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.
