Shipping Hints

The Big Picture

To get things started, you need a "raison d'être" - a compelling reason - to travel. Why is this the first step? Well, you need to know where/what, when, and how you are traveling before you can start your planning.

First - where are you going, what are you going to do there? To a live show? You'll be bringing your show string, performance tack and props, and maybe a few sales models; you may return with the big trophy. To BreyerFest or Stone Country Fair? You'll be bringing some sales models, perhaps your show string, but you'll be returning with the dinner model, and maybe a few you purchased. So now that you know where and for what you are traveling, you can have an idea of what you'll be transporting - and HOW MUCH! Remember the more you take, the more you may have to bring back; so if going to a show, consider bringing only your best - not everything from your shelves.

Okay, you know where you are going. When are you going? Summer, Winter? Will it be raining every day, maybe never? What about the temperature, humidity? Wait a minute, you're saying - what does this have to do with packing model horses? It should only matter as to what I pack for me to wear, right? No. It does have a major impact on how you pack your horses, the container you choose to use and whether "airing" time is needed. If rain is expected, you might want to steer clear from cardboard boxes for containers. If you travel to or from a high humidity area, or even a hot area to cold (or vice versa), you should allow the horses to "breathe" in their container before unpacking to get used to the ambient temperature before attempting to unpack. (This is also true of shipped packages in extreme temperatures.) The type of material your horses are made of also effects this. Some materials (for instance, the epoxy on your customized horse, or that new resin cast horse you painted), can be extremely fragile at extreme temperatures. Check with your distributor or manufacturer to learn of any concerns. (If flying, your models may be in an unpressurized cargo section and suffer very extreme temperatures and pressures.)

Now, how are you traveling? By air, train? You'll be concerned with others transporting your large pieces, so you'll need to pack with lots of padding.

And you are limited to the amount of baggage you can travel with (for example, domestic air travel limits each person to two or three checked pieces and one or two small hand carried articles; check with your airline). If you exceed the limits allowed on an airplane, you may pay $50.00 or more per item as excess baggage. (Don't forget to include your clothes in your calculations!)

Update, post 9/11/2001. With the changing security requirements of air flight, it is becoming more prudent to ship your show string via FedEx or other priority carrier to/from event, or drive. Items hand carried are subject to search (up to and including unwrapping all "mummified" pieces) and checked luggage examined "cannot" be locked (and you cannot "put things right" after the search). The "large padded" box mentioned below is one inch below the maximum for excess baggage fees, but as it cannot be locked, it's almost ludicrous to ship as luggage (as without locks and/or duct tape the handles are easily susceptible to coming open). Check with your airline/freight carrier for the latest in security restrictions.

Note, as of the summer of 2005 TSA does allow travelers the option of requesting a "hand search". TSA-approved locks can be utilized on luggage, however, I have yet to find a TSA-approved lock that can be used on the "large padded" box. One suggestion I've heard from folks is to wrap in "see through" bubble wrap and/or to include a photograph of the item on the outside of the wrapping materials.

So you think you've got it easy if you travel by car, hmmm? Well, if you don't have air conditioning, or if your items are in the trunk or tied to the roof, you'll need to be concerned with the ambient air temperature as you travel. And remember, a car doesn't have unlimited space either. Additional padding may be needed if the road is rough or winding.

Shipping boxes to your destination is a possibility, but you need to ensure the "host" or location where you are staying will accept and hold your shipment until your arrival. Check with your hotel on their package acceptance; some may charge up to $50 per item to store it before your arrival. You might be able to ship items to the shippers local "hub" and hold for pick up from there (but that may require a taxi or rental car).

As for return shipping, don't forget to include time in your schedule to handle all the details. If you're scheduled to fly out at "zero dark thirty" on a Monday morning, using the provided services may be one option.

In recent years at BreyerFest, shipping service companies have set up shop in some of the local Kentucky venues so that folks can pack and ship their purchases home from BreyerFest, NAN, etc. It may be cheaper to purchase boxes and shipping material (even at retail prices) from a local office supply store and ship it yourself, rather than incur the "handling" charges that include all the materials and often a surcharge for the transporting from location to shipper.

If you have an account with some shippers, such as FedEx or UPS, you may be able to arrange a "pick up" at your hotel during business hours. Check with your hotel that this can be accommodated; there is often a per item or per shipment charge for this pick up service by the shipper. Some shipping companies have "co-branded" businesses (e.g., The UPS Store, or FedEx Kinkos) that allow drop offs for later pickup; check with your favorite shipper for local businesses that may be open after a show.

And remember that with fluctuating gasoline prices, many shippers are adding a fuel surcharge that changes at least monthly and adds to the cost of shipping.

And of course, you have unlimited funds to spend on packing your horses. What! you don't? Alright, so you need to find the most inexpensive or cost effective way of packing then. Consider in the following discussions if durability - to get the most wear for the money - or cost - the cheapest - is the overriding factor in your selections.

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