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Dont Ship UPS, Marantz tuner DOA

In reference to package id 1z1x42720301503488
I am very disapointed with the way UPS handled a stero tuner shipment to me. The unit was packed with bubble wrap and styraform peanuts in a heavy cardboard box, for shipment from NY to NJ (7 hours by car).
The appears to have been dropped with such force that the knobs actually pierced the cardboard container and the steel faceplate was bent. Also side of the box was ripped wide open, but at least someone had the sense to stick it in another box along the way (WITH NO ADDITIONAL PACKING), peanuts spilling out of the original box.

I have heard of such horror stories before and now it has happended to me.

I will never use UPS again and will go back to using FedEx as others have advised me in the past.
joegio
punkavenger
5 posts
 
I just received a beautiful Marantz 2265 (NYC to Cali) shipped USPS that was just wrapped with one layer of bubble wrap and put in a old box with no ther packing material. Lots of tape on the outside of the box though. ( Like that was a big help  :) )
Anyway I was horrified when it arrived as I specifically had gone over double box packing instructions with the seller. God must be a fan of Marantz as it arrived in perfect shape with no damage. Whew!
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,105 posts
 
So glad to read of that result. I had a seller of a mint 2325 with original wood cabinet do the same but with a vastly different outcome. He took it in the shorts, but that did not rectify the sin IMO.

I predict that the really good vintage gear will continue to appreciate as exemplars are perpetually destroyed by clueless sellers with the complicity of UPS, etc.
 
Dave 
minorl
740 posts
 

I personally haven't had any problems with UPS.  However, this is a perfect example of why one should keep the original manufacturer's packaging.

I fortunately have a garage where I have installed large shelving all around the garage where I store all my equipment boxes with the internal packaging.

The box can take a beating, but seriously, that is the purpose of the box and packaging in the first place.  To protect the component.

Also, any loose item, such as a remote, power cord, etc. should be bubble rapped and placed in such a way that it could not move around.

Audio Research ships their amps with the tubes in foam surround and that itself is actually stuffed inside the amp.  Smart.  it can't move around at all.

I purchased a vintage Pioneer turntable for my Daughter (yes, she loves albums).  It arrived damaged.  The seller didn't take into account that the metal platter could actually come off.  It did.  It destroyed the cartridge and the tonearm clamp.  I managed to find a replacement cartridge and vintage tonearm clamp. you can actually find just about any vintage part for pioneer gear.

The seller was a very nice person and was absolutely embarrassed when I told him what happened.  He actually credited me the price for all the broken items. 

He just didn't think that the platter could come off. Honest mistake and lesson learned.

It arrived via UPS, but this absolutely wasn't UPS' fault.

enjoy

hgeifman
1,193 posts
 
The key to shipping is the right packaging. And, the more fragile the piece, the more important the packaging is. I always wrap everything very tight and always double box the orginial mfg box.  

And, I will triple box if I feel it needs it (very heavy, fragije, large item, tubes, etc).  I have my audio pieces packed by a professional and have never had a problem regardless of the carrier.  I watch him pack to ensure it is done correctly.  And, he makes suggestions to ensure a safe arrival that I always agree to. 

It is my opinion that spending money for packaging is very important. My goal is the safe delivery of my package and I do everything possible to ensure it is packed  correctly.  

The packaging is very important and not necessarily the carrier.  I have shipped fragile items using UPS and FedEx and they always have arrived safely.  They were packed correctly.  
trelja
3,215 posts
 
It's good to resurrect this post, as we obviously ship a lot of gear in this hobby.

As someone who's worked in importing and manufacturing high-end audio gear, I've made a lot of shipments.  Here is where I've landed as a result of my journey.
1. USPS Priority Mail.  If at all possible, this by far stands out as the preferred shipping method.  The Post Office gets a bad rap, but they're the cheapest, fastest, safest, and best overall.  If you ever file a claim, they are the easiest to deal with, and will pay out.  ALWAYS ship tubes and small items this way.  Also best for shipping between USA and Canada.  Not practical for larger items

2. FedEX.  Either Express or Ground.  Best method for shipping any item too large for USPS Priority Mail, or as they used to say, "When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight."  Faster, cheaper, safer, and far more friendly to deal with than UPS.  Night and day better handling of claims than UPS, though also night and day better if you have your own company / account with them, as opposed to being an individual

3. UPS.  AVOID.  The slowest, most expensive, most apt to damage, and worst method of the major carriers.  Couple that with the normal refusal to pay out a claim, especially, for expensive items.  And if you don't want to follow my advice, PLEASE don't ever use them to ship between Canada and the USA.  They get your shipment hung up in Customs, take forever to clear it, charge the by far the highest brokerage rates, (again) have the highest rate of damage coupled with the most steadfast resolve to honor your claim, then bleed you as subsequent bills trickle in for months for additional charges related to the misery you've just endured
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