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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.
justlisten

Showing 2 responses by ckorody

ckorody
640 posts
 
Double check on the UPS angle. Last I read on these respected pages, the UPS stores are individually owned and operated - there is no uniform standard for packing or charges.

More important is that once you turn your precious toys over to the UPS store, they become the shipper. So filing and collecting a claim is between the UPS franchisee and UPS.... hmmm

In the you are kidding department - I just spent four months chasing FedEx to pay up their minimum insurance ($100) on a package that they simply lost - yet the burden of proof lay on me.

More then anything, the long term success of this hobby requires a third party insurer who will sell riders and honor claims. Be nice to see Audiogon take the lead on this, plenty of money to be made!
ckorody
640 posts
 
Jeff Rowland Design Group (JRDG) do ship in ATA (Air Transport Association) flight cases. Compared to cardboard boxes with inserts these are relatively bullet-proof and certainly much longer lived since they are designed for re-use.

I "roadshowed" for many years with a fleet of these and never had a problem with any of my gear.

BUT nothing will truly protect delicate electronics from hard shock. Meaning that the cosmetics may be preserved but a solder joint gets busted loose.
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