What's the Deal with Round Top Shipping? Costs, Companies & How It Works
What's the Deal with Round Top Shipping?
"I found the perfect piece but how do I get it home?" is the most common question at Round Top. The answer is simpler than you think — shipping from Round Top is a well-oiled machine. Thousands of pieces ship out of the corridor every show week.
How It Actually Works
The Process
- Shop normally — buy from any vendor at any venue
- Tell the vendor you need shipping — they'll hold the piece or help you tag it
- Contact your shipper — give them a list of what you bought and where
- The shipper picks up everything — they visit each venue, collect your items
- They pack and consolidate — blanket-wrapping, crating if needed
- One delivery to your door — typically 1-3 weeks after the show
That's Really It
No renting trucks. No wrestling furniture into your SUV. No worrying about damage on the drive home. Professional shippers handle everything.
Real Cost Ranges
| What You're Shipping | Within Texas | Out of State |
|---|---|---|
| Box of small items | $50-$100 | $75-$200 |
| Single chair or table | $150-$300 | $250-$500 |
| Armoire or large case piece | $300-$600 | $500-$1,000 |
| Multiple furniture pieces | $500-$1,200 | $800-$2,000 |
| Full truckload | $1,500-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,000+ |
The key cost saver: Consolidation. Shipping 5 pieces together is dramatically cheaper per piece than shipping 5 pieces separately. Use one shipper for your whole trip.
Types of Shippers
Full-Service Antique Shippers (Recommended)
These companies operate specifically at Round Top every show:
- Pick up from multiple venues across the corridor
- Professional blanket-wrapping
- Crating available for fragile items (glass, mirrors, chandeliers)
- Insurance available
- White-glove delivery to your home
- Some offer climate-controlled transport
Freight/LTL Services
For larger shipments:
- More affordable for heavy/bulky items
- Curbside delivery (you handle getting it inside)
- Longer transit times
- Best for non-fragile items
Self-Haul
If you're driving from nearby (Houston, Austin, San Antonio):
- Bring a truck, trailer, or large SUV
- Some venues have helpers who can assist with loading
- Most practical for purchases that fit in your vehicle
Pro Tips
- Contact shippers BEFORE the show — get quotes, understand the process, have a contact ready
- Use ONE shipper for everything — consolidation saves money
- Factor shipping into the purchase price — that $500 table is really $700-$800 delivered. Is it still a good deal? (Usually yes.)
- Get insurance for high-value items — worth the extra cost for peace of mind
- Photograph everything before pickup — document condition in case of damage claims
- Ask vendors for shipper recommendations — they work with shippers every show and know who's reliable
- Don't wait until the last day — shippers book up. Arrange pickup early in the show week.
The Self-Haul Calculation
From Houston (~90 min): Renting a U-Haul trailer costs about $50-100/day. If you're buying 2-3 furniture pieces, self-hauling is cheaper. But if you're buying from multiple venues over multiple days, a shipper is more practical.
From Austin (~75 min): Same calculation. Bring a truck if you can.
From Dallas (~4 hours): Shipping almost always makes more sense than hauling a trailer for 8+ hours round trip.
Browse shipping vendors on Round Top Finder for contact info and services.