Original Packaging, you gotta have it.

I have a different perspective on shipping, so let me explain. I've been involved with the trucking industry for most of my adult life, so let me tell you guys what happens. Some of the trucks & trailers have air ride, some don't. Some roads are good, some not. Sometimes the load is stable, sometimes it shifts. Get the picture? The guys on the dock are underpaid & overworked as are the people who load & unload off conveyor belts, planes, whatever. The packages get thrown, dropped, kicked, poked with forklifts, etc. Lots of good suggestions as to packing. The best way to ship is use the original box w/original packing AND THEN put it in another box with a barrier of at least 4" of packing peanuts. If original packing material is unavailable, bubble wrap the component then tape together some sturdy cardboard for a makeshift box THEN put it in a second box with the barrier of packing peanuts. Everything I've ever sent this way has arrived undamaged because I've seen what can happen with my own eyes. Always put "Live Animals" on your package for best results. No wait, I mean put "Fragile Handle With Care". Also put "This End Up". For very large items there are tip over alerts that use a variety of triggering mechanisms like a mercury switch w/glitter for example. The acid test is this: When you're done packing up said item, hold it three feet off the ground. Now drop it. Do you feel comfortable that it will survive the fall? Better, 'cause that's what's going to happen once it leaves your hands. One last thing. When I pack stuff to send Priority Mail, it's packed well enough to be thrown across the room & banked off the wall.

Sometimes you're just S.O.O.L. if the you buy the item used and it didn't come in the original packaging. That being the case, I went to MBE, had them box it up in bubble wrap, styrofoam, etc. but not double boxed. Sure enough, the unit was trashed when it got there. What I want to know is - How do you destroy a Tice Power block? I thought those things were virtually indestructible.

I've learned that anything that can be double boxed in styrofoam and grossly over-taped has a high chance of success.

Twice UPS has damaged near new speakers boxed in non original packaging. The corners always get crushed. I'll never ship big speakers again. Pick up or personal delivery , no shipping. I think I finally get the UPS insurance deal... original packing or no insurance.

UPS tried to deny my insurance claim on speakers whcih were shipped in original boxes. They said that the speakers were not properly packaged. Its odd that the speakers were origianlly shipped to the U. S. from England first to the distributor and then on to the dealer in those same boxes. the way they handle packages you just can't have enough boxes.

As I was walking out of my house to help the UPS guy with a TT, I watched in horror as the box, sealed with FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE tape (2" red letters) and hand marked "DO NOT TUMBLE) right next to the address, tumble it down the length of the truck. He said- all the boxes are marked fragile, we don't even notice it".