A simple request---Please pack audio gear well.


I just received a Rowland amplifer today via Fedex Ground. It came from within the state so it was a shorter transit time.

the amp came with a bent rear heat sink. I have not yet checked to see if it works operationally.

the amp was packed in a single, fairly thin walled cardboard box. the amp was not wrapped in plastic, so I spent 10 mins, poking out shipping peanuts out of the heat sinks.

There really needs to be guide here on Audiogon on how to properly pack audio equipment for those to follow.

Some of my suggestions

1. Never use peanuts, they are worthless, especially when shipping anything over 1 pound in weight. a 50 lb amp will render a .0001 oz piece of foam useless when it rolls on top of it.

2. double box things or use a thick walled box. Computer boxes are great if you can't double box.

3. wrap the item in something. never just pack it naked. use a garbage bag if need be. a pillowcase. USE something!

4. if you don't have something at home, use a packing professional, I have done this and the $20-$45 cost was worth the risk.

I am very worried about powering up this amp and will be using a pair of speakers I found at the flea market as the Guinea Pig while testing if it works.
128x128justlisten
bucktwoeighty- bummer. Don't let the seller off the hook. Its his obligation to get them to you undamaged. Small bubble wrap is good for tubes, CDs, cables. Worthless for heavy items. UPS will be correct. Does not excuse their dropping them, but their standards are that the packing should allow the item to survive a drop onto concrete from 6'!! Something to do with their conveyor system. If you bought them here, the conditions of sale are very clear- its on the seller. If can't get re-imbursed by UPS, his loss, not yours. good luck.
What Swamp says is correct...

According to a higher up at manley, I was told the main thing to overcome in high end audio is the carriers. this person informed me of two places in the Fed Ex or maybe it UPS, whose major distribution hubs in Michigan & indiana have drops of 5 or 6 feet, from one conveyor belt to another.

IF during that drop the package bounces off the lower belt? It drops further onto a concrete floor!

RE 100 ft.?
Pack it back up & let's start at 20 ft. and work our way up! Video tape it and I'll buy a copy of that event!
Okay, maybe not 100', but for sure 90' :-)
Man the thing could have took a nuke.
Could have run over it with a semi
Could have given it to a gorilla...oh they already did that.... UPS