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I've done this in a few other forums and seen it done in others as well. Here's how it works:
Someone has something to crazy to ship cost wise. So people in the forum offer up to do a leg of the journey relay fashion to get the object to where it is going. There's a certain element of trust here, there needs to be lots of pictures exchanged, lots of communication and there's still an element of risk. I understand it's not for everyone and very long distances can get complicated quickly. I've used this method successfully to get figured woods, parts and to get an Australian Cattle Dog to a new home (to PA from NC) and have seen it used in Vintage Mustang Forum to get a 67 coupe body from right here in Apex NC to Bob, the founder of that forum in Indiana IIRC.
Just a suggestion. I have a trailer and can do the occasional hour journey depending on schedule. Possibly longer if I'm on the way to Asheville.
I've thought about this many times when I find everything I need but it's states away. I to have seen the forum (relay) participation to meet and exchange parts for the next guy to take them and travel to another guy waiting to continue the journey until the destination is met. Some forums I belong to actually have a section for hauling. if say I were to be going from Pa to Fl on a trip and have room I would post a thread saying where I'm going and my route so if anyone has things to get shipped within my journey they can ask for help to get whatever it is to the next guy instead of paying crazy shipping for engine blocks bodies ect.... It can be great but I've seen it go wrong to as some wanted there dip in the cookie jar to.
I agree. Expectations need to discussed up front and not on delivery. Years ago I was looking at some vacuum tubes at a flea market when this old lady came up and started talking about how she had a whole basement full of tubes and related stuff. She asked me if I was interested. I said sure, how much? She said she would just give it to me to get it out of the house. So the Son In Law calls me up later and says "It's here" and I go way out into the country to meet up. I get there and he says $100. Well, that wasn't the deal. I knew it was just going to go in his pocket. There was a lot of stuff so I did end up getting it, but it left a bad taste. He called about a month or two later with another load. I figured the price would just go up and I probably got the best stuff already so I passed. He probably still has that stuff in a shed.
Good idea. I bought some quarter panels from a guy in Maryland. I met him at an exit on I-85 in NC as he was on his way to a car show Florida (NPD in Silver Springs). At the same time I passed off a fuel tank I was selling to a guy he was meeting at Silver Springs. Worked great.
Theirs a guy on C/L & Pirate 4x4 site that posted dates & times leaving from point A to point B to C & D and so on. He's looking for loads too pickup or drop off a long this route for a small amount of cash $$. Has a 5th wheel 24ft..
He was doing this about every 20 days a month but have not seen his post lately. He posted a picture of his rig of everything strapped down or to the inside walls.. A man's got make a living any way he can..
orich