that are shipping large items to me to use greyhound. They have cheap shipping prices, They call you when its in and will hold it for you.

 

Go to the greyhound website. They list which stations in which states that you can drop off packages at, and that you can ship packages to. They do not drop off packages at a lot of stations.
They have a rate calculator online. You will need the weight and the longest measurement of the box/item.
I have used them a lot, and it has always worked well. Delivery is FAST....like Boston to Florida in less than 30 hours.
When you ship your item, you will need to know during what hours the station you are going to, accepts packages. Many do not accept packages at night. You will need the recipient's phone number when you ship the item (the package has to have their address on it, along with your "return" address). The box cannot be sealed/taped up, until they inspect the contents, so leave the box open and bring tape (the tape they have is weak). They only accept cash and you need to have exact change, so bring a variiety of bills and change.

 

back in my VW days I had bumpers and wheels shipped numberous times via Greyhound. Only drawback, for me at least, I had to drive into Camden, yea, that Camden, aka #2 worst city in the country. Luckily the bus terminal is right next to Police HQ and muni buildings.

 

I shipped a set of 36 rear bones through the mail. I don't remember what it cost but it was certainly less than that and if I remember right they went to Vt. I've been using the mail alot lately. As long as the weight is under 70# no problem.

 

The PO went to dimensional shipping a few months ago, so they figure the rate on weight and size. I would guess it would cost a good deal more to ship those bones these days. Something that long would push the package into the high priced "oversize package" rate.

 

You used to be allowed so much with if you had a ticket. I hate to say this, and I certainly don't recommend anyone try it. I remember once in the early 60's my mom wanted to send some clothes to my sister and her kids (we weren't that well off). So she bought a Greyhound Bus ticket to where my sister lived, we watched them load the stuff on the bus then my mom cashed the ticket back in and my sister picked the stuff up at the other end...I don't know exactly how she did it, but it worked.

 

Not so they were under the 84" limit, which is the distance around plus the lenght. They came out about 81". It's all in how you package things

 

DHL is even cheaper than that. I'm guessing front bones? Should be under $20 from CT to IL via DHL. Post office wouldn't be too bad on that. Sent out a flathead oil pan via USPS today, only going to Michigan, but an 18x18x24 box that weighed in at 24 lbs was like $17.

Sometimes it pays to shop around for shipping. Box it, weigh it and measure it and then hit the internet. DHL, Fedup, United Parcel Smashers, USPS................etc.

Tim D.

 

So how does the charges work, do you buy a ticket, or is it by weight?