Just looking at the feasibility of buying a board interstate. I live in tassie and was wondering if anyone (anywhere) had some experience with shipping boards and whether it was worth it. I get the feeling it will cost a lot, maybe too much to make it worth looking interstate. Cheers.

e-go.com.au
transdirect.com.au

there have been many discussion on this topic, go back and you'll find pages

personally, i would recommend against transdirect, wouldn't touch them with a 40 foot barge pole

+1 for e-go.com.au
50% discount for depot to depot
But no matter who you send it with, unless it's boxed really well with lotsa ''fragile'' and ''top load only'' stickers
you could expect some damage, fairly rare tho.

I went to the transdirect calculator (just to get an estimate) and it seems it will cost over $500. When I use the e-go calculator going depot to depot i get just over $150. Are e-go the same as transdirect in that they outsource their stuff to Toll Ipec and other such companies?

Note with E-go, when doing an online quote, if you click "bag" instead of "parcel" it will be around 25 percent cheaper again. Ideal if you have an old board bag you're happy to send with the board. Just line the board with carboard, zip it up and plasted it with fragile, don't not bend, top load only, then off she goes. At least visually they know it's a "surfboard" and may not bury it under a grand piano...

I have had one experience transporting a secondhand sailboard interstate. I used Smart Send. The pickup, delivery and drop off (door to door) from Melbourne to Brisbane occurred without any problems. Picked up on a monday and delivered by the end of the week, a week before Christmas. Cost was $88.00.

If you can find a company that does not smash the s..t out of your board can you let me know!!!

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mr love said..

If you can find a company that does not smash the s..t out of your board can you let me know!!!

yeah - its not that hard really is it, but damn these transport companies, the always seem to damage stuff

Pack and send. Used em heaos for surfboards all over Oz and they're great. Door to door shouldn't cost more than $70-80. Although I've only sent surfboards, generally about $50-60. Bubble wrap is the best way to pack. Get it from Kennards or a storage company.

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Sputnik11 said..

mr love said..

If you can find a company that does not smash the s..t out of your board can you let me know!!!

yeah - its not that hard really is it, but damn these transport companies, the always seem to damage stuff

The fellow who I bought my board from did a great job with packing, using first bubble wrap then extra card board on the edges, nose and tail, fully contained within a tight fitting cardboard box with fragile stickers etc all over it. The board was delivered with not one scratch, despite the some damage to the outside of the box.

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John340 said..

Sputnik11 said..

mr love said..

If you can find a company that does not smash the s..t out of your board can you let me know!!!

yeah - its not that hard really is it, but damn these transport companies, the always seem to damage stuff

The fellow who I bought my board from did a great job with packing, using first bubble wrap then extra card board on the edges, nose and tail, fully contained within a tight fitting cardboard box with fragile stickers etc all over it. The board was delivered with not one scratch, despite the some damage to the outside of the box.

i had a similarly well packed board sent to me and yet they still managed to pierce everything and put a hole the size of a 50c piece through the bottom of the board

Dunno, Ive travelled all over the globe with surfboards and never had any damage (touch wood). I reckon most couriers et al seem to respect that boards are delicate items, regardless of "fragile" stickers. The only issue Ive ever had is a lost surfboard, which eventually turned up on the other side of Oz,. OT, but it was lost on the way to Sri Lanka... I had travel insurance and took a punt on buying a board (at a rediculously inflated price) while OS and they paid for the board when I got back and claimed. I still got my other board back too... I guess the point is that you really should take out insurance when posting expensive stuff.


Even further OT, I had a mate years ago who worked for Aust Post and he and the guys would steal so much stuff. They knew what the items were coz youre required to write it on the declaration. The prick, whos, no longer my friend (my choice!) would steal tonnes of stuff at Christmas and "on-gift" it. What a d1ck! Ever w8ndered what happened to that eBay item you bought. Dont use Ozzie Post.

In general, I think the frieght guys have a lot of respect for boards.

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Sputnik11 said..

John340 said..

Sputnik11 said..

mr love said..

If you can find a company that does not smash the s..t out of your board can you let me know!!!

yeah - its not that hard really is it, but damn these transport companies, the always seem to damage stuff

The fellow who I bought my board from did a great job with packing, using first bubble wrap then extra card board on the edges, nose and tail, fully contained within a tight fitting cardboard box with fragile stickers etc all over it. The board was delivered with not one scratch, despite the some damage to the outside of the box.

i had a similarly well packed board sent to me and yet they still managed to pierce everything and put a hole the size of a 50c piece through the bottom of the board

Yeh, Im amazed by thesestories... here them often. Maybe Im lucky

I have used E-Go twice with no issues.. Should have another one here this week again cheapest was E-Go depot to depot - $120 from Brisbane I think.

Arrives through Road Runners in Tas.

+1 for e-go. I've sent a few boards interstate, well packed, with no problems.

used e go to send a mast to QLD went missing 6 months later got a call from a depot in outback QLD saying they had my mast

Another +1 for E-Go. I have sent double digit boards around AUS and never had a problem.

The trick is to buy the insurance (don't need to get the actual value of the board, just the $250 option) as then you get a sticker to put on the box which tells the driver to REALLY take care of the box. And they do, as I imagine that they take really good care of the insured stuff so they're not paying out all the time.

I pack my boards just with bubble wrap and put a wrap of cardboard on the nose and tail (and corners of the tail if it's a wide slalom board) and put in to a boardbox. Never had a problem.

Thanks Sean, Good tip. Last 2 boards have been damaged. First one packing maybe a bit light so will wear that but the second was really well protected. Nose completely caved in, looks like it had been thrown out the back of the truck landing nose first. Response from the company was effectively "no insurance , stiff sh.t" and a reminder that packing appropriately is the responsibility of the sender.

Is the insurance the e-go platinum membership thing? Does it cost much?

Down here in Hobart town..
i use ego for small items..
All along freight have a depot in llaunceston,Hobart, Melbourne and SYDNEY.
Board about $100 and they have been very good with my gear over the years.

PM. me if you want details or if in Hobart you can use my account.. maybe.
cheers

Just had E-go deliver a board for me - they picked it up at Zu Boardsports and I collected it from their warehouse in Taren pt (sydney) it was $52 overnight delivery. No damage, no dramas but the board was well packed by Zu

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Mmeyer said..

Is the insurance the e-go platinum membership thing? Does it cost much?

No, when you go to book a job in there's an dropdown option to get insurance. $250, $500, $1000 etc ... I just go for the cheap option. Usually only works out to be $15-20 more. They give you a special sticker to print out which notifies the driver it's been insured, then they really look after it.

I must be doing something wrong - I've gone to Ego entered board details ( allowing a bit for packaging and Im getting $256 for depot to depot Launceston- Newcastle. A bit more than what everyone is saying here? Got my eye on a $200 board in Tassie but can't find the cheap quotes everyone talks about here?

Had a board sent via E-Go last week. Arrived damaged even though was well packed.

Board Crazy were very quick to help me out with a fix so very happy with them...but not so quick to recommend E-Go now....

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sboardcrazy said..

I must be doing something wrong - I've gone to Ego entered board details ( allowing a bit for packaging and Im getting $256 for depot to depot Launceston- Newcastle. A bit more than what everyone is saying here? Got my eye on a $200 board in Tassie but can't find the cheap quotes everyone talks about here?

I've just checked Smart Send with the following parameters:
carton: 240x70x12cm
weight: 12 kgs
door to door: launceston to newcastle
Price: $177

Transport costs are sensitive to carton size rather than weight

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John340 said..

sboardcrazy said..

I must be doing something wrong - I've gone to Ego entered board details ( allowing a bit for packaging and Im getting $256 for depot to depot Launceston- Newcastle. A bit more than what everyone is saying here? Got my eye on a $200 board in Tassie but can't find the cheap quotes everyone talks about here?

I've just checked Smart Send with the following parameters:
carton: 240x70x12cm
weight: 12 kgs
door to door: launceston to newcastle
Price: $177

Transport costs are sensitive to carton size rather than weight

The board is 233 x 53cms and I allowed extra so put in 250 x 60 x 40 + 9kgs.. ( boards 7kgs).. One reason my quotes could be more is people have had boards sent by shops and they have an account which gives them better rates..
Just tried Smartsend and I get $365.. so I don't know how you got the $177? They have H/ L /D so I put 60/250/40..??
12cms depth isn't enough to cover the board / bag + bubblewrap and box?

I always use about 12cm, 15 at most, original boxes are only about 10cm. Had plenty of boards sent ego without hassle. You shouldn't expect much more than $120 depot to depot with ego.

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sboardcrazy said..

John340 said..

sboardcrazy said..

I must be doing something wrong - I've gone to Ego entered board details ( allowing a bit for packaging and Im getting $256 for depot to depot Launceston- Newcastle. A bit more than what everyone is saying here? Got my eye on a $200 board in Tassie but can't find the cheap quotes everyone talks about here?

I've just checked Smart Send with the following parameters:
carton: 240x70x12cm
weight: 12 kgs
door to door: launceston to newcastle
Price: $177

Transport costs are sensitive to carton size rather than weight

The board is 233 x 53cms and I allowed extra so put in 250 x 60 x 40 + 9kgs.. ( boards 7kgs).. One reason my quotes could be more is people have had boards sent by shops and they have an account which gives them better rates..
Just tried Smartsend and I get $365.. so I don't know how you got the $177? They have H/ L /D so I put tel:60/250/40..??
12cms depth isn't enough to cover the board / bag + bubblewrap and box?

Its all about the size of the carton. I.E. you pay for volume. For this board the carton size should be 240x65x12cm, which is less than half the size of your carton. I've tried this carton size on Smart Send and the quote is $170. E Go depot to depot may be cheaper again with this carton size.

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John340 said..

sboardcrazy said..

John340 said..

sboardcrazy said..

I must be doing something wrong - I've gone to Ego entered board details ( allowing a bit for packaging and Im getting $256 for depot to depot Launceston- Newcastle. A bit more than what everyone is saying here? Got my eye on a $200 board in Tassie but can't find the cheap quotes everyone talks about here?

I've just checked Smart Send with the following parameters:
carton: 240x70x12cm
weight: 12 kgs
door to door: launceston to newcastle
Price: $177

Transport costs are sensitive to carton size rather than weight

The board is 233 x 53cms and I allowed extra so put in 250 x 60 x 40 + 9kgs.. ( boards 7kgs).. One reason my quotes could be more is people have had boards sent by shops and they have an account which gives them better rates..
Just tried Smartsend and I get $365.. so I don't know how you got the $177? They have H/ L /D so I put tel:60/250/40..??
12cms depth isn't enough to cover the board / bag + bubblewrap and box?

Its all about the size of the carton. I.E. you pay for volume. For this board the carton size should be 240x65x12cm, which is less than half the size of your carton. I've tried this carton size on Smart Send and the quote is $170. E Go depot to depot may be cheaper again with this carton size.

Ok. Sounding more feasable now.I didn't think it would fit that small as it will be in a board bag , bubblewrapped and in a box but I measured my 78ltre in it's bag and it should work at 12cms.. $86 Ego depot to depot which meanes an hours driving to get it but I'm prepared to do that.It will be a little bit more as I will be getting insurance. Looks like Ego's the go , insure , pack well and cross fingers!
Hope I can sail it - its 68ltres..