[Elecraft] Wow, Elecraft charges a lot for shipping!

[Don Wilhelm]

Well, the K2, K1, KX1, K3 and KX3 are unique in that they contain 
certain options, so I believe insurance is worthwhile.  If I were a 
company shipping something that is non-configurable, and I had 
replacement stock, then you are correct that it would be less expensive 
over time to simply replace whatever was lost or strayed. But if you 
have essentially a one-of-a-kind item, insurance is a good idea.

As far as damage goes, the only time I have seen damage is when the 
article is not well packed in the box.  If it can move inside the 
packaging, there is a good chance of damage.  Think about an abrupt stop 
at the end of one of those roller package handling conveyers. That is 
when knobs or antenna jacks could come in contact with the inside of the 
packaging.  Bubble wrap and packing peanuts work well for packing, but 
those large air bags should not be used with anything having substantial 
weight.  I have seen many of those large air bags that have popped and 
allowed the contents to move after they pop.  Soft foam sheets do not 
work well either, they 'squish' too much.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/31/2015 5:15 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
>
> As a comment from my former company, we never insured merchandise. It 
> is overall less expensive in a years time to risk loosing 1 or 2 
> packages than to insure every one of them.  Besides, if the package is 
> insured for say $3K that raises suspicion to handlers as to what it 
> contains.  With no insurance coverage, it could  be a box of books, 
> which would appear to the uninformed, as of no interest.
>
> Of note, the shipping charge for my new K3S from CA to TN was $35.35.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
> K3S s/n 10,163
>
> On 8/31/2015 4:01 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> I have been shipping parcels with Elecraft gear in them for 11 
>> years.  Sometimes as many as 6 or 7 a week recently.  In all that 
>> time, I have only know of 3 which had gone astray, but were 
>> eventually delivered.  I normally use USPS Priority Mail and it is 
>> fast, reliable and economical.  Two or 3 day delivery to any of the 
>> 50 states.  The price is a little more than UPS Ground, and less than 
>> UPS 3 day.
>> UPS and FedEx are good too, and if you can get commercial rates, they 
>> are discounted, but I depend on USPS much more than UPS.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 8/31/2015 8:58 AM, Ray Sills wrote:
>>> USPS Priority does a fine job.  And, insurance is available.  Only 
>>> once in my experience did USPS have a shipping hiccup:
>>> The package coming to me had arrived in Philadelphia (closest major 
>>> city)… but somehow, it got sent to California, where I languished 
>>> for a day or two, before finally coming back to Philly and 
>>> ultimately to me.  BTW, this hiccup was not an order from Elecraft.  
>>> I still prefer USPS Priority.
>>>
>>
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