The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Zeppy wrote:My personal favorite was a seller that sent me an envelope in a padded envelope. All I could think was, "you have to be kidding me?" Not even the token piece of cardboard to keep it mildly rigid. Just a padded envelope. In what universe does one have to be to believe that poor shellac 78 had a snowball's chance in hell of surviving?

Wow. I wouldn't even know where to begin with a shipment like that. I know some sellers can be thrifty and take a lot of shortcuts when shipping, but surely nobody could be that ignorant??? It defies all logic.

Again, wow.

Tinkerbell wrote:This was the first record released in the Okeh "vertical" cut catalogue, and look how it arrived...

It just torques me off when a seller doesn't adequately protect a record when shipping it.

Sad to think it is forever lost, lost, lost.

It may not be lost, lost, lost. A few careful dabs of superglue could put that puppy back together well enough to track on an old machine.

It is a shame to see a lovely Okeh disc meet that fate though.

I got one a while ago in a padded envelope - nothing more. It was in dozens of peices, and when I contacted the seller I got the same "I've mailed hundreds and never had a problem" answer. He then told me to mail it back before he'd give a refund. To prove it was broken, maybe? Who knows.

I'm working on a device that when you open the box, compressed air or something showers your entire room with styrofoam peanuts. These will be given free to record collectors who wish to retaliate to shippers like these.

Nat

Nat wrote:I got one a while ago in a padded envelope - nothing more. It was in dozens of peices, and when I contacted the seller I got the same "I've mailed hundreds and never had a problem" answer. He then told me to mail it back before he'd give a refund. To prove it was broken, maybe? Who knows.

I'm working on a device that when you open the box, compressed air or something showers your entire room with styrofoam peanuts. These will be given free to record collectors who wish to retaliate to shippers like these.

Nat

You must be buying from the same seller as Zeppy!

Hey, I like your device idea... think we could combine those packing peanuts with those mylar gift bag shreds/artificial grass they put in Easter baskets??

Tinkerbell wrote: Hey, I like your device idea... think we could combine those packing peanuts with those mylar gift bag shreds/artificial grass they put in Easter baskets??

And used steel needles. Maybe even some phonograph springs! And shards of broken black Amberol cylinders.

I have more broken records than I really want to think about. Some are quite rare and it is maddening how thoughtless or careless that some people are. Some sellers wanted me to mail the pieces back before giving a refund -- pictures were not good enough for them.

I have seen some flukes -- well-packed records that should have made it, and some poorly-packed records that survived.

One thing for sure, all of the carriers are rough on packages. Here is a good representation of the handlers at the loading docks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-e96m4730

Bruce_Van_Note wrote:I only buy from some incredible sellers of 78's out there whose packaging techniques are world class, putting pros like UPS, as an example, to shame. Be careful out there.

While I prefer to buy from reputable sellers, the sad truth is that sometimes you only find the record you've been looking for amongst the effluvia offered by the casual seller looking merely to pick up some extra dead presidents.

VintageTechnologies wrote:
One thing for sure, all of the carriers are rough on packages. Here is a good representation of the handlers at the loading docks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-e96m4730

That's pretty much the way I've seen them handle luggage and packages on the ramp when loading the cargo onto airplanes. It amazes me sometimes that we actually pay extra to have our checked baggage manhandled that way!

Sorry tinkerbell .i would be pissed at this record being broke.78s are never safe really,luck is the only thing going to save a precious 78 in the mail.

Wolfe wrote:

Tinkerbell wrote: Hey, I like your device idea... think we could combine those packing peanuts with those mylar gift bag shreds/artificial grass they put in Easter baskets??

And used steel needles. Maybe even some phonograph springs! And shards of broken black Amberol cylinders.

A new twist on the old "snake in a can" gag, eh? Does anyone remember those?