How many shipments can audio equipment survive?


I’m sure many buyers and sellers on Audiogon have pondered this question. Assuming an audio component is otherwise very well cared for, how many times can it be shipped from one place to another before it gets damaged? I’m sure this depends on a number of factors:

  • Quality of packaging: Some manufacturers have really well thought out packaging that keeps the components snugly cushioned in custom molded clamshells with double boxes. Perhaps there are even packaging techniques that I haven’t even seen that work really well. I have also seen some packaging, even for really high quality components, that is poorly constructed and will fall apart after one or two shipments. For something really substantial like speakers, I know some companies will sell you brand new packaging if you need it. I once got a quote of around $250 for some new speaker packaging, not including shipping fees. Definitely not cheap, but perhaps worth the money if you’re trying to sell some goods and don’t want to limit yourself to local-only transactions.

  • Size and type of component. It seems to me that smaller electronic items the size of a large book would hold easily over multiple shipments. That just seems intuitive. In my mind, the most risky items would be big heavy amps (especially tubed) and speakers. Come to think of it, am I overly paranoid about that? Maybe high end audio components are more durable that I expect. In my mind, I picture internal parts like speaker crossovers, and amplifier circuit boards just popping loose eventually during a bumpy ride. Does that happen? If so, it would seem kind of silly given that so many high end components are extremely durable on the outside, perhaps even overbuilt.

I wonder how manufacturers think about this question when they ship their gear to audio shows all over the country, or perhaps even internationally. Do they sell off their gear at a discount after one show, or do they ship their stuff from place to place like “going on tour”? 

128x128blang11
Agreed.  If you use the proper packaging for the item and it's still in good shape, the number of shipments won't really matter.  The concern over time is from the packaging material breaking down (i.e. cardboard deteriorating).  Or risks such as a fork lift piercing into a box and damaging the equipment. The actual shipping does not hurt electronics. 
In all the ausdio components I have bought and sold, most of the boxes were very rugged and would survive multiple trips.  The packaging on my ************* speakers (returned them) had the flimsiest box I had ever seen.  The cardboard was so thin, that I could put my finger right through the cardboard if pushed hard enough.  The styrofoam sheets that are part of the packaging had disintegrated on one of the speakers as Fed Ex demolished one of the cartons.  The box comes in 2 parts, a top half and bottom half and need to be taped together.  Not very sturdy.  I did mention it to the owner of the company, so perhaps they have changed packaging
I was up all night thinking about this  i would say 7 times max before its toast!!!

I am a pretty insane over-packer so I would say any piece of equipment, leaving aside extremely fragile items like turntables, can survive innumerable shipments if packed correctly.