Cheapest way to ship gear from coast to coast

[Matt W.]

I have some gear (LED panels, sandbags, dana dolly stands, etc.) that I would like to ship from the east coast to the west coast. But the cost of shipping seems to be higher than the cost of selling and then buying again new.

Anyone know an affordable ways to ship gear? It's not a lot so freight wouldn't be a good choice I suspect. Just a small owner/op kit. Thanks.

 

[Nick Gardner]

You can ship stuff cheap anywhere Greyhound buses go. Takes a while, but it gets there.

https://www.busfreighter.com/?gclid=CPHcyuW_gtYCFdGFswodsq8ATA

Nick

 

[Matt W.]

Have you tried that? How do the protect against theft? Potentially that could be amazing. I feel crazy even shipping sandbags and stands but I have to take into account the time saved doing that rather than selling/buying all over again.

Thanks for the tip. I might go with that. I don't live far from the Greyhound station in DTLA and it seems the have a pickup option that's even cheaper.

 

[Nick Gardner]

I had a Remote head (Like 5 cases, heavy) shipped that way. Took a while but worked out fine. I mean anything I have is insured. So I never really worry about theft unless it's something irreplaceable.

Nick

 

[Matt W.]

Do they offer insurance? Even if not I might give it a go. I have some heavy grip gear that I was simply planning to re-purchase. Now I'm wishing I hadn't sold what I had.

As for the nice, fragile stuff. Meh. I'll just sell it and rebuy. But this could be the solution for sandbags and grip gear. Thanks again.

 

[Dan Kanes]

If it's not that much stuff you could always drive cross country. It's a fun drive, but yeah you'll spend:

1. time
2. gas money
3. hotel/food expenses.

But it's fun - done it a few times with my wife and we always have a blast.

 

[Marc Wielage]

I've driven across the country three times, and it's always an adventure. If multiple people drive, you can do it in 3-4 days, easy.

 

[Matt W.]

I had a Remote head (Like 5 cases, heavy) shipped that way. Took a while but worked out fine. I mean anything I have is insured. So I never really worry about theft unless it's something irreplaceable.

Nick

How did you pack everything? Or did you just leave them in the cases? I already moved my expensive stuff but I have cheap grip gear and older lights I still use. It might be a thousand dollars to ship traditionally but if I could ship it for $200 or something and sell the rest then that works out for me. Thanks for the advice on that. Are there any cheap cases you'd recommend? I am a little worried about the large fresnel lens.

Marc and Dan, I still hope to make the trip some day. My car is on the west coast, though, so it would be a round trip.