OUTBOARD MOTORS
Why pay retail ???

Kayaks

Outboard Motor Shipment Cost Hints

Below you will find a list of information you will need to provide the shipping company to obtain a shipping quote for an outboard motor or automotive engine.

The more knowledgeable you appear to the freight company the more reasonable you will find the pricing you receive to be. Below you will find definitions of commonly used services for freight shipping and an explanation of these services. Shipping companies charge higher rates to occasional or one time shippers. They usually only offer significant discounts to those that they feel will give them repeat business or ship often. By knowing the lingo, the carrier will see they are dealing with an informed professional and be more likely to offer fair pricing on your shipment.

Outboards under 125# can usually be shipped reasonably by small parcel carriers such as UPS, FedEx or DHL. For outboards over 150# use a freight broker because they can shop the trucking companies for you and allow you to take advantage of their discount pricing agreements with the trucking companies.

Freight Class:

All Outboard motors fall under Class 85, the NMFC # is 125760

Pickup, Shipper or Origin City, State and Zip Code:

Email the seller of the item to determine the City, State and Zip Code of were the motor will be shipped from if not provided in the auction.

Destination or Consignee City, State and Zip Code:

This is where you want the motor shipped to (your home or workplace)

Residential or Commercial Pickup and Delivery:

A residential pickup is where a carrier must enter a residential AREA to pickup your item. This does not only apply to pickups at your home, it also applies to locations that are found in a residential area such as schools or churches. Trucking companies charge additional fees for residential area pickups. To avoid these additional fees, ask the seller if the item can be taken to a commercial location for pickup by the carrier. Many sellers will transport the shipment to their workplace for pickup by the trucking company. This is a great way to coordinate pickup because the seller does not have to take time off from work to meet the truck driver for pickup. If it is not practical for the seller to transport the item to a commercial location, ask if they will drop the item off at the trucking company’s local warehouse. Most large trucking companies have warehouses located in most major cities. Another idea is to drop the item off at your favorite car dealership or automotive repair facility.

By avoiding a residential area pickup and / or delivery charges you will save up to $200 on your shipment costs.

Liftgate Pickup and Delivery:

Many trucking companies offer liftgate assisted loading or unloading assistance. These fees range from $25.00 to as much as $200 for each use. This service is comprised of the use of a hydraulic ramp that the truck driver can lower to the ground to lift your shipment to the deck of the trailer for loading onto the trailer. On the delivery end the liftgate assists the driver by lowering the shipment from the deck of the trailer to the ground. Most truck drivers will not try to lift anything over 50 # from the truck or to the truck. This is a common charge that is added for residential pickups or deliveries. (Most people don’t have a forklift in their garage). If the item is light enough for you to unload yourself by hand you will not need liftgate service, but don’t count on the driver helping you!

If your item picks up or delivers to a commercial facility with a dock or forklift available; these fees can be avoided by notifying the carrier that you do not need liftgate loading or unloading assistance.

Appointment Pickup or Delivery:

If you require the trucking company to make a pickup or delivery appointment you will be charged an additional fee for this service. The fees can run from $20.00 to over $100.00 depending on the carrier.

The carriers charge this fee because the appointment means the pickup or delivery driver will have to change their route due be on time for your appointment. When the routes are changed, the carrier’s profitability if affected; hence you’re paying the bill for the carrier having to revise the pickup or delivery schedule.

Inside Pickup or Delivery:

Any time you require a driver to enter a building to pickup or deliver freight for you there is an additional charge. Trucking companies have determined when a driver has to go inside to pickup or deliver an item it slows the rate of pickups and deliveries that can be made in a given shift. These fees run from $15.00 to as much as $200 each. By simply bring the item outside yourself, or accepting delivery outside your building, these fees can be avoided.

Shipment Weight and Dimensions:

Trucking companies calculate the rate for your shipment based on its weight and dimensions. Always try to provide accurate weight and measurements for your shipment. The carrier has the legal right to increase your freight charges and hold the shipment until you pay them if the weight and measurements of your item are found by them to be inaccurate. When measuring the item, be sure include the pallet measurements into the item measurements to insure accurate measurements.

How is it packaged?

Trucking companies have strict packaging guidelines. These guidelines are in place to reduce the possibility of shipping damage. Whenever possible your item should be secured to a wooden pallet or packaged in a wooden crate or strong cardboard box. Your local New Outboard Dealers usually discard used outboard motor shipping crates that they receive their new inventory in. By contacting them, they may give the crate to you or sell it to you for a nominal fee. Please review my other guides for freight packaging tips.