Question about shipping a HEAVY western show saddle

RedHotTamale17 · 09-04-2008, 09:29 AM

Hi everyone,
I am trying to ship a HEAVY 16" western show saddle set....includes saddle and full bridle. I shipped a barrel saddle back last year and it was a 14inch. i was told at the post office it would cost $135 unless i broke down the box because it was considered "over sized". I did so and it ended up costing about $45. There is no way i could break down a box for this show saddle, it is wide and bulky. I am needing to ship from SC to CA. I have no idea how to go about this again to where it is not going to cost $100s of dollars. I have only shipped a western saddle that one time, and had a hard time with it even then.
I have looked online on ebay etc. and for the same saddle that i have the sellers are charging about $55.00 ....how can i ship my saddle for around that? Why do they tell me over $100 when everyone else is shipping for $55.

I need any advice you have on this....im just not familiar with how to resolve this issue. I dont ship large items very often....this will help me sooo much in the future is you guys have any suggestions! It's been such a headache i sore i'd never ship another saddle again, but this lady is really wanting this particular saddle if we can work it out with shipping....i told her i'd check for estimates.

Thanks everyone!
Have a great day!

dodib · 09-04-2008, 09:40 AM

Have you tried UPS??? or one of those type deliveries. I shipped a saddle recently with the post office and it was like $35 BUT she also said she thought it was oversize and measured it and the box was just barely small enough---before she measured it she suggested UPS because it would be cheaper if it was oversized

horseloverinVA · 09-04-2008, 09:51 AM

I would suggest UPS as well. Most oversize things are cheaper with UPS because they are more accustomed and equiped to deal with the heavy oversize items.

walkerfarms · 09-04-2008, 09:57 AM

I shipped a 16 inch Billy Cook show saddle from here to Washington by ups and it was aroung 80 dollars including insurance. It was around 45 lbs also.

CowhorseGal · 09-04-2008, 10:02 AM

I use UPS. It is considerably cheaper that the post office. I shipped a Heavy roping saddle from Idaho to Georgia and it was right around $55. Good luck

RedHotTamale17 · 09-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Thanks so much everyone...sounds like a unanimous vote....ill try UPS tomorrow and see what they can tell me.
I REALLY appreciate the input!

we'll see what happens!

Slim Pikkens · 09-04-2008, 04:06 PM

You will need to find a box that's close in length and width. I'd remove the stirrups, then fold the fenders criss cross beneath the skirts. Make sure the skirts are pushed downward. The crossed fenders will allow you to push the front of the saddle down, even if you have to lift the back a little. The stirrups can be wrapped and fit in whereever there is space. With the post office, it's important to cut down the height of the box to just above the horn. I use bubble wrap on the horn and maybe tucked between the back of the skirt and the box, that's it. I've never had any complaints. I also cut hand holds in each end and reinforce them with duct tape. Address the box then use lots of tape. BTW- attach a tag to each loose article denoting name, address and phone number of destination-in case.

lopintoo · 09-04-2008, 09:28 PM

I used UPS also when shipping an oversized show saddle to Maine. It weighed 37 lbs. With the box, packing materials, insurance, and shipping charges it was about $75. I took the saddle to the UPS store and they packaged it for me. The manager said they ship saddles all the time, so he knew right off how to pack it and was so helpfull. I originally called the post office and they were a major pain. All they could tell me was that is was going to be oversized and the price was much higher.

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09-04-2008, 09:29 AM
RedHotTamale17 Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 28	Question about shipping a HEAVY western show saddle Hi everyone, I am trying to ship a HEAVY 16" western show saddle set....includes saddle and full bridle. I shipped a barrel saddle back last year and it was a 14inch. i was told at the post office it would cost $135 unless i broke down the box because it was considered "over sized". I did so and it ended up costing about $45. There is no way i could break down a box for this show saddle, it is wide and bulky. I am needing to ship from SC to CA. I have no idea how to go about this again to where it is not going to cost $100s of dollars. I have only shipped a western saddle that one time, and had a hard time with it even then. I have looked online on ebay etc. and for the same saddle that i have the sellers are charging about $55.00 ....how can i ship my saddle for around that? Why do they tell me over $100 when everyone else is shipping for $55. I need any advice you have on this....im just not familiar with how to resolve this issue. I dont ship large items very often....this will help me sooo much in the future is you guys have any suggestions! It's been such a headache i sore i'd never ship another saddle again, but this lady is really wanting this particular saddle if we can work it out with shipping....i told her i'd check for estimates. Thanks everyone! Have a great day! __________________ Amanda Wolfe- Windy Wood Farms (Lexington SC) http://www.windywoodfarms.bravehost.com A horse is the projection of people's dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence -- Pam Brown

09-04-2008, 09:40 AM
dodib Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ravenna, MI Posts: 2,594	Have you tried UPS??? or one of those type deliveries. I shipped a saddle recently with the post office and it was like $35 BUT she also said she thought it was oversize and measured it and the box was just barely small enough---before she measured it she suggested UPS because it would be cheaper if it was oversized __________________ Dorthy www.freewebs.com/brownranch/

09-04-2008, 09:51 AM
horseloverinVA Started Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Central, Virginia Posts: 2,175	I would suggest UPS as well. Most oversize things are cheaper with UPS because they are more accustomed and equiped to deal with the heavy oversize items. __________________ A horse can lend its rider the speed and strength he or she lacks, but the rider who is wise remembers it is no more than a loan. Pam Brown

09-04-2008, 09:57 AM
walkerfarms Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: TY TY Georgia Posts: 347	I shipped a 16 inch Billy Cook show saddle from here to Washington by ups and it was aroung 80 dollars including insurance. It was around 45 lbs also. __________________

09-04-2008, 10:02 AM
CowhorseGal Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 345	I use UPS. It is considerably cheaper that the post office. I shipped a Heavy roping saddle from Idaho to Georgia and it was right around $55. Good luck __________________ The more I know men the more I like my dog

09-04-2008, 03:29 PM
RedHotTamale17 Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 28	Thanks Thanks so much everyone...sounds like a unanimous vote....ill try UPS tomorrow and see what they can tell me. I REALLY appreciate the input! we'll see what happens! __________________ Amanda Wolfe- Windy Wood Farms (Lexington SC) http://www.windywoodfarms.bravehost.com A horse is the projection of people's dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence -- Pam Brown

09-04-2008, 04:06 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	You will need to find a box that's close in length and width. I'd remove the stirrups, then fold the fenders criss cross beneath the skirts. Make sure the skirts are pushed downward. The crossed fenders will allow you to push the front of the saddle down, even if you have to lift the back a little. The stirrups can be wrapped and fit in whereever there is space. With the post office, it's important to cut down the height of the box to just above the horn. I use bubble wrap on the horn and maybe tucked between the back of the skirt and the box, that's it. I've never had any complaints. I also cut hand holds in each end and reinforce them with duct tape. Address the box then use lots of tape. BTW- attach a tag to each loose article denoting name, address and phone number of destination-in case.

09-04-2008, 09:28 PM
lopintoo Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,239	I used UPS also when shipping an oversized show saddle to Maine. It weighed 37 lbs. With the box, packing materials, insurance, and shipping charges it was about $75. I took the saddle to the UPS store and they packaged it for me. The manager said they ship saddles all the time, so he knew right off how to pack it and was so helpfull. I originally called the post office and they were a major pain. All they could tell me was that is was going to be oversized and the price was much higher.