Alvin: I agree with you and am repeating much, didn't read your post until later, sorry.
Carl, I ship all the time. FedEx is cheapest, then USPS, then UPS. They all have simple websites to find out the price. I have shipped rear barn doors. I've never used Greyhound , too much trouble and the whole process is up to a loosely written requirement. You are stuck with whatever counter guy is there that day. Anyway, you have to do some work to scrounge a box or cut one down for the door. If you stay under 150 lbs for FedEx you are good to go. 55 lbs, 48 x 30 x 8 (a door in a box?) is about $56. Va to Tx. USPS has a 108"-110" limit I think (girth plus length), don't know UPS limit. FedEx seems to only be a 150 lb. limit, no dimensional size limit as far as I can tell. I get all my boxes and packing material by dumpster diving furniture stores and stores that do import. Bike shops, appliance stores, etc. are good also for the big boxes. Your box will have to be the good cardboard not the thin cardboard. Boxes from China are thicker and better. The key to packing is tightness of item in box and sharp corner relief. I just get it to hold and then use their "counter tape" to finish. I create my own label or you can fill out a label at the drop off store and they will attach to box. If your city does not have any of those places....you're screwed. The chances of finding someone thru a hauling board is zero. Like you said. I looked at Uship once and thought I was filling out an application for a job at the FBI. Forget them. Also it generates a never ending supply of emails from every shipping co. and dating service there is.
