[R-390] Shipper Packing

[David C. Hallam]

I agree that you have to be careful.  It's tough to ship these heavy pieces
of electronic gear.  UPS says that if the packing can't withstand a fall
from their conveyors, they don't want to take.  I shipped a Johnson Invader
once.  UPS just about took the package apart to see how it was packed.

I have bought and sold things on eBay for several years now.  In the
beginning I used a commercial packer, who said they specialized in
electronic and heavy stuff, to prepare and ship some heavy items.  He told
me he used foamed in place and other methods to protect the items.  His
foamed in place turned out to be several layers of bubble wrap.  I dropped
him as soon as I found out what he was doing.  Now I try to stay away from
things that are difficult to pack.

I bought a capacitor checker a couple of weeks ago on eBay.  When I got the
package from FedEx, it rattled, opened it up, and piece of broken tube fell
out of the holes in the bottom of the case.  The exterior was fine, but the
chassis inside had broken loose.  I will have to admit that the seller
handled it very well.  He refunded my money within a day or two and said he
would file a claim with FedEx.

Companies have packaging engineers on staff to design shipping packages.
Even then some things get broken.  Nothing is absolutely bullet proof.

If you are buying an irreplaceable piece of equipment, you are better off to
arrange for pick up.