I have to ship a super sweet turntable. It is very well packed, but I am scared. Which carrier is the kindest, gentlest, on the list. I know none of them are kind or gentle, but which is the least likely to eat my little baby? The buyer prefers 'ground'.

Thanks, in advance...

Rich P

Just a small sample to be sure but I've had the best luck with UPS both shipping and receiving.

Murray

We ship at least 70 boxes a day with FedEx. They have excellent customer service. But, for the least possible chance of damage, do not use Ground Home Delivery (the small vans), use standard Ground ship. Lie if you have to and tell them it's a business address ;)

One of my other hobbies involves reptile keeping(snakes,turtles.& lizards).For those very delicate animals (<1lb to 20+lbs)the best shipper is UPS.I've recv'd packages from UPS,Fed-X,& DHL.The packages recv'd through UPS are consistently in the best shape when they arrive.

Regarding electronics?I've recv'd broken electronics shipped through both UPS & the USPS.It seems(no suprise!)that the items packed correctly for type are the ones that make it through in one piece.IOW's,if it's packed right the shipper almost doesn't matter.

Another thing?The GMC dealer I work for sends & receives a couple of dozen packages via UPS daily.A lesser amount through Fed-X,& letters only(pretty much) from DHL.Out of maybe 5k packages/year I'd bet that a lot less than 1% arrive broken due to shipper error.

I too thinks it's all about the packing job, not the carrier.....

Lefty

My experence:

USPS consistantly good, but overpriced for heavy items
Fedex consistantly the best, and until recently the best value out there. No lines at drop off, etc - shipped 300+ packages with them (nothing business related, so that's a lot)
UPS - nothing but probelms - damaged items, difficult delivery procedures and setting up will call is a real pain. I don't like UPS at all.

dew.

UPS or Fed Ex Rich, I don't suggest USPS for any heavy or fragile electronics. :no:

One of my other hobbies involves reptile keeping(snakes,turtles.& lizards).For those very delicate animals (<1lb to 20+lbs)the best shipper is UPS.I've recv'd packages from UPS,Fed-X,& DHL.The packages recv'd through UPS are consistently in the best shape when they arrive.

Regarding electronics?I've recv'd broken electronics shipped through both UPS & the USPS.It seems(no suprise!)that the items packed correctly for type are the ones that make it through in one piece.IOW's,if it's packed right the shipper almost doesn't matter.

Another thing?The GMC dealer I work for sends & receives a couple of dozen packages via UPS daily.A lesser amount through Fed-X,& letters only(pretty much) from DHL.Out of maybe 5k packages/year I'd bet that a lot less than 1% arrive broken due to shipper error.

how do you get ups to knowingly accept live critters(esp snakes) for shipment?
only one i have been able to use for snakes is/was airborne.
even delta dash was a pita.

care in packing is much more important than choice of carrier.
if you heavily insure the item it gets a much different treatment.i am talking >$1000

I agree, packaging is the key. Assume several retarded King Kongs w/a strong personal grudge against you will be man-handling yr package, & wrap/pack accordingly. You should be alrite. Another thing that makes me feel better about a package is no loose ends/or tape sticking out. Could cause the package to get caught & fall off a conveyor/get smashed/who knows what..Just my .02 worth.-Sandy G.

Definately superior packing...otherwise you will be risking damage and claims hassles with whomever did the shipping. I've had over thirty years of packing and shipping experience with the big three. UPS was hands down the worst at package abuse, only in recent years to have the crown handed over to Fed-Ex GROUND service. Never once had a problem with Fed-Ex AIR. (Don't use their envelopes for anything but paperwork. ;) ) USPS is the worst at making good on a claim and suspiciously bad at "losing" insured packages.

Gary (Gamalot) and I just had a major problem with UPS. He shipped me his Luxman amp to repair. It was packed extremely well, and made it safely to me, but on the return trip, packed the same way, they dropped it and the wood case fell apart. The UPS office by Gary were very unhelpful and were trying to dodge paying the claim until:
A. I wrote to the CEO of UPS.
B. Gary filed a claim with Small Claims Court and UPS got a registered letter to appear.
All of a sudden UPS agreed to cooperate. Now we know how to deal with them. I think it is a regional thing, I have never had UPS damage anything shipped to me, but I have heard other people complain about them. I am going to try DHL next.
By the way, I suggest anyone having problems with UPS write to the CEO:
Michael L. Eskew
UPS Corporate Headquarters
55 Glenlake Parkway, NE
Atlanta , GA 30328

He really needs to know peope are dissatisfied with their service. The internet is a powerful tool. If more people complain about them they are going to lose customers. Then they will care.

how do you get ups to knowingly accept live critters(esp snakes) for shipment?
only one i have been able to use for snakes is/was airborne.
even delta dash was a pita.

I believe that the shippers practice "don't ask-don't tell".I know that there was a very large petition being formed to get UPS to knowingly accept live herps.I've no idea how far they got though.What's funny is that I know a few sellers/shippers who've had the UPS guy watch while they pack their animals!

Airborne?Yick.I've literally watched one of their drivers drop a box labeled"fragile-glass" & kick it before picking it up.

DD can be a pain if you're not close to an airport but it seems to be the best way for the critter.

I'm on a first name basis with my local UPS driver Mark (for I also get supplies delivered from work regularly by UPS too) and I always 'shoot the breeze' with him. I don't know if that makes a difference, but I've NEVER had a problem with damaged packages.

Now, my regular driver is out on medical leave, so the last couple weeks there's been substitute drivers on the route. The driver who brought my McIntosh MX132 on Friday was pretty young (early twenties) and I noticed as I was walking out to the truck to meet him that, to get a better grip on the box, he let it drop a good 18" onto the floor of the truck. Probably because he was TALKING ON A CELL PHONE and it was hard for him to get a grip on a 53 lb box. *wince*! I have NEVER seen Mark treat a package like that!

I guess instead of walking, I should have RAN to the friggin' truck! How bad would that suck, for the McIntosh preamp to be literally mere feet from safe, caring hands and yet get a broken faceplate at the last moment?

But seeing the words "McIntosh" on the side of the box, I knew it would be ok since their shipping containers are second to none. And it was. But if that had been a marginally packaged glass-faced McIntosh, it probably would have been toast, just from that one drop.

Well, I just had ANOTHER bad UPS experience. Shipped a center channel speaker that I packed in enough styrofoam to withstand a nuclear blast. Yet, one of the cones arrived damaged. It sounds like the box was dropped hard enough, or at the right angle, to actually jar the cone loose from the mounting hole.

We've filed a claim, and it sounds like its going to be covered. Still, additional evidence that packages seem to receive VERY rough treatment from UPS employees.

Still, additional evidence that packages seem to receive VERY rough treatment from UPS employees.

In my last post, I mentioned that on Friday I saw my substitute UPS driver DROP my very expensive McIntosh MX-132 about a foot or more onto the floor of the delivery truck so he could get a better grip on the package.

For you see, it was rather hard for him to talk on his personal cellphone and carry a 53 lb box at the same time. :thumbsdn:

I received a broken 340$ 8" lcd screen from fedex.. i don't blame them though.. the guy who packaged it did a shit job.. I wasn't sure if he was retarded, 5 years old.. or a monkey.

I would not use Fedex ever. I bought a pair or JBL L100's off a guy in NY and upon the day of delivery I felt a big thump door step then the doorbell rang.
After I opened the door he was on his way back to get the 2nd box and when he carried over his shoulder to bring it to my porch I had to tell him to be careful with it.
When I had open the box the corner of the cabinet was cracked. I know it was from the drop on my porch.
I had contacted Fedex to file a claim and after 3 phone calls and a faxed claim form they say that they cannot do anything because I do not have the original packageing for them to inspect.
I called them and told them that I will never do buisness with them ever and they had the worst customer support and delivey drivers.
DO NOT USE FEDEX. :thumbsdn:

I wouldn,t ship a horse shoe on UPS. I thought the audio Gods were just against me till my wife ordered a new dell. I was in my driveway looking straight at the moron when he tossed it from the truck onto the drive. It was plainly marked as a computor. I won't buy anything from anyone who won't ship usps as I have never had a problem with them. Just my experience. Triple box!

From what I've read, it appears that there are a lot of moron delivery drivers. Obviously, we can't control what the hell the big three do in transit, but what I have found very helpful is to get to know your delivery driver very well. Having received many items via UPS, I have a good idea when they deliver. In my case it is right around 1:00pm or so. If I'm expecting a package, I try to get home from work so I can be there before they unload. It's hard not to hear that big truck pulling up! I've even unloaded my stuff by myself!

I've also let the driver know that I regularly receive heavy electronics stuff and fragile items and therefore to be careful. Also, I've let her know that it is a good idea to leave any packages under the porch in case it rains.

Bad packaging of items is THE main reason stuff gets junked. Sure, the big 3 do all kinds of gorilla sh*t to packages, but just remember to pack better than you think you should. Be paranoid and pack to withstand an atomic bomb and you should be fine. Peanuts is a definite no no! :thumbsdn: .

I had contacted FedEx to file a claim and after 3 phone calls and a faxed claim form they say that they cannot do anything because I do not have the original packageing for them to inspect.
If you receive damaged goods, ALWAYS save the packaging! It sounds as though 562lonnie learned this the hard way. Things I receive via UPS appear the have had worse treatment (beat-up boxes) than things via FedEx. I have had one claim each with UPS and FedEx. UPS took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to settle. FedEx balked at first, but after they inspected the package and received one pleasant (believe it or not) phone call from me, they paid within 10 days. My experience is that FedEx is faster and less expensive than UPS, too.

Here's a question: Would you be willing to pay a little more AND wait a day or two longer IF you knew your goods would receive special delicate treatment? I would!

If you receive damaged goods, ALWAYS save the packaging! It sounds as though 562lonnie learned this the hard way. Things I receive via UPS appear the have had worse treatment (beat-up boxes) than things via FedEx. I have had one claim each with UPS and FedEx. UPS took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to settle. FedEx balked at first, but after they inspected the package and received one pleasant (believe it or not) phone call from me, they paid within 10 days. My experience is that FedEx is faster and less expensive than UPS, too.

Here's a question: Would you be willing to pay a little more AND wait a day or two longer IF you knew your goods would receive special delicate treatment? I would!
Fedex here in Dallas use the bulk mail freight system of the USPS for all of their interstate shipping, which uses independent contract trucking. Overall Fedex is cheaper & faster. After seeing what the drivers make hauling mail $30.00 per hour on a West coast run, my son sold his 2 rigs & started driving for them.

I work for the USPS.
I know enough about the competition to say 1 thing:
Pack it right. Don't assume your driver will be using a feather pillow and a flying carpet.
Pack it to survive a 5 foot drop.
Double boxed.
there are other posts that get into detail. Do your research.

Get a FedEx account as they will charge you less by 12%. You do not need to be a business to get an account with them. You can arrange for them to pick up at your house and they send you the bill so you don't have to drive to the location.

I sent a TX-9500 double boxed which measured 26x26x13 and weighed 35lbs. It cost me $10.50 to send it from Indy to the other side of Chicago. Not far, but still cheap for the size and weight.

I refuse to use UPS anymore and try to talk shippers into using FedEx. UPS has damamged and lost too much of my stuuf to trust tehm again.

USPS is good for small stuff or Media Mail if you're not in hurry.

I work for the USPS.
there are other posts that get into detail. Do your research. Where, what posts? I can't seem to find them. :scratch2:

Thanks, Matt :thmbsp:

Personally I think it is 95% PACKING
5% shipper

If the packing is decent it SHOULD survive any of them.

But I have also had problems with them all!

Fedex gets my vote, but I think as they get bigger with more volume they will get more like UPS.

One time I got a pair of studio monitors... ( you know the kind that snap together)

FedEx shipped them.

They arrived at my door with a label slapped on them (NO PACKING)
Seller claims he packed it and FedEx musta ripped it off... :scratch2:
The seller had good feedback and quite a few praising his packing...
Not sure who to believe....

Fedex ground by far!They even deliver on Saturday.

Where, what posts? I can't seem to find them. :scratch2:

Thanks, Matt :thmbsp:Check out the Packing and Shipping Forum (http://audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=87) as a starting point, then do a simple search for "packing". I got 500 results, many of them OT, but a little patience will yield threads like this one (http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=85173&highlight=packing) which are very informative. :thmbsp:

My experence:

USPS consistantly good, but overpriced for heavy items
Fedex consistantly the best, and until recently the best value out there. No lines at drop off, etc - shipped 300+ packages with them (nothing business related, so that's a lot)
UPS - nothing but probelms - damaged items, difficult delivery procedures and setting up will call is a real pain. I don't like UPS at all.

dew.While I don't ship as much as dew, I agree with his results. When possible, I use USPS as a first choice. FedEx next, and UPS dead last. If it's less than 400 miles, I'd be tempted to drive it myself rather than pay UPS to bust it up. My UPS Driver lets me know what shape my package is in before he unloads - I can see the expression on his face through the front glass of our store! And he KNOWS I'm gonna comment on it, and make him wait while I unpack it, if it looks like this:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8304

When he parks where I can't see the truck at all, I know it's bad. UPS tossed a pair of speakers so hard they BROKE THE MOUNTING RING OFF THE TWEETER. I didn't find the damage until the delivery was over a day old, and the packing was gone. Now, If the box is even creased, I make the driver wait while I unpack, inspect, hook up, and test every piece of gear that arrives by UPS.

Not ALL my packages look like that from UPS, and not everything is damaged, the frequency is just a lot higher than anybody else.

Who's Kindest? USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, AIRBORN?

The UPS lady I’ve been getting lately handles
my equipment with care.

I ship FedEx Ground in the Continental US and USPS Global Express Airmail overseas. My shipment include a large # of McIntosh Glass Front pieces, heavy tube amps, TT's, antique radios etc. and in the last year, only two items have been damaged and I believe one of the problems was my fault!

FedEx Ground does an excellent job based on my experiences and for overseas, USPS is both fast, guarantees delivery on GEM, and will refund your money of a day past the promided delivery date. They have NEVER damaged one of my overseas shipments.

However, the key as has been mentioned many time previously, is how the items are packed. If you packe it well, there is a 99.5% chance it will arrive safely. There are fluke occurances every once in awhile where a forklift may run over an item or there is a leak in the truck going cross country, but packing is the key.

I try and stay away from shipping speakers as they are the most difficult. Turntables being the next most difficult as everything must be secured down, dustcovers well protected as they are easily cracked and corners reinforced. If someone take the time to do it correctly, there is a much better chance to save all of this beautiful equipment that is irreplaceable in many cases.

I just received a MC240, C20 and MR67 (both HAD cabinets!). The owner took it down to a packing store and had them pack and ship. The three pieces all showed up in ONE large box, one layer of bubble wrap, and dumped in peanuts to fill the gaps. This was supposed to be PRO packing! You can imagine what the MC-240 free floating around did to the cabinets and through some miracle, the actual units survived. This was not a FedEx problem but an idiot on the other end who claimed to be a pro!

I didn't think it was necessary to explain that each should be in their OWN box (double box preferred). That's what I get for thinking! From now on, I will ask the seller how he/she plans on packing and then I will tell them how to pack it. Otherwise, I will just pass as too many idiots out there are trying to make a quick buck, get good money for their items and the get real cheap when it comes to packing.

I do charge a packing fee in my shipping costs as I spend quite a bit on materials but it will get their safely. If however, I screw up, I will also offer an immediate 100% refund that INCLUDES the shipping costs. Luckily, it has been a yar since the last problem and was lucky as it was a relatively inexpensive item that was still somewhat salvageable.

Sorry for the long disertation but the bottom line is, if it is packed well, most any company will get it to the final destination safely.

The UPS lady I’ve been getting lately handles
my equipment with care.


Too bad NO package ever sees her :no:
They always see the 300lb GORILLA that hurls them out of the truck without even stopping

Then the UPs guy steps on it for just the right print on the box. Maybe we should go to CSI and match the shoes.