[AMRadio] What is the cost of pore & foam packaging?

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

I had something shipped to me from a packing business in California. What a
joke. They took a bunch of what looked like old foam rubber children's blocks,
ran a piece of duct tape across them, and wrapped then around the unit. They
also threw in 2-3 wads of crumpled newspaper(no exaggeration!), then taped the
box shut. When I received it, the box was slightly crushed and rattling.
Fortunately it was just an old tube 2-way radio, not worth much and
(amazingly)not damaged beyond some scrapes in the paint from the mounting
bracket that had come loose. When I contacted the seller, he apologized and said
that he had gone in, paid them, and left the unit. Unless someone specifically
specifies to me in the future to use a certain place for shipping(and is willing
to accept the results), I'll continue to avoid them like the plague. I've always
done my own packing, and I always pack like I'm shipping the item to myself,
from the south pole or someplace like that. It might take a little more time and
material, but it's well worth the effort. Haven't had a problem yet and don't
intend to.

UPS offers a 'foam-in-place' service at some of their locations. I've never used
it, but I've seen it and talked with others who have. They wrap the rig in
plastic, then spray expanding foam around it in a heavy duty box, or something
to that effect. I seem to recall it costing around $40-$50 for a big item, but
UPS will then guarantee it against shipping damage and pay any claims brought
without hassle if it is damaged by them. Again, this is not my firsthand
experience because I've yet to use the service. I do have a pair of HT-37s,
HX-10, a Super Pro and some other big items that may end up going this way,
though - if I can ever get off my butt and sell 'em!

Please let the list know what you decide on and use - and what the cost/end
result is. The more we can share about shipping these big rigs safely, the fewer
will be lost to poor packing.

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

Charlie Solie wrote:

> Hello Doug,
>
> I have had a very bad experience with the Las Cruces Mailboxes or Us.  I
> paid them a small fortune to ship a Collins S-line.  I specifically ask for
> double boxing that would meet UPS specifications.