Couriers & delivery logistics for sawn timber

[wills-mill]

Morning all, I'd like to pick the big collective brain...

 

Is there a sensible way to send reasonably small consignments of sawn timber that aren't pallet friendly and aren't big enough to warrant a complete truck load?

 

Let's say a rough spec of max 3m length and 250kg weight?

 

If I need to regularly send out things like a couple of gateposts, small packs of cladding, benches, flat pack log shed, or machined battens they seem to fall into a middle ground (unless I'm missing something obvious). Too heavy for parcel couriers, the weight is OK for pallet firms but the length is a bit too keen?

 

There seem to be plenty of firms managing to sell hefty fencing and the like on ebay and sending them out with a policy of 'pay £7.99 postage regardless of whether you buy one of an item or lots'. I understand that the retail price is hiding a lump of the courier fees, but I can't seem to make much headway into the world of logistics....

 

I've tried sites like Shiply and I'm happy with the rates of 'one man and van operations' (we've all got to eat) but it puts the kybosh on most orders as far as customers are concerned.

 

Is it simply a matter of having a good relationship with a logistics manager and pumping out loads of units a month?