Question: Only one unit at 200 pounds? Why don't you fill out the inventory list as provided for a household goods move? (8/27/2009)
Response: because it's a little more complex than that and I'm not filling out a separate box for each of possibly 350-400 items. It's a truckload of blanket-wrapped and/or boxed items to be driven to Texas for a trade show. MUST arrive at trade show the morning of September 25. Unsold items and many more items purchased DURING this trade show will then be repacked in same truck at the close (5 PM) of the trade show on October 3. Truck returns to Seattle the morning of October 4th. (8/28/2009)
Response: I see. If you are looking to use the truck during the trade show on the spot and return back to Seattle, we are looking at more than $3,000. You are looking at about $7,000 around there. Do you need loading and unloading help or do you have people to do that? (8/28/2009)
Response: thanks for the reply. The only movement will be from the trade show space after unload to on-grounds storage during the trade show; then back to the exhibitor space on Saturday late afternoon for loading. No driving needed during trade show. The trade show management provides loading and unloading assistance. (8/28/2009)
Response: So, the truck will need to be there on the 25th of September. For how long is the trade show? (8/28/2009)
Response: the show packs up the late afternoon of October 3. Truck to depart trade show grounds on Sunday, October 4. (8/28/2009)
Response: Will you be requiring the truck to remain at the trade show the entire time until ready to go back to Seattle in October? (8/28/2009)
Response: yes. Often at these trade shows, not everything gets put out for sale right away AND what I buy for inventory while there is stored there. I realize this is unconventional... I'm basically looking for attentive, quality drivers each way. (8/29/2009)
Response: Ok, so you need a driver with a truck, drive each way, leave the truck there until end of trade show. Will you require of the driver to remain there during the trade show to move the truck to load and unload? (8/30/2009)
Response: not necessarily; we can move it back and forth. If it works out that the driver can stay AND be the person helping with the unload and load, we can certainly discuss that. But I imagine then that lodging for the driver is added to the estimate. let me know what you think. (8/31/2009)
Response: Ok, as it goes with any trade show, lodging could be $100 a night. I am trying to figure out how to make an appropriate bid. With us having to rent a truck and drive it for you each way, leaving truck there with you would be around $8,000. Truck rentals has gone up on price for 3 weeks since you need pick up around the 15th? Or, another option, would you consider a 24 ft enclosed trailer which is 8 feet wide and almost 7 ft high? Another option, number 3, you rent the truck, I normally charge a buck a mile for driving help only, which would cover my airfare and taxi and lodging and food. I am still thinking this over where I can maximize my service for less so I am going to check around. (9/1/2009)
Response: yes, the trailer idea might work. Let me discuss this with the other participant. thanks for the reply and effort to get this solved. (9/1/2009)
Response: Sounds good. Let me know what they think. Thanks! (9/1/2009)
Response: We are getting closer to a decision. Thanks for the bid and inquiries. The details again, with a minor addition. Previously we were thinking we'd pack the trailer ourselves but realize you know your own trailer. So, does your bid include your help loading here in Seattle and unloading at the trade show space? And then reloading when the trade show is over? The dates again are: MUST be in Round Top TX the night of the 24th in preparation for a line-up to move in on Friday the 25th. The show provides a large area for truck/trailer storage and has 24 hr security. Allowing us access to the parked trailer to store new purchases during the trade show is crucial. On Saturday Oct 3rd late afternoon the show closes and load-out begins until finished. Leave for Seattle next morning. We were low on the estimate, obviously but trying to be frugal and were hoping to keep this under $6000. What are your thoughts? I'm hoping to wrap this up by Mon-Tues. Thx for your patience. (9/4/2009)
Response: I understand that you are trying to be frugal to keep costs down under $6,000. But, leaving my trailer with you, I can't go down on the price. Anyways, if needed, I and myself, can try to help you out with the loading and unloading to make sure it is loaded correctly to maximize space. But, then again, I am in the dark a little bit as to how much weight total of the items or what each item consists of. But I would let you be the judge of that if this will all fit nice and easy in the 24 ft trailer. Anyways, keep me posted! Would like to work with you on this! (9/5/2009)
Question: Are you sure of the size truck you need? We can meet your deadlines - transporting a car to Houston in that timeframe - then returning to WA. Check our feedback - you can expect the same good service. (8/28/2009)
Response: thanks for the feedback - it was a busy weekend and I didn't get to the computer as quickly as I wanted to. Let me know how the bid looks and if it's feasible to do such a job. I realize it is unconventional and stranding one of your drivers in south Texas for a week probably isn't on your list of priorities! Ha! Looking forward to hearing from you. (8/31/2009)
Response: The one element missing from your $3000 figure is the driver - $3000 would cover the cost of the truck and gas in transit - but we would have to figure the cost of the driver and the truck being sidelined for a week. It's more than the cost of lodging - he only makes money when the wheels are turning. We had figured that he would line up 5 days of local loads then come back to pick up you and your merchandise. The idea of a trailer (rather than a truck) is good - the trailer can stay on site and the driver can use the truck to make money during that week. We're still interested in making this work. (9/2/2009)
Response: thanks... tell me again how large a trailer. If the driver can be there to move the trailer to the unload spot on first day, then back again on Saturday to move the trailer again to load back up AND find work there locally while in Texas this can work. I hope to hear from you soon. (9/2/2009)
Question: Hello, I have a 40 foot enclosed trailer with e-track on the floor and dozens of tie downs through out to secure items. The inside measurements are 32'long x 8' wide x7' tall and the gooseneck area is appx. 150 cu.ft. I would be able to haul your items to Texas, let you unload on the desired date,park my trailer,give you a key to the rear ramp door or 4 foot side door in case you needed in during the show and arrive back to the show prior to you needing to load your goods. All of this hinges on how secure the area is that my trailer will be parked in. How heavy is the total load and what would you say makes up the majority of items being shipped.My cost for this service will be in the range of $6950.00-$7450.00 If this sounds like something you can use, let me know. Ken (9/3/2009)
Response: We are getting closer to a decision. Thanks for the bid and inquiries. The details again, with a minor addition. Previously we were thinking we'd pack the trailer ourselves but realize you know your own trailer. So, does your bid include your help loading here in Seattle and unloading at the trade show space? And then reloading when the trade show is over? The dates again are: MUST be in Round Top TX the night of the 24th in preparation for a line-up to move in on Friday the 25th. The show provides a large area for truck/trailer storage and has 24 hr security. Allowing us access to the parked trailer to store new purchases during the trade show is crucial. On Saturday Oct 3rd late afternoon the show closes and load-out begins until finished. Leave for Seattle next morning. We were low on the estimate, obviously but trying to be frugal and were hoping to keep this under $6000. What are your thoughts? I'm hoping to wrap this up by Mon-Tues. Thx for your patience. (9/4/2009)
Response: Thanks for the reply. I would be able to provide limited help with both the loading and unloading, I would want to make sure everything was packed in a decent manner so no damage can occur to your items or my trailer during transport. You didn't answer my question as to the total weight of your shipment. What makes up the majority of your load? Do you think my trailer will be large enough for your shipment? My trailer has a pair of 7000 lb axles (14,000 GVW)and my trailer weighs appx.6000 lbs so I can carry a max of about 8000lbs. I will not be able to do it for $6000.00 . I will be closer to the $7000.00 Give me as much notice as possible. Thanks, Ken (9/4/2009)
Response: Ken- thanks a lot for the questions and your aggressiveness. The items are all household: a couple of sofas, chairs, various tables of all sizes, boxed artwork, boxed miscellaneous, lighting, books...really very diverse. We will have all small objects packed. Lots of combined years of doing this ourselves and sometimes a blanket-wrapped wood sculpture will go under a table alongside other boxed items, for example. Any advice you have about packing your own trailer is really appreciated. We are accustomed to Peske trucks of various sizes so the slight reduction in height will be new to us. Weight: hard to say. In 15 years, I never overpacked my trailers. One was 40' Sundowner Gooseneck LQ with two 7250#'ers and an 18' Pace bumper-pull with two 5500#'ers. All with this type of load. We have a few questions regarding insurance: say the trailer is totaled and all merchandise is a loss. How would such a claim be handled? Minor load shift and wear and tear is OK. (9/5/2009)
Response: Thanks for getting back to me. I will offer .60 per hunderd lbs. and if you need any more than that you should look into an umbrella coverage package from your bussiness insurance company. Do you have any idea as to the amount of weight you are taking? Thanks, Ken (9/6/2009)
Response: I am going to take a stab at 3800 - 4500 lbs. Maybe 10 anchor pieces of furniture and the rest is small household stuff. If you have ever stopped to weigh that trailer when fully loaded for a household move, it would be similar. Hit me back with your quote - we are ready to commit. I'm interested in your drive time estimate, remembering that the strong hope is for the trailer to be there the night of the 24th in preparation for morning line-up and move-in on Friday the 25th. Again, 24-hour security starts then too. If we're loaded and door locked 19th, does that seem like enough time? I appreciate your feedback. (9/7/2009)
Response: Your reply was a little late, I will have to pass on your load.I received a solid commitment on Sunday evening on another shipment from a past customer. If phones were allowed we could have worked this out sooner. Good luck on your shipment. Ken (9/8/2009)
Response: thanks, Ken. Sorry for all the back and forth. Should something not pan out this week, we're ready to commit to your bid. (9/9/2009)