Broken phonograph from shipping insurance no good

[martinola]

Hey fmblizz,
I'm sorry to hear of your shipping woes. I made a successful PO insurance claim by showing the clerk progressive photos of my unpacking the damaged item. Perhaps the person on the other end could email you photos of the packaging, labeling and damage? Even if the PO still requires the originals, you'll have some documentary evidence.

Here's my 2 cents on packaging:

If you've ever seen package sorting at the Post Office you would have a pretty good idea of why things need to be packaged so thoroughly. At the Post Office they refer to sorting as "throwing". Even large sized packages are thrown shot-put style from distances up to 10 feet into big wire bins. The packages on the bottom take the shock of the packages landing on them. Imagine a 50 pound box landing its corner on the side of your box of wax cylinders. (Ouch!) Sometimes the throwers miss, and the box lands on the floor. "Fragile" stickers are generally noticed when the box is already in the air. It's not supposed to be that way, but that is usually the way it's done. With the increasing pressure of the Post Office to stretch manpower and speed up the process, I don't see the situation improving any time soon.

I still ship using the Post Office, but I always way over-pack. Everything double-boxed. Each box securely packed with 2" of packing between item (and/or box). I never put any heavy motor parts in the same box with fragile wood pieces.

I know this won't help you, fmblizz, but I thought it worth mentioning for others thinking about shipping. Again, sorry to hear you're having problems and hope that you get some help.

Regards,
Martin

[fmblizz]

Hey these are all great lessons for us to learn from. I usually alway way over pack when shipping complete units but in this case, the motor was so small and light and the case itself was strong I felt there was really no need for it.

WRONG

This was basically a parts box and the buyer wanted it for the case since it was in very nice shape.


Personnally I feel something very heavy was thrown on top of it smack on top of the spindle.
The weight of the motor definately was not enough to split the motorboard. Like I said previously I DID padd the motor inside the case, had the whole think wrapped in bubble wrap and then peanuts completely around it.


You have to admit, this subject was good reading... somthing to talk about LOL

blizz

[alang]

Just to add to the experiences of broken shipments: I recently bought a dozen 78 records on eBay. The shipper did everything right, all records tightly bubble wrapped together between two pieces of strong cardboard, paper between the records, then everything in the middle of a large box tighly filled with peanuts. I could not believe when I opened it that every single records was not only broken but most were shattered. It was not insured, but the seller refunded the full cost no questions asked. Still, I was very disappointed,because I was looking forward to listen to the records. And aside from the money, it's another few pieces of history lost unnecessarily. Since then I am very reluctant to have anything remotely fragile shipped to me. And I don't turn the hand between USPS, UPS or Fedex.
Just my bit of frustration.
Andreas

[dennis]

For future reference, is it OK to pack something like a Zonophone or early Victor with the motor and wooden case assembled as normal, or should the two (motor and case) be packed separately?

[Sir Wind-A-Lot]

For future consideration, you may want to ship via Greyhound:

http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

Usually more affordable, and there’s less handling involved with the package. You just have to go to the depot for delivery and pickup.

Cheers!

[JerryVan]

Dear Sir Wind-a-Lot,

Does your name imply that you "wind" phonographs often OR,
that you make "wind" often?

Off topic I realize.

[themooone]

Just some life lessons I've learned: Do not ship though UPS store... ship through UPS itself. If you have an insurance claim the check is made out to the UPS store since they are the customer... not you. I had a store in NY try to keep the $1000+ check on some Columbia 6" cylinders and wanted to send me $5 each for the broken ones since they looked on ebay and saw some old 2 min edisons fetch $5. It took work but after I got to talk to the CEO of UPS Stores I got my check.

Also... on expensive items I take photos of each step in the packing process to show how well it was boxed, packed and that the item was not broken prior to packing. Once a buyer tossed the materials and I had no proof of the materials used.

The secret is to make sure everything is packet tight. Don't leave any room for the item to move around in the packing including a large chunk of hard foam under spring barrels/motor boards if you can't remove this from the case.

[Sir Wind-A-Lot]

Dear Sir Wind-a-Lot,

Does your name imply that you "wind" phonographs often OR,
that you make "wind" often?

Off topic I realize.

Ah-Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh...
Droll JerryVan ... very droll indeed.

Oh ... by the way, Eric Cartman called and he wants his pronunciation guide back.

Jeesseee ... this is the kind of behaviour I expect from a bunch of snickering 12 year olds.
Really JerryVan, must you bring this forum down to such a low common denominator?
Have you no respect for *yourself* and the other forum members with such a blasé remark about gastrological trembling?

Are you not concerned that “lurkers” will just shake their head slowly and sign up elsewhere?

I feel very sad and disillusioned with this sort of juvenile behaviour.
Tsk tsk JerryVan.
Tsk tsk indeed!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been distracted long enough from getting any work done.
You see, my advertising firm has signed a very important, nationally renowned company with a proposal of mine.

I just have to figure out the angle of using This Jingle in a way that’ll bolster their Corporate Image for their next promotional campaign.

Arggh ... Where’s the inspiration when you really need it???

[dennis]

For future reference, is it OK to pack something like a Zonophone or early Victor with the motor and wooden case assembled as normal, or should the two (motor and case) be packed separately?

[brianu]

For future reference, is it OK to pack something like a Zonophone or early Victor with the motor and wooden case assembled as normal, or should the two (motor and case) be packed separately?

I've heard differing opinions, some stronger than others, but I've never disassembled and packed the motors and cases separately. but I've definitely put a bunch of padding - foam peanuts, bubble wrap, whatever - inside the case to cushion the area all around the motor while leaving no unfilled space inside.