[Boatanchors] Shipping damage

Sun Nov 25 12:38:19 EST 2018

I'm having a string of bad luck lately apparently.   For the second time, a package arrived at the buyers trashed.  The first was two weeks ago, sent by UPS.  Despite being plainly labeled in LARGE print all over that said FRAGILE, the Lafayette receiver was trashed on arrival.  I'm now in a battle with UPS to get insurance payment, even threatening legal action.

Now, just  yesterday I was informed by and shown pictures of a package I sent postal service, thinking maybe they would be more responsible.  A Swan 500 and power supply.   Sent in two separate boxes encased in peanuts obtained from UHaul, which has a very good reputation for not treating their shipments like footballs during the playoffs.  ALso had them wrapped in bubble wrap and the boxes marked FRAGILE and the post office indicating so on the tracking documents.   Arrived like the UPS boxes ...  looking like other 50 to 100 lb boxes had been dropped on top of mine.  Buyer still in the process of determining damage to the rig and if it is fatal damage or minor.

My point is .. and my belief is .. I don't give a DAMN for ANY of the shippers excuses.  I pay them for one thing..  to SHIP a box from point A to point B, and for that box to arrive in one piece just like when I dropped it off for shipping.  Especially when it is indicated that it is fragile.    I hope to hell no one EVER tries shipping glass glasses because I firmly believe they would arrive as a pile of glass shards in the box.  And, I do not appreciate being told by a shipper that "it was not damaged during shipping."   THAT crap is an insult to someone's intelligence....

I don't know the solution, except maybe to take the equipment to a place that will absolutely fill the box with foam insulation and it becomes a block that has to be cut away when it arrives.   Even then, I'm sure the shipper would find some way to make it arrive looking like it had been dropped from a B52 at 20,000 feet.   Remember when they used to tout the durability of Collins gear, saying they could be dropped from a plane and still be operational after landing.   I dont think even a Collins KWM2 can survive the incompetence of the three major shippers.  The employees have no respect or care for anything they handle.  It seems to be toss it on the truck from 20 feet away, stack it 10 high with 50 lbs on top of each and then toss it into the driveway.   Sometimes, I'm surprised they even get out of the truck when they deliver a package instead of just tossing it out the door and driving away.   They must get out of the truck if they have to get a signature.
________________________________
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net <boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Howie WA3MCK <wa3mck at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2018 10:04 AM
To: Rob Atkinson
Cc: Boat Anchors List
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Shipping damage

Hi Rob,

I have shipped and received many large and heavy boatanchors over the last
ten years or so via FedEx Ground.

I have NEVER had a problem.

My most recent purchase was a Swan 400 (shipped from MA to PA) which
included an Astatic desk mike, 117B power supply, 420 VFO, and the 400
transceiver.

All four items were shipped in one box (about 50 lbs total) which was
properly packed by the seller.

The radio and accessories arrived in perfect shape and were placed on the
air the following day after initial checks and power up.

de Howie WA3MCK

On Sun, Nov 25, 2018 at 06:00 Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>
wrote:led

> The Fed Ex UPS etc. shipping business has changed dramatically in the
> past few years.  Millions of people now buy on-line -- Amazon even
> does its own shipping.  The process has streamlined to the point that
> heavy shippers (manufacturers and other high volume outlets) ship in
> bulk (free shipping!).   The system may be geared towards this with
> the result that individuals pay more to ship odd single items.
>
> Another aspect to this is that the handling operations have been
> increasingly geared to speedily handle the majority of packages, which
> are carefully engineered enclosures that suspend and protect the
> usually light weight product to maximize protection and minimize
> expense.  Ever order a modern product on-line and get it shipped to
> your home?  The packaging is a work of mechanical engineering.    The
> system which handles millions of these items is simply not optimized
> for the occasional tube rig or receiver--both being heavy and fragile.
>   The result is a smashed set.  We are not going to change UPS et al.
> We have to up our game on packaging.  This is why I've contended that
> anything weighing over 70 lbs probably should be in a crate lined with
> styrofoam slabs on all sides with the item immobilized.  Bubble wrap
> and a cardboard box won't cut it.   Personally, I think I'd rather
> haul my stuff to a hamfest.
>
> 73
>
> Rob
> K5UJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>
> List Administrator: Gary Harmon, K5JWK
> ** For Assistance: gharmon at idworld.net **
>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
--
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
______________________________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

List Administrator: Gary Harmon, K5JWK
** For Assistance: gharmon at idworld.net **

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html