A couple of random thoughts and one rant, to wit:
Remember the U-tube video of the FEDEX driver THROWING a plasma TV over a fence to make a delivery. I once saw my usually friendly, reliable UPS guy tumble a SOTA TT end over end down the length of the van so he didn't have to pick it up!!!
When packing, you have to think hard about the physics involved. Take Newton's First Law (an object at rest tends to remain at rest and an object in motion tends to remain in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force) and multiple by the 20 or 30 or even 50 THOUSAND pieces AN HOUR that a UPS or FEDEX facility handles and divide by the 6' drop onto concrete that the packaging is supposed to withstand. The result in that the likelihood that a delicate piece of electronics or a high end TT gets to its destination intact is totally dependent on the packer really truly making the darn thing bomb-proof. FRAGILE stickers are challenges to the drivers. Reinforce corners. Put heavy speakers on pallets. Suspend items w foam blocks all around. Fill voids w peanuts or bubble wrap. Make sure the item cannot shift even one mm cause once it starts to move, it's all over. (see Newtown's First Law quoted above). PRAY. Sacrifice the fatted calf (or the nearest republican). PRAY again.
End of rant. Swampwalker out.
It is the sellers responsibility to get the item to you in good shape, unless the shipper is clearly at fault.Actually, Audiogon terms clearly state it's the sellers responsibility to get the item to you in the condition advertised. Period. The end. Whether the shipper or the seller messed up, it's the seller's responsibility to make the buyer whole.
After all, we are not dealers selling new product here, we are hobbyists selling used gear.Would that that were true, buddy!!!
Always use paypal tied to a credit card and have the credit card company get a chargeback for you.Obviously, you've never sold something via paypal to a sleazebag who suffered buyers' remorse, or worse yet, shorted the speaker terminals or some such abuse, and then did a charge back. I'm just one of those hobbyists like Jmcgrogan2 and I've learned through bitter experience not to take pp funded via a credit card. The seller has NO PROTECTION. You don't even get the gear back.
Remember the U-tube video of the FEDEX driver THROWING a plasma TV over a fence to make a delivery. I once saw my usually friendly, reliable UPS guy tumble a SOTA TT end over end down the length of the van so he didn't have to pick it up!!!
When packing, you have to think hard about the physics involved. Take Newton's First Law (an object at rest tends to remain at rest and an object in motion tends to remain in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force) and multiple by the 20 or 30 or even 50 THOUSAND pieces AN HOUR that a UPS or FEDEX facility handles and divide by the 6' drop onto concrete that the packaging is supposed to withstand. The result in that the likelihood that a delicate piece of electronics or a high end TT gets to its destination intact is totally dependent on the packer really truly making the darn thing bomb-proof. FRAGILE stickers are challenges to the drivers. Reinforce corners. Put heavy speakers on pallets. Suspend items w foam blocks all around. Fill voids w peanuts or bubble wrap. Make sure the item cannot shift even one mm cause once it starts to move, it's all over. (see Newtown's First Law quoted above). PRAY. Sacrifice the fatted calf (or the nearest republican). PRAY again.
End of rant. Swampwalker out.