UPS pack and ship...

[brent]

Anybody used the UPS store packing service?
Did you have good results? How was the cost?

I need to send a fairly heavy head and don't have the packing materials for it.

I'm thinking just drop it at the UPS store and have them pack it up, I like the idea of putting the responsibility on them if something goes wrong. Seems like any potential claims would go smoother.

Any feedback is appreciated.

[jimmyohio75]

FWIW I work at FedEx and our claims ratio is lower than UPS. I would take your amp to a FedEx Kinko's store and have them pack it. Less likely to be damaged. Either way if you pay the extra $10-15 to insure it you will be covered for the full cost anyway should something go wrong. The cost would be eerily similar no matter which route you go. FedEx and UPS have almost identical base rates to all places they serve.

[brent]

I normally use FedEx, but I have a UPS return tag so shipping is covered by the receiver.

[Blue Strat]

I wouldn't have either of these places pack an amp for you without prividing them SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS on how to do the packing. Do a search on this forum for instructions.

There have been reports of the UPS store throwing amps like Super Reverbs in a box with peanuts. VERY BAD!

The UPS store charges a lot to pack an item. You're better off doing it yourself.

[Mercury25]

Here is the right way to do it...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=288817

I have shipped several Mesa amps (80-100 lbs.) across the US with no problems.
I prefer FedEx just for convenience and $$--YMMV

[Soundhound]

I use the local UPS store and the packing is great. Have sent amps, guitars, pedals all kinds of stuff with them. Of course I've been using them for more than five years now and know the guys and they know me and how I like things done. But they've made many suggestions over the years and helped work out a system for how to best pack everything. It's not as cheap as doing it yourself, but I find it's worth it. Plus they offer insurance and good tracking...

[ScottR]

it's convenient, but terribly expensive...It cost me $128 to ship a head form MD to AZ

[Mark Kane]

i Wouldn't Have Either Of These Places Pack An Amp For You Without Prividing Them Specific Instructions On How To Do The Packing. Do A Search On This Forum For Instructions.

There Have Been Reports Of The Ups Store Throwing Amps Like Super Reverbs In A Box With Peanuts. Very Bad!

The Ups Store Charges A Lot To Pack An Item. You're Better Off Doing It Yourself.

Amen!!!!

[brent]

I have a great way to pack, using home siding insulation foam. Have sent many amps with no problems. I just don't have the materials at home and was thinking of avoiding the time delay in shipping.

I received an amp they had packed and was thinking of just doing it for the convenience.

As I said I normally send FedEx, but like the UPS store for going to Canada.

[brent]

it's convenient, but terribly expensive...It cost me $128 to ship a head form MD to AZ

Was any of that shipping cost?

[mbratch]

The biggest upside is if it's covered under their Pack and Ship Promise program, then it's on them if its lost or damaged. If you pack it, it's a crapshoot whether or not they'll cover damages, regardless of how much "insurance" you purchase from them.
Even if it's insured, and even if they accept the claim, you will be very, very sad if it's a vintage amp and gets seriously damaged.

Good packing, as shown in Mercury25's example, is the answer. And a double-wall corrugated box. The use of an adhesive as shown (outside of just the packing tape) is highly recommended. Packing tape doesn't always hold that well. The key points being:


Double-wall corrugated box. The box needs to be strong. I've received some packages in "mushy", overused cardboard boxes, ready to disintegrate. Bad.
Don't count on just packing tape to hold the box closed. Make sure any flaps are secured with a little Elmer's glue or something like that.
Remove tubes or anything else that can come loose with a strong jarring. Pack/pad separately. Nothing loose to bounce around inside the amp or packing box.
Wrap the amp in something so your packed stuff inside doesn't get out, or outside packing material doesn't get in.
Use at least 3 inches of padding around the outside of the amp, between the amp and the shipping box walls. The example shows foam core. I've used the fat bubble wrap with excellent results.

Although no package is totally fool proof (if someone is intentionally trying to damage something, they can), these guidelines will guard against nearly all accidental damages (except, perhaps, ramming by fork lift).

[BluesForDan]

Here is the right way to do it...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=288817


Very nice, indeed.

I would not ever, repeat, not ever use UPS or Kinkos to pack an amp. Sorry, but I'm willing to bet the huge, vast, overwhelming majority of amp ship horror stories are the results of their half-a$$ed 'dump it in a big box with peanuts' methodology.

With very few exceptions, the method described in the link will get the amp there intact. Yes, it IS a lot of work, but if you don't want to have your local shop pay you only a third of what you want to get for your amp, suck it up and do it right.

I use a very similar method, and have shipped '50s tweed amps, '60s marshall cabs and heads, all around the world. Hong Kong, Sinapore, South Africa, Germany (many, many, many amps to there, wow), France, etc. I use the same method for domestic shipping as well. My time is too valuable to spend arguing with freight claims departments.

[Bryan T]

I had the UPS Store pack an amp that I sold a few years ago. The amp arrived safely and was reportedly very well packed (double boxed, if I remember correctly). The problem was that they lost the footswitch that they were also supposed to pack. They buyer was understanding, but I've packed all of my own shipments since then.

Bryan

[mbratch]

I had the UPS Store pack an amp that I sold a few years ago. The amp arrived safely and was reportedly very well packed (double boxed, if I remember correctly). The problem was that they lost the footswitch that they were also supposed to pack. They buyer was understanding, but I've packed all of my own shipments since then.
Certainly there are exceptions. Once in awhile, you get a UPS Store employee who actually knows how to pack. What's baffling is that UPS evidently doesn't train their employees on their own packing rules.

[ecbluesman54]

I have had a great relationship with my local UPS store, and have never had an issue. I have actually had buyers contact me to let me know that the item was packed great. I guess it depends on the store, or the employees.

[EelEye]

Everybody has their own standards for packing. I can tell you that the UPS Store will never meet my standards. When I ship an amp, this is what I do for a combo:

1--Remove tubes and individually wrap in bubble wrap
2--Wrap cord with multiple layers of bubble wrap and stick back inside amp. Tape to inside wall.
3--Wrap footswitch (if included) with multiple layers of bubble wrap and tape inside amp (away from speaker).
4--Stick wrapped tubes in back of amp by reverb pan.
5--Stuff entire back of amp with bubble wrap so nothing can move around.
6--Wrap entire amp with 3-4 layers of bubble wrap on ALL SIDES.
7--Put amp in heavy-duty NEW double-walled box.
8--Seal box closed with packing tape.
9--Using heavy rigid styrofoam insulation, insert insulation into new larger double-walled box. Use 2-3" thick insulation on all sides.
10--Insert smaller double-walled box into larger double-walled box.

Seal tight and ship. I've read so many of these posts and have received so many amps and speakers that were damaged in shipping. I will no longer buy anything from somebody who doesn't double-box using heavy double-walled boxes with a mixture of rigid insulation and bubble wrap. If you've shipped things with lesser methods and the amp "always gets there OK" then you are really taking your chances...

YMMV

[jimfog]

Some good pointers here on packing.

I used to have mixed results with UPS store, so now I only do it myself, using the guidelines above.

Even if you do decide to go the UPS Store route, do the most important part yourself. Take ALL the tubes out, wrap and store well, then pack the INSIDE of the amp well, so nothing can move, bend, the chassis is well supported, the speaker won't rip from the baffle, etc. In my experience, that's where the bulk of the problems occur....and the most serious.

- jim

[voodoosound]

Certainly there are exceptions. Once in awhile, you get a UPS Store employee who actually knows how to pack. What's baffling is that UPS evidently doesn't train their employees on their own packing rules.

That would be because UPS does not own UPS stores. They are merely franchises that people pay to use the UPS name. They have nothing to do with UPS business practices. And the majority of them have no clue what the UPS guidlines are. In all the UPS stores around here I see nothing but high scgool kids and people that barely speak english behind the counter.

Wanna make sure it gets there safe. Use Fed Ex. Wanna make sure you get paid just in case something happens. Take lots of pictures of the item before and while packing it. Follow the Fed ex guidelines. Also, I see a lot of recommendations to take the tubes out. I don't recommend it. Your tubes are best left in their sockets. Amps are designed to be road worthy and bounced from time to time. I have been shipping and recieving amps for over 20 years and to date the only time I had a problem with broken tubes is when someone took the tubes out and wrapped them in Bubble wrap. The footswitch slammed up against them in the chassis and broke 3 of the 4 tubes.

Double boxed four inches of foam all around any electronics unit. Peanuts and bubble wrap are not acceptable.

[pullagnm]

This amp was shipped with UPS and the I was told that they payed to have it packed. So I'm assuming that UPS did the packing.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0077-1.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0079.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0080.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0082.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0083.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0084.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0085-1.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0089-1.jpg

Amp arrived and worked perfectly. I was a little worried when I saw the tubes still in the amp, but it fired up with out a problem.

[Sam801]

Probably hit or miss with the carrier and it's employees.

The only reason I don't have my locals pack for me is the cost. I generally have tons of reusable materials laying around from other amps and whatnot that I've bought. I'm a cheapo. But I know how to pack.

[brent]

I ended up packing it myself - but the ultimate deciding factor was that I had no way of getting it out Tuesday so I had some extra time to pick up packing materials and box it up myself.

[dankayaker]

I just received a broken amp that was packaged so poorly I still can't believe the packagiing store is in business. Having packed alot of high end amps I advise you give specific instructions to any store, or do it yourself (assuming you know what you're doing).

[voodoosound]

This amp was shipped with UPS and the I was told that they payed to have it packed. So I'm assuming that UPS did the packing.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0077-1.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0079.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0080.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0082.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0083.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0084.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0085-1.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/pullagnm/DSCI0089-1.jpg

Amp arrived and worked perfectly. I was a little worried when I saw the tubes still in the amp, but it fired up with out a problem.


Thats great that the amp arrived safely however, it is not packed according to ups guidlines. Not double boxed, not four inches of foam all around the amp.