The Illustration Exchange

Azhag2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 64 Location: Northern Virginia

So I'm considering bidding on a few pieces in the current illustration art auction at Heritage, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the cost and pain of arranging the 3rd party shipping as required in this auction. Can anyone comment on the cost and pain-in-the-buttness of arranging something like that through these shippers?

Navis Pack & Ship

Craters & Freighters

Displays Unlimited Inc.

Thanks!
~ Tim

SableStar · Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject:

I usually use The UPS Store--as for pain, it is actually easy. There's a form that you fax to both Heritage and the UPS Store (they do a lot of work together) and that's it. Seems to me shipping usually runs about $110, but I may be off a bit. Good results tho with that shipper, which I have used several times now.

Ken
_________________
----SableStar

ayersr · Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject: Shipping

I used Navis Pack & Ship recently and it was pretty hassle-free. Just made a phone call and they picked up from Heritage and took care of it all. My art was about 16 x 20 plus framed and it cost me $84 insured and delivered. Heritage takes a while to get things ready for pick-up but that's not a shipper problem. I think Navis' price was the lesser of the two quoted....

Sebastian · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 175 Location: Sydney, Australia

A couple of things I found.

When the auction completes and your invoice is sent, Heritage send you a 3rd party shipping nomination form in the same email.

If you don't send it back, nothing happens. The entire onus is on you to organise shipping.

Navis managed to generate the most expensive international shipping experience for me - ever. And one of the slowest air deliveries. The "actual" cost worked out at being more than twice their firm quote, and their quote was already a lot more expensive than Fedex.

If you are shipping international with Navis - be VERY wary.

Ray Tolomeo · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 158 Location: Northern Virginia

To round out the three, I used Craters and Freighters for the last auction. One call and fax of the form and I received the painting in a custom made, foam lined, plywood box. $95 and received about 10 days after the auction ended. Ray.

manchimp · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Richmond, TX

I have used Craters and Freighters many times. The art is packed in an almost bomb proof crate. Always been happy with them.

wowart · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 35

I'll add to the voices here and vote for Craters and Freighters also...but MAINLY because they were the company Heritage used for packing up and shipping all the art we gave them to auction, plus, and besides that, after research, they were the only one of the 3 suggested 3rd party shippers that wasn't "patronizing" and was willing to have a discussion about their services when it came time for them to ship things to US (we've bought from Heritage, as well as sold through them). C & F allowed me to use MY fedex account number for the actual shipping - in other words, they agreed to my demand that I pay only for the "handling" (incl packing), not the "carriage" costs (I want to use my Fedex account), and give me a quote before they ship, if I want one. There are reasons for me wanting this, chief among them (1) that way you know exactly how much you are paying for shipping, without 'padding' or additional fees (2) in the event of needing to file a claim, you (collector) are in control, and reimbursement from Fedex goes directly to the you, the shipper - not Craters and Freighters (3) charges get the benefit of my discount from Fedex, and through Amex (if you use their card, add'l 5%). I realize this means they'll just be tempted to add onto their charges for packing....but that's why I call to discuss how they're going to do that, and get a quote...and then negotiate that, as well, if it seems outrageous (bear in mind, I know the price of bubblewrap! Wink

).
_________________
Jane Frank
Worlds of Wonder
POBox 814
Mclean, VA 22101
703.847.4251

tsrart · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:12 am Post subject:

Just received my last Heritage win via Craters and Freighters . . . . not exactly speedy, and I had to pester them to get an ETA, but the pack job was absolutely bulletproof.

Pat
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Life is short, art is forever, and the credit card bills to pay for the art last just slightly longer.

Azhag2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 64 Location: Northern Virginia

How does shipping via these services work if you're trying to sell? I'm wondering how shipping works if I want to sell one of my own pieces. Do I just drop off at the closest location? And is that cost (shipping + handling) for myself the same a for Heritage (i.e. about $100 for a framed piece)?