Advice on shipping grandfather clock

[FADEC]

My mother-in-law is downsizing and moving into a smaller place and has offered me her nice grandfather clock. I need to get it from San Antonio TX to Northern VA. I got a quote from a company called Transit Systems the other day and it was $1200!! Does this seem high to anyone?? I could buy a nice one locally for around that price. A friend got a car shipped about the same distance and I think it was 8 or 9 hundred dollars. Anyone know of any decent movers for this at a more reasonable price?? Tom

 

[Pablo]

That doesn't seem so crazy high IF it includes full crating and transport on an air ride truck. With shock watches of various magnitudes installed in the X,Y,Z

I'm not clock expert, so I have no idea the best angles, what should be held in place, etc.

 

[fxrider]

Dont use Fed-Ex

they will just throw it over the fence

 

[opus1]

Wow....you can get a lower-end, new clock for that price.

I've never shipped on so I don't know what's involved, but they are somewhat fragile devices and need protecting, and I'm sure a lot of the cost is to cover insurance for potential damage. But still.....wow.

 

[Eddie]

Call a place that makes and ships Grandfather clocks. I'm sure they have done it many times and have a good way. Ed

 

[Al]

Is it very sentimental or valuable? If not I would pass.

 

[Fleetmon]

When you start breaking it down, the actual clock move is probably around $500. Figure 1800 miles at 8 MPG @ $3.50 per gallon.

You would be hard pressed to do it yourself much cheaper

Just thinking out loud here...

 

[SuperDave456]

Also, maybe call a piano company. They know movers who take care of really expensive instruments.

 

[The_Jeff]

Ask an undertaker how they move coffins. Only half kidding.

Try greyhound bus lines as well.

Is there sentimental value or is it just a nice clock?

 

[Papa Bear]

I would rent one of those funky little English cars featured on the BBC version of "Antiques Roadshow" with the small hole in the roof.
They were transporting their GF clock with no problem at all.

 

[expat]

Many old GF clocks break down into Head (Clock mechanism), Body, Weights/Pendulum and Base.
As such, they can be moved in an SUV.
Perhaps a better option than the average Line Haul moving truck.

 

[FADEC]

Thanks for all the good advice/suggestions. Clock is not really all that valuable, not that sentimental now, however I'm sure it will be when my MIL passes away. I just have always liked it so she asked me if I wanted it.

 

[1 FMF]

tell him to go by a watch

 

[Schmoe]

I shipped mine from my Dad's in the back of my truck from Tenn. to Oklahoma. Those things can be seperated. If your mother can find someone to pack it, just mail it UPS. The main thing is the gears and mechanisms, they come apart but have to be bubble wrapped. The biggest problem you're going to have is getting back to accuracy. It will have to be adjusted once you unpack it and set it up. Sometimes that is a PITA.