There is no denying that eBay and online sales have been great for parts of the transport industry. But be assured, not every carrier wants to move your bargain bike/piano/furniture through their business.
When you are bidding for goods on eBay or other auction sites, always ensure you check the freight options. If delivery is NOT included in the sale, do yourself a big favour and investigate costs etc BEFORE YOU BID!
I have lost count of the number of occasions I have received an enquiry to move an eBay item. The company I work for has an absolute minimum charge of approximately $50 not including pick up. To pick something up from a house or business, the cost increases to more than $300.
If the item you are buying is reasonable small, then make the post office your first enquiry.
If you really want to use a carrier, contact the seller and get all the details you can including the weight and dimensions. Then start shopping around. Keep in mind that rates vary considerably depending on who you call. There are also companies that will not move your freight unless you have an account - and you cannot open an account until you spend over $500/$1000 per month.
In summary, even though you get a sensational bargain on that '84 model GPZ900R, you could end up paying better than full price to get it delivered to your door.
Rather than get caught out, make a few simple enquiries first. Plus, if you get a quote from a carrier, get it on an email. It will make your life easier when you need to use the service.
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