[Hallicrafters] Shipping -- a different view

[Gerry Steffens]

Well guys, I always like to be different.  I get worried when there is no
dissenting view.  Lemmings, you know.  So I shall be the dissenting view.

I just received an SX-100 in a single box which had large styrofoam beams
about four inches square reinforcing the (single) box.  The radio was
wrapped in two layers of the small bubble wrap.  The remainder was crammed
with peanuts.

It arrived in beautiful condition, working.

Over the last three years, I have received or shipped over 250 BAs of
various kinds.  (SX-28s, SX-42s, etc.)  The only casualty in the group was a
small Zenith Trans-Oceanic (solid state kind)  which was indeed woefully
inadequately packed (some crumpled newspaper and some peanuts in a single
box).  It did indeed shift inside and when dropped on a corner got bashed
there.

However, I have received from France, Italy and GB using UPS, Emery
World-wide, etc.  -- All have done well with things packed reasonably.

Further (when one still repaired computer monitors) my information systems
people have shipped hundreds of computer terminals directly and through MBE
and never had a problem.  In fact the NEC warranty folks at one time told us
to drop the unit at MBE and they would handle the rest.  They did and it
worked just fine!

The wisdom is indeed correct that packing is the most important but it need
not be extremely overdone.  No amount of packing can overcome deliberate
malfeasance.  But also remember that these companies are in business to make
money.  Shipping my company's $100,000 emission monitors and other similar
equipment while manhandling the hardware would get them out of the business
very quickly.  Our BAs don't account for a small fraction of their business.
And they have no certain way to ascertain what is a BA and what is an
extremely expensive emission monitor from a power plant.

Let's not get paranoid or start any grand conspiracy theories.

Meanwhile, I shall continue to enjoy my long practiced hobby.

Anyway, just another view.

Cheers,

Gerry

Collecting & Restoring since 1959
Gerald Steffens P.E.
Rochester, MN  55904