Question: I will be delivering a boat to New Hampshire Wednesday or Thursday. I could tow your boat back to New Mexico but not for your max price. Fuel alone would be close to your max price. I would then have to add motel and food plus many other expenses. I could bring it to you for $950. If interested, please respond asap. Thanks Cloer (9/20/2009)
Response: I understand the problem, and do appreciate your offer. However, I need to do this a cheaply as possible. What I am hoping to find is someone who can add this boat onto a run they are already making with other stuff; say hitching it to the back of a 16' van or some such. That way the fuel cost gets spread over several shipments. I had a deal like this offered earlier so I know it can work for someone, but hadn't been home to NH to refurbish the trailer and didn't want to promise anything about it's condition until I did that so I didn't book that shipment. (9/20/2009)
Response: Thanks for the response. If things change, please keep me in mind. Good luck with the shipment. Cloer (9/20/2009)
Response: I'm not sure how to hang onto messages within the U-ship system. It does look like bids are retained, even on old deleted listings. If you were to fill out a bid I'd have a way to contact you in the future if it develops that I have to step up to your price point. (9/21/2009)
Response: Thanks for the response. If I made a formal bid, it would have to be accepted before any communication information would be allowed between you and me. I have made a formal bid but it will expire Thursday morning. I would not be able to stay in New Hampshire because of the motel and food expense. I hope we can get this worked out. Thanks Cloer (9/21/2009)
Response: Maybe there's things I haven't figured out yet about using U-Ship, but it seems like all the messages go away after they are read. However, the bids don't, so when you say "keep me in mind", having a bid to respond to seems to be the only way I could contact you directly in the future if I'm unsuccessful in finding someone who will meet my budget. So, thanks for sending a bid. I'll keep your time frame in mind, but I am not in a hurry and will let this run for a while to see if I can get what I need. (9/21/2009)
Response: Thanks. Let me know if things work out. Cloer (9/21/2009)
Question: I just got another shipment that will help pay for my return trip. If you could increase your max to $700, I will rebid. I will be in New Hampshire and could get the boat Thursday. Please let me know asap. Thanks Cloer (9/22/2009)
Response: Dear Cloer:
I think we can make this happen! I just talked to my mom, who will likely be the one who would meet you Thursday. She (or my dad) can meet you, but not super early as they will be driving up from MASS that morning. Would 10AM be OK?
If so I assume you have to send another formal bid for me to accept so U-ship will put us in direct contact, right? (9/22/2009)
Response: 10AM would be fine or even later if it would best suit your parents. I have submitted a formal bid for $700. When you accept the bid, you will get my cell phone number and you can call me to set up everything. I would call you but I will be on the road and will not have access to my computer. Looking forward to bringing the boat to you. Thanks Cloer (9/22/2009)