(A little history)
I am trying to get the best price for a customer who bought a very large artwork at a show and wants it shipped. The artwork, with packaging (crate) is too big to ship via regular UPS/FedEX/DHL/USPS ground. Also, when investigating quotes with UPS/FedEX/DHL FREIGHT divisions, I was hocked to discover that they do NOT accept shipments of "original art" ... Can you believe that? So, I would have to lie abotu the contents just to use their services. However, even if I did, their prices are outrageous!
I then found some "Freight Qute" companies online and found better rates but was, again, shocked that "fine art" was not insurable (I read the small print / addendum).
I can't be the only artist out there who wants to ship a huge artwork!?!?! I am sure there are plenty of artists that do this on a regular basis, affordably, and via a service that will guarantee/insure the artwork.
Can anyone recommend a place(s)? Add any experience or tips that you may have on the subject, too.
Thank you.
Replies
Hugo, the large piece that you need to ship, how far is it going? I knew an artist that occasional just delieved it themself. That was usually only done when the delivery area was within a 2 hour drive. With the price of shipping nowadays that may be an option for you when it fits into your schedule. You may also be able to find someone in your town that would be happy to drive that piece to its destination for $10 an hour. That could very well be cheaper than sending it through a frieght company. In our town a local car company pays people $8 an hour to deliver cars or go pick them up and bring them back to town. They never seem to lack for people who want to do it either. I know local retired teachers who do that. I bet if you put an ad in the paper, state the driver will need good transportation with a clean driving record, and that this will be an occasional job. I bet you will get several people who will be glad to do it (if it isn't hundreds of miles away). This may be something to think about.
Jacki B
Hi Jacki,
Thank you for the reply. But, yes, depending on the artwork sold and if it was close enough to me I would be more than glad to deliver it myself and charge a nominal fee, of course, if it was over an hour away.
Also, $10 an hour??? Does that exclude GAS & wear? I mean, given that, for example, my van gets 17mpg (let's round it to 20mpg) at $3.25 currently per gallon, a person might be able to drive an average of 30mph in the city (stop lights, traffic) and an average of 60mph in highways, each hour of time could end up costing anywhere from $4.87 to $9.75. That sounds terrible for the drivers. Not to mention the labor involved in delivering what could be large and cumbersome pieces to a residence or business. Plus, these private drivers likely do not provide insurance for the art they deliver.
The destination in question is 6 hours away, each way. So, at $120, I would be ver weary of anyone willing to travel that long only to lose money :-).
But, as I mentioned before, all ended up well after I researched and called what seemed like an endless list of carriers.
Thanks again.
This information comes from the NAIA forum accumulated from over the past twelve years. I don't know how accurate it currently is but it's worth checking out.
CF Motorfreight Chicago (773) 890-9111
TCL (800-752-2363)
Art Handlers out of Santa Fe (505-982-0228)
Four Atelier (Chicago) 718-875-5050
TLC (Albuquerque) 800-684-9709
Seko Air Freight (PA) 800-755-2363
USF (Worldwide) 800 346-8920
Ship and More (Denver) 303-367-0957
Fine Arts Express (Boston) 817-559-0855 or 617/312-566-1155
Art Delivery Service (Santa FE) 505-660-0571
Vinny Penza (Santa Fe) 505-988-7854
Icon (Chicago) 312-733-4266
Craters and Freighters 800-736-3335
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Well, unfortunately, the list has not resulted in any positive results. For those of you who read this in the future, here are my notes:
***CF Motorfreight Chicago (773) 890-9111 -- Disconnected, no longer in service. GOOGLE shows same number
***TCL (800-752-2363) -- Phone is now for a Marketing company. "TCL Freight" on GOOGLE reports many companies nationwide with the same acronym.
***Art Handlers out of Santa Fe (505-982-0228) [M-F 8AM-5PM MST] -- Waiting on call back
***Four Atelier (Chicago) 718-875-5050 - Number incorrect, GOOGLE = http://www.atelier4.com -- Once again, a "white glove" professional service but very very expensive.
***TLC (Albuquerque) 800-684-9709 - 800# doe snot connect - GOOGLE shows no info for a shipping company under "TLC Albuquerque"
***Seko Air Freight (PA) 800-755-2363 -- Talked to Kevin, they do not accept "original artwork" shipments & cannot help.
***USF (Worldwide) 800 346-8920 -- Incorrect number. GOOGLE search shows http://www.quicktransportsolutions.com but even their number for USF on their website (410-536-1200) is NOT current.
***Ship and More (Denver) 303-367-0957 - Phone no longer in service
***Fine Arts Express (Boston) 817-559-0855 or 617/312-566-1155 -- 817# is now Prudential Realty, 617# is disconnected, 312# is a private # (not a business). But, found them on GOOGLE under http://www.faeboston.com 617-268-7100. One note, they are very very professional (hence, expensive).
***Art Delivery Service (Santa FE) 505-660-0571 - Number invalid, New # is 505-982-6155. But they only handle shipments originating from Santa Fe. http://www.artdeliveryservice.com
***Vinny Penza (Santa Fe) 505-988-7854 - Phone disconnected / No longer in service
***Icon (Chicago) 312-733-4266 - Phone disconnected / No longer in service
***Craters and Freighters 800-736-3335 - Had to leave a voice mail. GOOGLE = http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/
When my husband and I did shows, we did use Craters and Freighters a whole lot. They picked up the work, crated it, insured it and then shipped it via a contracted common carrier. Never had any problem - much of the work was quite large, & delicate ( canvas or constructions) and sometimes shipped out of the country.
They ship a lot of unusual stuff. It was not cheap but our clients knew this and I never had anybody squawk at the price. I did give the clients instructions on how the work would arrive (crated) so that they could make arrangements on delivery, uncrating, etc.
They helped us solidify many large sales either commissioned or otherwise because we had a way to get these large or unusual type works from point A to point B with security, piece of mind and promptness.
Really great to hear from you, LaTrece.
Do you have contact info for Craters & Freighters?
Connie,
Here is the info you requested
***Craters and Freighters 800-736-3335 - http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/
But, although Latrece has had great service from them, my intial experience has not been so good. I have left voice mails on their 800# since tuesday with no reply. I then called again on Wednesday and finally got a live rep. She forwarded me to their "office" in my area, I called that number and left a message but I have not received a call back. This was early morning Wednesday. I know it was pre-thanksgiving Wednesday, but when someone is in the shipping industry, they should be more responsive.
Anyway, I called other "All services in one" places and they were extemely expensive. I am sure their services are quite affordable for museum fine art worth $50,000+, but the quotes I got for what should cost $300 (with crate and all) were being quoted at $1700+. That is NOT a cost I am willing to charge an art patron.
So, if you are handy, building a crate is quite easy (YoutTube has many great videos if you need them). In my area, I finally found SEFL and they were able to ship my package, insured, for $260. Crate materials and packaging cost $60. So, I only charged my customer $320. Keep a customer happy for future orders :-).
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Sorry you had problems contacting Craters and Freighters. Yes, the message taking was their routine but they always called me back and gave the quote.
Glad you were able to work out the details and solve your problems and get the work to your customer.
We love Navis.
Thank you, Larry.