Communal Transportation Thread

Apologies if this has already been looked at but...

Like many windsurfers I'm really only able sail and progress with newer gear through the second hand market (mostly stuff listed on Seabreeze). As we are a relatively small community that lives in a huge country a lot of the gear needs to be shipped long distances from seller to buyer.

The shipping quotes are often more than the price of the gear, especially cheap boards and sails, which usually leads to sellers being unable to sell at reasonable prices and buyers always wanting to talk sellers down in price to help absorb shipping costs.

Just a thought but is it worth starting a Transportation thread where people going on a road trip can share where they are going and from where and on what dates and what they can take along with them. Buyers can also perhaps list their needs - "I'm buying a board in Newcastle, is anyone travelling to Brisbane in the next month"?

A real example for me. I'm looking at buying a board from Brisbane and would be keen to see if anyone from there is heading south through Newcastle over the next month or so that would be willing to bring it down for a case of beer or $100. I'd trust a fellow sailer any day over some of the freight companies and would also prefer to see my money stay in the hands of our community. The seller wouldn't need to box it up for shipping possibly and all we would need to do is PM each other to work out the details.

I'm also looking at possibly heading down to Melbourne in the new year and will have space if anyone needs something brought down.

It might be too much of a hassle for all involved but who knows.

Yeah it's a good idea. I'm wanting a board from Sydney but transporting to Perth is going to cost more than the board itself.

This idea pops up every now and then when people are frustrated with the freight company's.
I bought a board back from Brisbane a couple of months ago. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Brisbane-Freight-Co-recommendations?page=1#lastpost
No problems for me as had room and the buyer was not in a hurry. ( Evan picked the board up from the seller ). Did not expect any payment as I knew both seller and buyer, but did receive some liquid refreshments
This thread would need to keep active to work.
Just post dates of when you are travelling from and destination. What they have room for e.g. board / sail/ boom etc.
A bit more difficult from East Coast to West Oz but doable especially over summer months and there were no time constraints. Could even involve two different stages e.g. Sydney to Lake George then Lake George to Perth when heading home.