Sometimes these people know zip about what they are shipping. I have purchased two turntables, packed by services. Both cantilevers were broken and one of the arms was bent, clearly due to the method of packing, not shipping damage. The best policy, by far, to insure successful shipment is to double box with compliant material, such as peanuts or newspaper between the two boxes. Peanuts are not very good to use in the inner box as they can shift. If the original packing materials are not available for the inner box, I like bubble wrap and newspaper or foam. Tubes should always be removed from gear, their positions marked and then packed in a seperate sub-box. It's all a lot of trouble, but much less so than the disappointment of damaged gear.
Your approach to shipping electronics?
I have been in the habit when I ship electronics or other fragile items of using a local mailing service to package, insure and ship (such as a mailboxes etc.). I have done so for several reasons that I think re valid.
1. They package for a living, I don't..they should be able to do a better job.
2. They insure the package, not the shipper, so they make good on the claim to you, and pursue the shipper for their own costs.
3. As they package it, they cannot claim it was packaged incorrectly and fight a claim for damage.
4. A successful claim on insurance does not thrill me, it is a no win situation, as all you do is break even at best. The end result being that you do not have what you wanted to obtain.
5. Yes, they re expensive, as much as twice the cost of the DIY approach. But still, if I am going to spend thousands on merchandise, I don't see the point on getting parsimonious on the shipping costs.
Having said this, I don't buy or sell large numbers of items, so perhaps this is less of an issue with me....and it could be that I am mistaken in my assumptions. I am interested in hearing other views on this issue.
1. They package for a living, I don't..they should be able to do a better job.
2. They insure the package, not the shipper, so they make good on the claim to you, and pursue the shipper for their own costs.
3. As they package it, they cannot claim it was packaged incorrectly and fight a claim for damage.
4. A successful claim on insurance does not thrill me, it is a no win situation, as all you do is break even at best. The end result being that you do not have what you wanted to obtain.
5. Yes, they re expensive, as much as twice the cost of the DIY approach. But still, if I am going to spend thousands on merchandise, I don't see the point on getting parsimonious on the shipping costs.
Having said this, I don't buy or sell large numbers of items, so perhaps this is less of an issue with me....and it could be that I am mistaken in my assumptions. I am interested in hearing other views on this issue.
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