Any suggestions for shipping a windshield?

[scoobydrvr]

My car has a big, poorly-repaired crack running from top to bottom on the drivers side. I found a replacement windshield (bronze tinted and everything!) but neither the seller nor myself have any idea how to ship the dumb thing. Has anyone done this before? Suggestions for packing and shipping company? Normally I'd try to pick it up locally but I can't make the 18-hour drive anytime soon.

[1986nate]

This has been my big reservation about shipping them for the 4 years that I've had them around... I currently have plenty of windshields but no safe way of shipping. And I don't do the amount of traveling I used to. If you and your seller figure out a way, please share.

[dcarrb]

How are windshields shipped to installers? Maybe the seller could ask some nearby glass company if they have a leftover crate and padding that could be modified as needed.

Declare a value to the shipper and insure the goods.

dcb

[scoobydrvr]

I've not yet gone to/called UPS/Fed-Ex but I've been crunching some numbers and called a glass installer. So far, what I've come up with is ~$490 for new glass from Safelite installed (they have ONE in stock nationwide). If I were to drive up and pick the glass up myself, it would cost about $460 in travel costs (gas and hotel, not including fuel for the squishy meat bag behind the wheel). Add to that the cost of the windshield and the cost of install ($125) and it becomes very economical to get the new, wrong color of glass.
I still don't know how much it would cost UPS/Fed-Ex to ship it but I would be surprised if it is cheaper than the ~$500 it would cost me to get it.

Anyone with bronze glass be interested in meeting me halfway?

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by scoobydrvr

I've not yet gone to/called UPS/Fed-Ex but I've been crunching some numbers and called a glass installer. So far, what I've come up with is ~$490 for new glass from Safelite installed (they have ONE in stock nationwide). If I were to drive up and pick the glass up myself, it would cost about $460 in travel costs (gas and hotel, not including fuel for the squishy meat bag behind the wheel). Add to that the cost of the windshield and the cost of install ($125) and it becomes very economical to get the new, wrong color of glass.
I still don't know how much it would cost UPS/Fed-Ex to ship it but I would be surprised if it is cheaper than the ~$500 it would cost me to get it.

Anyone with bronze glass be interested in meeting me halfway?

FYI, that's going to be chinese glass without the OEM moulding and they will need to salvage the moulding off of yours. If yours is original, and has spent 20 years in the arid, hot oklahoma climate, this isn't going to happen. Just so you're forewarned.

[scoobydrvr]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

FYI, that's going to be chinese glass without the OEM moulding and they will need to salvage the moulding off of yours. If yours is original, and has spent 20 years in the arid, hot oklahoma climate, this isn't going to happen. Just so you're forewarned.

Oh lordy... not what I needed to hear. Any suggestions or recommendations for getting a good piece of glass and install then?

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

FYI, that's going to be chinese glass without the OEM moulding and they will need to salvage the moulding off of yours.

Is the moulding you describe something other than the "rubber dam" shown on a (subaruparts.com) parts diagram?

dcb