The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Shipping costs on truck parts

I've been pricing some new parts & am kind of in sticker shock for shipping costs. I live in Massachusetts and it seems everything for AD trucks comes from the general KS/MO/TX/OK area. I've dealt with all the major parts suppliers there (nice folks all), but lately, the shipping is killing me. For example, planning ahead for some winter work Mar-k bed sides (dealer shipping quotes)range from $250 to $500!

Last year I got a front axle and spindles shipped by UPS from Canada for $70.00, which seemed fair. Something like bed sides is too big for UPS (I know, I am a UPS daily shipper), but are others having the same issues I am? ...or is it just a combination of where I live & rising fuel costs, etc.

Large will always be expensive. I don't think a supplier will ship Greyhound. Your best bet is local craigslist for good donors. You can buy a whole parts truck for what you may pay for parts and ship for big stuff.

IF a seller will ship Greyhound that's about the cheapest way for large items. As you've discovered oversize shipping is quite expensive.

I feel your pain.

I'm in Mass as well, South Shore.

I've been dealing with this for some time. I also do restorations on antique tractors and other big items.

Yes we pay a premium for destination charges. New England is at the end of the line as far as most freight routes are concerned, but that isn't the only thing that piles on the cost.

Freight companies use a classification system for every item they carry, and it is bias against the a lot of the things we buy.

A silly (but true)example is that you can ship 1000 lbs of lead for $250, but to the same location, 1000lbs of ping-pong balls is $2,500. It is mostly about density ratios, but there are other completely arbitrary rules that define the classes.

Things like sheet metal, tractor wheels, etc. have high volume and low weight. That puts them in an expensive class. Also, if I remember correctly, The same size chunk of cast iron called automotive parts costs more than if it is called industrial equipment.

Finally there is the size thing. 12ft long is normal, 12'1" is Godzilla.

Shipped a grain truck lift from Minnesota to MA. When it was first strapped on the pallet it was 12'4" and the est. was $1800, had them cut 4-1/4" off the end and it went down to under $1100.

I've tried the local used parts route (CL, etc), but too often the parts are not as nice in person. If I still did most of my work (I don't anymore) local used parts would have more appeal. When tracking down local buys, I always factor in "x" hours at "y" $$ to get the part restored...too often the result calculates to "buy new".

What would be really nice is if a classic car/truck parts depot were to to service the Northeast& mid South. For all the population we have from Maine to VA, I'm surprised there is not someone doing this out here.

L and R sides about $640 + $500 ship? = $1140 or more. You should be able to buy local sides for $150= $300 for L/R. That's $840 for your labor, which is free. More old trucks back there, more rust free out west. There should be several years that fit whatever you have. Like I said, you can buy a whole donor type truck for $1140 with many extra parts to sell/save. If you don't want to do the labor, find some that don't need much. Can't count prep and paint, new and old need that. No way to avoid shipping costs for oversize, semi heavy items going 1600 miles especially if you get into the "freight" category. New sheet metal, in my opinion, is for rich people and TV car restoration shows.

Sometimes Mar-K has a special with free shipping if you buy a certain $$. If you are in no hurry, I'd wait for a deal.

Dennis

Have to comment on this...

I'm not rich - I'm just being practical. Not being rich I also don't have a big place, & the storage space/land to spot extra "parts" trucks. The last used sides I looked at were $150. There were holes, they were wavy, etc, etc. I worked for a dozen years doing body work & general mechanics to put myself through school. I know what it takes time wise - whether I do it or pay someone else. I looked at some other that were more and just as bad. Prep and paint - new or old is not necessarily the same. I'm also in 60's and not have a good enough back to go crawling under vehicles anymore...

I am self employed and work 50-70 hours a week and also help take care of my elderly father - which is a like another job all together. I haven't had a vacation in 6 years. Time for me is money. If I buy new truck sides, I am also buying the time to spend a rare weekend with my wife or just rest, for a change..and maybe I just don't want to spend more time chasing dead ends. That's just the way it is.

I'm fortunate in the fact that I live pretty close to Mar-K but understand your problem. I get the impression that Mar-K is most likely the vendor for bed sides, wood , and bed strips for most of the other aftermarket suppliers. I think if you find a vendor closer to you that sells the new bedsides, most likely they will come in a Mar-K box. But those large items from someone close enough that you can drive to them and pick up the parts. Other than that, they do have a regular special of "free shipping on $1000 orders. You buy bedsides, bed front, wood and strips, you have hit that number pretty easily...just my suggestion.

Dads50 - Thanks - a very helpful reply!

Jim Sears - Maybe us NE guys in the future should combine some orders. Hope the remnants of the hurricane doesn't hit you too badly.

Greg H. Luckily, I've scrounged everything but the sides. I did talk to Mar-k (nice folks) and they told me of the special. One option I'm floating is for a sale at one of their dealers, but I'll keep looking in the meantime - though people chiming in are giving me ideas!

Maybe I assumed too much, sorry. I figured if someone is restoring an old truck they were "in to it", had the time, into the whole thing, the fun, the do it yourself thing. Doing what you can do, yourself, to save money and not be upside down. I am mid 60's also and that's why I like trucks because I can lay under them. I also use old office chairs to roll around. I see your situation with relatives and still working and family time. Better to buy and install. I was speaking generally about donor vs new. The rich people/TV thing was embellishment, hyperbole, not meant to disrespect.

Thanks Bartamos - been getting some good food for thought from everyone., One thing for sure, back in the day ( I think I speak for many of us )I was in better shape, things cost less and I had fewer responsibilities.

You could contact a moving company and tell them you have some old car parts that you need picked up and delivered, be up front and tell them you are trying to save some $$$. Many times they end up with room in a trailer and they can use your stuff to add a few $$ to the load. It may take a little longer but you are saving $$$. You can also talk to some over the road truckers from your area, tell them what you are needing to be hauled. You'll be surprised how many times they can put something together for you.

On the off chance that someone may be heading your way from, or passing through, that area and has trailer/truck space available, you might post a query in the Hauling forum that you need one or more pieces hauled. A generous offer to pay fuel costs could save you both some money. The odds are against it but you never know what could happen. The post is free.

I'd inquire to see if any of the vendors you buy from attend a major swap meet like Hershey. You could combine a fun meet with picking up your parts. I've done this a few times, most vendors are happy to arrange this, you'll need to pay in advance.

I want to than everyone for their ideas - there are a lot of great ones out there. I don't plan on the work starting until after the end of November - with plenty of time to get this done the chances are increased for more one or more of the suggestions to become possible.

I feel my own pain. Try shipping to Canada. Most suppliers ship UPS or FedEx but there rates and brokerage fees are horribly high. Even when a supplier offers free shipping specials it does not apply to us.
I once bought a Master Parts catalog from a major supplier. It was $25. Shipping, handling, duty and taxes made the total cost $90.
And except for the duties shipping within Canada is pricey. Bought a small stuffed toy for a relative and the postage was $17. The doll cost $20. Went to Amazon and got the doll and shipping for a bit more than the price of the doll alone.

I use these guys almost daily. http://www.freightquote.com/ A lot of difference in the rate is what what classification it moves under. If I'm not sure, I call them. Shipping to a residence or using a lift gate. is expensive. If you know of someone who has a business with either a dock or a forklift, have it shipped there. Or have it shipped to a local freight terminal. My trucking company, which has nothing to do with my gasoline business, now hauls almost all dry bulk, but when we still pulled flats, we moved a lot of partials for people. Many of the partials we met the receiver in a Walmart parking lot and shoved the stuff from the flat to the buyer's pickup.