Thought I received my Pioneer SX on Monday but instead it was a Sansui 9090DB. He shipped me somebody else's receiver they won. Item (65lb receiver) was wrapped in 1 sheet of bubblewrap and newspaper in a single-walled box. I informed the seller, took pictures and shipped it back to him on his dollar plus some. He re-routed my Pioneer back to me, but it has been from Pa to CA and now to MN. I'm worried about my Pioneer arriving in one piece.

The other one showed today. 1 sheet of bubblewrap (the small bubbles) and air pillows. Speaker connectors smashed in. Filed a claim, but it won't go anywhere due to horseshit packing.

If anybody won an Ebay auction for a 9090DB and haven't received it, its in a sorry state.

g

I actually had a damaged 9090db show up about a month ago smashed to hell, and the seller actually gave me my money back. He will never get his money back because of his crap packing. I have just come to realize that ebayers don't know how to pack and its like rolling the dice. I think twice everytime I bid....

dew.

Before buying an item that will be shipped to you, make sure that the seller knows how to pack it. If seller does not describe packing method in the listing, then ask some questions before buying, or tell him how to pack and get him to agree. Good materials cost some $$, and it doesn't hurt to send a little extra money to help cover the cost. I have shipped several hundred pieces of vintage audio gear worldwide, including speakers weighing up to 125 lbs. each, and dozens of turntables. No damage whatsoever. It takes time to pack properly, but in the long run it is well worth it. Consignment sellers and "pack and ship" stores will NOT pack well, so don't buy from them.

All these damaged items has got me thinking about shipping my SA-9100 and TX-9100 off to be upgraded/restored. And it scares me I have no worry that which ever service guy here I would chose would pack properly.

But just to be sure for a little it will cost and the ablity to use it twice (I'll send the units out one after the other and they are the same size) I'm planning on making a crate.

1/4 Wafer board with 1.5 X 1.5 fir internal frame and use dry wall screws every 3" to hold it together. Then cutting some big styrofoam blocks I picked up from this place that made Hot tub covers. To fit just like a factory box but strong enough to stand on. Beveled corners so it won't catch on a conveyor belt. I figure about 4" on a side larger then the units. If it costs $20.00 more to have the unit arrive safe in a crate it can be shipped back in as well I think it would be well worth it.

All these damaged items has got me thinking about shipping my SA-9100 and TX-9100 off to be upgraded/restored. And it scares me I have no worry that which ever service guy here I would chose would pack properly.

But just to be sure for a little it will cost and the ablity to use it twice (I'll send the units out one after the other and they are the same size) I'm planning on making a crate.

1/4 Wafer board with 1.5 X 1.5 fir internal frame and use dry wall screws every 3" to hold it together. Then cutting some big styrofoam blocks I picked up from this place that made Hot tub covers. To fit just like a factory box but strong enough to stand on. Beveled corners so it won't catch on a conveyor belt. I figure about 4" on a side larger then the units. If it costs $20.00 more to have the unit arrive safe in a crate it can be shipped back in as well I think it would be well worth it.

Mark,

I think that a crate is a bit of overkill. You surely could do worse. But, wood crates do tend to break if dropped. Quality boxes will deform but stay together if properly supported, internally.

I double box, using crisp, double-walled boxes, and custom cut styrofoam wall board, in various thicknesses, in the inner box and between the inner and outer boxes. The combined padding, on every side should be "at least" 3-4 inches (more if the unit is quite heavy). I also pad and block the unit, so that no pressure can be placed on any controls or connectors, even in case of an strong impact. I would also wrap the unit in a material that will prevent any chaffing of packing material against the faceplate, and that will seal the unit against moisture (in case the carrier drops it on the doorstep and runs, on a rainy day). Please note that one of the keys is to create a package that will not crush and get mushy. Mushy packages are the ones that are hard to handle and tend to get tossed around. My stuff could be tossed off the roof and survive, at least I hope so.

If you will do a search on grumpy's school of packing, you will gain alot. It does take a bit to get his stuff unpacked :)

contact seller before item goes out to check their standards. Just to make sure they are packing stereos to survive. This avoids cheap packing jobs.
Pay extra amount for good boxes and packing...it's pricey.


I just killed a stereo sale twice for opposite reason, seller wanted cheap packing. Things are expensive to ship ---saving them from the gorrillas.

:yes: