4-3 Shipping Nightmare via UPS

[1917]

I wanted a nice 4-3, found one on ebay for less than 200. Shelled out just as much for shipping, but in my mind I justified the excessive price since it was all there and was a real nice looking machine. I checked UPS tracking yesterday and it said "exception." Called UPS - informed of "damage" to "package." UPS said they repacked it.

It was sitting on my porch when I got home. One of the legs had no box/cover on it, and was exposed. Records with it were smashed. There is a small but noticeable structural crack on the back corner - obviously fresh. The winding handle was still in it, but loose and pulled right out. Haven't tested the motor/play back yet because of the following:

I need to refer to proper terminology - but where the tone arm goes into the mount, there is a screw which keeps it from wobbling. This screw broke through the cast metal piece, so the reproducer and tone arm was laying on the turn table.

Any sources for 4-3 parts? (hopefully I was clear in describing the one I need)

Only good news - when pulled the motor board the original packing sheet from Victrola was in there, with the serial number of the machine penciled on it...

Other new additions - a VV-VI that is decent, a 1914 serial - and a Consollette with the legs chopped off and wheels put on it...oh well....live and learn. I finally ordered BOOKS to cover the "learning" part! Live and learn...

[JohnM]

It's the learning curve, brother. I'm sure your future triumphs will mitigate these incidents.

[Brad]

Not fun by any definition, but if you had insurance, you should get your money back which you can apply towards repair.

Good luck

[Uncle Vanya]

Not fun by any definition, but if you had insurance, you should get your money back which you can apply towards repair.

Good luck

Only if the seller properly packed the machine.

If the machine was standing on its own legs, and the records were not separately boxed before being put back into the machine
UPS will probably not pay an insurance claim.

Pity that the overhang support on your tone arm was broken. These parts are mede of pot-metal and are rather fragile.
Often they may be repaired with JB-Weld or another Epoxy compound. If not repairable, replacements are available for around $90.00.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

OUCH!


Sorry to hear.


I would never think of buying anything bigger than a tabletop tube radio on eBay. People just don't know how to ship things. Now, if the seller sold antiques for a serious business, and dealt with things like this all the time,and had 98+% good feedback, I'd be more trusting.

[coyote]

That's really a shame, especially as the seller (if this is the correct listing) states the machine will be "packed by experts." Bah. What do most UPS employees really know about packing something like this? I can't believe the records weren't shipped separately. I agree with SSO--I'd rather spend the money and time driving cross-country than have a large phonograph shipped.

Even when personally transporting a machine in my vehicle even a short distance, I will remove all hardware (crank, turntable, soundbox, back-bracket and tonearm) and the whole motorboard if possible. Indeed, the pot metal tonearm support is EXTREMELY fragile, and is frequently cracked/crumbling at the thinnest point at the top even without shipping. As far as this part is concerned, I've had good experiences with replacements from APSCO, although turn-around time if you have them mount the tonearm in the bracket is much longer during the summer due to their other business.

Here's hoping you can restore the 4-3 to better than what it was prior to shipping.

[bbphonoguy]

Sorry to hear about your somewhat disasterous experience with this machine. I'm surprised to find that UPS even accepted it for shipping, since they have size and weight restrictions.

Depending on how it was insured, you may be able to get it completely fixed at UPS's expense. I was able to have my grandmother's sewing machine totally restored when the moving company damaged it, and it wound up looking better than when I started!. Of course, that was a moving company, and this is UPS, so I don't know if the two cases would be similar. Anyway, good luck. Send some photos of the damage if you can, and keep the board posted on how restoration efforts are coming along.

[Edisone]

Was it this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0358132170

The pics appear to show that the pin wasn't in place, even before they shipped it.

[Brad]

A local auction house that has dabbled in Ebay Live and Artfact online auctions recommends Craters and Freighters for expert packing of Antiques. I have not used them personally, be we have used them at work to ship large bulky delicate items. Things were very very well packed. I am sure, one pays handsomely for the getting the job done right. Probably not worth the expense for anything other than the rarest of machines.

Best to buy local or make a road trip.

[1917]

Thanks for the all the replies, encouragement and recommendations!

Edisone - that was the correct machine and looking carefully at your picture I think you are right. I'll see what UPS says about the crack and records. I'll try to see how the crank and motor survived today. Good eye! I won't make that mistake again. I'd apologize to UPS if not for the broken records, cracked wood, etc. I'm giving UPS all those ebay pictures. We'll go from there. Hopefully I can at least get enought back for repairs.

JohnM - I agree on the learning curve. Even with the frustration it's a fun, addictive hobby...

My goal is to fill the basement...project machines will work too!

I'll try the parts source mentioned here - I appreciate it! Is fixing the pin on your own an easy one?

Thanks again to everyone for all the help!