Best way to ship speakers?

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 8 Feb 2006, 03:17 am »

I recently sold my bedroom speakers on Agon; I plan to ship them Weds or Thurs, but I'm not sure how best to do it. If you want to insure something, is it not best to let the shipper pack it for you? I've heard horror stories about UPS routinely denying damage claims when they don't pack it.

If so, which shipper is the most reasonable and reliable for this? I've used FedEx extensively with good results, but I've always packed my own stuff.

Any advice would be helpful.

BTW, they're towers. If they were bookshelves I'd just double box em, but that would be impractical for these.

bubba966 · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 04:11 am »

Rob, what kind of size/weight are you talking about here?

IMO UPS can kiss my ass (and I'm being very, very, very polite with that comment).

DHL can join them too. But at least DHL paims their claims quickly, just not for anywhere near what it was insured for. So if you use DHL insure it for 3-5x what it'd cost to replace. Then they might not fuck you over.

If you pack things yourself well, FedEx & USPS do fairly well for getting things where they're supposed to be and not too beat up if your packing is good.

DO NOT USE PACKING PEANUTS!

Those are worthless, even more so for heavy objects as they compact and/or move out of the way so that there's nothing between the object & the box.

Airbags/densely crumpled newspaper/expanding foambags/large bubble buble wrap are all much better alternatives. As are other such packing materials. There should be some give to them, but not too much. And the packing material shouldn't be able to move or compact itself too much.

I don't think FedEx has any type of thing like UPS does as far as having them pack it and paying out insurance claims. So there's not much incentive IMO on having them pack something (especially since most of those people/places think that packing peanuts are fine for packing everything).

I'd personally pack it rather well myself (tripple boxed if possible using some method that I vaguely described above) and send it via FedEx 3 day. FedEx ground might work, but the less time they have it the less chance that they'll destroy it.

If they're really large then maybe something like Forward Air would be better. They're great for stuff that gets put on a pallet.

Without knowing the specifics of things better I can't say what's the best way to go. I've had lost of experience shipping and receiving things of all sorts all over the world. And I've always gotten the highest compliments on my packing from people I've sent stuff to. Ask Wayne, he thinks I should get a job teaching people at these different packing/shipping companies how to pack something right...

orthobiz · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 04:22 am »

When I upgraded my Dahlquist DQ-10's a couple of years ago I bought boxes that custom fit the speakers except: I had to buy 5/8" styrofoam insulating sheets at Home Depot to make the speakers fit (boxes were oversized for this purpose). The speakers survived a trip to NY and back without incident.

I agree about no peanuts. Got a Dynaco 70 in the mail and although double boxed, the seller used peanuts and crumpled newspaper with slight damage resulting.

biz

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 04:45 am »

Rob....Having shipped lots of stuff around....no peanuts here. I get foam....try the local upholstery store. Get sheets or piece's....and stuff it good. And I double box....check the furniture store for boxes, they have plenty they don't need......and their good and strong.

Chris[/list:u]

PhishPhan · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 06:44 pm »

Use FedEx. Don't, under any circumstances, use UPS. And no I don't work for either of these companies.

If you pack the item yourself you save cash and usually do a better job.

woodsyi · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:03 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Rob, get foam....try the local upholstery store.

Foam by mail "acoustic" foam is also very good for packing.

Levi · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:27 pm »

Uhaul.

Yes. This is the safest for large speakers only if it is in a reasonable driving distance. You can probably factor the expenses in the price. Then you can be 100% sure it is delivered properly and un scratched.

Just a thought. Rick Craig travelled 6-8hrs over the weekend with his Selah from NC to NJ and back.

Quote from: Rob Babcock

I recently sold my bedroom speakers on Agon; I plan to ship them Weds or Thurs, but I'm not sure how best to do it. If you want to insure something, is it not best to let the shipper pack it for you? I've heard horror stories about UPS routinely denying damage claims when they don't pack it.

If so, which shipper is the most reasonable and reliable for this? I've used FedEx extensively with good results, but I've always packed my own stuff.

Any advice would be helpful.

BTW, they're towers. If they were bookshelves I'd just double box em, but that would be impractical for these.

avahifi · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 09:22 pm »

We have daily UPS pickup and delivery and ship almost everything insured UPS and have next to zero damage claims, even on incoming stuff poorly packed.

For shipping those big odd objects, go to Home Depot and buy enough white foam insulation sheets to do the job - I suggest three inches all the way around the object. You can cut it with a steak knife (we use a hot electric blade when we need to do this - cuts through like butter). It is inexpensive to do, make a solid foam "cacoon" and it provides safe shipping almost always. Make sure the foam is a solid fit, no "loose in the box". Also on equipment, especially heavy amplifiers, make sure all the hold down hardware for the power transformers are tight. You cannnot believe what a mess a power transformer coming loose in shipping can make as it bounces around inside of the chassis.

And FOAM PEANUTS ARE ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN !!!!

Frank Van Alstine

avahifi · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 09:23 pm »

Of course on our own equipment we have custom end caps for shipping, no mess, no damage, and safe for several trips.

Frank Van Alstine

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 09:41 pm »

Quote from: avahifi

We have daily UPS pickup and delivery and ship almost everything insured UPS and have next to zero damage claims, even on incoming stuff poorly packed.

For shipping those big odd objects, go to Home Depot and buy enough white foam insulation sheets to do the job - I suggest three inches all the way around the object. You can cut it with a steak knife (we use a hot electric blade when we need to do this - cuts through like butter). It is inexpensive to do, make a solid foam "cacoon" and it provides safe ...

Frank,

Good advice except it won't be possible to add 3" of foam all around and still use original boxes. Since some gear is quite large and heavy, it would be diffiuclt to find replacement boxes.

George

Bill Baker · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 09:42 pm »

Two things work VERY WELL.

As Frank mentioned, insulation about 3" thick works nicely (not the pink fiberglass stuff that comes in a roll). For extra protection, line the box with 1/4" hardboard for larger speakers or 1/8" for smaller packages.

This week alone, I received 3 claim checks from UPS. Two for full insured value and one was only 1/3 of half of the claimed amount???

What you really have to consider is if the using UPS, the package may have to go through their central hub if shipping across country. THIS IS WHERE THE DAMAGE HAPPENS. Merchandise gets dropped of the belts.

Basically, pack very well and choose the lesser of all evils.

arthurs · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 10:50 pm »

BAX Global is also an excellent way to ship larger items, and although more expensive than purple or brown, much better at delicate handling....can't speak to their claims process, never had one with them...