Packing & shipping a middle seat

[UZI]

well this is the last of the middle seats i've had and i was thinking i should show the peeps how i have learned to pack middle seats. it used to take a long time trying to understand how to keep a middle seat in position to get it properly packaged.

step one, go find lots of cardboard. i like to hit the smaller lumber yards and appliance stores. the big guys have compactors and labor to get rid of it right away. if you can cut the cardboard into 18 and 24" strips in advance, you'll be way ahead of the game. also get a roll or two of packing tape and cling wrap.
take a 24x96" piece and slide it under the backrest as shown

i slit the corners and taped them up, then i took some 12x96"s and slid them under the backrest and under the seat, meeting in the front with an overlap. this'll protect the front of the seat and hold that big piece to the seat base.

all taped up, base is done pretty much.

onto the backrest, i took (2) 12x96"s and overlapped them slightly, taped them together in place on the seat.

then i did the same to the upper part of the seat and taped it together tee-pee style for extra reinforcement over the grab handle. i also slid a 12x96" piece in between the backrest and seat base in 3 convenient places as such, just like on the seat base. i also slide anothe 12x96" piece uder the 3 pieces of cardboard along the front edge of the seat for more protection in that high impact area.

view of the underside:

if a kick panel is part of the deal, taping it to the underside of the seat is a great place. save the buyer additional shipping, they love you forever!

notice how i'm using an old tire to prop the seat up where it needs to be?

ten it gets the mummy wrap in cling tape available at the office supply store.

ready to go!

here we are at greyhound package express!

it'll cost $75 to $100 to ship a middle seat just about anyplace in the US that has a greyhound package express, seats with no upholstery weigh surprisingly less so they will cost in the $75 range whereas full upholstered seats will run about $100. shipping time from coast to coast has been cosistently in the 5-7 day range.
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mannys66: South Philly Van Club, only the most influential and freshest van club in the vw scene

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[Jung Restoration]

Very informative, thanks for the detailed pix. I haven't shipped one yet, but it's good to know how. I would assume that Grey hound express is the cheapest compared to other shipping company's?
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Wanted : January '57 Palm Green Sand Green Bus Parts - Middle and Rear Seat Frames - flat back. I have original seat covers but would consider covered frames.
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[UZI]

without a doubt GPX is the cheapest. the only downside with is that there is no tracking.
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mannys66: South Philly Van Club, only the most influential and freshest van club in the vw scene

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Cuñado: Chrome will get you home!!!!!!!!!!

[smoothfinishes]

What a great tutorial. I'm positive the new owner appreciates the effort in packaging it correctly! They'll have to buy you a few rounds if you ever meet up.
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4 cylinders of smiles..

[j.pickens]

I pretty much used this technique to ship by the dog.
However, I also cut cardboard to form boxes around the legs to protect them.
I cut the end ones so there was an opening that allowed the bus drivers to grab there to drag it around.

Shipped one to myself from Pasadena to New Jersey.
It was supposed to go to Mt. Laurel, but it "disappeared" for about 12 days before I started calling them.
Finally got a call at day 14 or so that it was in Camden. They offered to get it to Mt. Laurel, but I told them to hang onto it and I'd come collect it.

Problem is, the Camden bus station is at the train station, and there is no public parking to be had for love or money within 3 blocks of the place.

I paid the security guard a the CVS pharmacy a 10 spot to let me park while I walked the three blocks to get the seat. Good thing I brought a hand truck with me.

So, I get to the Greyhound window, and the nice ladies behind the bulletproof glass said it was around the corner.

Yes, there it was, sitting out in the public hallway...In Camden..New Jersey...FUCK!!!!

Crime is very high in Camden, but nobody wants the bus seats, apparently.

I've used Greyhound a few times, but you have to relax your inner sphincter and go with the flow. It is transportation from a different time, stagecoach more than FEDEX. But you can't beat the price.
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[VolksFire]

Nice info. I ship alot of big odd items. When I've shipped a full middle seat, I also used Greyhound. They are a great source for shipping large items. I didnt use cardboard however. I got an old junky tarp and wrapped it around the seat, then wrapped it up with some cord. Worked great also.
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Jahnai Pearson - VW Restoration Technician
Current ownership (always changing):
60 Double Door Panel
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67 SO42 Westfalia
73 Thing
76 Kombi
79 Dasher Wagon
82 Quantum Coupe
96 Golf GL

[UZI]

[Clara]

I wrapped this one as described above.
It fit in the kombi with the bed folded out.
It weighed 93.1 lbs and cost a little over $100 to ship to the east coast.

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The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/

[ratherb-buggin]

EKKKKK!!! Don't loose that seat! Hound dog only insures to $300.

[zuggbug]

I really need a 6 leg kombi seat.....
maybe someone will ship me one
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SOUTHERN INTEGRITY AIRCOOLERS
58 15 window
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[Glenn A]

[MrBusCo]

GPX is great and cheap and the stuff shows up eventually. What you have to remember is that the passengers bags get priority, so if you ship it during a busy travel period it might sit at a station for several days.

Make sure your buyer knows this might happen! I've shipped a seat to SLC, UT from Chicago in 4 days, but also a set of front doors from Chicago to St. Louis, MO in 14 days during busy season!

Nice How-To UZI, thats how I do it too! Works great.
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Josh The Bus Guy formerly known as JOGR
BlazeCutUSA.com MrBusCo.com

[j.pickens]

Nice 6 legged action.

One thing to remember about the Greyhound shipping.
Hang onto the shipping receipt with tenacity.
Lose that, and you have NOTHING.
They have no electronic backup for their shipments that I have been able to discern.
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Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner

[UZI]

[clnvwe2]

Thanks for the tips Gibbs... I will be shipping a middle and rear seat out in the morning. Going through Greyhound... Hopefully all goes well.

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[Clara]

FWIW, the 6 legged seat arrived safely.
It did take I think a little over two weeks to arrive, when I expected about a week. It did get there juuuust barely in time.

[KombiMarc]

Anyone ship one from UK to US? Costs and who to use?
Thanks
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Thanks Marc
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'65 Type I
'65 Type II Kombi Rebuild Thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=459009

[ccb_dan]

Awesome, thanks. I am going to be shipping a middle seat soon and was wondering the best way to pack it.

[UZI]

nice use of the search key. glad this thread helped.
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Extravagant Lifestyle

Quote:

mannys66: South Philly Van Club, only the most influential and freshest van club in the vw scene

Quote:

Cuñado: Chrome will get you home!!!!!!!!!!

[j.pickens]