Toggle sidebar

Question: Advice on shipping a fragile item

danb

danb

All-SEC
Dec 4, 2011
1,088
7
0
Hazel Green, AL
I posted some items on CL for sale locally, as I really didn't want the hassle of trying to ship anything. I got a call from a guy in Kentucky interested in buying my guitar tube amp attenuator, but due to the distance, shipping would be the only option.

It weighs about 15lbs, and has large ceramic resistors in it that could break if dropped violently, even though they're in a sturdy metal chassis. I've read countless accounts of items being damaged in shipping that were insured, and the company denied their claims due to this reason, or that reason.

Does anyone who ships items frequently, have any suggestions of who is the best company to use (ups, usps, or fedex), and least likely to play football with my package. What's the best, most economical way to safely package and ship?
 
Remember above all things that your box will be tossed, tossed about, dropped etc., while in transit. Still, put "FRAGILE" stickers on every side of the package. With this in mind, make sure all loose or 'shaky' items are properly secured.
If there is an open side to the attenuator, it should be secured to a piece of cardboard. Never ever use styrofoam popcorn to ship electronics. Use bubble wrap instead. Use a box with a 200 lb. minimum edge crush weight. (This will be on a stamped label on the bottom of the box.)
You can never use too much insulation, but keep in mind that the size of the box is a greater factor in shipping cost than the actual weight of the package.
Use Shipping Tape, not household tape. The heavier duty, the better.
FedEx and UPS both will put an initial insurance of $100 on the package, but you will need to pay for additional insurance. However neither will accept additional insurance if the box doesn't meet the above crush weight specs.
 
Last edited:
^^^ Good advice!

If there's any way to place the responsibility to the buyer on shipping details - that might give you some insulation - should any damage occur.
 
Thanks for the info Reb!

I just read a Popular Mechanics article a few minutes ago, where they packaged motion, and shock sensors in a box that measured and recorded vibration/shock, temperature, and orientation. They shipped it across country to several places using ups, usps, and fedex. They also shipped it with, and without "fragile, and "this side up" written on the box to see if it made a difference. To their surprise, when they marked the package "fragile" and "this side up", the sensors in the package recorded higher and more frequent shock, than without..(could be a coincidence though).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Let me correct what I said earlier irt box crush weights. FedEx and UPS will allow you to buy additional insurance, but if the package doesn't meet the 200 lb. crush weight, they will pay the purchased insurance amount ONLY if the package is lost or stolen while in their care, but NOT if it is damaged.
Just thought I'd put that out there.
 
That's good to know. Like I said in my op, I've read and heard from lots of folks, who swore they packaged the item really secure, only to be denied when they filed a claim. I heard that you have to let (with ups) their pack and ship office pack it, in order to ever receive compensation (if you purchase adequate "insurance") if they damage it during shipping. The stories of paying extra for piece of mind, and to have them weasel out by not standing behind what they damaged, is what got me concerned. I appreciate the info on the box requirements.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
danb said:
That's good to know. Like I said in my op, I've read and heard from lots of folks, who swore they packaged the item really secure, only to be denied when they filed a claim. I heard that you have to let (with ups) their pack and ship office pack it, in order to ever receive compensation (if you purchase adequate "insurance") if they damage it during shipping. The stories of paying extra for piece of mind, and to have them weasel out by not standing behind what they damaged, is what got me concerned. I appreciate the info on the box requirements.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's because the greatest majority of boxes used by the general public (from retailers, etc.) are only 35 lb. crush wt.. Even the boxes you buy at office supply stores are 35 lb. 'storage' boxes. Professional shippers use exclusively the 200 lb. boxes. Thus they are able to persuade folks to buy their boxes and packing services. And at a greatly inflated price, of course.
So what's your alternative? USPS? Maybe.. Speaking of which, did you know that the post office doesn't have it's own cargo planes for shipping? Nope. It has a contract with one professional shipper for that. Guess who?
FedEx. Yep FedEx ships USPS packages right along with it's own. And guess what else? When you ship with USPS, they price by weight, not size and weight, which means you can save a pile of money by shipping with them and still get it there at the same time as if you go by FedEx. One caution though. Your package can't exceed 75 lbs.
Still, more info for your consideration.
 
Not sure if they still do but UPS would package items for you and insure them appropriately for a charge if you take it into their location store. Good luck!
 
May not be applicable to your needs, but for reference there are shippers who handle fragile antiques, art, and such things. Usually referred to as "white glove" shippers and would be more expensive I'm sure. Google white glove shippers for info.
 
Bama Reb said:
Yeah, that's because the greatest majority of boxes used by the general public (from retailers, etc.) are only 35 lb. crush wt.. Even the boxes you buy at office supply stores are 35 lb. 'storage' boxes. Professional shippers use exclusively the 200 lb. boxes. Thus they are able to persuade folks to buy their boxes and packing services. And at a greatly inflated price, of course.
So what's your alternative? USPS? Maybe.. Speaking of which, did you know that the post office doesn't have it's own cargo planes for shipping? Nope. It has a contract with one professional shipper for that. Guess who?
FedEx. Yep FedEx ships USPS packages right along with it's own. And guess what else? When you ship with USPS, they price by weight, not size and weight, which means you can save a pile of money by shipping with them and still get it there at the same time as if you go by FedEx. One caution though. Your package can't exceed 75 lbs.
Still, more info for your consideration.
Click to expand...

Wrong, you may have a window clerk or carrier accepting your packages and not catching it. The weight limit is 70 lbs. and length, height and width along with distance and weight is calculated into the price

Postage Price Calculator

Package Dimensions
 
Last edited:
I bought a new double walled corrugated heavy duty cardboard box and a roll of bubble wrap. Nobody really thinks about it, until you need it, but the "insurance" you pay extra for is a racket from what I read. Yes, I'll succumb and pay it....but if you read the fine print (that laymen would need a lawyer to explain) they want you to essentially spend $100 in packaging with them, to send via their delivery service. I worked with an ex UPS employee, and he said that packages are treated horribly and to use overkill in packaging it....then secure it some more! I don't ship much, so that's why I posted the question to see real world results....it's BS IMHO, that you pay for a service, but you have to use overkill in packaging, because the service you entrust to transport your item is usually negligent in their duties, and you have to spend more time and money to compensate.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Posts

Advertisement

Trending content

Advertisement

Latest threads

Top Bottom
Back