If you are the buyer you don't have much choice. It is on the seller to package them well and/or find a shipping option. Many large speakers in original boxes can be shipped ups of fedex ground. I got a pair of Martin Logan CLS shipped to me for $300. But the shipper took care of it. If the shipper just wants a pro to come in and handle it, then $800 is not bad.
For you to try to arrange it you either have to have a pro package or trust the seller to package and he already doesn't want to do it.
When I am selling, I package and ship myself for very reasonable rates. But when buying I make sure the shipper understands that his responsibility ends when I recieve them unharmed. Then I either accept his shipping quote or pass. Getting involved in shipping just gets you part (or all) of the blame if there is a problem.
Jerry