[Hallicrafters] Shipping radio sets via UPS

[Barry Hauser]

While I'm chiming in, I may as well go another one ..

Hank's right, of course.  I've dealt with 100's of MBE's.  99.9% can't
pack worth a darn.

> Bill,
> First and foremost MBE etc. has never been able to pack anything 
> like a BA properly. They use peanuts and 200# RSC boxes. They are the 
> biggest rip off in the packing shipping business and they are owned by
UPS 
> at 49%.

One advantage of their cartons.  You get a real big one for about $8.  In
the event of famine, I think they're probably digestible if you hand
shred 'em and boil 'em.

> The stores on the most part are franchised by retired people that 
> have a foot on the scale instead of a thumb.  

They vary widely on pricing -- from too much to rediculous.  I had a 50
lb. tape deck shipped to me by someone who just went to the local MBE
without asking first, then came back with the bill.  Crazy prices for the
materials, plus two hours labor at neurosurgical internist rates, not to
mention marking up the UPS by more that 100%.  (They pay something
discounted off the daily pickup business rates.)  MBE's typically mark up
the shipping anywhere from 10 to 100% plus.

While partly owned by UPS, I don't think it will help much in making a
claim.

There are a number of UPS depots around the country that will sell you a
good DW carton and do a pretty good inplace foam job for about $15-20. 
Don't call the UPS 800 number -- they know nothing.  Call the nearest
actual UPS facility.

I have found that damage has less to do with the carrier and nearly
everything to do with the packing job.

Also be aware and bank on this:  The package WILL BE DROPPED -- several
times.  Lightweight packages are tossed.  It's a law of human nature or
something.  Try this experiment:  Move stuff around in your basement or
garage.  You'll start off setting things down easy, but after a while
they'll fly the last 6-12 inches at least -- and that's your own stuff! 
Especially true of heavy boxes without hand-holds.  How do you get your
hands out from underneath -- set the 80 lb. box down and wiggle them out
after they're mashed?  Nope.  There is a technique of setting big boxes
down easy without wrecking your hands or back -- diagonally one corner
first, then rotating them down flat.  But common carrier people have to
move 100's of packages a day.  They are not going to stoop down to that
last few inches.  No way.  And if they did, it would cost triple to ship
things.

Of course, packages get stacked.  And where do you suppose the heaviest
ones go -- on top?  Of course not.  Your boatanchor shipment will be at
the bottom of the pile in the 18-wheeler, with a half dozen lighter boxes
on top.  Of course they may add up to a few hundred pounds.  The big ones
also get walked on -- when they spend some time in the center aisle of
the big brown or white trucks.

I dunno -- guess this all touched a nerve.  If you're not willing to pack
it right, don't sell it, or limit to local pickup.

Barry


 

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