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Transporting a large quantity of comics17693

I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
So I am now seriously considering closing my ebay store and giving all of my books to a consignment company.

The biggest obstacle is that the books are here in New Jersey and the consignment company is in Texas.

Total shipment will be 4,500 - 4,700 graded comics.

The consignment company has offered to transport everything for $5,000.

At this point I am not sure if that means that they will take the books from the second floor where they are located or if I need to have them sitting in the garage (I would probably have to pay someone to help me move them to the garage if this is the case).

I do not think I have sent more than ten slabs in one shipment before so I do not have much experience with this sort of thing.

Due to the cost I would like to determine if there is a less expensive way to transport the books.

Any input would be appreciated.
Post 1 IP   flag post
Collector Cowabunga_Kyle private msg quote post Address this user
Good God. I'd love a crack at selling a collection like that.
Post 2 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
$1 per slab? When you look at it that way, just do it.
Post 3 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
As much as I hate driving I would be wary of trusting books of that caliber to someone. I would plan for a long drive and do it myself with a friend
Post 4 IP   flag post
I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
$1 per slab? When you look at it that way, just do it.


Thanks for the feedback.

That is what my gut says but I think I should get at least one other quote before pulling the trigger.
Post 5 IP   flag post
Collector Bobashek private msg quote post Address this user
I’m considering selling my 8200+ issues collection and talking to My Comic Shop about it but we haven’t talked yet about shipping.

It would probably be a lot cheaper to load in a UHaul, drive it out and then fly home but your time is worth $ so it’s really what you decide.
Post 6 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
My experience is that max 30 slabs fit in a regular box and guessing the box weight at 20 pounds? That’s 150 boxes and 3,000 pounds. I’m not even sure that would fit in a cargo van?
Post 7 IP   flag post
being an ass and being a clown are two very different things. HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user
Post 8 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
Personally I would rent the biggest cargo van I could. Transport the most expensive books Personally. Mail the 3rd and 4th tier books whenever. The biggest concern I'd have is who is responsible if stuff goes missing if you hire a transport company? My old company hired movers and a few computers went missing in between the 2 locations and they were only 5 miles apart. Not to mention how the stuff was handled. They went through our stuff and it was a horrible experience.

If you absolutely had to ship it, have you considered renting a uhaul pod i think it's called. They load the pod on a flatbed and deliver to a location.

Edit

If you do do the self move option, buy a really good lock. Don't go by the Amazon reviews on this. Look up lockpicking lawyer and see what he recommends or pick something that it takes him more than a minute to open.

https://www.uhaul.com/UBox/

https://www.pods.com/moving-services?eadid=8663106958&invsrc=1&kpid=GOOGLE_149493435_19766962515_590468316402_kwd-112567551_m&ksprofid=3123&ksaffcode=kw93375&ksdevice=m&utm_content=residential&utm_id=go_cmp-149493435_adg-19766962515_ad-590468316402_kwd-112567551_dev-m_ext-_prd-_mca-_sig-CjwKCAjwp7eUBhBeEiwAZbHwkbrnkXCEUgEcaiwlR1p_F4h1I1vcHiIv6BCL9ISmY23OKyGmIDr2NhoCo30QAvD_BwE&utm_source=google&gclid=CjwKCAjwp7eUBhBeEiwAZbHwkbrnkXCEUgEcaiwlR1p_F4h1I1vcHiIv6BCL9ISmY23OKyGmIDr2NhoCo30QAvD_BwE
Post 9 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
If you scroll to the bottom they list the most popular pod like moving services. If you decide you want to go this route.

https://www.moving.com/tips/what-you-should-know-before-renting-a-moving-container-from-pods/
Post 10 IP   flag post
Collector Bobashek private msg quote post Address this user
I have used PODS twice to move my collection. No issues. You load and lock. Just be sure to tie everything down.
Post 11 IP   flag post
being an ass and being a clown are two very different things. HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user

Post 12 IP   flag post
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
You'd want to get the details from the consignment folks, of course, but I'd guess they're basically hiring movers. They should get your boxes from wherever they are into a truck just as if you hired someone to move you out of your house. Most of what you're paying for is the truck and insurance; it would be weird to stiff you by not carrying the boxes downstairs for you.

You're certainly not going to ship all that weight through the mail for cheaper, especially if you insure it properly, so your other option is to a) try to get a cheaper moving quote yourself b) rent a U-Haul and take it yourself. If it were me, and I was basically closing out my business (or a substantial portion of it), I would rent the truck and make a vacation of it.
Post 13 IP   flag post
I blame the forum gremlins. figment private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by drchaos
So I am now seriously considering closing my ebay store and giving all of my books to a consignment company.


eBay is a hassle and a risk regardless of which side of the transaction you're on. I quit selling there after some bad experiences with idiot or malicious buyers (that eBay blindly protects), and I've basically quit buying there because some sellers have a shipping IQ near zero and I'm tired of getting poorly packaged and damaged goods.

$5000 to move ~5000 slabs across country is a no-brainer unless you're doing it yourself.
Post 14 IP   flag post
Collector tonyz58 private msg quote post Address this user
Check with insurance company and make sure they will cover you...
Post 15 IP   flag post
Captain Corrector CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user
.
Things to consider when driving them across the country.

The rising price of fuel.

The type of rental truck. I have heard of people blowing the suspension due to too much weight.

May need a truck that carries a high payload, which means even higher fuel costs.
Post 16 IP   flag post
I'd like to say I still turned out alright, but that would be a lie. flanders private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
$1 per slab? When you look at it that way, just do it.


Driving to Texas in a uhaul sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. As said above, getting a big enough truck for a high payload limit will require you to purchase additional insurance as well since your personal auto policy won't cover a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight that high. The cost of gas, hotels/airbnb's etc. and having to worry about someone stealing your books, especially now since property crime rate is through the roof, isn't worth the headache.

Have you considered selling through the comiclink or comicconnect exchange and negotiating a consignment fee similar to MCS or is there not enough traffic to their non-auction items? Couldn't they take possession of all the items for you as well?

Also, if you take them off Ebay and can now comply with the CGC forum selling requirement that prohibits cross listing, maybe you can unload a few hundred slabs there before sending them off.
Post 17 IP   flag post
Ima gonna steal this and look for some occasion to use it! IronMan private msg quote post Address this user
ebaymafia said it best. It's a buck a book. And once they take possession of the books - whether it is loading them from your garage or second floor - it's their responsibility.

You could call trucking firms in your area and ask for quotes. Specifying you want them to come to your house, come upstairs, load the books unto pallets and then ship them to the address in Texas. Once they know the value of said shipment, they will either charge a lot more or decline to take the job.

Just pay it. You are unlikely to save much money and you invite a lot of worry for any money saved. The only thing you need to do is ask if whoever they are having come get the books will pack them from the second floor of your house for the quoted price.
Post 18 IP   flag post
It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors. chester15 private msg quote post Address this user
Sounds like something you would see on Shipping Wars.
Post 19 IP   flag post
I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by flanders
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
$1 per slab? When you look at it that way, just do it.


Driving to Texas in a uhaul sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. As said above, getting a big enough truck for a high payload limit will require you to purchase additional insurance as well since your personal auto policy won't cover a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight that high. The cost of gas, hotels/airbnb's etc. and having to worry about someone stealing your books, especially now since property crime rate is through the roof, isn't worth the headache.

Have you considered selling through the comiclink or comicconnect exchange and negotiating a consignment fee similar to MCS or is there not enough traffic to their non-auction items? Couldn't they take possession of all the items for you as well?

Also, if you take them off Ebay and can now comply with the CGC forum selling requirement that prohibits cross listing, maybe you can unload a few hundred slabs there before sending them off.


I am actually taking my books from Comic Connect as part of this lot.

MCS moves books faster as they list everything on ebay.

Comic Link has other issues.

I have been offering board members a discount on my ebay books already in my ebay linked thread.

This move has been a long time coming and I have been consigning with MCS long enough to be comfortable with them.
Post 20 IP   flag post
I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
Today I got a quote for a POD.

For a 5 foot by 10 foot pod for loads up to 5,200 pounds. I got a quote of $3,899.05 including the padlock and $10,000 of insurance. I think I can pack the CGC boxes four high in a pod of that size with a few stragglers at the top. The padlock is included in the quote.

You get a whole month to load the pod and it takes 7-9 business days to ship from here to Texas.

For the maximum of $300,000 insurance the quote goes up to $4,336.87.

Later today I will call collector's insurance to see what they can cover on their end.

Does anyone have any experience shipping with pods?

Should I be concerned about water getting in or damage?

Any feedback would be helpful.
Post 21 IP   flag post
SpongeBob Comics #1 sells for $991! Joosh private msg quote post Address this user
@drchaos you are going to make Steve a very busy man at his new job. I’m glad to see MCS growing, they are good at what they do.
Personally, I would drive the books to MCS myself, in a 26’ Uhaul/Budget/Ryder etc. getting a pod sounds like a good cost cutting option that gives you a little work to do, but not the brunt of it.

Being concerned about weather getting in is a valid one. The company should have that guaranteed in the agreement.
Post 22 IP   flag post
Collector Bobashek private msg quote post Address this user
I have used PODS twice to move my collection across the country with no issues.

I would recommend buying your own locks as you’ll get them cheaper (they tried to force me to buy them but I said no).
Post 23 IP   flag post
No rust here... Nearmint67 private msg quote post Address this user
Moved from Florida to Indiana with PODS. Was a disaster. Many damaged items. Took weeks to get a settlement.
Rent a Penske Truck.
Enjoy the drive for a couple of days.
Leave the truck at a local drop off when you get there and fly home.
Cost you less than 2,000.00 and you have possession of your books the entire time.
Collector Insurance will provide coverage for the trip.
Shoot, stay a couple of days while you are there with the money you will save...
Post 24 IP   flag post
I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobashek
I have used PODS twice to move my collection across the country with no issues.

I would recommend buying your own locks as you’ll get them cheaper (they tried to force me to buy them but I said no).


Thanks for the feedback.

The quote I share included a lock for $12.95.

Given the overall cost the lock is the least of my problems.
Post 25 IP   flag post
I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
Today I took the time to get in my car to visit three locations to ask for truck rental estimates.

Two of the places weren't very helpful so I will go online to get quotes from them.

The lady at Budget told me that I would only need a 12 foot truck but the person who was helpful told me that to transport a 5,000 pound load (about what 4,700 slabs would weigh) I need a 16 foot truck.

She also gave me the following quotes:

Penske 16 Foot Truck One way from NJ to Texas $3,846.60.

Round Trip for a 16 Foot Truck would be $2,073.46 for 6 days or $2,291.68 for 8 days.

A web search tells me that for a 1,600 mile ride a 16 Foot Truck might get 6 to 8 miles per gallon.

With diesel fuel in the neighborhood of $5.50 a gallon a one way trip would cost about $1,257 for the fuel alone.

Are these quotes too high or is my math off on the fuel?
Post 26 IP   flag post
Captain Corrector CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user
.
I would think that a 16’ truck would get a little better mileage considering a 22’ truck gets 8 mpg diesel. Still, gas is expensive these days.
Post 27 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by drchaos

Penske 16 Foot Truck One way from NJ to Texas $3,846.60.

Round Trip for a 16 Foot Truck would be $2,073.46 for 6 days or $2,291.68 for 8 days.

A web search tells me that for a 1,600 mile ride a 16 Foot Truck might get 6 to 8 miles per gallon.

With diesel fuel in the neighborhood of $5.50 a gallon a one way trip would cost about $1,257 for the fuel alone.

Are these quotes too high or is my math off on the fuel?


With meals and hotels you’re at $5,500 round trip and $5,500 plus airfare for one way. Take the MCS deal. When the guys arrive give them each a hundred bucks, thank them in advance for being careful with your stuff and have them help you take the boxes down to the garage.
Post 28 IP   flag post
being an ass and being a clown are two very different things. HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user
Post 29 IP   flag post
I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by WMorse

I didn't even factor in the cost of the blocker car.
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