How to Ship Your Round Top, Texas Finds Home: The Complete Guide

Several on-site shipping companies set up during the Round Top antique show to pick up, blanket-wrap, and deliver furniture and large items to your home. Companies like Rolum Hills operate along the 11-mile show corridor and will collect purchases from multiple venues. Shipping costs depend on size, weight, and distance — expect $200–$800+ for furniture. The alternative is renting a U-Haul or bringing a truck/trailer. Set up your shipper before you arrive for the smoothest experience.

How to Get That Armoire (and Everything Else) Home

You found it. The perfect dining table. The chandelier of your dreams. The pair of campaign chests that will transform your living room.

Now what?

Shipping logistics is the unsexy side of Round Top that nobody talks about until they're standing in front of a 400-pound armoire trying to figure out how to get it to Ohio.

Don't be that person. Here's everything you need to know about getting your treasures home.

The Options

Option 1: Drive with a Trailer

Best for: Serious furniture buyers who want control and want to avoid shipping costs

The approach: Drive to Round Top with a truck and trailer (cattle trailer works great), buy furniture, load it up, drive home.

Pros:

No shipping costs
Complete control over handling
Can fit large pieces
Immediate possession

Cons:

Long drive (depending on where you live)
Need access to truck/trailer
Have to load/secure items yourself
Limits travel flexibility

Real example: A couple drove from Nashville with a cattle trailer specifically so they could buy large furniture pieces without shipping costs. As they put it: "I wasn't driving this thing 24 hours round trip to not have something coming back with it."

Pro tip: If you drive with a trailer and don't fill it with furniture, one person joked you could "fill it with cows coming back."

Option 2: Rent a Large Vehicle

Best for: Regional buyers who don't own a truck, mid-sized purchases

The approach: Fly into Austin or Houston, rent a large SUV, van, or U-Haul, shop, load up, drive one-way home.

Pros:

More capacity than you'd think
One-way rentals possible
Good middle ground

Cons:

Rental costs add up
Still requires loading/driving
Limited by vehicle size

What to rent:

Large SUV (small to medium furniture)
Cargo van (more furniture capacity)
U-Haul or moving truck (full furniture load)

Option 3: Professional Shippers

Best for: Anyone buying furniture who can't or doesn't want to drive it home

How it works:

You buy your pieces from various vendors
Shipper picks up from all your purchase locations
They blanket-wrap everything
They deliver to your home

Popular options:

Rolling Hills (Cindy)

Recommended by multiple designers
Picks up from multiple vendors
Blanket wrap service
Does the legwork so you don't have to

Distinguished Transport

"Known in the antique and show world"
On-site presence at some venues
Handles delicate and valuable items

You Ship

Bid system (like eBay, but lower price wins)
Can find great deals
Good for larger items

Individual vendor shippers

Many vendors have preferred shippers
Some handle shipping themselves for large purchases
Ask the vendor — they've done this before

What to expect:

Prices vary by distance and item size
Get quotes before the show if possible
Expect to pay more for fragile or valuable items
International shipping is available (London, Paris, Hong Kong)

Real example: One designer had her shipper (Cindy at Rolling Hills) arranged before the trip. The shipper went to each vendor location, picked up everything, blanket-wrapped it all, and shipped it to Arkansas. No stress, no scrambling.

Option 4: UPS / On-Site Services

Best for: Smaller items, glassware, accessories

How it works: Some venues have UPS or similar services on-site. You can ship smaller items directly.

What they handle:

Glassware (well-wrapped)
Small decorative items
Art (when properly packaged)
Anything that fits in a reasonable box

Pro tip: Some vendors have trade accounts with UPS and can help with packaging and shipping. Ask.

What they don't handle:

Large furniture
Extremely fragile items (without proper crating)
Things that don't fit in standard boxes

Option 5: Fly with Extra Luggage

Best for: Fashion, jewelry, small accessories

The approach: Fly in with an empty extra suitcase (or buy one there), fill it with small treasures, fly home.

Good for:

Vintage clothing
Jewelry
Small decorative objects
Linens and textiles
Carefully wrapped glassware (wrap well!)

Reality check: You're limited by airline baggage fees and weight limits. But for a fashion-focused trip to The Arbors or small treasures from the fields, this works great.

Pro tip: Bring bubble wrap or buy some there. Pack glassware carefully.

Shipping Strategy

Before You Go

Research shippers:

Get quotes for your region
Understand the process
Save contact numbers in your phone

Know your budget:

Factor shipping into your furniture budget
A $500 table might cost $300 to ship — know that before you buy

Prepare documents:

Have your address ready
Know if you need any special handling

At the Show

Ask vendors:

"Do you have a shipper you work with?"
"How do people usually get this home?"
Many have done this hundreds of times

Collect information:

Get vendor contact info
Note exact location of your purchase
Take photos of items and receipts

Consolidate when possible:

If buying from multiple vendors, a single shipper can pick up from all locations
More efficient and often cheaper than shipping separately

After You Buy

Confirm pickup:

Make sure your shipper knows all locations
Confirm timeline
Get tracking info when available

Document everything:

Photos of items before shipping
Receipts
Contact info for vendor and shipper

Special Situations

Fragile Items (Glassware, Mirrors, Chandeliers)

Crating may be required:

Some venues have crating services
UPS at some venues can create custom packaging
Ask vendors — they've shipped fragile items before

Cost more but worth it:

Proper crating protects your investment
Insurance may require proper packaging
Don't cheap out on a $2,000 chandelier

Very Large Items

Oversized furniture requires planning:

Get quotes before buying
Ask vendor if they've shipped similar items
May require freight shipping vs. standard delivery

International Shipping

Yes, it's possible:

Several vendors ship internationally
London, Paris, Hong Kong mentioned specifically
Requires proper documentation
More expensive but established process

What one vendor said:

"We ship international. To London, Paris, Hong Kong — very, very easy."

Antique Furniture with Wood

Special consideration:

May require certification stamp on wood
Vendors who ship internationally know this process
Ask before assuming

Cost Expectations

Shipping costs vary widely based on:

Distance
Size and weight
Fragility
Speed of delivery
Insurance requirements

Rough estimates (for planning purposes only):

Small item (UPS): $30-100
Medium furniture (regional): $150-400
Large furniture (cross-country): $300-800+
Fragile items requiring crating: Add $100-300+
International: Significantly more

Pro tip: Get actual quotes for your specific situation. These are ballpark numbers.

The "Pick It Up Later" Option

Some vendors will hold items for later pickup if you're making multiple trips or coming back soon.

How it works:

Pay for the item
Arrange a pickup date
Come back with your truck/trailer

Ask about:

Storage fees (if any)
Timeline limits
Deposit requirements

Vendor-Handled Shipping

Some vendors — especially those selling high-end pieces — handle shipping themselves.

What this looks like:

They have established shipping relationships
They know how to pack their specific items
They may deliver personally for large sales

Real example: One dealer described personally driving from California to Tulsa to deliver a $9,000 sale: "I wanted to make sure they got there in perfect condition."

Not every vendor does this, but for significant purchases, ask what they offer.

The Bottom Line

Shipping shouldn't stop you from buying what you love. There are options for every situation:

Situation	Best Option
Large furniture, control matters	Drive with trailer
Mid-sized purchases, regional	Rent large vehicle
Multiple furniture pieces	Professional shipper
Small items, accessories	UPS / on-site shipping
Fashion, jewelry, small treasures	Extra suitcase

The key: Plan ahead. Know your options before you find yourself standing in front of the perfect armoire with no idea how to get it home.

Research shippers before your trip. Get quotes. Save contact numbers. Factor shipping into your budget.

Round Top Finder's Services directory lists shipping and delivery providers with details on service area (local, regional, statewide, nationwide), whether they offer pickup, delivery, or on-site service, and direct contact info. Line up your logistics before you leave home so you can shop with confidence, knowing that whatever you find, you can get it home.

Round Top Finder — Find the piece. We'll help you get it home. Available on web, iOS, and Android.

Browse all venues on the interactive map or download the Round Top Finder app to plan your trip.