This ebay seller has a method of shipping vintage equipment that I find very interesting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=67784&item=5712585820

If you scroll down a little bit he has a picture of a flight case that is an option as to how he will ship the item.(In a previous auction he explains how the deal works a little bit better.) He offers free shipping but you still have to ship the case back to him. You can still have the item shipped in the usual manner.

In my experience for working for one of the big three shipping companies I have never seen one of these cases suffer major damage. In fact I have seen the same case shipped back and forth many times and it is still be in very serviceable condition.

Of coarse if you are the shipper you have to aquire the case in the first place but once you do you can use it over and over. Also you have to get the case back from the buyer. ;)

This method might even get me think about shipping a vintage piece rather than just relying on local pick-up.

Jim

That's a pretty good method, but many buyers won't go through the hassle/expense of returning the case. If they don't, is the buyer charged for the case? :dunno:
Agreed, these cases can take a LOT of abuse, and the contents are VERY well protected.

the buyer is charged a deposit for the case. after the item arrives you mail back the case and are sent your deposit back