Buying new cage - lift gate option???

chris-md

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I feel so dumb that I have to ask this:

Iā€™m buying a new cage for Parker - weā€™re moving cross country and nows as good a time as any to purge his rusty cage and upgrade. But the place Im probably going to buy from have a ā€œlift gateā€ option, which comes with a $25 surcharge.

What is this option, anyone know? I feel like it may pertain to shipping and removing from a truck, but that isnā€™t really making sense.
 

Jen5200

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I think you are correct - Iā€™m pretty sure that it means that they have a hydraulic lift gate on the truck and can lower your goods to the ground for you.
 

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Lift gate fee is usually when delivery goes to somewhere that doesn't have a loading dock, so they have a lift to get the item down from the back of the truck/trailer. Typical for residential deliveries. Curious if you don't pay for the option, will they refuse to unload the cage off the truck?
 

Tman

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When I bought my huge cage from kings cage it was unload right in the street. The driver wanted 125.00 to help me bring it in the house. I told him have a nice day and did it myself. If your cage is not that big unload it yourself. But if its big 25 is not that much.
 

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Depends on the driver I bet, BUT... By the books, lift gate service gets it off the truck to the ground, usually only to the curb, driveway, wherever the truck is parked. That's it. Door to door service (to get it loaded in to the house) is usually an additional fee. Even then, some will get it to your door, but not bring it inside for you. I'd make sure all that is discussed with the seller at time of order, just so there's no surprises on arrival.
 
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SailBoat

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Yup, its all about the truck!

All the cages we have received over the years have come UPS or FedX using local delivery trucks. The cages commonly shipped in two boxes under 60 lbs.

Commonly, lift gate is for things like Lawn Tractors, Generators and other large sized boxes over 100+ lbs.
 
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chris-md

chris-md

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Thanks all! It SEEMED liked it could be the truck, but given that I've NEVER been asked to remove items for delivery to my home from a delivery truck, it didn't make any sense. The cage I'm getting is shipped in two separate boxes, each under a hundred pounds so it should be fine. I won't spring for it.

Shame we can't update user names here, since I'd be Chris-TX, no longer Chris-MD :)
 
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Scott

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I'm guessing as noted above, the fee is a money-grab to utilize equipment integral to the truck. A few years ago I purchased a large heavy item that required use of a fork lift for removal. Delivery service literally made me rent a full sized forklift from rental company! Had it delivered night before and played with it in my driveway until comfortable. Short learning curve, they are simple to operate!
 

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Yup, its the fee to load it into a lift gate equipped truck. I just had a large very heavy steam locomotive shipped from the UK, and the common carrier who brought it from the airport had a 35 buck lift gate charge. Course, at our house the driver backed in the drive way and nicely put it right in front of the garage door. Any time the item is big and or heavy it pays to have that lift gate. Also had a whole car hood for my Z3 sent from Germany, that was HUGE, and they lift gated it to just outside my garage.
 

SailBoat

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I'm guessing as noted above, the fee is a money-grab to utilize equipment integral to the truck. A few years ago I purchased a large heavy item that required use of a fork lift for removal. Delivery service literally made me rent a full sized forklift from rental company! Had it delivered night before and played with it in my driveway until comfortable. Short learning curve, they are simple to operate!

So, not only are you a pilot, but you can operate a fork truck! So, when are you going to get your heavy equipment license!?!?! :D:D:D

And, did you see that Al has a "large very heavy steam locomotive." Well, we both have been one-upped!!! :D:D:D
 
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chris-md

chris-md

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I used a forklift at an old job working at a garden center. Definitely actually pretty easy!

I wound up going with wayfair. No lift gate charge, but there was a charge to deliver it to the front door. How very strange.
 

Scott

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I'm guessing as noted above, the fee is a money-grab to utilize equipment integral to the truck. A few years ago I purchased a large heavy item that required use of a fork lift for removal. Delivery service literally made me rent a full sized forklift from rental company! Had it delivered night before and played with it in my driveway until comfortable. Short learning curve, they are simple to operate!

So, not only are you a pilot, but you can operate a fork truck! So, when are you going to get your heavy equipment license!?!?! :D:D:D

And, did you see that Al has a "large very heavy steam locomotive." Well, we both have been one-upped!!! :D:D:D

Too funny you mentioned "heavy equipment!" A lot of pilots joke about their profession as "heavy equipment operators." Conjures giant earth moving equipment or large construction vehicles! I was surprised no instruction given aside from a video prior to renting forklift. Controls intuitive but one has to be careful when item is loaded and lifted.

Image of my flight simulator removed from truck with crate partially disassembled. Fork lift to right, notice black tire smudge marks on driveway from practicing!
zQHwcyR.jpg
 

SailBoat

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Scott, your lucky they didn't charge you for excessive tire wear!

Yup, as usual you got the connection: "heavy equipment operator." :D

FYI: Like the stones under the skid!
 

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LOL, Scott's flight simulator trumps my steam locomotive! Which I might add, I have yet to run on track (too cold up here for now; ambient temperatures play havoc with copper boilers and cast iron steam cylinders). I wanna try Scott's flight simulator though!
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Scott, your lucky they didn't charge you for excessive tire wear!

Yup, as usual you got the connection: "heavy equipment operator." :D

FYI: Like the stones under the skid!

LOL, Scott's flight simulator trumps my steam locomotive! Which I might add, I have yet to run on track (too cold up here for now; ambient temperatures play havoc with copper boilers and cast iron steam cylinders). I wanna try Scott's flight simulator though!

Delivery driver helped guide me to driveway and suggested stones offsetting slope. Then I had to disassemble to bring through front door and reassemble. Thankfully factory had a day of training including logistics. All of this happened after rainy season, so smudge marks had to be pressure-washed off!

Sounds like quite a workable steam engine, Al! Must be a spectacular piece of equipment!!
 

Scott

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Thanks all! It SEEMED liked it could be the truck, but given that I've NEVER been asked to remove items for delivery to my home from a delivery truck, it didn't make any sense. The cage I'm getting is shipped in two separate boxes, each under a hundred pounds so it should be fine. I won't spring for it.

Shame we can't update user names here, since I'd be Chris-TX, no longer Chris-MD :)

Didn't mean to hijack your thread Chris! MD to TX quite a move and cultural shift. Approximately where are you moving?
 
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chris-md

chris-md

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Houston! You can get a McMansion for significantly less than what we paid for our worn-down fixer upper here in the DC metro area. Seriously look around zillow and see whats available for $300K-$350K! Many of those homes could be Real Housewife homes! And the overall cost of living is just so much less comparatively. I can keep my DC salary (which really actually isn't very out of line with natioanl average) working remote, and be able to have a little extra cash to burn.

And while it is a red state , houston is a largely liberal enclave that is moving the state more purple. (as a gay man, I have to think about these things, its not just a political differences - could mean life or death, or at least thriving vs surviving constant harassment!)

And I certainly don't mind the highjack! The question was asked and answered, and I'm kicking back loving where this is going :p
 
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wrench13

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Hope you like country music Chris! Last time I was in Houston, with some time to kill, I went hunting for live music. C&W was it! I wish you good fortune in the new diggs!
 
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chris-md

chris-md

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I grew up on Garth, Lonestar, Clint, Randy, George, Alan Jackson, all the 90's country singers :)

Granted, as I grew up I became more of a pop music person myself (all hail the holy trinity: Celine, Mariah, Whitney). But I still enjoy a bit of country every now and then!
 

Scott

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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Houston! You can get a McMansion for significantly less than what we paid for our worn-down fixer upper here in the DC metro area. Seriously look around zillow and see whats available for $300K-$350K! Many of those homes could be Real Housewife homes! And the overall cost of living is just so much less comparatively. I can keep my DC salary (which really actually isn't very out of line with natioanl average) working remote, and be able to have a little extra cash to burn.

And while it is a red state , houston is a largely liberal enclave that is moving the state more purple. (as a gay man, I have to think about these things, its not just a political differences - could mean life or death, or at least thriving vs surviving constant harassment!)

And I certainly don't mind the highjack! The question was asked and answered, and I'm kicking back loving where this is going :p

Shocking values, half or less than the cost of similar in SoCal. Property taxes seem a bit higher, but without state income tax and similar sales taxes, you're light years ahead. Knew Austin is rather liberal, didn't know Houston is trending similarly!
 

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