Shipping advice requested (HP 88780 tape drive)

[daverand]

I've got a request to ship my remaining 88780 tape drive from San Jose to Florida. Local packing services want stupid amounts of cash ($3000) to crate/pallet a shipment. What's the best way to make sure it gets there in one piece, without breaking the bank on shipping costs?

 

[Chuck(G)]

I wouldn't ship that heavy drive without having it palletized.
Check with some of the local packing/shipping services. I've used Pak-Mail, but each store is different. The one I use has pre-negotiated truck freight contracts, so its price while steep, wasn't usurious. And they were willing to ship to another PM store Pak Mail in Fla.
Another good service is Craters and Freighters.
If you contact a regular LtoL freight outfit, they'll skin you alive.

 

[1944GPW]

I used a furniture removalist to backload a large and heavy (~350kg) IBM tape drive from interstate for 200 local dollars.
If I was prepared to wait 4 or 5 weeks as they dropped it off at a depot along the route for another truck heading to my city/suburb.
I told them it was the size and shape of a refrigerator, but a little bit heavier.

 

[daverand]

Thank you, Chuck & @1944GPW! There is a Pak-Mail near me, and I'll give it a shot. Much appreciated!