[rescue] shipping large, heavy things

[John Floren]

Back in college, I found my school was tossing out a big old desk+rack
system that apparently had once held an HP minicomputer. Looked a lot
like this: http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=791

When I moved away, I gave it to a friend. He's now clearing out some
things in his house and is looking to get rid of it. I really liked
that desk, so I'm thinking about having him ship it to me.

Problem is that thing weighs a LOT and is quite large. I've never
shipped anything that size, but when I think of shipping large, heavy
things, I think of this list :)

So, can anyone tell me the best way to ship something like this across
the country without causing too much trouble for my friend or costing
*too* much? I figure that a similarly large, sturdy desk could easily
run a couple hundred bucks, so if I can get it shipped for a
reasonable price I'll consider it a good deal.

Two regrets: 1) that I didn't get the original computer that was
inside, and 2) that I didn't have it shipped over back when my company
was paying to move me. :)


john